THE Devon WFU annual general meeting was held at Clyst St Mary where members had a most interesting day and a superb lunch.

Celia spoke of changes over the years and highlighted the fact that many five year olds obviously have never used cutlery before going to school - just fingers!

The dairy committee are keen to get more milk into schools and there has been a positive response to the provision of vending machines selling fresh milk, water and orange juice.

The guest speaker was Inspector Nevin Hunter of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and in charge of wild life crime; a voluntary position.

The crime in endangered species is the second largest worldwide, after drug trafficking. DNA is now used in helping to track wildlife criminals and priorities are hen harriers, bats and civet buntings, destruction of SSSI sites and illegal trade.

There are still known to be 300 rare egg collectors in the UK. Local priorities are conservation and bats, and overseas priorities are ivory, illegal clothing (made from skins) and stuffed species. The small mammal, the Masked Palm Civet, carries SARS and is a threat to humans in the UK.

Ken Endacott from Devon Trading Standards warned that food imported via the Internet needs careful monitoring and beware of any cat or dog coming in from abroad.

We recently spent a few days in Donegal in Southern Ireland and were most impressed by the beautiful new "designer" houses and bungalows, which would all look good in glossy magazines, but were incongruously scattered amidst vast acres of rushes and peat bog.

When we crossed the border into Northern Ireland, however, the standard of the land was similar and the houses were more comparable with England.

We visited the Giants Causeway in County Antrim on a beautiful sunny day and, of course, read about the volcanic eruptions which formed the causeway. But, of course, that is so much nonsense as the locals will tell you because it was made by the Giant Finn MacCool to enable him to visit Giant Benandonner on the Scottish Island of Staffa.

The next meeting will be at Connie Hartnell's Jobblehayes Farm, Southleigh, Colyton, on Monday December 6, at 10.30am. Telephone 01297 552 433 for directions. This is a social meeting for Christmas and there will be a bring-and-buy and draw.