BLABY TG members were delighted to meet John and Christine Stubbs, a husband and wife team, who had brought a display of their miniature hand-made Room Displays and Houses, at a 12:1 scale. Their audience delighted in the attention to detail, which included tiny hand-knitted clothes. The couple plan an Open Day at their home in Burbage on Sunday 7th June. The Guild members had enjoyed a coach trip in Derbyshire, and will be going to a stage show at Kilworth House, 'Crazy For You', all singing, all dancing, all Gershwin.

IBSTOCK Townswomen's GUILD members heard from Stewart Shepherd about 'Hospice Hope'. With the closure of Staunton Harold, where those with incurable illnesses were cared for, many in N W Leicestershire felt a new Care Home was needed. Whilst the Charity still hope for a new building in the future, the money raised is providing specialist equipment used for palliative care at hospitals at Ashby and Coalville. Also, for those patients who choose to remain at home, support can be given for specialist home-care. Stewart said more information was available online.

Earlier members heard they had gained two new members.

MOUNTSORREL TG heard from David Freeman about the many properties and parks for which the National Trust is responsible. There are more than 300 historic houses and gardens in England and Wales, along with 49 industrial monuments and mills, besides forests, moorlands, castles and villages. His slides illustrated examples of the Trust's work from many regions. The Guild's Social Studies Group enjoyed a fish and chip supper this month.

QUORN TG heard of The Arts & Craft Movement in Leicestershire from Ernest Miller. He spoke of the strong influence of William Morris in the area, and the importance of Ernest Gimson of Leicester, in the design of furniture and houses in the early Twentieth century. His slides illustrated these simple designs of good quality furniture, along with houses designed and built in Leicester and at Ulverscroft. Mr Miller said that Loughborough College students produced furniture in the new designs, some of which is still in use today at Loughborough University. Several TG members had been taught by those influenced by Gimson's work, and Edward Barnsley, a tutor at Loughborough College. Earlier the details of a trip to Packwood House were given out, and an appeal for books and jigsaws for the Guild stall at the Quorn May Fair on Sunday 3rd May.

LUTTERWORTH EVENING TG members wondered about the title 'Places to Visit Before you Die', the talk given by Alan Joyce. Their speaker is a Blue Badge Guide, with a great love of travel. His slides illustrated this, with views taken all over Great Britain.

Alan's talk was delivered with warmth and infectious humour, and the views ranged from Osborne House on the Isle of Wight to the smallest house in existence, in Conway.