OCTOBER 2018

HOLMER

President Jenny Hare hugging the Gruffalo on a recent walk at Queenswood. The other photo is of members in front of a tree planted by our WI in 1974. We have also enjoyed a talk from Tony Osman on glass and glass working. He gave a demonstration of glass blowing and told us about the history and properties of glass as a material.

PETERSTOW

Thirty members attended the September meeting when the editor of the Ross Gazette came to speak about what goes on behind the scenes at the paper. Jo Scriven has been with the Gazette since 2000 and has been the editor for the past 4 years.
The Ross Gazette was started in 1867 by William Enoch Hill and is now owned by Sir Roy Tindle. The paper has been an important part of the town both past and present.  Up until 2006 the Ross Gazette was a broadsheet.  Now printed in the smaller tabloid size the paper concentrates on the HR9 area of the county.

Peterstow WI was started 80 years ago and this was celebrated with a Vintage Tea Party held at Bridstow Hall. The afternoon was a most enjoyable and successful occasion.

The speaker for the October meeting was Nigel Warwick, a member of the Severn Freewheelers.  They are an emergency voluntary service who provide an out of hours courier service for the NHS.  The Blood Bikes deliver anything from blood, diagnostic CD’s to patient notes and medical items. Each team works within a particular area but can also liase with sister groups to ensure ‘out of area’ deliveries. The Severn Freewheelers are a non-profit making charity who rely on donations and volunteers to run this wonderful service.

STOKE PRIOR & DISTRICT

Fraser Gunn was welcomed by members of Stoke Prior & District WI and visitors when he gave a fantastic powerpoint presentation on The Fire at Windsor Castle. He covered everything from the time the fire was discovered right up to the renovation work.

STAUNTON ON ARROW AND PEMBRIDGE

Staunton on Arrow WI and Pembridge WI had a joint meeting in October with an interesting talk from Duncan Fox about the history of gin and the setting up of Haven Distillery, Dilwyn and his gin brand, Sly Gin.  We were taken through a tasting session of all his gins, London Dry, Lemon Verbena and Pink Grapefruit.

SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT

We were pleased to welcome back Vince Williams to our October Meeting and he gave a very illuminating presentation about Mountain Search and Rescue in the UK. There are 47 teams in 8 regions covering the whole country and they have Prince William as their Patron. Classed as the 4th Emergency service they operate free of charge to individuals and organisations who need their skills and expertise in rescue operations of all kinds, not just in mountainous areas but in rural and urban environments too.

We also welcomed our new WI Adviser Cherril Watkins who was most friendly and helpful, and it seems we've gained another member too in Angela, who was fortunate enough to bring the winning candlestick in our monthly competition. We treated ourselves to a more sociable evening by bringing food to share and sitting comfortably to eat it........

ASTON INGHAM

Jackie Cole came to talk to us about The Peace and Hope Trust, an organisation set up to help people living in abject poverty in countries like Nicaragua, Peru and Ethiopia. They helped by way of installing water supplies, building schools bridges etc. The organisation do things like fashion shows to continue their support and every year volunteers go out to countries where existence is very fragile.

On display at our meeting were poppies made by some members.

DINEDOR & HOLME LACY

Members from Dinedor and Holme Lacy WI took a trip down memory lane , most admitting to have followed ‘The Archers,’ the longest running radio soap opera, at some time through its 18700 episodes. Paul Broderick, one of the writers, explained how the stories had evolved since its beginning in January 1951 and how an episode came to be. Then in September they were joined by our recently appointed WI Advisor Cherril Watkins and all enjoyed a very colourful, touchy, feely evening of wet felting and not a hint of smelly, wet sheep! Jan Matthews talked her way through fibres, scales, carding, rubbing, barbs and even soapy water with end products at the ready.

BRAMPTON BRYAN

We were joined by our link WI, Kington.  Our speaker was Rosemary Thomas, whose talk was entitled “My Great British Bake-Off Experience. She had been one of the 17,000 applicants for series four and reached the last 50. Rosemary had to attend 2 interviews and demonstrate her cooking skills in both.  She told us about the secrecy surrounding the show, having to endure screen tests and being surrounded by cameras, talking and cooking all the time.  We were amazed with what went on behind the cameras!  Rosemary did not make it to the final 15, but confessed she might try again. A very entertaining speaker, who brought us the most delicious sponge cake for us to eat with our supper!

ALLENSMORE

Allensmore W.I. thought we were settling down to just an informative talk from Brenda Drake about the ACWW ( Associated Women of the World) at our October meeting.  What we thoroughly enjoyed was an entertaining, enthusiastic talk, full of information, energy and warmth as Brenda told us stories of women in rural communities all over the world whose lives had improved through the help of the AWCC. She certainly renewed our interest in the organisation.

LEDBURY

Ledbury WI welcomed Sue Johnson who spoke about her career as the author of  stories for women’s magazines and publishing her books.  She also tutors aspiring authors.  We have a thriving Writer’s Group with many members who compose prose and poetry and her talk drew many comments and questions. She particularly recommended always carrying a notebook to make sure overheard snippets or observations are recorded for future resource material.

PARKWAY

In October Sue Embry gave an excellent talk on female silversmiths, using pieces from her own collection. The talk was not only interesting for those members of Parkway who either collected silver themselves but also to those who were interested in the social history attached to the craft. As Sue developed her talk it was very evident that she is a knowledgeable collector with a keen eye for spotting pieces of importance and has the voice of a story-teller, keeping everyone's attention during the afternoon.

UPTON BISHOP

Firstly in September they held an Open Evening to raise funds and with a packed Hall, Quentin Letts, a sketch writer and theatre critic for the Daily Mail and author of both political and observation books and works of fiction did not disappoint with a thoroughly entertaining talk.

For the usual monthly meeting in September, members enjoyed a talk by Dr Sue Jennings on “The Life of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson” , the first woman physician and pioneer for women in medicine and a suffragist, whose legacy lives on to this day.

This year it was the turn of Upton Bishop to host the W I group supper, which was held at the Ross-0n-Wye Golf Club on Friday 5th October and was well attended.  After a delicious meal, Ruth Lowe gave a fascinating talk on the designer Mary Quant with an exhibition of clothes, shoes and make-up, taking us back to relive our youth.

Finally the monthly meeting was held on 9th October. This was an Evening of Song and Laughter provided by Richard Watson on keyboard and Sandy MacNeil vocalist, know as Serrated Edge, a humorous take on many popular songs.

WYE WOMEN

After a very wet spell in HereforDshire  the Wye Women walking group were able to enjoy the beautiful countryside and Italianate St Catherine's Church in Hoarwithy/Carey on a four mile walk.  The sun even shone for us !  Lunch at the Cottage of Content finished off a lovely morning.

We had a craft evening for our October meeting.  Greeting cards and book marks were designed and created, with the help of two of our members.  It gave members the chance to sit and chat, enjoying tea and cakes in a relaxed way, and to misquote Blue Peter 'no sticky back plastic' was used !

MUCH COWARNE

Much Cowarne WI enjoyed a cake decorating demonstration given by Kate ParkerThis was a last minute decision as our programme title hadn't changed but the original speaker found herself double booked. Well done to Kate for stepping in at short notice.A demonstration of this nature at this time of year, when we are in a festive cake baking frenzy gives us wonderful tips,no matter how long we have been producing cakes!!!

WEOBLEY

Members of WEOBLEY WI pulled together to craft hundreds of poppies to display in the front window of the home of one of our members.  We did this as part of a village-wide project for all groups and clubs in Weobley to adopt a window in which to display poppies to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1.  Our display was stunning!

BISHOPSWOOD

Heads were spinning at Bishopswood at our September talk from our esteemed President, Jenny Winchester, as she took everyone back 230 million years to explain the origins of petrified wood set in a piece of jewellery.  Jenny’s collection of jewellery was passed round so we could learn more about the geology and historical significance of semi precious stones. We looked anew at treasured jewellery members had bought in over our teas and coffees.

In October Bishop’s Cleeve arrived by coach for Bishopswood’s Christmas themed craft taster afternoon and buffet.  Everyone had a chance to have a go at icing and decorating biscuits, painting sweet little robin cards and turning a napkin into a Christmas tree. Our trading table stocked with handcrafted gifts did very well.

BOSBURY

At the October meeting we held our annual Craft and Produce Show.  Entries ranged from home-made greetings cards, jewellery, photographs,and door stops.  In the produce section we were met with a colourful array of foliage and berry arrangements, baskets of vegetables, and a wide variety of sponge cakes, preserves, and, pastries.  The overall winner was Fiona Penwarne and the judges were from Holmer WI.

BROMYARD

Janet Beats, a fellow WI member from Worcestershire, demonstrated the art of fondant icing at BROMYARD’s October meeting. Janet’s first forays in this skill were decorating novelty birthday cakes for her children when they were small. Over the years she branched out to making sugar flowers and wedding cakes. Our members went home inspired to add some hand crafted decorations to their Christmas baking. As part of the town’s commemorations of the centenary of the Armistice Bromyard WI took part in the Poppy Parade and helped to plant over four thousand poppies in a stunning display on the by-pass. Another visit to a local care home to make Christmas baubles with the residents rounded off a busy month.