WI News January 2014

BRAMPTON BRYAN

Federation Chairman Kathryn Bandfield visited Brampton Bryan WI on Sat 23 November which was their 28th annual Christmas pudding mix. This is a fun event eagerly awaited by the locals who come to help stir, make a wish and purchase the delicious pudding mix. Kathryn is pictured with WI President, Pauline Oliver, current mix coordinator Gill Harnett, mixer Gill Clement and Norma Dark who started it all in 1985.

KINGTON

In November Pat Roberts gave a talk about the Kington Food Bank, run by Kington Churches Together. Vouchers are given to those in need and food can be collected on Friday afternoons. Help and advice is also given about work and budgeting. Money for this relies on help from various individuals and groups in the area.
In our December meeting we were joined by the local bell ringing group who played carols which we all sang along with.

HOLMER

Holmer had their Christmas Party festivities with probably too much to eat, followed by our Drama Group entertaining us with some very amusing short sketches. They started the New Year off with songs and stories accompanied by the ringing bells of Silvester the Jester who held court and entertained us very well.

PEMBRIDGE

Member Linda Lynn provided everyone with a miniature Christmas cake to decorate using sugar paste.  Linda's demonstration was illustrated with photographs and examples of her festive cake decorating, which members attempted to follow. It was an enjoyable and hilarious evening.

LEOMINSTER

Members and guests enjoyed our annual Harvest Lunch, followed by entertainment by Roger Pugh, "The Jester and Comedian".  In November – Mrs Pam Bufton made a return visit with a demonstration on Christmas table arrangements.  She had many new ideas, including making snow from a packet!

EARDISLEY  

The New Year began with an excellent talk by Fred Clark on the beginnings of the settlements on The Falkland Islands and his experiences of living there as a policeman for thirty years.  His interesting memories were accompanied with an amazing running slide show of the birds animals and wildlife, buildings and agriculture on this rather bleak and windswept area.  Members look forward to a programme of talks exploring other countries and travel.

PETERSTOW

Our first meeting of the New Year began with an offer of mulled wine by two committee members, Christine Bushell and Jenny Holmes, in themed costumes relating to our guest speakers talk.
Roger Pugh, the official jester of Leicester, was dressed in a brightly coloured outfit, told the origins of jesting and how he became involved. Jesters are still invited to carnivals and medieval banquets. His entertaining talk included jokes and songs accompanied with music on the mandola and guitar. Finally members were asked to choose songs for him to play with everyone joining in the fun.

WELLINGTON

In December 2013 we were greatly entertained and informed by Christopher Graham on the topic of butchery.  A farmer, butcher, and livestock grader, though now mainly retired, Christopher spoke with knowledge and passion about the rearing of animals, and the nature and uses of the different cuts.  It was fascinating to hear the members' recollections of the meat cuts they had in their younger days; hard to get hold of cuts of meat, and some cuts with rather unusual names!

We started January 2014 with a trip to the orient: member Gill Bullock, aided by slides and lots of objects from her collection, talked about Aspects of Japan.  After welcoming members with a loud "irashaimasse", she touched on sumo, shrines, sushi and Shinto.  Other members shared their experiences of visiting Japan in 1973, and 1993!  Sushi was available for all to try on the refreshments table.