The WI has joined with Sky TV to search nationwide for the one member who has what it takes to star in an online campaign on Sky's educational website, Sky Learning.

The successful candidate will be introducing video films aimed at inspiring us all to learn new skills both for living and releasing our creativity, and also very importantly tips on family life in today's difficult economic conditions.

Entrance forms can be downloaded from www.sky.com/w-icon or go to www.thewi.org.uk for more details.

All applicants must be current members of the WI and over 18, and the closing date is Monday 15August 2008.

Filming will take place over two days end September/October, with expenses reimbursed, and the W-Icon will need to discuss the competition with the media.

The greatest incentive will be for the winner to have the chance to donate £10,000 to a community project of their choice.

If you have been toying with the idea of joining, now could be the time, and we would love to see you.

For further details telephone 01772 744672.

After the usual business, our president Elaine introduced the evening's speaker Richard Bramley of Bramley, Pate Architects, who spoke with passion and enthusiasm about the Bank Hall Action Group who many will remember from the popular "Restoration" TV programme.

The Action Group sadly just missed out to the Manchester Baths project, which today still needs a great deal of money to even contemplate the completion of their restoration project, whereas Bank Hall would have been largely fully restored.

Costs of course are still mounting, and undaunted the Action Group are mounting many activities to bring in funds, such as theatre performances, snowdrop walks and family days for example, as well as carrying out work on the site.

Members agreed that it would be a tragedy if Bank Hall, parts of which are listed Grade 1, and include the original Jacobean Hall from 1608 where to disappear.

The garden elevation has Flemish style gables, reflecting the influence of the Dutch engineers who came to the county to carry out the massive drainage works at Martin Mere, then the biggest lake in England and so creating the very fertile West Lancashire plain, in the 17th century.

Bank Hall represents uniquely a very important part of the heritage on of county.

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