The May meeting of the Radcliffe Townswomen’s Guild welcomed Liz Greenwood from the RNIB who explained the importance of “Talking books” for blind and partially sighted people. The service offers over 19,000 titles and is used by 39,000 people. They ship out over 8,000 each week and help all subscribers to feel involved and independent. Liz explained how sometimes the RNIB work with the publishing industry to ensure the “Must have” books, like the Harry Potter titles, are available in audio and braille as the same time as the print book.

The Jubilee themed strawberry cream tea was well attended with over 65 visitors. The goods on the cake, plant and good as new stall went well and over £400 was raised. Rose Tipton from “Macmillan.Cancer Support” opened the proceeding with a short explanation of the work that the charity do. This is the chosen charity for the guild this year and other fund raising events are being held throughout the year. A quiz sheet is on sale with prize of £10 which will be drawn after the November meeting.

Visits have been made to other guilds in the month. Members had been invited to Royton and Alkrington. Ten members from Radcliffe attended the Tottington Guild’s 25th anniversary party at Greenmount Golf Club when the speaker was the widow of Fred Dibnah who was a most amusing entertainer.

The federation bowls play off has been organised for Tuesday 10th July at Allen’s Green starting at 1.30pm. Three teams from Radcliffe will be taking part and all members are encouraged to offer their support. The finals will be held in Hoole Cheshire on1st August.

Eleven ladies from Radcliffe Guild are going to the Octagon Theatre on 20th June to see “Little Voice”.

Doreen Barrow will be representing the guild at the AGM in Birmingham. The speakers this year will be Esther Rantzen who will be talking about her new venture, Silverline which seeks to provide a service for older people who feel they have nowhere else to turn. The afternoon spearker will be Eris Knowles who is a well known antique expert from BBC’s Antique Roadshow.

The next meeting of the lively and friendly guild will be on Wednesday 27 June at the Bridge Methodist Church (behind the library) when Brian Holdsworth will remind members of living through the 1960’s. The meeting starts at 7.30 pm and all visitors and guests will be made most welcome.