May 2017

UPTON BISHOP

President Pat Lemin welcomed everyone to Upton Bishops WI April meeting.

The speaker for the evening was Karen van Hoff, whose talk was very funny and frank and certainly enjoyed by all; which was evident by the smiles and laughs of everyone.

Karen's talk was on her collection of exquisite fine art jewellery and hand painted embroidered textiles.  

Many of her pieces she brought along so members were able to see and feel the jewellery and also purchase some of her work.   Each piece of work is individually made.

Karen entered a competition several years ago at a meeting of the WI which she went along to with her mother.   Karen's work won and she was awarded first prize, it was then she realised that people really liked and were interested in her jewellery that she began to make a business of it.    Her work has been exhibited and sold all over the world.

After the meeting closed a raffle was held followed by refreshments. Members were then able to chat to Karen and feel and appreciate her work.

THE SUTTONS

At our May meeting, Sophie Cowling from Hereford Wildlife Trust told us about ‘The Lugg Living Landscape’.  The River Lugg passes Sutton St Nicholas, and we were very interested to hear about all the work that the Wildlife Trust has done with farmers and others to protect the river from damage and pollution. She also told us about their plans for Bodenham lakes, and opportunities to be involved in their conservation activities.

Our next meeting is on 17th May when we will hear about the work of the Salvation Army.

TUPSLEY

Pictures from Tupsley's new walking group.

Bodenham Lakes and Queens wood Arboretum

WYE WOMEN AND SPARKLING WYE

Photos from the River Wye Festival at the Federation stall! Pictured are Christine from Sparkling Wye and Pauline from Wye Women, and Chair Val Lewis.

HOLMER

Our May meeting focussed on W.I. resolutions for the coming year. Jenny Hare, our President, told us about the two topics for consideration this year. Firstly ,ways in which loneliness can be alleviated by W.I. members and , secondly, how issues related to the environmental damage caused by micro plastic fibres and fragments might be mitigated , bringing such issues to public attention, thereby raising awareness .Members duly cast Their votes, which were then passed to our delegate Pauline Shannon to take to the national AGM due to take place in Liverpool soon. Ann Jackson gave a report on the Herefordshire ACM , which was held at the Three Counties Hotel recently.

The rest of the meeting was an opportunity for us to explore a selection of the wide range of crafts undertaken by some of our clever members. Sue Howells demonstrated how to make Dorset buttons; Vic Gauld showed some of her sewing; Talia Wheeler displayed some decorative horseshoe work; Shel Roos worked on papercraft; Margaret Smart demonstrated iris folding; Janice Howard showed some crochet work; Joyce Crosier and Gwyneth James worked on a selection of knitted articles; Norma Smith demonstrated silver jewellery craft and Frances Riddell worked on decorating soap with pins, ribbon and silk flowers. It was an interactive, educational and fun evening during the course of which we all learned something!

Holmer WI meets next on Wednesday 7th June at 7.30pm in St. Mary's Church Grandstand Road. Paul Morrisroe will be the speaker. His subject will be 'Wheels on the western front'.

Ladies, if you would like to find out more about our WI , do come along. We are a friendly bunch with wide ranging interests and age groups!

In the photo, left to right: - Vic Gauld, Shel Roos, Talia Wheeler, Mary Burgess and Frances Riddell.

UPTON BISHOP

Members of Upton Bishop WI hosted a concert featuring the Blaenavon Male Voice Choir conducted by Gareth Whitcombe for a second time on Saturday 6th May, sponsored by Chaseview Veterinary Clinic.

The choir put on a wonderful performance of great songs, traditional, varied, and the unexpected. The audience, which left the packed to capacity hall at the end of the evening, were full of the feel-good factor.  Two of Gareth’s pupils Jake Harris and Jack Lockwood aged 14 and 15, performed way above any expectations.  Talent youth, enthusiasm, commitment.   A pleasure to see.

The absolute enjoyment of the evening, which continued during the break when canapés and wine were served, was evident in the faces of the audience.  Expectations were high following last year’s concert, a point made by Tudor Walters in his Vote of Thanks.  They were met, surpassed and the reputation of the choir was confirmed.

BROMYARD

The speaker at BROMYARD’s May meeting was Brenda Drake who has been a member of ACWW since 1981. Brenda’s thought provoking talk covered the aims and history of the organisation and some of the projects undertaken worldwide to improve the quality of life for women and communities through education, training and community development programmes. Our meeting concluded with unanimous voting for both proposed national resolutions.

WYE WOMEN

At our April meeting last night Wye Women were very well entertained (and fed!) by our guest speaker Geoff Tookey who gave us an insight into how he became interested in food and then demonstrated a very tasty salmon starter and delicious dessert. We were delighted to welcome three new members to our growing vibrant WI !

SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT

Lots to do always at our Resolutions Meeting, but once we'd taken the business section in our stride we were able to settle down to listen to Mrs. Rhiannon Turrell, who had, off and on over the years, been a WI Member since the age of 16.

For our meeting, she was explaining the history of buttons from way back in time to the present day. What was fascinating for us was that as she spoke she was constantly handing round for us to see close up intriguing examples of buttons of all sizes, shapes, colours, designs and materials from horn, bone and wood through to gold and silver.

Matthew Boulton of Birmingham, for example, was incidental in the 1750s in making buttons from metal. These could look like diamonds once caught in candlelight and became very fashionable for men's clothing.

Rhiannon certainly made a very "ordinary" everyday item come brilliantly to the fore and we will no doubt be looking more closely at buttons in our own wardrobes.

ASTON INGHAM

After discussion and voting on Resolutions, Marion, one of our members, who is a member of Lydney and Severnside Flower Club, gave us a demonstration of making a small flower arrangement for the 'I am a Lonely Bouquet, please take me home' scheme. Members then made their own arrangements, to be deposited perhaps in a supermarket trolley, outside a library, etc, for a passer by to pick up.  Alison won the competition which we held, with her arrangement of flowers from her own garden.  

One lady who had picked up an arrangement from outside a church in Newent called our secretary to say she had picked up flowers on her way to the dentist and said how good they made her feel.

LEDBURY

Our President Margaret Coulson welcomed everyone to the meeting, which was primarily to discuss the Resolutions to be debated at the National Association of Women’s Institutes AGM in Liverpool 7th June.

Both motions were discussed at length and agreed unanimously.

Members who had attended the recent Driver Refresher Course for WI Members told everyone how positive, informative and very enjoyable they had found the experience and recommended all drivers should attend a similar course.

In preparation for our evening at the Ledbury Rifle and Pistol Club our President’s husband gave a briefing on various aspects of shooting, such as safety and rifle handling.   Our members are very much looking forward to using the indoor range.

Next month’s meeting is at 7.30 pm, Wednesday 14th June at the Parish Room of the Catholic Church New Street Ledbury HR8 2EE.  Our speaker will be Carrie Francis with the title ‘An Uplifting Experience’  
You are very welcome to join us and can be sure of a warm welcome.

STOKE PRIOR & DISTRICT

Members of Stoke Prior and District WI and visitors, had a very enjoyable afternoon in May when they were entertained by John Platt who gave a talk and power point presentation on his life as Policeman in Sheffield, Hereford and Leominster.

LEDBURY

At our May meeting we had been given a briefing on various aspects of rifle shooting such as rifle safety and handling.

The following week 15 members of Ledbury W.I. attended the Ledbury Rifle & Pistol Club where they used target rifles on the 20 metre indoor range. After an introduction round, a 10 round competition took place. The safety officers were very patient and understanding. Most of the members were surprised at the good results of their targets.  Polly Davies was the winner with Jo Butcher a very close second.
This was a very enjoyable and fun evening.

UPTON BISHOP

Our WI meeting in May was Women in History - Bess of Hardwick.  The speaker for the evening was Dr. Gillian White who gave a an excellent, informative and humorous talk on the life of Bess of Hardwick.  Bess was born in 1527 and named Elizabeth Hardwick.   Bess was the wealthiest woman in Elizabethan England.  She married four times each husband being richer than the last.   Her second husband was William Cavendish whom she married in 1547    Bess and William bought Chatsworth House in Derbyshire for £600.    She died at the age of 80 in 1608.

Marion Contreras gave the Vote of Thanks for a very wonderful talk.

The competition for the evening was of photos of a female ancestor.   Several members brought along photos and the judging was done by Dr. Gillian White, the winner of the competition was Sheila Fowler.

A raffle was drawn and then refreshments and a chat were enjoyed by all.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 13th June at 7:30 at the Millennium Hall, Upton Bishop.  Our meeting will be CPR and Defibrillator Use.  New members are always welcome to come along.

WYE WOMEN

WYE WOMEN had a very busy May.  They were very well entertained (and fed!) by our guest speaker Geoff Tookey who gave us an insight into how he became interested in food and then demonstrated a very tasty salmon starter and delicious dessert. We were delighted to welcome three new members to our growing vibrant WI.

Three of our members also volunteered to help at the cake stall at the recent River Carnival - a very successful event.

Our walking group also enjoyed the beautiful Herefordshire countryside around Much and Little Birch and then enjoyed a much needed drink and lunch at a local hostelry.  Here we are having a rest enjoying the view !  (photo as below).

WOOLHOPE

A really great evening with Jan Matthews from Ross who brought along one of her students to complete a wet felted picture while Jan showed us her many skills in this interesting craft. We saw many types of wool and how barbed needles turn soft fibres into lifelike figures, a delightful evening of fun!

LEDBURY

Last year both Parkway W.I. and Ledbury W.I. completed and filled in the questionnaire regarding Food Waste by Supermarkets. Ledbury W.I. completed their survey in Morrisons Hereford and Parkway W.I. in the Co-operative Society, Ledbury.  In both instances the Managers of the Supermarkets were very encouraging and supportive.

On Friday 19th May as part of the Food Waste campaign weekend Maureen Thomas for Parkway W.I. and Margaret Coulson, President of Ledbury W.I. handed the Food Waste Campaign literature to the Manager of the Co-operative Store, Ledbury.  The Manager was most interesting to talk to and assured us that Supermarkets are doing their utmost to reduce food waste.  The large majority of Supermarkets ARE donating regularly to Food Banks.

BOSBURY

President, Isabel, opened the meeting by welcoming Helen Poulton as our new secretary.

Final arrangements were made for our plant stall at the Farmers’ Market on Saturday, 20th May in the Parish Hall from 10.30 am.

Four members enjoyed there day at the Annual Council meeting in Hereford.  Janice Langley, National Chairman, was one of the speakers.  We were pleased to hear that Rosemary Bayles’s garden photo was chosen to be in the 2018 WI calendar.

The next Denman College Bursary for £200 will be drawn at the June meeting.  Anyone interested in taking a course at the college was asked to put their name forward.

Cradley WI are organising a coach trip on 20th July to St.Fagans, and still have seats available.

Francis-Jane will be representing us at the National AGM in Liverpool next month.  The two resolutions for this meeting are “Alleviating Loneliness” and “Keeping Micro-plastic Fibres out of the Oceans”.  After much discussion we voted against the first resolution as we felt we could better use our networks locally to identify lonely people, and we were unhappy with the way the resolution was worded.  We voted in favour of the second resolution .

During refreshments, on a lighter note, we enjoyed looking at photos and mementos on the theme “happy memories”.

The next meeting on Thursday, 8th June (Election Day),will be in Bosbury Church at 7.30 pm.  The speakers are John and Annette Christophers on “6000 Years with Clay and Practical Opportunity”.  The Craft Group meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month in the Parish Hall.  New members and visitors are always welcome.  For further information phone Helen on 01531 640337.

HOLMER GROUP MEETING

In May Bartestree & Lugwardine hosted the Holmer Group Meeting when Caroline Bellhouse, a veterinary nurse, came to tell us about her experiences working at Matang Wildlife Centre in Borneo on the Great Orang Utan Project and at the Laos Wildlife Rescue Centre where she worked with the rescued bile bears and pangolins.  The pangolins are prized by restaurants, their meat being a delicacy while their scales are used for traditional medicine and magic; they are labelled as one of the most poached animals in the world and are likely to become extinct.  The talk was very thought provoking and Caroline’s enthusiasm for the work and the animals was striking.  The evening was rounded off with refreshments of a ploughmans supper.

LEOMINSTER LASSES

In May silence fell at our meeting for long periods while we were mesmerised by the powerful, flowing movements of a Tai Chi demonstration given by Rose Jacks.  Rose has been practising this ancient martial art for many years and it showed in the skill as she performed the moves.  This was preceded by an introduction giving us some of the history and use of Tai Chi and followed by a short teaching session when members tried a few moves.  The session ended with a relaxing meditation. As was noted, we had never been so quiet!