2020
January 8th - Social timeCompetition: An elephant won by Fran Saltmarsh
Our January 2020 meeting was a cheerful evening as we got back into WI matters after a long break. We carried out the serious part of the business straight away. As a group we are mostly in favour of the Resolution calling to increase potential stem cell donor registration. The other most popular resolution was encouraging people to talk about death and dying: such as making wills, and your funeral wishes known to your family. We then relaxed with the essential refreshments while the competition for an elephant was judged. 2020 gives us the opportunity to go on a coach trip to Derbyshire and the Peak District in April, a Spring Lunch at Landbeach in March, or in April take part in the Jigsaw Challenge (also at Landbeach). We can go to the Museum of Technology in Cambridge, and hands on includes learning the technique of English Paper Piecing (also known as mosaic patchwork. Ann Flewitt masterminded the raffle. To round off the evening we played bingo, a light hearted end to the evening which we all enjoyed. We were reminded that our Wednesday February 5th meeting is unusually at 12.00 for 12.30 p.m. as we have a lunch to mark the 81st anniversary of the formation of our group. The competition: To make your own place name (a use for old Christmas cards?) |
February 5th - 81st Birthday party lunch
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March 4th - Annual meeting -Competition: March hare
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AprilCompetition:
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May - Resolutions and Bring & BuyCompetition: A thimble won by Sandie Harris
At our May meeting we discussed the resolutions to be put forward at the WI Annual General Meeting in June. We are unanimously in favour of the NHS carrying out more publicity so that more teenage girls and women are aware of the free cervical smear tests that are available. We are also in favour of the government, combined with local authorities, increasing, rather than cutting, local bus services. Brenda Marks attended the Cambridge Annual Meeting on our behalf and gave a brief resume of the evening, the highlight of which was a talk from Dame Floella Benjamin, born in Trinidad in 1949 and part of what we now call The Windrush Generation. We have the opportunity to go to the theatre at Southwold, or to Rutland Water for a cruise, or perhaps visit the National Space Centre at Leicester. Hands on one can try croquet or flower arranging. We also had a bring and buy/home made baking sale to raise funds for our group, as well as our monthly raffle. |
June 5 th - Alison Giles, Burwell museumCompetition: object over 50 years old won by Daphne Potter
Alison Giles came to tell us about how Burwell Museum came into being and the way she runs this local village museum with a team of dedicated volunteers. She came with a lump of clunch, from which Burwell windmill was uniquely built, and other items from the museum which we could all handle, from roman pottery to butter pats. We now all feel well informed before we go for our private visit to the museum on 12th July, and are looking forward to seeing the history of a local fenland village in all the items from Burwell now carefully looked after. Forthcoming events include a trip to Boughton House and Gardens, the chance to go to BBC Countryfile Life at Blenheim Palace or closer to home the Beth Shalom Reform Synagogue in Cambridge. Members were reminded that our 3rd July meeting will be hands on (cost £2.00 per head) as we attempt flower arranging with Debbie Bull. The competition: a vase ornament. |
Group Meeting June 19th Speaker Angela Collins, Competition a teddy bear.
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July 3rd - Debbie Bull, flower arranging |
August 7th Garden Party |
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Competition: A vase won by Joan Reeve Debbie Bull arrived with half her garden greenery and other flowers. She deftly showed us how to make individual flower arrangements and we all had a go. We were glad to learn that one can now get black oasis, which you can recycle. Debbie, also a WI member, has taken advantage of the many courses run at our WI College to learn how to sew, and other craft activities. Having attended a flower arranging course she happily passed her knowledge on to us. She also judged the competition (no - not the arrangements we had just made!) for a decorative flower vase. Refreshments, including chocolate cake, were provided by June Surrage, Brenda Marks and Jill Steggles. Ann Flewitt ran the raffle and Mary Jolly the auction table. We are still celebrating the centenary of the Cambridge WI and have the chance to socialise over coffee and cake or a tea party or attend a lunch at Landbeach. Further afield we can go to Sutton Hoo in October, or to the Tutankhamun exhibition in February 2020. Ann Flewitt ran the raffle and Mary Jolly the Sales Table. |
Competition: Fridge magnet won by fran Saltmarsh
In August we held our garden party in the garden of one of our members and for the first time in months every member was able to be present, which made the evening special and it was a very jolly occasion. We were also very happy to welcome back retired members who came to have a good evening out. The hard working committee produced a finger buffet which was much enjoyed by everyone. Ann Flewitt ran the raffle and June Surrage masterminded our tea and coffees without which no celebration is complete.
No business was done as we just enjoyed being outside in the sunshine. The 4th September meeting will have us listening to Dr Tim Wreghitt talking about medicinal plants. The competition: a tea pot (infusion leaves). We will all settle down after summer holidays and worry about forthcoming visits in September. |
Outing to Burwell museum - highly recommended
Fenland Fair entries - Miss Moffets Toy Emporium won; ours
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September 4th - Dr Tim Wreghitt, Medicinal plantsCompetition: A teapot won by Joan Reeve
At our September meeting were very much entertained by Dr Tim Wreggitt, a consultant pathologist from Addenbrookes who came to explain the critical role of pathology in identifying all the different illnesses people suffer from. This was linked to his stories of the ten years from 2002 to 2012 when the Royal College of Pathology had a stand at the Chelsea Flower Show. Over the years everyone from HM The Queen to Ringo Starr came to look at their stand to see what plants they were growing and why. Lots of facts relating to plants and pathology came our way with many light hearted observations about the Chelsea Flower Show and its visitors – V.I.P. or otherwise.
Forthcoming opportunities include lessons on botanical art with polychrome oil based pencils at the Cambridge office, or the knitting and stitching show at the Alexandria Palace London, Christmas crafts and floral decoration classes, also at the Cambridge office. Alternatively, a candlelight tour of Holkham Hall, Norfolk. We were delighted our entry won the WI competition at the Fenland Fair at the end of August. |
October 3rd - Nicki Sly, AlpacasCompetition: 1st baby bonnet won by Brenda Marks
At our October meeting Nicki Sly came to tell us about her herd of alpacas which she established in 2014 as an environmentally friendly way of mowing three acres of lawn. As they are herd animals she started with three and is now up to twelve, buying in and also breeding her own animals. They are bred for their fleeces which contain no lanolin, or for use as flock guards as they will challenge any intruders. She held our attention throughout and the “question and answer” session threw up many of the differences between alpacas and thoroughbred racehorses! Teas were provided by June Surrage and Brenda Marks. Forthcoming events include taking part in the annual darts tournament, a trip to The Savoy Theatre in London to see 9 to 5, and more traditionally Carols for Christmas at Shelford. Before closing the meeting Sheila Bailey, President reminded us that Geoff Evans will be coming to our November 6th meeting to give his illustrated talk about Iceland. The competition: three homemade iced cup cakes. |
November 7thCompetition: 3 Homemade cup cakes won by Terry Webb
Mrs. Sheila Bailey, President, welcomed members to our November meeting. Apologies were received from Geoff Evans, who at the last minute was unable to come and give the planned talk on Iceland. He has been booked for November 2020. In Geoff Evans absence Sue Carty stepped in and we had a hands on craft evening making Christmas cards. This was well received by all members as we glued and stuck while we chatted, and had cards to take home. Refreshments were provided by June Surrage, Jill Steggles and Brenda Marks. An Flewitt ran the raffle and Mary Jolly the Sales Table. Forthcoming visits include a theatre trip to The Savoy, London to see 9 to 5, closer to home “Recycling Unravelled” (explained) at the Cambridge office, or the chance to attend a workshop on modern slavery. Sheila Bailey drew our cheery meeting to a close with a reminder that our Christmas meal will take the place of the normal meeting and we will meet on Wednesday, 4th December, at the New Wellington, Newmarket 7.00 p.m. for 7.30 p.m. for a fun evening. |
December 5th - Christmas partyCompetition: wrapped present value £5.00
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