WI News June 2016

HOLMER

We flew up and away with Carol Dowding at Holmer meeting in June as she told us all  about her thrilling but terrifying experiences whilst learning to fly a helicopter.   We also enrolled a further five new members.

LEOMINSTER LASSES

As usual it was business before pleasure.  The month we voted on Resolutions before being treated to a delicious talk about cheese.  Maggie, one of our members who works at Monkland Diary, spoke about its production and her slides showed cheese making from milk to munching.  Yes, she brought samples, which we enjoyed very much.

During the coffee break we were delighted to view our new banner, made by our creative member, Anne Leech.

Our next meeting will be on 16th June, a “Join-in” flower arranging evening.

PETERSTOW

This month Peterstow hosted the WI Group annual tea which featured a murder mystery enactment presented by Peterstow members. It was acclaimed by all as a great success with everyone having to decide who the murderer was in true Sherlock Holmes style!

Several of our members have been collecting or knitting “Teddy Bears” for the children at Hereford County Hospital. These colourful items were warmly welcomed by the recipients.

This month’s speaker was Allan Wells and his topic was “Gardening for the Bees”. He went into great detail regarding the types of flowers, shrubs and trees which are conducive to good pollination and of benefit to the honey bees themselves. Allan distributed a leaflet to members that listed these varieties.

SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT

It was a perfect evening in June that we met to enjoy our Annual visit to a Garden. This year we were made very welcome indeed by Bob and Joyce Humphries in their splendidly created one acre at The Orchards, Bishops Frome. Every which way one looked there was a riot of colours, many water features and sumptuous planting all on many levels. Grizzi,the 12 year old Lhasa Apso, kept us company all the way round.

A glorious sunset accompanied our way home.

Next month we welcome Ruth Maddock as our Speaker telling us about Knitting through the ages, so you're very welcome to join us in Saltmarshe & District Hall on Wednesday July 13th at 7.30pm.

THE SPARKLING WYE

Sparkling Wye WI’s June meeting was a talk by Peter and Roger from Herefordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Peter first explained that the Fire Service did not simply extinguish fires but also worked in an advisory way to try and reduce fire risk, to do this they talk to community groups and schools and everyone was given a booklet with useful tips. As part of his work, he has to be able to use CPR and defibrillators which are now located in many town centres. The machine is accessed by calling the number on the container, usually going to the police, to obtain a code to open it. There are huge numbers of cardiac arrests each year and if the public is aware of how they might help then many lives could be saved. The most important thing to consider is one’s own safety before trying to help, if safe then first ring the emergency services or ask someone to ring before commencing CPR as once started it should not be stopped until advised by a professional. One would perform 30 compressions to 2 breaths, but Peter stressed that hands only CPR is better than nothing if one didn’t want to do mouth to mouth. However he advised carrying a mask so one is always prepared. The defibrillator actually talks through the whole procedure so it is very simple to use. The chances of recovery from a cardiac arrest are increased by 60% if CPR is used so it is always worth trying. Members were encouraged to have a go on the dummy. Thanks were given for a most informative and useful talk.

MUCH BIRCH

It is halfway through the year, and as Much Birch WI celebrates its 60th Birthday, we can look back on an exciting and interesting six months.

We were taken to warmer climes at the beginning year when Gill Suttle led us once again, back to her pre-war beloved Syria with her horses.  Such a wonderful country with kindhearted people it made us fully aware of the sadness of the troubles out there at the moment.  On a much more frivolous note, Lenette Isko instructed us in her Fascination for Hats and by the end of the evening everyone had had a fascinator especially chosen for them and perched on their golden tresses - and we all looked wonderful!

Our annual open meeting greeted many visitors to hear the Rev'd Iain Skinner, from St John's Methodist Church in St Owen's Street, Hereford.  He told us of the stress built up after a lifetime in the forces and his need to heal himself before he retired as the SAS padre.  A Celtic Pilgrim - A Walk from Iona to Lindisfarne with Hamish, his white West Highland terrier, was a deep, interesting and frequently funny account of this walk, with some beautiful photography and asides. Iain carried everything on his back, and had to add a week's supply of tinned dog food when all the walking meant Hamish needed extra rations.  Through everything, his deep faith shone, and showed us how his pilgrimage started his recovery prior to his return to civilian life.

MUCH COWARNE

Much Cowarne group were entertained by Carole Dowding with an outstanding talk entitled ‘Whirly Birds’,which was about her days learning to fly helicopters. The evening also was one of celebration as one of our members, Ivy Legge, reached the same Birthday milestone as the Queen, this was celebrated with Birthday cake and a tipple of sherry or port and the melodious rendering of Happy Birthday.

STOKE PRIOR & DISTRICT

Despite the incredible rain storm at Stoke Prior & Districts WI meeting, our speaker Malcolm Penny from the National Trust's property, Lower Brockhampton managed to compete with the sound and presented a really informative and interesting talk, which included slides together with a short video.

BALLINGHAM & DISTRICT

Ballingham & District were fascinated to learn about life behind the scenes at Cheltenham Races from volunteer tour guide, Rosemary Prosser.  We heard many intriguing details about famous horses and jockeys, and were given glimpses into the grand social life on the side.   Rosemary ended her talk with a brief but stark warning about the dangers of ticks which can carry the debilitating and severe illness, Lyme disease, and are becoming increasingly widespread.  It is important for adults and children to be aware of these when walking in the countryside and to take precautions against them.

LLANGROVE

Members were treated to a demonstration of unusual and delicious British cheeses presented by member Ruth Walker followed by scrumptious puddings made by Elaine Joseph and Alison Grogan. Members begged to repeat the experience again at another meeting. In July, talented and trained flower arranging members Heather, Margaret and Emma demonstrated secrets of making spectacular displays and helped members to create their own to take home. Irene Huddlestone will be showing how to make 'Decorative Eggs' at the July meeting and members are looking forward to a garden party for their August meeting.

UPTON BISHOP

At the June meeting of Upton Bishop W.I. a demonstration on Essential Guide To Looking Your Best was given by Hazel Robinson, covering topics on Outfit Planning, Colour Analysis and Image Transformation. Hazel also discussed Classic and Casual clothing suiting different shapes, patterns and accessories. The meeting also coincided with the 97th anniversary of Upton Bishop W.I.

BRAMPTON BRYAN

Our very enthusiastic speaker was Paul Harthill, Human Resources Manager for the Charity ‘Forces Support’, who gave us an insight into the running of the Charity.  It was started in Leominster in 2010 by father and son Bill and Billy McCance who wanted to help a friend who needed support.

The Charity began with one shop in Leominster and now has 25 around the country and is    expanding all the time.  The money raised is used to give practical support to the families of members of the Armed Forces who die or are seriously injured in combat. 2 people are employed, who provide house and garden maintenance, including play areas.  The Charity accept most items for their shops and will collect free of charge.  They have permission to go to landfill sites and reclaim goods which they can sell. The charity signposts people and works with other agencies.  This year they received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

ASTON INGHAM

Members welcomed Jackie Cox, a local artist to our June meeting.  Jackie came to demonstrate and to encourage us to try, scratch boarding and silk painting.  Scratch boarding was done with what looked like a pen which older members will remember from school days.  A special black 'board' was used and members scratched their own designs - one did a swan whilst another scratched a sunflower.  Other members tried their hands at painting on silk, the silk was stretched over a frame and ladies dropped paint onto the picture which Jackie had already drawn, the paint filled each part of the picture, up to the lines drawn.  The effect was beautiful.

Jackie holds workshops and we might have one at Aston Ingham, we all enjoyed the afternoon so much.

PARKWAY WI

The June meeting of Parkway WI (Ledbury) was held on an afternoon of heavy showers which was reflected in the low attendance.  The President Val Graham welcomed everyone with a special welcome to our speaker Dr. Dave Jeffrey from the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.  

We were given a handout which showed us statistics for the past 5years; from this we could see far more people have Diabetes than Cancer, Coronary heart Disease, Stroke/mini stroke or Dementia and it has increased by 65% over the last decade. Dr. Dave told us of the programme they are rolling out in Herefordshire which is targeting people 40-60 whose doctors feel are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  They will be offered a 6 week programme to educate them on the importance of diet & exercise so as to avoid developing type 2 diabetes.  There are some people who are unfortunately at risk of inheriting diabetes, apart from these people it appears to be a fast growing epidemic.  At present there are only a few surgeries signed up to the programme but they are hoping to roll it out to many more surgeries in Herefordshire in the not too distant future.

After the refreshments were enjoyed we resumed with the business part of our meeting.  Apologise were received from 7 members and the Secretary Eileen Hunt read the minutes of the last meeting and we discussed the points arising together with forth coming events.  Our social time this month was to name the places in the picture quiz which June Tomkins had put together for our amusement.

The next meeting of Parkway WI is on 12th July at 2pm in the Baptist Hall, Homend,  Ledbury.  Our speaker is Rebecca Redmonds who will be speaking on the Power of the Mind.