WI News Jan 16
UPTON BISHOP
CHOIRS NOT CALENDARS
UPTON BISHOP STRIKE WELSH GOLD
Recently Upton Bishop WI planned a fun evening and challenged Gareth Whitcombe, Conductor of Blaenavon Male Voice Choir, with 'moulding' them into a choir in one evening.
The connection was made through Heather Kerry and her daughter Kate (a partner at Chase View Veterinary Clinic, Ross-on-Wye). Gareth taught Kate piano when she was a little girl. Kate remembered that Gareth was quite a character and suggested that Heather contact him to do something with Upton Bishop WI. The resultant evening, Gareth Whitcombe, Even Better Than Gareth Malone, was a great success.
Little did they know that they had struck gold – Welsh gold! Blaenavon Male Voice Choir has recently hit the headlines and this multi-award winning choir is the subject of a documentary that made its film premier in Cardiff last October. The film is now being edited for television.
Upton Bishop WI subsequently and as quickly as possible arranged for Gareth to bring his choir to the Millennium Hall and they are booked for Saturday, 23rd April 2016.
Gareth's choir not only reflects the tradition of Welsh Male Voice Choirs but the programme also includes songs from the shows, amusing and popular music.
Gareth is a charismatic character leading an outstanding choir and Upton Bishop can expect a great night.
Tickets are on sale at £10, to include a glass of wine and refreshments. For further details contact Di Buckley on 01989 780400 or Susan Jenkins at sujenk49@gmail.com
Our WI meet on the second Tuesday of every month except August.
PETERSTOW
January's meeting began with the President, Christine Bushell welcoming members with best wishes for the forthcoming New Year. The general meeting was followed by voting on the WI Resolutions for 2016. There were 8 choices with the most popular to be forwarded to the Herefordshire Federation.
Our guest this month was Donna Socket, a teacher in Merengue, which combines steps from all the Latin dances and is therefore known as "The Dance of Thieves". From the start members were participating and enjoying the lively music and dance.
This was a good beginning to the New Year after the excesses of the festive season.
HOLMER
HOLMER had a lively meeting to start the New Year viewing and hearing all about Maureen Graver's (member) extraordinary visit to Burma last year.
SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT
Saltmarshe & District 60th birthday party
In 2006 Saltmarshe & District W.I. celebrated its 60th Birthday. There was cake, much laughter and alcohol involved. Next time you visit the Conquest Theatre in Bromyard, see if you can spot us on the bricks in the foyer.
It naturally follows then that this year we'll be 70. Hurray!! So at our April meeting on Wednesday 13th April it'll be party time again, with entertainment by Lofty Magic. So, if you've ever been involved in this W.I. do please get your glad rags on and come along. You'd be very welcome. Or, if you just feel like coming to see what our Group is like please feel free to join us at any of our Meetings.
After our rest month in January, we begin in February with the very welcome return of Mary Seldon. This time she's telling us all about the marvellous work done by the Air Ambulance. In keeping with the striking colour of their helicopter, the competition is an invitation to bring along "Something Red".
It's all happening on February 10th at our Winter time of 2pm in Saltmarshe Village Hall. Want more details ? Tel 01885 and then 489342 or 488650 or 483072. Be seeing you !
TUPSLEY
Tupsley ladies and visitors gathered for the Christmas lunch in December and enjoyed a lovely variety of food and puddings provided by members. Entertainment followed. Tupsley choir ladies sang for us and then led the singing of Carols. Laughter was heard throughout two well produced versions of Jack and the Beanstalk and Cinderella. A 'volunteered' WI husband played the part of Palace messenger. After all business, covered by newly appointed President Judith Hollings, we left feeling light hearted and ready for Christmas.
STOKE PRIOR
Members of Stoke Prior & District WI were entertained at their first meeting of the year by Rev. Celia Rees who gave an account of her life, punctuated with poems she had written along the way. Mrs. Mary Marsden won the competition for a poem written about Winter. We were delighted to welcome 3 new members to swell our numbers. February's meeting on the 9th will be Ready for Inspection-Decluttering with Mrs. Rosalind Hayes. Everyone is welcome and perhaps you could pick up some tips for your Spring Clean!
UPTON BISHOP
Pat Lemin welcomed members and guests to the January meeting of Upton Bishop WI and quickly went through the business. Di Buckley had won the competitions cup for 2015 and members were encouraged to enter the competitions.
The speaker was Gill Suttle talking about her visit to Syria in 1998, before the current troubles began. She described how a passion for horses and Syria, and, most importantly, a desire to see the real Syria, had led her to undertake this journey on Arab Stallion, Madfaa, with whom she developed a close bond. So, somewhat amazingly, it was just her and Madfaa, travelling through mountains and small villages, avoiding the bigger towns and cities wherever possible. She had booked only one lot of accommodation in advance with a friend and the rest of the time she either camped out or, mostly, was offered hospitality with local people who are, she said, the most incredibly hospitable people. She showed photos of the Orontes valley, the Alawi Mountain, the Mediterranean coastline and also, spectacular Roman buildings which sadly have now mostly been destroyed, to illustrate the beauty and splendour of this very special country. She and Madfaa were able to wander freely, enjoying making new friends along the way, at all times feeling completely unthreatened. She also observed how the different religions were able to live contentedly alongside each other. It was a fascinating talk and it seemed incredible that she was able to make this journey on her own. The meeting closed with the raffle and refreshments.
UBWI meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the Millennium Hall at 7.30.
THE SPARKLING WYE
Sparkling Wye WI's final meeting of 2015 was very well attended. Chris, President, welcomed members and visitors to the meeting. Following the business part of the evening, there were refreshments and a golf school session. This was provided by the Tim Hall School of Golf from Ross Golf Club, members were able to join in the fun session or sit and enjoy chatting to other members.
Chris wished members and many guests a Happy New Year at the January meeting, there were 35 people present and quite a few of the regular members had been unable to attend. She first gave a brief overview of what the WI is, nationally, at county level and locally and that SWWI was one of 65000 WIs in the UK. Then she explained that SWWI has a monthly meeting plus a social event most months. Forthcoming events were discussed and the new programmes were distributed. Later in January, most of the members will be enjoying a post Christmas meal at No 3 Restaurant and in February, fourteen members are going to see The Sound of Music at Malvern.
The January speaker was Yvette Farrell from Hart's Barn Cookery School, who demonstrated a mouth-watering selection of easy to make canapes (aka finger foods), both sweet and savoury. Members were given the opportunity to taste them over coffee. These included smoked mackerel pate on cucumber slices, quail eggs on mayonnaise, chorizo and mascarpone on lettuce leaves, plus alcoholic fruit jelly shots, mini chocolate brownies and mini scones – all of which were declared delicious! Certainly she had lots of very simple yet very tasty ideas. It is hoped to arrange a trip to the cookery school or supper club in the near future.
Sparkling Wye WI meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month in Ross Conservative Club at 8pm, new members are always very welcome.
BRAMPTON BRYAN
Brampton Bryan WI met on January 14th, and we and our three guests were warmly welcomed by President Jean Richards. We are looking forward to sending a team to take part in the Herefordshire Federation Quiz in March, and in June we will be sending a Delegate to the WI AGM in Brighton where she will represent our WI and three others.
Our speaker was Vic Harnett, who spoke to us about the history of silver in the UK, and brought many beautiful and interesting pieces to show us, far more clearly than mere photographs could have done, the differences in shape, style and usage which define silver articles from different periods. He told us why and how the Assay Offices were set up, and showed us the various marks which identify where they were made, by whom, and their purity. Vic Harnett showed us many of the beautiful and unique pieces that he has collected over the years and we saw how design changes put them at a certain period, and Assay marks confirm their age and provenance.
MUCH COWARNE
Much Cowarne held their annual fund raising coffee morning at Stoke Lacy village hall on Friday 8th January. A great time was had by all.Cakes made by members and a wide selection of goodies on the bring and buy stall made for a very successful event.