Arrangements were finalised for our participation in the International Women's Day event at Wells Town Hall and for a coffee morning and sale of Balinese items to raise funds for Women's Aid.

In sporty news our skittlers were planning a social outing and the walking netball group is proving very popular.

The main event was a talk from local artist Molly Briton. After gaining her degree Molly went on to study stone carving at post graduate level and went on to work as a stone mason. Some also recognised her from her time working in a popular local butcher's shop.

Molly is a self-employed artist, and art teacher, based at the Heritage Courtyard in Sadler Street. She offers weekly drop in classes in life drawing and portraiture.

Funding support from the Wells SOUP initiative enables her to offer an "access to drawing" scheme which provides free or low-cost tuition for all ages and mixed abilities.

After looking at some of Molly's work we were encouraged to try some drawing. Molly believes that anyone who can hold a pencil and make a mark can draw.

Apparently drawing engages a part of the brain we don't use every day, creating neural pathways that boost our ability to problem solve.

Evidence also suggests that drawing can delay the onset of Alzheimer's and dementia. We needed no further encouragement to embark on a collaborative drawing game.

Each member drew for five minutes on a sheet of paper before passing it on to the person on their right who added to, or erased all or part of, what they took over.

After several moves to the right Molly collected in our collaborative efforts. Kindly, she says she plans to frame them.

Our creative activities gave rise to much discussion and laughter in what was an immensely interesting and fun evening.

Our next meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday April 7 at Wells and Mendip Museum, from 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

The Keepers shop in St Cuthbert Street are due to show us examples of upcycling and suggest projects.

However, with the fast-changing national situation things could change in response to government advice. We will keep members updated through our social media channels on Facebook and WhatsApp.

New women are always welcome at Wells WI and can attend as guests before deciding whether to join.

More details are on our Facebook page.

By Veronica Howe and Valerie Pettman