June 2017
ASTON INGHAM
After we'd had a talk by a speaker who had been a WW11 evacuee, Liz Gwynn, our President , suggested we hold a tea party for our members who are over 85 years so that they could tell us their experiences.
Jean Parsons told us how evacuees had come and how romance had blossomed among some of them and local young people, leading to lasting relationships. Olwen Walden hails from Leicester and she told us how she and other young people were busy packing what she thinks were pieces of equipment for the war effort but she had no idea what they were. Barbara Cutter from Yorkshire told us that evacuees came from Hull to her small town, she said they must have found their small town ways very strange. Enid Williams came from London originally and she, her Mother and the rest of the family were sent, by her father, to stay in Exeter while he continued to work in London.
Local artists, John and Hazel Whiskerd, originally from London who painted our beautiful signs, joined us and John told us how the well known Gloucester company Doughty, had a factory very close to Aston Ingham where parts for undercarriages and propellers for aircraft were made, employing local people.
Liz made the beautiful cake, Thank You For The Memories.
MUCH COWARNE
Much Cowarne's June evening meeting commenced with a rendering of Jerusalem followed by business matters. Next a very well presented and informative report on the National Annual Meeting held in Liverpool was professionally executed by Margaret Simcock of Preston Wynne. For this we thank her.
Judy Maund with her Interactive Zumba Gold dance/exercise session was booked for our evening programme, it was with intrepidation that we wondered what we were in for. There was no need to worry as soon as Judy played the music we were all up and gyrating to music that we were all familiar with in our younger days. If you haven't thought of booking one of these sessions for your WI (because you thought Zumba wasn't for you) then Judy is well worth contacting, as she pitches the dance routines to suit the audience.
HOLMER
At our June meeting, Paul Morrisroe gave a talk entitled 'Wheels on the Western Front'. Paul fought in the first Gulf War and now raises funds to support the families of those killed and injured in combat through the charity 'ABF-The Soldiers Charity'. His wartime experiences ,as well as his personal interest in all aspects of military history ,gave him the idea of undertaking long distance cycle rides along the battle lines of the 1st World War, timed to coincide with the centenary of major events. Boris Johnson, then Lord Mayor of London, helped to launch the first cycle ride in 2014. 54 fellow cyclists took part with an age range of between 16 and 64, raising £122,000. They left Horseguards Parade and cycled on to Calais , Ypres, Arras and Albert before finally reaching Compiegne on the fifth day! A distance of over 400 miles! The cyclists stopped at many memorials on the way, laying a wreath at the Menin Gate. Paul pointed out that the cemeteries en route commemorated the dead of many different countries with monuments such as that at Thiepval inscribed with the names of those brave soldiers who have no known grave.
In 2016 , the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Paul and his fellow cyclists once again set off, raising £107,000. This time they followed the route of the newly recruited PALS army, which suffered huge losses in the conflict. He recounted a story relating to a Herefordshire regiment , 120 men of which bravely fought and held up a German division for eight days in hand to hand fighting , with no food or water. At the end of this fighting only twelve brave, wounded men survived. Paul also showed us some fascinating slides , some of which depicted the contrast between trench and battlefield during the War and the present day. Those young men in the First World War were very brave patriots whose sacrifice will never be forgotten, especially judging by the way the graveyards and battle scenes are being maintained and preserved.
Paul and his friends are setting off again in August 2018 ,covering 428 miles in five days. Should you wish to take part or donate , www.justgiving.com/Paul-Morrisroe2018 is the website.
Mary Burgess gave a vote of thanks and members present gave Paul an enthusiastic round of applause.
Recently , we were invited, once again, to the lovely home and grounds of member Christine Cooper. As a well as her generous hospitality and the wonderful views over Hereford, members enjoyed seeing her chickens, sheep, lambs and, an especial favourite, the Gloucester Old Spot piglets. The photo shows our treasurer, Jane Jenkins, giving the piglets their lunch.
Holmer WI next meets on Wednesday July 5th at 7.30pm in St. Mary's Church, Grandstand Road, when Keith James will be telling us about the photographic studio of Derek Evans. Ladies , you are very welcome to join us.
LINTON
An enjoyable evening was had by WI Linton and their guests at their Open Meeting in June.
A talk was given by Bev O’Kane of the Marine Conservation Society on Sustainable Seafood. This was accompanied by photographs of fish found in UK waters including those exported such as salmon, mackerel, nephrops, scallops and crab. The main types of imported fish consumed in the UK are cod, tuna, salmon, lobster and cold-water prawns.
We learned that dredging is a type of fishing that damages the environment by picking up fish and other wildlife from the seabed indiscriminately. Managed conditions are better for the environment where fishermen meet quotas and by using low impact methods of catching fish such as pole, trap or pot caught, or line fishing.
Looking for the BLUE logo and WHITE tick on packets of fish bought in the supermarket informs the consumer that the fish are from a managed environment. To look for further information we can download the Good Fish Guide phone app or ring for a free paper copy on 01989-566017
The Eira Furlong Competition for 2017 (for a piece of art or craft on a marine theme) was won by Liz Davies for her doormat woven from green and blue plastic bags entitled Water and Weed. See photo.
After the talk we celebrated the 90th birthday of June, our oldest member, with a lovely birthday cake and tea. See photo.
If you are new to the area and would like to make new friends, or you would be interested in joining in our activities, you would be welcome to join us. We meet on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm (summer timetable) at Linton Village Hall. Or contact Janet Griffiths, our secretary on 01531-8200094.
SPARKLING WYE
Andrea Degen, a local circle dance teacher, who had stood in at the last minute, taught a few dances, starting very simply with just a couple of steps, building up to dances with more steps and two or three parts, all of which were danced to lovely music. Despite the fact that the room was probably the wrong shape to have a beautiful circle, the dancing certainly got everyone moving in the sultry heat (even necessitating a water break) and there was plenty of laughter (or was it hysteria?!) It has to be said that some members found it easier than others, but most people gave it a go and seemed to enjoy themselves. It was a very enjoyable and fun evening!
SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT
What a fun time we had at our June meeting. Wendy, one of our cherished members, delighted us in a fun evening of music making. Just as any speaker does, she began by telling us a little of her musical life; at school in a class of 18 pupils, their Welsh teacher was very into music. Wendy's voice was that of an alto range whereas the 17 others were soprano, so that was quite a striking introduction to singing. Wendy has now clocked up 50 years in the Bromyard Choral Society and one of her dreams would have been to sing at the Royal Albert Hall at the Last Night of the Proms.
Well, we couldn't disappoint her so after some warm up exercises we began by singing a few easy songs and then some rounds. We then had to guess the tune being rung by 8 handbells. Wendy then produced her surprise box of musical instruments of all shapes and sizes; a wooden agogo, other percussion instruments, cymbals, triangles, tambourines and so forth. Rousing versions of Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and a final Jerusalem almost raised the roof of Saltmarshe & District Hall. It made for a very uplifting evening and Wendy was heartily thanked by Sue.
Next month on Wednesday July 12th at 7.30pm we will be learning about the WI at War. Our competition will be "A toy: An old favourite".
You're very welcome to come along and enjoy it all with us.
STOKE PRIOR
Being entertained by Irene Whittall with her History and Memories of a Midwife, Stoke Prior & District WI had a lovely meeting which included members from Eye and Orleton together with friends.
BRAMPTON BRYAN
Speaker - Our speaker this month was Dave Tomlinson from Tools for Self-Reliance. We were joined by three guests, two gentlemen and a lady. Dave introduced the topic by way of a slide show from their national business followed by a slide show specifically relating to South Shropshire and Borders.
Established over 25 years and currently a group of 12, they are based in an old granary provided rent free from their landlady. They operate from two floors the ground being the workshop and upstairs used for storage. Tools are donated to be put to good use and are either refurbished for use in Africa throughout Ghana, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Malawi, refurbished and sold in the UK to raise funds or sold for scrap. All tools are welcomed covering manual and electric, sewing machines, car mechanics, carpentry and blacksmithing, as well as haberdashery items.
Working in conjunction with their partners who identify projects and participants, using their local knowledge Tools for Self-Reliance supply kits and funds for training. Their partners supply business short courses, long term training and apprenticeships for individuals, male and female. They offer business development advice, along with standard business skills such as keeping records, marketing and how to make a profit. Sensible life skills are taught. Self-Reliance for example to a tailoring group would be empowering them with the knowledge to be able to maintain and repair their machines, saving them money. With one of the biggest impacts being that they pay their members of the group who in turn can afford to send their children to school.
Some of our members donated tools on the evening directly to Dave. Various questions were asked. The group take stalls to sell the tools refurbished to raise funds, with the Green Man at Clun having the largest attendance and are often at Ludlow market. There are various volunteers that undertake collections with the latest being Marie (although not official yet), at the sewing shop next to Aldi in Ludlow. There are approximately 50 groups across the UK from Jersey to Aberdeen scattered randomly.
BROMYARD
Blessed by dry and sunny weather BROMYARD’s members were able to explore the lovingly tended flower and vegetable beds at the home of our former president during our annual garden meeting in June. A particular and unexpected highlight was the turkeys and recently hatched chicks. After the garden viewing the meeting continued with a buffet and concluded with a garden themed quiz to complete a really enjoyable and relaxing evening.
LEDBURY
Our President opened the June meeting and introduced the evening’s speakers Carrie and George – both delightful young ladies - from Harts in Monmouth. They gave an instructive and at times very amusing talk - ‘An Uplifting Experience’ - about the history of women’s shaping wear and the need to have a correctly fitting bra. We all felt that George was very brave in modelling the various underwear!
Following the theme of the evening, our competition was for a measuring device, which was won by a set of apothecary scales.
All of the members who had attended the evening at the Ledbury Rifle and Pistol Club agreed they had had an excellent time. They thanked the Club for giving them so much help and guidance to make the most of the opportunity to try something completely new to them. Our President’s husband announced the best shooter of the evening and presented certificates to all who had attended.
Next month’s meeting is at 7.30 pm, Wednesday 12 July at the Parish Room of the Catholic Church New Street Ledbury HR8 2EE. Our speaker will be one of our members, Liz Whattler, speaking about her years as a Cookery Teacher.
You are very welcome to join us and can be sure of a warm welcome.
BISHOPSWOOD
Bishopswood WI had a busy day on Friday, 16th June. From 3.00pm until 5.00 they held a very successful Summer Tea of sandwiches, canapes cakes, scones, meringues and fresh strawberries- provided and served by the committee. Outside the hall in glorious sunshine was a well-stocked stall with interesting plants. Inside were various stalls, including crafts and produce.
After clearing up after the tea the monthly WI meeting began at 5.30 pm with a short business meeting. Jenny our President welcomed Jim Christie, the husband of one of our members. He first visited The Falkland Islands in 1992, serving on West Falkland with the RAF for 5 months. In 2002 there was an opportunity to go there as a family, which they very much enjoyed. Their son has lived in the Falklands for 12 years, is married to a Falkland Islander and has two sons.
In the Falklands there are 197 sheep for every islander, the largest (and only) town is Stanley, formerly known to us as Port Stanley. Just over 2,900 people live in Stanley and tourism is the biggest industry with Antarctic tours. One boat may carry 2,500 people, only slightly below the population of the town. 60,000 people come by boat and 1600 by air.
We may think our roads are bad, but there is no road from Stanley to the port to catch the ferry, flights are on demand with no hard airstrips, landings are in fields.
There are 5 species of penguin on Falkland and 60% of the world’s Giant Petrels. In the referendum of two years ago more than 99% of the people voted to remain British. Although the weather is cold and the wind continuous, we could all see why the island life was so attractive.