DESPITE lockdown restrictions the dynamic ladies of Saddleworth Women's Institute are still keeping the membership entertained, informed and most importantly, for those living alone, connected by means of technology and social media.

They have just held their first zoom members meeting with guest speaker, Beth Butcher from Fulham WI, hosting a talk on British sign language and showed some basic phrases and the alphabet.

During the meeting president Pam Armstrong conducted an on-screen poll for future speakers which are being booked for future meetings.

And through June more than 25 members took part in the alphabet photo challenge posting a picture of something that represents the letters of the alphabet in order from June 1.

They report the range of photographs has been amazing and the new images each day has been very uplifting.

They have been posted on the Facebook members page or on the newly formed SWI Photo WhatsApp group.

Saddleworth WI members have expanded the range of knitted and sewn items for donation to local hospitals and the community.

And they have have enrolled in the #CakesofKindness initiative to bake and deliver 100 cakes to isolating and hard working local recipients.

To ensure members keep in touch, an email newsletter has gone out to members every couple of weeks with useful information and a few tips and light-hearted items to help members get through the days and weeks before we can get back to some form of normality.

The group’s Facebook page has been busy offering a weekly virtual walk with one clue per day and the answer revealed at the end of the week, a daily riddle and monthly book reviews.

When things get back to "normal" Saddleworth WI meet on the first Wednesday each month 7pm, for 7.30pm, in the Oak Room of The White Hart, Stockport Road, Lydgate, OL4 4JJ. Visitors are very welcome with a small fee of £3. They can be contacted on 07763 028466 or visit www.saddleworthwi.com