APRIL 2018

HOLMER

The speaker at our April meeting was Malcolm Penny, a volunteer for the National Trust at Lower Brockhampton, near Bringsty Common. Malcolm valiantly stepped in at very short notice due to cancellation by the previously booked speaker who had been going to tell members about Kenya and Bhutan.
Brockhampton Manor House was timber built around 1425 at the heart of the Brockhampton estate , near the ancient chapel- possibly of Saxon or Norman origins. Over the years the house was adapted by each successive generation. In Georgian times, it became important for the owning family to live separately from their servants. The owners had a grander mansion built at the top of the estate in keeping with the architectural 'fashion' of the day. From the eighteenth century onwards, the Manor House was home to estate workers. Under the administration of the National Trust , an important project called ' Brockhampton Revealed' was initiated  which focussed on peeling back the layers of history to show how 7 centuries of occupation have shaped the Manor House. Each room now realistically depicts key periods and figures in it's history in an interactive way. All well worth a visit. Malcolm donated his fee for the evening to a local homeless prevention charity called SHYPP. Norma Smith gave a very grateful vote of thanks which was followed by a round of applause from the members and visitors.
Recently , Margaret Powell organised a skittles evening at the Golden Lion , Grandstand Road. Once again, Paula, the landlady, catered very generously for us. £1 bought a hearty sausage, chips and bread and butter supper. Amazing value! The ladies medal went to Jill Harrison and the men's award went to William, Shell's boyfriend . A thoroughly enjoyable evening , thank you Margaret.
Holmer WI next meets on Wednesday May2nd at 7.30pm at St. Mary's church , Grandstand Road. It will be our resolutions and members evening, which will also involve  cookery demonstrations from several members, with Greek food, sourdough bread and biscuit making being just a few of the 'tasters on the menu'.  If all that, and more, 'whets your appetite' , ladies, please come along and join us. Sorry about the puns!

CRADLEY

Mrs. Jean Emberlin, Derrick Hazelhurst and his guide dog Kitty from The Guide Dogs For The Blind Malvern branch came to Cradley WI’s April Meeting and talked about the work of the charity and how they train a puppy into a guide dog that can transform someone’s life.  Derrick Hazelhurst and Kitty, Cradley’s WI’s Secretary Maureen Sullivan and Jean Emberlin enjoying some time with Kitty.

PETERSTOW

Jan Long our guest speaker for April, gave an anecdotal talk on her working life with the British Council.
She was one of 10 children, the daughter of a forces father, spending her formative years in various countries, which gave her a taste of overseas life.
Jan explained that the British Council was formed in 1934 to promote British opportunities throughout the world. Although experiencing a selection of overseas visits to British Council offices, a posting to Newcastle became her work place. The speaker`s main task there was giving pastoral care to overseas students. The people involved experiencing diverse problems. Slides of British Council offices throughout the world were shown.
Jan was thanked at the end for an enjoyable and informative afternoon.

BROMYARD

Mike Pullin, motor biking and fundraising legend, was the speaker at Bromyard WI’s April meeting. Mike and friends are known collectively as the “Hospice Angels” for the outstanding work they do to support St. Michael’s Hospice in Bartestree. Since they formed in 1996 they have raised over £500,000 for the charity by riding their multi horse powered bikes to nineteen different countries as well as venues nearer to home. Mike has an array of films showing these trips but on this occasion he showed one featuring a single horse (Frank) powered trip from Ledbury to London.  

ASTON INGHAM

Rebecca Edmonds came to talk to us, the talk was titled 'Tales from The Crown Court.'    She was called to the bar at the age of 30 to find that fellow male barristers had an old fashioned view of women and the atmosphere was archaic. As a 'baby barrister' of the Inner Temple, she was required to attend 18 dinners - 'a money spinner.' Barristers do not choose which cases they take and Q.C.s only, take serious criminal cases.

Her wig and gown which were much more expensive then than now, had to be purchased from a certain store in Chancery Lane, London,  

Rebecca told us some hilarious tales of what she called the theatre which is The Crown Court.  It was a most revealing and entertaining talk which we all enjoyed.

SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT

There was much hilarity as we listened to the stories told us by Mr. Ken Reeve of his being an evacuee in WW11 from when he was six years of age until he was just over ten.

Arriving in Oakley, in the north of Bedfordshire, he was sent off with a girl to 1 Railway Cottages to be cared for by two ladies : "Auntie" Vi - a widow and Dawn French look alike - and "Auntie" Kate, who'd lost her fiancee in WW1. Life was a shock - no running water and no indoor loo - that was a bucket outside in a shed. Every Sunday a cake would be made and would be brought out for tea on consecutive evenings thereafter. Once, the cake was made with caraway seeds and on the third night Ken found a spider had made its web on the cake's outside. Not wanting to get into trouble he ate it all!

Laughter came from tales of Spring onions from the allotments, swimming starkers in the River Ouse, filling matchboxes with grasshoppers and letting them out in church, being pushed up onto the back of a Shire horse and going straight over onto the ground the other side, making dams in the streams and all the types of things little boys delight in.

Only 50 years later did Ken learn that the girl he was billeted with had been his sister. He also learned he had a brother, Sid, and 4 other siblings. His father had died in a diving accident when Ken was three and all 7 children were placed in a Children's Home in Middlesex. Ken was amazingly completely without bitterness for the tragedies he underwent and his sense of humour was infectious

Next month we dicuss the WI Resolution and all Members are invited to bring along an item that has a story attached to it. We could be in for an interesting time! That's on Wednesday May 9th at 7.30pm in Saltmarshe & District Hall. Please feel free to come along and join in our fun.

LEDBURY

Our President Margaret Coulson welcomed everyone to the meeting.

She congratulated the quiz team, who had won through to the finals, and thanked the many members who had taken part in recent fund- raising activities.

Happily the planned trip to Greys Court Oxfordshire in July will be going ahead.   Greys Court was the marital home of Lady Elizabeth Brunner who as Chairman of the NFWI proposed the formation of Denman College.

Plans are well in hand for the WI display at the Ledbury Community Day on 9 June.

The April luncheon club will take place as usual at Countrywide, although due to the impending closure it may be the last time we are able to meet there.

Our speaker was David Harrison, MA who gave an interesting talk about spinster sisters Margaret and Gwendoline Davis.    The sisters used the immense wealth created by their famous industrialist grandfather to purchase a wide- ranging art collection, now displayed at the National Museum in Cardiff.     Appetites were whetted for a visit when next in Cardiff!  

The evening’s competition was ‘something you have made’.   Some stunning entries, including the winner Wendy Kitto’s charming smocked dress.

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 May at 7.30 pm - the Parish Room of the Catholic Church New Street Ledbury HR8 2EE, when the NFWI resolution for 2018 will be discussed.   Also details will be given about the archery session which members will shortly be enjoying.

Visitors are always welcome.

STOKE PRIOR

Members and friends of Stoke Prior & District WI were captivated by a talk recently on the History of Grange Court. We paid a visit to the property for our April meeting and were not disappointed.  We were able to move rooms (aided by the lift!) to hear interesting facts and information regarding the Court. This is a free service provided by Volunteers, and they will serve tea and cake after!! (chargeable of course). If you are Leominster at anytime, pop in the their coffee shop for a drink and meet friends.

WEOBLEY

In April, WEOBLEY WI invited Elley Westbrook to tell us how her charity "People In Motion" distributes clothing, etc to refugees in Calais.  What started as a Facebook plea for help has grown into volunteers being able to send donations every 10 days.  Our ladies brought along items to donate (see photo) and Elley thanked the Weobley knitters who, at their weekly get-together at the Green Bean cafe, produced more knitted blankets and hats than any other community group!

BISHOPSWOOD

For our first evening meeting of the year we began as normal with “Jerusalem” and then proceeded on to normal business which included the WI dairy of events which this month is a holiday to Northern Ireland.

This month we had decided to have a “Make & Share Evening” taking time to catch up and socialise with other members.  We therefore spent a very pleasant evening chatting and sampling eight homemade dishes.  These were “heaven in a bowl” (a delicious mushroom soup with rustic bread and which was voted later by members as our favourite recipe for the evening), “Whirligigs” (beautifully homemade cheese scones – which coincidentally also  accompanied the soup exceeding well), “Vegetarian Platt” (a tasty platted puff pastry with a lovely combination of leeks with just a hint of curry paste), “Savoury Jam Tarts” (flavoursome puff pastry encasing onion marmalade and a walnut topped with a creamy blue cheese), “Sweet Surprise” (several miniature exceedingly good and juicy raspberry Pavlovas), “Pick me up” (beautifully scrumptious Tiramisu with just the right amount of mascarpone, coffee, sponge and cocoa dessert), and lastly a “Raspberry Nutella Roulade” (a scrumptious combination of meringue, whipping cream, raspberries and gooey Nutella).  

People won’t be surprised to hear we all agreed that a very relaxed and enjoyable evening was had by all and that we were all returning home happily full.  Definitely an experience to be repeated.  

Our next meeting is at Bishopswood Village Hall, Kerne Bridge, Ross-on-Wye HR9 5QT on Friday 11th May, 2018 at 18:30hrs.  Visitors are always welcome.

Our speakers will be Mike Fenton performing on autoharp with his wife Rachel on mountain dulcimer featuring an eclectic mix of songs, offering a 45 minute programme of duets.  For any interested members of the audience after the concert, you may even get a chance to have a go!

UPTON BISHOP

Once again Upton Bishop WI held their monthly meeting on Tuesday 10th April 2018 which was an
open meeting, where members and visitors were delighted to welcome as speaker the former High
Sheriff of Gloucester The Countess of Bathurst.The Countess is a member of Tetbury WI in Gloucestershire and also President of Salters Hill Gorsley.

She recounted many interesting and amusing encounters she had during her year as High Sheriff
where she joined Gloucestershire Constabulary on some of its “shouts” in all departments and
because of those direct experiences she has a very high regard for the dedication and commitment
the members of the police force have.

Also during her year in office she was directly involved with the category 2 womens prison HMP
Eastwood Park. Here with the aid of the funds granted to her as High Sheriff and with the help of a
dedicated team from Gloucestershire Federation WI, in 2016 after 4 years of negotiations a WI
(formerly Lady B’s Butterflies WI), was opened in the prison. This ultimately has helped to improve
and change lives, giving the women a sense of pride and purpose, and for one hour a month to
feel normal. This legacy she is very proud of and commends the WI with their energy and
enthusiasm.

As well as this she also instigated the formation of a Book Club within the prison, encouraging
even those women who struggled with reading to take part and help them expand their horizons
which previously they had been denied.  The prison itself provides,Tuition, Education, Cookery, IT, Drug Rehabilitation and has a Soapmaking factory and also Vegetable Growing for their own kitchens.

The Upton Bishop Members welcomed Val Lewis Federation Chair, 27 Visitors as well as
members from visiting WI”s Gorsley, Aston Ingham, Sparkling Wye, Wellington, Putley, Peterstow,
Linton and Hampton Bishop.

After some question and answer time Jane Pendlebury the President gave the vote of thanks.
This extremely interesting and entertaining meeting concluded with a raffle and refreshments.
The next meeting of Upton Bishop WI is on Tuesday 8th May 2018 at the Millennium Hall, Upton
Bishop.
Anyone interested in joining is most welcome. Please contact either President Jane Pendlebury on
01989 780763 or Secretary Clare Bell on 01989 780383 for further information.

HOLMER GROUP

Recently, Holmer Group of W.I.s warmly welcomed Lady Darnley, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, as guest speaker. Lady Darnley spoke about her role and many of the duties involved in fulfilling it. Her talk was wide-ranging and filled with interesting information and anecdotes.
Holmer Group comprises the W.I.s of Bartestree and Lugwardine, Holmer, Marden, Moreton-on-Lugg, Preston Wynne and Wellington. Responsibility for organising the group events rotates annually and this year that responsibility fell to Holmer and was held in Holmer Parish Centre.
Following her talk, Lady Darnley was presented with a bouquet by Celia from Marden WI, who also gave a Vote of Thanks.
The ladies present then gave Lady Darnley a very grateful round of applause, as thanks for a fascinating insight into her role. Lady Darnley joined us for a delicious buffet and the evening closed with 'The Queen'.

BRAMPTON BRYAN

This month our President Gill Harnett was one of our speakers accompanied by her husband  - Across the Tropic of Capricorn.

They joined a small cruise ship starting at Auckland, visiting many islands, using zodiac boats; en-route to their final destination of Papua New Guinea.  Colourful photographs of the natives of each island, accompanying flora, fauna and occasional animal, not all welcome especially the black and white krait snake. They recounted their memories and talked through each of the islands visited, as well as interesting historical references.

They were greeted by natives dressed in colourful traditional costume who put on a performance, usually a type of dance with accompanying music, of particular note the water music (made by 6 ladies in a small pool).  

In brief, we were informed about the rose window at St Barnabas Church on the Norfolk Islands, designed by William Morris.  Vanuatu with its active volcano,
on to the Solomon Islands, visiting a small village with sustainable ideals where housing was built with crops around them for self-sufficiency.  

Leaving the ship behind they flew to Papua New Guinea, in the south west Pacific, we were talked through the islands history, a country of great cultural diversity, their dislike of the Australians and independence gained in the 1970’s.

WOOLHOPE

Thank you to Woolhope WI for an evening of circle dancing when members from Bartestree, Hampton Bishop and Dinedor and Holme Lacy kicked up their heels and danced away the evening. A brilliant time was had by all with only a couple of crushed toes!

PARKWAY

In the past quarter, having been stymied by the weather once, Tessa Jones gave an interesting talk on Aloe Vera, its properties and uses, in March. Isabelle Gibson and an associate from the Ledbury Allotment Association gave an invigorating talk covering the development of the allotments and the impact they are having on the local area, very positive and uplifting.

MUCH COWARNE

A great evening's entertainment was enjoyed by Much Cowarne WI at their April meeting. Tuneful Tunes by David Warnham kept us all amused. David played tunes on conventional brass instruments as well as house plumbing pipes and a variety of other brass and plastic appliances.Audience participation kept us on our toes.

BOSBURY

President, Isabel, welcomed members and visitors to the April meeting and introduced Carrie and George of “Harts of Monmouth”,a ladies dress shop which specialises in lingerie for all occasions from sport and leisure to smart events.  They explained how important it was to get the correct fitting bra, and said that lingerie was changing all the time and showed us the latest crop tops and shape wear.

The bra was invented in the 1920s by Mary Phelps Jacobs to wear under the short flapper dresses of the time.  They were warmly thanked by Sue Sharples.

The quiz team were congratulated on coming 1st in the County final at Sutton St.Nicholas, narrowly beating Bishopswood.  Members were reminded to bring plants to the next Farmers Market on Saturday, 19th May for the WI stall.  Also, if we have any spare medical supplies, bandages etc., for the Phillipines, they
can be collected and taken to the County meeting.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, 10th May un the Parish Hall at 7.30 pm when we will be voting on the resolution which will be followed by a poppy making workshop for the special display in Bosbury Church in November.  This is a community project and if you would like to take part there is an easy kintting pattern
in the Hop Churches magazine .  The craft evenings continue on the first and third Thursdays of the month in the Parish Hall at 7.30 pm, all welcome.

For further
information please phone Helen on 01531 640337.