WI News December 14
BISHOPSWOOD
Bishopswood WI met on 12th December at 2.30 pm. 25 members were present. We opened the meeting with Jerusalem as usual, unaccompanied as the piano was hidden by the Christmas tree. The president, Mrs Ann Jones took the short business meeting, followed by tea.
Our speaker, Lena Dyche, a Swedish WI member living in Monmouth, woke us all up by introducing herself in Swedish, proving we all knew some Swedish words as there are some similarities. Sweden is almost double the size of the UK, but has a population of 9 – 10 million, the same as London. There they have no problems with snow clearance as in autumn all the farmers take there tractors to depots in the towns, keeping just one at the farm. When snow falls they report to the depots and the snow is cleared before anyone has to go to work in the morning. As Lena pointed out, they do know that snow will fall each year, unlike us.
She went on to describe Swedish Christmas customs, beginning with Advent which is very important there. Every house will have lights in all the triple glazed windows and no curtains are drawn to hide them. The feast of St Lucia, who comes to brighten life, is celebrated on 13th December . all schools, churches, towns and villages have their own Lucia who wears a crown of lighted candles – no health and safety concerns there!
Christmas is celebrated on the 24th December with a meal of pickled herring (up to 20 varieties), meat balls and the Swedish favourite, Janssen's Temptation, layers of onions, potatoes and anchovies with cream. Father Christmas visits each house openly, not coming in the night down the chimney. It took Lena a long time to realise why he always came just after her father had had to go out to fetch the newspaper. He always missed the great event.
Finally, one very strange custom – since the 1950s at 3 pm on Christmas Eve everyone watches old Disney cartoons on TV. They are the same cartoons every year, except for one which is changed providing a subject for much guesswork.
Mrs Julie Eglinton thanked Lena for her very interesting talk. The competition winner was Sue Colwall, with Kathy Hargest and Sue Jackson second and third. The meeting closed at 4.30
The next meeting is the lunch at the ROFD college, Berry Hill on 16th January, 2015 at 12 noon.
SALTMARSHE & DISTRICT
Our December meeting took place on Friday 12th when 21 of us met at Upper Sapey Golf Club. We're looked after very well there, and this time was no exception. The noise level only quietened down when we were actually eating; otherwise crackers were cracking, chatting was happening and generally a "good time was had " by all.
It was lovely to be joined by a couple of past Members, and to see all of us in our finery - including some reindeerjumpers ! Our raffle for the rather splendid calendar, courtesy of Ralph Court Gardens, which we intend to visit in 2015, was won by Lin and the cup for winning the yearly competitions went home with Janet R.
We "rest" in January and so will next meet again at 2pm on February 11th in Saltmarshe Village Hall when our Speaker will be our own Linda Marsden talking - and making us laugh, we're sure - about Back Care.
BURGHILL & TILLINGTON
The W.I. held their Annual Meeting in November during which Annual Reports were given and the committee was re-elected. Once business was completed they were entertained by Burghill and Tillington Handbell Ringers and by "Tintinnabulis" a handbell trio from within the larger group who play with 4 and sometimes 3 bells in each hand. Music ranged from classical to folk and popular music, including "Jerusalem". Afterwards members had an opportunity to "Have a Go" themselves.
Our December meeting took the form of a talk and demonstration by Rowan Mconegal of herbs and spices used down the centuries for culinary and medicinal purposes .She showed us many different spices explaining their history and country of origin and the huge range of uses, following which we were able to taste and smell them.
PEMBRIDGE
Pembridge were taught how to make simple but effective hanging arrangements for Christmas using foliage, berries and flowers by one of their members, President Sue Charles.
LEOMINSTER
Leominster learnt how to make Christmas cards with Vera Johnson and sugar craft flowers with Doris Smith at their December meeting.
LEDBURY WI
The President Margaret Coulson welcomed members to our last meeting for 2014 which she said had been quite an eventful year. Apologies were received from those absent including our Secretary Jenny Treasure who has been unwell for a couple of weeks. On November 27th a few of our ladies enjoyed an evening with Ledbury Guides they demonstrated and helped them make Christmas Tree decorations - a most productive evening.
Some members had attended the Federation Christmas Concert held in Holy Trinity Church, Hereford on December 8th. Two of our ladies sang in the choir and it was a most enjoyable evening. We also heard of some events that will take place in 2015 including the speakers for our Centenary AGM in the Royal Albert Hall on 4th June. We were also reminded to read our WI Life especially the section on the Resolutions and to remember to bring our completed voting slips to the January meeting.
As this month is more a social evening we sat around decorated tables to listen to Sounds Familiar who had come along to entertain us, with joyful Christmas music and songs, with some participation from us.
Jenny Harrison responded reading an hilarious reply to the song 12 Days of Christmas and Doreen Jones read some amusing poems she had written. We all felt lifted after our sing-song and ready to enjoy the Mulled wine, mince pies and other assorted cakes prepared by Jo Butcher our Treasurer. The President thanked Sounds Familiar for getting us into the Christmas Spirit and asked them to join us for some refreshments. After we had consumed all the delights Margaret thanked Jo for all her hard work to whom we are all so grateful as she is not back to full health by a long way.
The next meeting is 7.30pm January 14th 2015 at the Parish Room, Catholic Church, New St; Ledbury. We are delighted to welcome Cameron Addicott whose talk is entitled 20 Years Under Cover. Visitors are always most welcome.