St Osyth Women's Institute
	THE two-faced god, Janus stares back, reflectively perhaps, at the year which has passed and forward, with some anticipation, at the year which has just begun.  And we tend to do the same, once the excitement of Christmas is over. St Osyth W.I. regrets the passing of two lovely people, Brenda Wood and Betty Jones, but appreciates the friendship and support of those still working to keep the Institute strong and active.  We remember the fun of the Ayckbourn play at the Westcliff Theatre, the preparation for Christmas at the Carol Concert at Brightlingsea and the Institute’s own Christmas party, when members renewed their aquaintance with friends from the other Institutes in the Estuary Group and enjoyed the usual bounteous buffet, this time proveded by the members themselves, so giving the committee a well-earned rest. So many memories of 2004!  And what does 2005 hold in store?  It began well, with a talk by John White, ex-Chairman of Tendring District Council and currently Chairman of the Parish Council, at the January meeting.  John, having recovered from his deep disappointment at not having St Osyth graced by the presence of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, in the steps of her ancestor, intrigued the members with his account of his varied duties as Chairman of the T.D.C. and gave full credit to his wife, Sue, who accompanied him on many occasions.  The photograph album which records all his doings is really something to see. The evening finished with the Auction and, once again, the members responded generously with masses of articles, from new-laid eggs to books to china to glassware to toiletries to... all sorts of things!  Many thanks to the members who gave the goods and to the members who bought them. The monthly competition varies in popularity, but it is a good idea to enter as the winner of the most points at the end of the year receives a year’s free subscription, a worthwhile prize.  In 2004, the winner was Sue White and she was presented with a small silver cup as well as the gift subscription. And the future?  There is a varied programme ahead as you will see when you pay your subscription and receive the Programme Card, with Sandra Price doing her entertaining flower arranging at the February meeting.  There is the half-yearly Council Meeting in March, the Estuary Group Spring Meeting at St Osyth in April and two or three meetings of the Tendring Area Group Activity Day, starting off on Tuesday 22nd February, at Bradfield Community Centre.  And don’t forget that any ideas you might have on how to improve the Programme would be very welcome to the committee. ENJOY YOUR INSTITUTE IN 2005! D.M. Wall