MEMBERS had enjoyed a trip to Chester with coffee and a guided tour round WI House. After shopping time, the Hotter Shoe shop closed and held an open evening for members.

Eight Hotter Shoe staff were there including two designers who demonstrated the process to bring a pair of shoes from initial production to the shop counter.

There was also a preview of the new season’s colours and designs.

Speakers for the evening were Pat Burrows and Jacqui Bilsborough who are wardrobe mistresses at the Wilmslow Green Room.

They brought many of their costumes from medieval plays to 1930s shows.

Most of the costumes were made from scratch or adorned with gold and other glittering materials from old evening dresses.

Local markets and charity shops were another source of materials but ingenuity is needed to see past old blankets and dresses and find the sackcloth costume for a peasant and a dress for Nell Gwynn.

It is hard to believe that bubble wrap, tubing from a beer kit and a bicycle inner tube could make fascinating and realistic looking intestines.

Next meeting is on Monday, March 10 at 7pm at the Wych Centre. Call 01606 837532

Kathryn Lavelle