ORGANISERS were not disappointed as almost all Knowbury WI members were able to attend the first open meeting of the year with many of them bringing guests.

There were also visitors from other local WIs making up a good number to listen to a talk given by John Swift of Swifts Bakery.

The business meeting took place first but was kept short and sweet. Members are looking forward to the group meal in May and a trip to The Royal Mint, Cardiff.

The group has also decided to take a trip to the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas in August. This will be open to all interested parties so contact any of the Knowbury WI members if you want to go.

The guest speaker was John from Swifts in Clee Hill and he spoke about his appearance in the very successful The Victorian Bakers shown on BBC2.

He is a fifth-generation baker. His great aunt, Hannah Swift started the business 153 years ago and therefore was trading at the time the series was covering.

John gave many insights into the background of the series.

The four bakers endured long hours with very little sleep, ate a Victorian diet, wore Victorian clothes and were denied any modern 21st century comforts such as television, computers or telephones for the duration of filming blocks.

They had to make bread using the equipment and technology of the day.

They didn't have a mixing machine and they had to cook using a coal and wood fired oven with no thermometer to help set the oven temperature.

Members were delighted with the talk and finished the evening with a supper followed by tea and coffee.

The next meeting of the Knowbury WI is on May 8 when the topic for the evening is Patchwork, Quilting and Stitchery.