As usual our first meeting of the year is the AGM and 25 members attended. The Rector chaired the meeting and began by welcoming everyone followed by prayers. Edith read the secretary’s report which reminds us all of what we have achieved in 2018.

I would like to thank everyone for their support throughout 2018 with special thanks to the MU committee for all their help. We had a very busy and proactive year and this is only possible to achieve with team effort and commitment. Also we had a great deal of support from ladies in the congregation in response to the requests for the knitted items for the hospitals, knitted Easter chicks and Christmas stockings to support the fund raising events at St Paul’s School and not forgetting the ladies who join MU members giving their time to help the children with reading.

Election of Committee Members

Rosemary Smith, Rita Whittaker and Helen Hill to serve 3 years

Gloria Wardle, Eileen Winterbottom and Pat Sedman to serve for 2 years

Jean Simpson, Jennifer Duckworth and Janet Hewitt to serve for 1 year

Secretary is Edith Hayhurst

Treasurer is Carol Hill

Assistant Treasurer is June Wight

Banner Bearers are Carol Hill, Jean Naisbitt and Rosemary Smith

Thank you to the retiring members Teresa Taylor and Carol Hill (now Treasurer) and a warm welcome to the newly appointed members of the committee.

It was a lovely surprise when I was presented with a lovely floral arrangement having completed my 2nd triennium and I thank you all. I did however, offered to stand as Branch Leader for one more year and Julian accepted.

March will again be a busy month.

Our next meeting will be a visit to the Victoria Wood exhibition at Bury Museum. We meet on 5th March @ 1.00pm at the reception area inside the Museum.

1st March – World Day of Prayer service at Bury Baptist Church, Manchester Road, Bury @ 2.00pm. Parking is very limited in the surrounding streets.

25th March – Lady Day TBC

31st March - Mothering Sunday and as usual MU will be providing cakes to be served following the 10.00am service.

Donations will be much appreciated and can be brought to the March meeting or on the Sunday morning anytime from 9.20am

I have had a request from St Paul’s asking for our help in knitting Easter chicks again. They are planning a fund raising event week w/c 26 th March so if anyone can help with this request I and the school would be very grateful. Any colour of chick it doesn’t have to be yellow. If you leave them at Church with my name on they will get to me. Knitting patterns can be obtained from the notice board at the back of Church.

With Best Wishes

In love and friendship

Susan Sugden

Branch Leader