A CHEERY start to 2017 was made with the first meeting for 2017 of the Andover Homemakers’ Club’s at St Ann’s Hall.

Their chairman, Jacky Hutchins, was delighted to welcome members and to give a resume of the year’s programme, and it was to be hoped that the coach to Weymouth in June this year would have a full complement of passengers. The treasurer then collected this year’s subscriptions, kept at the low cost of £5, and issued membership cards, which are bright orange this year.

Jacky had also to announce that unfortunately the projected January entertainment was not forthcoming, as the group had recently disbanded, but a musical afternoon still lay ahead. Attention was drawn to the Odeon’s Silver Screen daytime showings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which mean films can still be enjoyed without having to go out in the dark evenings. Business over, the raffle then took place, followed by a seasonally relevant and entertaining piece of dietary advice from a ‘famous Chinese doctor’, and then, with the help of song sheets, a good old singalong left everyone in a ‘feel-good’ mood. Tea after this was very welcome, and the committee served it up with slices of Christmas cake, which gave members plenty of time to chat, before the meeting closed with everyone singing ‘We’ll meet again’, and ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

The 21 February meeting is a social afternoon with a quiz and some games of beetle, together with a bring and buy table.

Guests and new members are always welcome. Contact Jacky on 01264 323520.