A WOMEN'S group in West Kilbride welcomed a speaker to its first meeting back after the summer.

Dr Morag Thow gave a talk on "A Healthy Heart", followed by a short and enjoyable exercise activity to the West Kilbride members of the Scottish Women's Institute at the first meeting of 2023/24 on Wednesday, September 20.

After her talk, Morag judged the competitions and revealed that the winners were June Kerr and Isobel Weatherall for an item of origami and a fat-free cake, along with Mary Jack as the third winner for her baking.

For the animal ornament, the winners were announced as Carol Bayliss, Lizbeth Thompson and Margaret Emmerson. Their next meeting will be a fun games evening on October 18 in West Kilbride Village Hall at 7.30pm.

There will be plenty of competitions on the evening from the best-covered shoebox to Hallowe'en cupcakes and a box/parlour game.

The group will be taking donations for its shoebox appeal and is encouraging the community to get involved. The boxes can be decorated and filled with a variety of items.

Essential items include toothpaste and brushes, hat, scarf and gloves, soap, underwear, socks, sweets (not chocolate) and small toys for children. 

All items are required to be new or unused. 

A full list of acceptable items can be found on page two of the Shoebox Appeal leaflet here.

Tickets for the fashion show in November will also be on sale at the October meeting.