WI News July 2016

TUPSLEY

Tupsley held their Royal themed Strawberry tea  in lovely surroundings on one of the wettest  days in June. Our choir braved the elements to entertain us and while they coped with sodden music sheets they were joined by an approving bird singing above them.  Between showers  guests and members enjoyed  a  ‘royal’  tea  and supported the sales tables.

THE SUTTONS

The Suttons WI celebrated the Queen’s 90th Birthday by decorating a window in St Nicholas Church for the Celebratory Service. Our theme was a tea party, and the flowers were arranged in a teapot giant teacup, cake stand and jugs. We also used photos of Her Majesty at the WI centenary celebrations. During the service on Sunday, we sang Jerusalem (the WI’s hymn choice) and dressed in our finest hats! The rain even stayed away for the tea party afterwards.

At our June meeting the following week, the rain didn’t stay away – we were almost washed away in the car park, and our speaker braved floods & storms to get to us! Rosemary Prosser gave us a talk called ‘One egg or Two’, which was a very amusing account of her time as the owner of a Farm Bed & breakfast business. We are hoping to have her back to tell us about her time as a police officer – but we may have to order better weather!

Our next meeting is on 20th July, when we welcome Sarah Parkinson with her talk on ‘Bunnies, Bugs & Beasties’.

HOLMER

HOLMER had a wonderful walk up the Wye Valley through the eyes of Margaret Roy.    Enjoying the new hall and welcoming a further new member.

STOKE PRIOR & DISTRICT

Some members of Stoke Prior & District WI enjoyed a visit to Herefords' Resources Museum where they were shown the collection of drawings and paintings by Brian Hatton and John Scarlett Davis. This museum is a wonderful asset to Herefordshire. Please use it or lose it!

SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT

Ruth Maddock spoke to Saltmarshe & District at a very interesting meeting.  She is an Art School graduate and is a designer of knitting and crochet patterns. Her subject, the history of knitting was illustrated with many examples.
If you'd like to learn more about Ruth, this article on The Yarn Loop website is very interesting; here's the link

http://www.theyarnloop.com/article/on-needles-ruth-maddock

Our photo shows Ruth with Janet - one of our members - who, in a true labour of love, knitted her very own wedding dress for her bridal day many years ago: what's more, it still fits her beautifully.

UPTON BISHOP

At Upton Bishop's July meeting, entertainment was by Hugh Tarrant and John, aka The Young Ones. They told a series of anecdotes and memories and performed a number of songs from 1957 to 1964, including Cliff Richard, the Everley Brothers and the Beatles. Everyone enjoyed the reminiscences and were encouraged to sing along, there was even a display of Chubby Checker's Twist by some members!

THE SPARKLING WYE

Sparkling Wye's July meeting gave members the chance to enjoy singing with Mary Brigg from the Phoenix Singers. After warming up with a round of Tie Me Kangaroo Down and a rather energetic My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean, the repertoire included songs from Oliver and Abba's Mamma Mia. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening of singing - always good to lift the spirits!

LEDBURY

Rebecca Edmonds talked about “Hypnotherapy – the power of the mind”.   Rebecca was previously a lawyer but qualified as a clinical hypnotherapist after using this natural method to reduce her own pain rather than taking drugs.  She gave details of the many conditions which can be helped by this technique including stress and anxiety, depression, insomnia and coping with loss and bereavement.  

ALLENSMORE

Allensmore WI, formed on 16th March 1926,  celebrated their 90th birthday in style on Thursday July 14th with their guests Longtown WI. The Grace Notes WI Choir gave a concert.  Over supper a toast was given by Dorothy Harris who, with over 50 years of membership, is the longest serving  member of Allensmore WI. The cake, was made for the occasion by Angela Lloyd of Newbarns Farm.

After everyone had enjoyed their cake and bubbly there was a sing along with tunes past and present which everyone joined in with.  The choir brought the celebrations to a close with their special finale.

Thank you from the guests was expressed by Judy Thomas and the President Isabella Perkins thanked everyone for coming along and making the evening such a success.   The evening finished by the singing of the National Anthem.

Allensmore WI is still going strong and provides interesting talks, outings and a friendly social meeting point. 

Anyone interested in joining ring  01981 784036 or just come along to a meeting at Pateshall Village Hall in Allensmore at 7.30 on the second Thursday in the month.

ASTON INGHAM

July's meeting of Aston Ingham WI was a garden party held in a member's garden to celebrate our 95th Anniversary. Val Lewis our county chairman and Joy Button, our WI advisor attended and helped Liz Gwynn to cut the cake which was made by Liz herself.

The weather was inclement but the sun shone and a good time was had by all.

BISHOPSWOOD

Following our usual Summer Social evening, the next week 50 members, husbands and friends filled the coach for a trip to Shrewsbury.  We had a lovely day, especially as the weather was kind, sunny and dry for once!  We enjoyed a river trip followed by lunch at Osteria da Paolo.  The food was excellent, the staff welcoming and the atmosphere very friendly.  Afterwards some enjoyed further sightseeing while others preferred a little retail therapy before re-joining the bus to return to Bishopswood just after 6.30.  Our thanks to Jenny for organising, in the words of Wallace and Gromit ‘a grand day out’.

PARKWAY

In July Rebecca Edmunds, who runs clinics in Hereford and Malvern, gave a lively and informative presentation on Clinical Hypnotherapy, which can be effective in combating weight loss, phobias and depression as well as helping with insomnia and pain management.

MUCH COWARNE

Much Cowarne members enjoyed an afternoon tea party held in our president’s garden, replacing the usual venue for our July meeting. A competition for a summer hat judged by all the members was won by Mary Parker. The hat was decorated with tennis balls, which Kathryn’s dog persistently tried to remove, a lovely moment which had everyone laughing. Pimm’s, good food and weather made a great party which was enjoyed by all.

PETERSTOW

Instead of our usual July meeting, a walk in the Forest of Dean was planned. This gentle stroll was led by Geoff Davies, a Wyedean tour guide. Those who took part enjoyed the woodland sights and interesting observations.  July brought the annual Group Quiz which Bishopswood won.

BRAMPTON BRYAN

Brampton Bryan’s Scarecrow Day on 31st July will see us selling home-made small cakes and savouries. Our speaker was Tammy Hall, who created a “bridal bouquet” of flowers she had grown on her family’s farm, while she talked to us about her business, “Wild Bunch”.

LINTON

Chris Cherington won the Eira Furlong Cup for her brilliant hedgehog which was included in the September display at the Three Counties Show.

Linton WI heard about Teaching Blind Children from Jeanette Normanton and a group enjoyed a sunny afternoon visit to Tutshill Gardens near Chepstow.

BOSBURY

In July Bosbury visited the International Centre for Birds of Prey at Newent.  It was a beautiful sunny afternoon as we watched the flying displays of a wide range of raptors from red kites to peregrine falcons. 

The next open meeting is on Thursday, 8th September at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall when our speaker will be Madeleine Horton on  “How to make a Fascinator”.  In August there are two events planned.  On Thursday, 4th August a Cheese and Wine evening at Church Lea from 6.30 pm and on Thursday, 18th August a walk followed by a soup and roll lunch at New Winsordine, Coddington.

LLANGROVE

Llangrove WI were joined by some members from The Suttons in July. We had an excellent evening with Mather Stead aka the Ukelele Man of Ross. Mathew gave us a very amusing insight with music into the history of the Ukelele. He was joined by one of our members Babs Jones for a duet. A very enjoyable evening.

HUNTINGTON HEREFORD

At the July meeting Huntington-Hereford welcomed Lesley Leach, the Community Fund Raiser from Breast Cancer Haven in St Owen’s Street.  Their aim is to improve a person’s quality of life.  Fund raising is very important as they are a charity and all their money to run the centre is raised or donated.   The members had chance to have a very informal chat with Lesley who helped them with any concerns they may have and how to help friends and family who may need the Havens support.

THE SUTTONS

In July, The Suttons WI had a visit from Bunnies, Bugs & Beasties!  Sarah Parkinson told us about her childhood experiences in a wildlife park run by her mother – including a dog who was mother to all kinds of animals, from lion cubs and badgers to goats.

Sarah currently takes Bunnies, Bugs & Beasties to schools, care homes and clubs, to educate children and adults about the different creatures. She produced giant millipedes, hissing cockroaches, a Royal Python, and finished off with a cuddly guinea pig. Some members were keener than others to hold the snake!

Our next meeting will be our summer outing – Bowling and a meal at the Hickory Stick. In September we will be visited by Longtown Mountain Rescue.