Report of Meeting held on May 7th 2009

ART IN ARMENIA: The May meeting of Craster WI opened with Jerusalem. The secretary read the minutes and dealt with correspondence, reminding members about our educational outing to Whalton Gardens.

As our speaker was unable to come at the last minute, one of our residents, Mick Oxley, very kindly came to our rescue.

His talk was on art in Armenia. Artist Mick went to the village of Spitak to teach art to children who were the victims of the earthquake in 1988 when 45,000 people died and 500,000 were left homeless.

Some countries supplied temporary homes, which are still in use. This venture was supported by churches in the Alnwick area.

Not being able to speak the language, Mick, who uses a wheelchair, had to rely on sign language to help these children to use paints and gradually express themselves in pictures.

It was a most interesting evening and certainly showed how one man's sheer determination gave help to others.

After questions and general discussion, supper was served by Nancy Grey, Nancy Nicholson and Marion Gallen.

Meeting Reports