AUGUST 2018

BOSBURY

In June, Duncan Fox of Sly Gin offered us samples of three gins he currently produces.  He told us
the history of gin and most interestingly how he chooses which flavours to use.

On a balmy July evening we enjoyed a visit to Yvonne’s picturesque village garden.  The garden
is full of interest with mature trees, flower beds and secret corners.

BROMYARD

Bromyard WI enjoyed a lovely summer evening at the annual garden meeting. While enjoying refreshments members tackled the challenge of a garden themed musical quiz.

THE SUTTONS

In  July, Tina Hurley told us about Aloe Vera, and its many benefits. We saw how it was grown and processed into many different products, using its healing properties. She showed us a range of different products, from beauty treatments and massage creams to  healthy drinks.

For our summer outing, we are visiting Kentchurch Court & Gardens, and in September we have Irene Whittall telling us about her time as a midwife.

PETERSTOW

During July Peterstow once again hosted the Group Annual Quiz. There were 12 tables of 4 ladies with Bishopswood WI team repeating their success of the last few years. Supper was provided by Jenny Holmes and a lively and noisy evening was enjoyed by all.

A few members of Peterstow WI visited Ross Court Residential home last month. Amanda Cornes our talented craft member assisted residents in producing memory boards. The subjects were the Royal Family and Ross area. This visit was hailed a success by the participants.

Our guest speaker for August was Graham Wren giving a talk on “The Countryside in the 1960s”.

Graham spoke about his life on a farm, which was accompanied by slides.

We finished our meeting with an extensive tea enjoyed by all including our visitors.

WYE WOMEN

Four members of Wye Women WI enjoyed 3 days at Denman for the, Summer Workshop Special. We joined in with members from other federations for craft & cookery workshops. ( we were also able to enjoy tea in the new summer house).

Deralyn Smith with Vicky Parkes, Linda Peberdy, & Jacqui Farr
(P.S. we were able to view our Herefordshire room which is looking so fresh & bright now, much better!)

CRADLEY

Cradley WI’s August speaker was Gill Romanowski who gave us a wonderful demonstration in the art of flower arranging.

SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT

Seventeen members met for an evening of "Fun and Games" and we really enjoyed ourselves. There were three games: table skittles, hitting the balls in the flowerpot and keeping a steady hand on Buzz Wire. Janet R was the winner on two.

To go with this, our competition was "A Joke" and the winning entry was a rather racy one about a Vicar, sex and the WI..............

After our tea and biscuits we all settled down to play Beetle Drive. Much merriment ensued. We left for home very light hearted.

WYE WOMEN

On a glorious sunny evening at the beginning of July our members, at the kind invitation of Moccas WI, our members joined them in a walk around Moccas Deer Park - the views were stunning and all the members enjoyed themselves, as can be seen in the photo, taken with the Selfie Stick !

Our July meeting - again on a wonderful sunny evening - was a visit to the beautiful Brobury House and Gardens.  Pru, the owner, gave us an introduction and background to the history of the house and gardens.   After experiencing the delights of the garden, members enjoyed refreshments including delicious cakes and even had the opportunity for some retail therapy in the shop.

How lucky we are to have such stunning places to visit on our doorstep !

BISHOPSWOOD

Bishopswood WI welcomed Amanda Cornes who demonstrated how to make beautiful themed wall art using photos and small items so often tucked away out of sight.  Amanda passed round finished pictures illustrating family history, holidays and memories of life in Switzerland. Our monthly competition continued the theme by inviting entrants to bring an old family photo or small heirloom together with a brief description. The entries had everyone talking as every submission illuminated some very special family history.  A valuable Clarice Cliff teapot was bought in, it being sadly the sole survivor of a dinner service.

WALKING NETBALL

Members from many WIs across Herefordshire at their first session of walking Netball at Whitecross School, held on 1 August 2018.

LEDBURY

At our August Summer Celebrations we were entertained by Mike and Rachel Fenton playing  on autoharp and dulcimer - with duets and solos and much audience participation.  They stayed to join us for  afternoon tea and members were able to tryout some of their collection of instruments.

STOKE PRIOR & DISTRICT

On an evening in August, Stoke Prior & District members and several guests, including Alison Lord, (WI Adviser) enjoyed a powerpoint presentation by Penny Platt on Herefordshire Market Towns. She is such an accomplished speaker and we are always excited when she is due to come.

BRAMPTON BRYAN

We had our usual stall at Brampton Bryan Scarecrow Day, the theme this year was music.  After much discussion our scarecrow 'Miss Purity' was made over as a punk, raising a few eyebrows as not expectected from the WI. The sun shone and we sold out even with replenishments almost hourly from our members. A lovely community village event, always well attended by locals and day visitors alike; the policman and his horse made their visit for a scone and piece of chocolate cake too.  We had a newly sewn banner for the day, made by our President Gill Harnett and member Gill Clement much more in keeping with the WI.

At our August meeting the speaker was Duncan Fox from Haven Distillery, who took us on a journey of gin through time, why both he and his wife started the distillery from home and how Haven was born.  We were talked through the process and shared our thoughts, whilst we were given tasters and tips.  An informative and relaxed delivery ensured an evening enjoyed by all, even the non gin drinkers!

ASTON INGHAM

Some members of Aston Ingham W.I.   went to Monmouth to visit the Gelato shop, Green & Jenks. Gilly Pollock, one of the owners, gave us the history, the company which started as a dairy in Cardiff has been in the family for 130 years - 6 generations.
We saw the Gelato made, it has less than half the fat of ice cream and many varieties. We were given some samples. - so good!
Afternoon tea is also served on the premises.