SEPTEMBER 2018
HOLMER
Heather Carrington, member of Gladestry WI, spoke to members about her work as a forensic scientist. A painstaking and meticulous occupation. Marj Farr is scrutinising some 'evidence'.
Frances Riddell held an enjoyable Summer Evening at her home. The weather helped to make it extra special.
BROMYARD
Bromyard's September speaker was Paul Spelman from the town’s Conquest Theatre. Paul, a founder member, described the theatre’s journey from humble origins in the old public hall to its current impressive facility. Run by volunteers the Conquest hosts its own productions as well as live screenings, films and folk nights.
ASTON INGHAM
Margaret Roy came to talk about Walking the Wye which she herself did about 11years ago. She talked about the history of some of the places she passed on the trail. The Wye is some 136 miles long. A card is stamped along the route and a certificate is given on completion. The Severn rises in Rhayader, very close to where the Wye rises. Margaret did the walk in support of MS. Margaret is an inspirational speaker.
STOKE PRIOR & DISTRICT
Members and visitors to Stoke Prior & District WI welcomed local author, Hillary Orme to their September meeting. Whilst undergoing breast cancer treatment she decided to raise money through Macmillan for the Renton Unit in Hereford by writing a book for children. She has since gone onto raise more than £4000 and has continued writing more books.
UPTON BISHOP
The speaker for the evening was Dr. Sue Jennings talking about The Life of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson the first woman physician and pioneer for Women in medicine. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was an English physician and suffragist and was the first woman to qualify in Britain as a physician and surgeon.
The founder of the 1st hospital staffed by women the first Dean of a British Medical School, the first woman in Britain to be elected to a school board and Mayor of Aldeburgh, the first female Mayor and Magistrate in Britain.
She was a pioneer for woman and her legacy remains today. All members thoroughly enjoyed this informative talk and the vote of thanks was given by Pat Lemin.
SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT
Our September meeting was a trip down memory lane when Mr Ray Sturdy gave us a slide show on "Remembering the Swinging Sixties" and it certainly got us very animated looking at the fashions, the hairdos, the entertainment and the huge upheaval in society at large.
We'd invited other WIs along to our Open Meeting and were delighted to welcome about 15 visitors which really made for a great atmosphere.
Our picture shows Beryl from Bromyard WI being presented with the cup for winning the competition, judged by Mr Sturdy, of "A photograph of a pet".
STAUNTON ON ARROW
Staunton on Arrow welcomed Edward Kendrick, who arrived on his motorbike from Redditch. He spoke to us about the Severn Freewheelers who are a registered charity and a founding member of the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes. It is a group of advanced motocyclist volunteers providing a free out-of-hours courier service for hospitals in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, North Wiltshire and Herefordshire. They carry any medical essentials between hospitals in the area from 7pm in the evening to 7am the following day, all day at weekends and public holidays. The riders are all trained to ride under blue light conditions for emergencies and provide a far cheaper and more reliable courier service for the NHS than taxis. We enjoyed his talk very much and learned a lot of new information Look out for blood bikes with a yellow and red checked patterning on the bodywork!
ALLENSMORE
Allensmore welcomed David Hill to our September meeting where he illustrated his journey through Syria, Jordan and the Dead Sea with an interesting slide show and some amusing anecdotes. We were sadly aware that we were seeing places that are now greatly changed because of the ongoing conflicts in Syria.
LEDBURY
Our inspirational speaker in September was Wendy Tarplee Morris of The Little Princess Trust. She spoke movingly of setting up the charity in memory of her 4 year old daughter. The Trust provides free real hair wigs to children and young people throughout the country who sadly have lost their hair due to cancer treatment and other illnesses. They have also expanded to sponsor some 37 research projects into the treatment of children’s cancer treatment.
Photograph is of our speaker Wendy Tarplee Morris of the Little Princess Trust.
WYE WOMEN
There was no 'in house' meeting for August, instead we enjoyed a gentle stroll around St George's Playing Field, through St James and along the river before an opportunity to sit and chat, whilst enjoying delicious cakes, coffee - and the odd glass of wine at De Koffee Pot !
A very different and interesting talk for our September meeting. Two very experienced and passionate sky divers, Bob and John talked about their sky diving experiences, including a fairly unique skydive into France, where a group of them were promptly arrested by the local gendermarie - the story did have a happy ending ! John, with the assistance of friend Mick, demonstrated the unpacking and packing of a parachute - a great evening where we were pleased to be joined by some members of Staunton on Arrow WI.
BRAMPTON BRYAN
Our speaker this month Francesca Bingham, entertained us with “Tales from the Laundry”. Francesca read to us from notes that she had made from visitors memories shared during her time working at BerringtonHall. From coppers, dollies, possers and mangles to twin tubs, reflections from across various counties. Members joined in as this evoked their own personal recollections.
WEOBLEY
At the WEOBLEY WI September meeting, Baroness Sasha von Barth brought 4 of her rescue owls and answered members’ questions such as how she started rescuing owls and what they were fed. Sasa told us that a couple of owls live in her kitchen; one sits on the kettle on the Aga and watches TV! Members were invited to hold the owls, including some baby ones. It was a wonderful evening.
BOSBURY
In September Tim Kaye gave us an interesting and wide ranging talk on “The Life of Hedgerows”.
Hedgerows go back a long way and got their name from the Anglo Saxons. Hawthorn is the most common hedgerow plenty, others being hazel, blackthorn, field maple and elder. Holly was often planted to deter witches.
