PRESIDENT Jane Narborough welcomed members, visitors and guests to the March meeting.

The guest speakers were Richard and Gaynor Tyler who gave a very entertaining talk and slide show about their journey ‘Across America’. They went in 2016 to celebrate their birthdays, covering 1,000 miles by train travelling east to West across the United States, starting at Grand Central station in New York and finishing in San Francisco.

Accommodation varied from bunks on the train in a space of 6ft 6ins x 3ft 6ins, a ‘high room’ in Chicago and a night on the Queen Mary.

Mishaps along the way included armed guards assuring Richard his lost camera was indeed still in his pocket, a broken-down train fixed with duct tape and their visit to the Grand Canyon being the only rainy day of the holiday.

Pauline Walton gave the vote of thanks to Richard and Gaynor for an entertaining speech.

Consideration was given members about moving the birthday party to a summer month and celebrating in February with cake and wine as weather problems had spoilt the last few celebrations.

The Member of the year Silver Rose Bowl was made to Stephanie as she had been unable to attend the Birthday Meeting and Dinner.

Members would be taking part in a number of events in the year including helping at a cake stall to raise money at Rhayader Leisure Centre on 21 April for Lucy Wills and friends chosen charity.

President Jane Narborough showed members samples of knitting produced for the yarn bombing. Any lengths were acceptable, preferably made with acrylic yarn as this would stand any rainfall. It is hoped to turn all the work into blankets for charity after the event taking place in Carnival Week

The President suggested a game of ‘walking netball’ could be organised for those who wished at the court in Rhayader Waun Capel Parc. It is also proposed that members who wished could take part in a New Age Kurling event at Cwmdauddwr School for Healthy Living Week 13 June 7pm. This had been very popular in other years.

Monthly competition ‘a Souvenir from Rhayader’ was won by Helen Lee with Morfa Shaw second and Ann Weir third.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 24 with a talk from Jan Swindale ‘Oyez Oyez’. New members and visitors/guests are welcome. Why not follow Rhayader WI on Facebook! Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the month at 7pm in Rhayader Leisure Centre’s small lounge. Contact Chris Phillips on 01597810349 or Jane Narborough 01597811011.