MEMBERS were welcomed to the March meeting of Cuddington and Sandiway WI by president Valerie Miller, proudly wearing her new president's badge.

She asked members for contributions to the Cheshire Show and asked for names for this year's bursary. Joan Small, who had attended the conference in Winsford, gave a short account of a very interesting and enjoyable afternoon.

Then it was time for the speaker, Terry Bolter, to take the stage with his talk Escape from enemy-occupied Europe and for the next hour members were enthralled - literally!

Mr Bolter had them on the edges of their seats with his tales of his escape from the broken nose of his plunging Halifax bomber and his safe landing near the Belgian border.

After watching his plane crash in flames, he came across a cyclist who had helped the Germans pull the bodies of the crew out of the bomber. He passed him along the Resistance chain to a large chateau, where he met the local head. After a bath and a good meal - with wine - he was given false papers stating he was a French butter merchant.

This was just the start of his adventures, which led him through France, the Basque country and Spain back to England. He even found time for a little romantic dalliance en route, which made quite an impression on him. He was thanked by Ruth Cottle.

The winner of the competition for a wartime souvenir was Jean Williamson. The president reminded members of the trips to the Crown Derby Pottery and the jewellery demonstration.

The next meeting will be on April 13. New members are always welcome. For more information, please ring 01606 888427.