WI News September 2016

HOLMER

Holmer ladies and the dog (Teddy) enjoying a  5 mile ramble around Brockhampton Estate during a lovely day out  in August.

In September we were shown the difference between Butterflies and Moths, which is partly that  “Butterflies are beautiful but Moths are amazing”as quoted by our lovely speaker  Mrs Phil King.  We also welcomed two new members to our group.

PETERSTOW

Peterstow's guest for September was John Turrell, a retired music teacher. John explained that he is researching for a book he is writing on Children’s Traditional Games and Rhymes. He visits schools and learns from talking to the pupils in the playground about these, and how they are played now, compared with past eras.

John invited all our members to participate; one member even managed to revive her skill with the skipping rope.

STOKE PRIOR

Although being let down at the very short notice by their booked speaker, Stoke Prior and District WI had an excellent afternoon in the company of Police Community Support officer, Peter Knight.  He gave us many tips about home security such as putting timers on lamps both upstairs and down. Members had lots of questions answered. If you are concerned about home security, a Policy Community Support Officer will be willing to come along and discuss your needs.

HUNTINGTON HEREFORD

At their September meeting Huntington-Hereford welcomed ‘Falklands Fred’, otherwise known as Councillor Fred Clark, the Mayor of Bromyard.

Arriving by boat at the capital Stanley in the Falkland Islands on a proposed two week holiday that ended up lasting thirty years, he was offered the job as the Islands' policeman, living there till he retired, returning to the U.K six years ago.

He showed lovely slides of the Falklands, where there are 2 main islands and around 700 smaller ones. He covered history, the islanders lifestyle, wildlife and education and he was a most enjoyable speaker.

BRAMPTON BRYAN

Brampton Bryan WI members were delighted to welcome three visitors, one of whom is already a member! We are now looking forward to our Famous Christmas Pudding Mix on November 19th in the Parish Hall, where we sell pudding mix, and there will also be a produce stall, raffle and refreshments.  Our speaker in September was Malcolm Price, West Midlands Ambulance Commercial Services Development Manager, who spoke about the progress of his career and of the development of our excellent local Ambulance Service.

BISHOPSWOOD

After tea one of our members, Tina, spoke about her job as a forensic scientist.  She spent 35 years in Forensic Science before being made redundant when the government closed the state forensic science services, leaving this country as the only one in the world with just private forensic services.

She emphasised that the job is not at all like the job portrayed on TV, where the Forensic Scientist does everything, there are stages of investigation for every crime scene, each done by a different officer.  
Tina joined the Metropolitan Police in 1979 in the Drugs Section, then moving to the documents section.

BARTESTREE & LUGWARDINE

At their September meeting Bartestree & Lugwardine members brought their handmade items along for a craft and garden produce show.  The display included a beautiful selection which included drawn and sewn pictures, tatting, crochet, knitting, handmade Christmas cards and decorations, patchwork and there were also chutneys to sample.  There was even a re-upholstered chair on display.

SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT

You could tell from the smiles on their faces just how much Saltmarshe enjoyed their September meeting when Judy Maund, along with her helper Gladys, came along to get them up on the floor doing Zumba Gold: a low impact, slower paced Zumba with great music and movements. It's a fun way to keep fit inspired by Latin and International dance rhythms which allows anyone to get active and feel good. Jude has classes in Martley and elsewhere so to find out more look at http://www.judymaund.zumba.com/ or tel: 01905 356281

Saltmarshe also had a wonderful trip to the Elan Valley (the picture shows them with Harry, the Ranger guide) when they were able to explore inside one of the dams.

ASTON INGHAM

Rebecca Edmonds, a clinical hypnotherapist came to talk to us about her work.  She has chronic arthritis and was told by a specialist, some 6 years ago, when she was about 40 that there was no treatment, other than pain killers. She was determined to find another answer and turned to hypnotherapy.  Rebecca took us through a short relaxation which was so relaxing that one of our members felt she was outside her body.  She was inspirational and a brilliant speaker.

BOSBURY

Our speaker for the evening was Madeleine Horton who demonstrated how to make glamourous fascinators using feathers, beads and other accessories.  Madeleine trained as a pattern cutter and dressmaker and designs outfits for special occasions including headwear.  She was thanked by Jane Delahaye.

THE SPARKLING WYE

September's speaker was Tina, one of the members, who demonstrated 3 fabulous flower arrangements, one set on a trellis, a European one and a summer one, which reminded her of holidays in France. She made it look so easy and insisted that any of the members could do arrangements like these but they didn't seem convinced! Tina kindly donated all 3 arrangements and some left over flowers to the raffle and her fee to this year's SWWI charity.

PARKWAY

The President Val Graham welcomed the few members and our speaker Peter Rowlands who had braved the torrential rain with thunder and lightning to attend our September meeting.

Peter was visiting us to talk on Macmillan Support, he has spent many years with Macmillan previously as the Fund Manager now days a speaker.  Peter explained to us the difference between Macmillan nurses and Marie Curie nurses being Macmillan nurses work in the hospitals and hospice’s and went on to explain how they are already experienced nurses but how they are specially trained by Macmillan.  Marie Curie nurses go in to help patients who prefer to stay in their own home.  Macmillan also provides items for patient’s e.g. electric beds and chairs or maybe a microwave oven to make their lives more comfortable. A vote of thanks was given by Estelle who thanked Peter for such an informative and enlightening talk.

The next meeting of Parkway WI is 11th October 2016 in The Baptist Hall, The Homend, Ledbury at 2pm.  The speaker will be Sara Stringer from Wiltshire Farm Foods.Visitors and New Members always welcome.