WI News August 16
STAUNTON ON ARROW
Staunton members had a great trip to Marion Wilcocks’ workshop ‘The Old Forge’ in Dilwyn and learnt all about spinning, weaving and knitting a huge variety of items. This was followed by a delicious quiche supper.
In August Staunton on Arrow invited friends from their partner WI, Weobley to a talk and tasting about 'Fruit Cordials and Tipples' given by Jeff Morris and his assistant Sue. The evening passed very pleasantly! Staunton on Arrow members also had a visit to Elgar's Birthplace Museum at Lower Broadheath on a beautiful day. Lunch first of course.
PETERSTOW
Mair Granthier from “Night Shift”, caring for clubbers in Hereford was our speaker telling us tales of events that take place in the Baptist Church between midnight on Saturday to 0300 Sunday morning. Mair is one of 3 volunteers helping mainly young people who come to them with diverse needs from refreshments to sympathy and understanding.
This initiative began in 2002 with 6 volunteers. This has reduced over time due to smaller numbers coming forward for this help, and the ability to call on other volunteer groups. Our members were totally engrossed with all the stories that Mair had recounted.
ASTON INGHAM
Some of the ladies went to The Old Chapel Textile Centre near Newbury which houses The National Needlework Archive. We had the pleasure of viewing, with Pat, our guide, 'The Country Wife,' a textile mural made for the Festival of Britain by Constance Howard. It depicts the work of country women at that time. The 3D figures and craft items make the stunning piece a 'must see' item. We were able to ask two of the women who are working on the conservation of the mural about the intricate work involved - one could feel their enthusiasm.
LEDBURY
Ledbury W.I celebrated summer by meeting for afternoon tea.
The speaker Malcolm Watkins spoke about the Roberts brothers and their company Glevum Games which was formed in Gloucester in the 1890’s. Glevum became the leading inventor and manufacturer of toys and games in Britain and their products were exported throughout the then British Empire.
SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT
Our Speaker was Mr. David K. Clark who has produced a book titled "Sentenced to Beyond the Seas", telling the story of eight Worcester women who, for one reason or another, were sent as convicts to New South Wales; part of the land we now know as Australia.
David had obviously drawn on a great many sources for his meticulous research and gave us a flavour of life in the 1780s when the population of Britain was a mere 6.5 million, life expectancy was 37 years, the average worker laboured for 80 hours a week for a weekly average wage of 3 shillings. Crimes like stealing fish from a pond or stealing clothes could easily end in hanging or transportation.
It does one good to be reminded from time to time just how lucky we are to live in the present day.
Next month we'll be enjoying ourselves taking part in a Zumba session with Mrs Judy Maund, so please feel free to come along and join in. We'll be in Saltmarshe & District Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday September 14th.
WEOBLEY
Weobley took an outing to Stockton Bury Gardens in July. It was a lovely day and they had a delicious lunch at the cafe. Weobley were also very involved with the visit of BBC's 'The One Show' to the village and set up a stall with their home produce.
STOKE PRIOR AND DISTRICT
Members and visitors to our August meeting had a fascinating evening with Penny Platt who showed us slides of a recent trip to China which had included Hong Kong, Xian,(Terracotta Army) Beijing and Shanghai. She was very knowledgeable regarding the country and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the talk.
BRAMPTON BRYAN
Brampton Bryan WI and their guests – members of Leominster Lasses and our Group Secretary and WIA Angela Southwell, and Trainee WIA (and Digital Champion) Alison Lord, were entertained by Gill Suttle, who spoke about her adventures in Turkmenistan just after the break-up of the Soviet Union.
Her talk was titled “Celestial Horses”, and combined elements of the fabled Silk Routes – many of which originated as raiding routes before trade took over, with the even more historic but less well known Turkoman horse – the Akhal-Teke: this beautiful golden breed was sacred to the Persians, who originally bred them as warhorses, and highly valued and coveted by the Chinese who, two thousand years ago, obtained thirty pure-bred horses as spoils of war, and greeted their arrival in China with a poem which described them as ‘Celestial Horses’.
The last part of her adventure was completed on horseback, and following her return home, it took nearly three years before Gill was able to return to Turkmenistan to arrange for her horse Kaan to return with her. He finally came back to Herefordshire and Gill, and became a very successful jumper and fundraiser for ME; his descendants now number 20.
PUTLEY
On a slightly less grand scale than last year’s centenary, Putley WI’s 95th birthday celebration was an equally enjoyable occasion. Our garden party took place at member Irene’s beautiful home. She, along with fellow member Melissa, hosted a magical evening.
Members and their guests brought along a marvellous selection of food so, inevitably, there were lots of leftovers! Pimms and lemonade were served alongside the obligatory strawberries and cream – the occasion was marked during Wimbledon so it seemed rude not to. Memorabilia from our long history was fascinating to look at – old attendance records, programmes and photographs. It was so good to notice how many current members have been involved for a long time – and how little they’ve changed over the years!
There was lots of fun and laughter along with entertainment and a sing-a-long thanks to the Wye Harmony. Long-serving member Annie baked a delicious carrot cake and the candles provided a useful source of warmth as the evening chilled. Thanks to all who came along. We’re looking forward to celebrating our own centenary in 2021!
WEOBLEY
Weobley had great weather for their Pimms and Puddings evening!
