MIDDLE-Wyches WI president Susan Leicester outlined plans and outings for the coming year and encouraged members to start thinking about projects for the Cheshire Show in June.

PALS (Public Affairs Liaison Service) representative Helen McGarvey gave a brief outline of the work of the new Healthwatch body. It is looking for volunteers to assist with projects – no health qualifications are necessary, just a genuine interest in the health and wellbeing of Cheshire people.

Speakers for the evening were Val Lithgow and Lucie Hayward. Val’s daughter and son-in-law founded an orphanage in Tanzania for unwanted babies and toddlers aged 0-5 years. The orphanage is financed by donations, fundraising and appeals. Donations are organised by Val and she sends them out in recycled wheelie bins given free by a company in Northwich.

Lucie gave an edifying account of her initial idea to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with a friend.

Through their efforts they raised and keep raising a large amount of money for the Forever Angels orphanage foreverangels.org.

Middle-Wyches WI meets at the Wych Centre in Middlewich on the second Monday of the month at 7pm.

For any further information, please call 01606 837532.

Kathryn Lavelle