Speakers show their skills!

This week Barbara went along to Westonzoyland to listen to a range of speakers who took the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of WI members, thinking of programme planning for 2013! There were 14 speakers throughout the day, and, according to Barbara, some well worth considering during our planning session on 17 September.

Field for the British Isles

Yesterday was fabulous! We went to Barrington Court to see the Field for the British Isles, Antony Gormley's spectacular work which is exhibited in three of the rooms there. Those thousands of faces, all looking up at me, gave me a strong feeling of optimism and a great confidence in the future with so many people all working together towards a common goal. Tom, a science fiction fan, saw it more as an alien and not necessarily friendly group! Over a delicious cheese scone and a pot of tea, our peace and quiet was shattered by the arrival of a party of women. Some of them were not best pleased with the arrangements for their visit... and they were very voluble! I made a note to myself to remember this and always try to avoid shouting out arrangements and instructions when we go on a visit! There was nothing to indicate they were WI, just a group of women of a certain age! Looked to me as if they required a spot more fun going on!

Village Fair, our produce stall

Thank you very much to everyone (including husbands and daughters!)who contributed to our lovely produce stall at the fair today! Especially to Val who masterminded the whole thing, and who attended the meetings to set it all up. I thought how well everything went, despite the best efforts of the wind. Congratulations to all of the organisers for all of their hard work. Let's hope the people who came along to support us managed to spend lots of money! There were plenty of happy faces, so I'm sure everyone had a good time!

Jubilee meeting 11 June

What a fabulous Jubilee meeting we had last night! So many red, blue and white garments! How fabulous everyone looked! Our speaker was very interesting, and told us a great deal about piers in England (did you know that Ryde pier, on the Isle of Wight was the first in the world?) and lots more about the history of the pier at Weston super Mare. Coincidentally, it was opened on 11 June 1904! Well done to Val for booking him on 11 June! And then we moved to our refreshments.... Margaret provided an inspired Jubilee tea: with cucumber and salmon sandwiches, cut into tiny, dainty triangles, slices of Swiss roll and carrot cake. Thank you! We all really enjoyed it! June F and Margaret wore Union Flag tiaras to serve us, too! An exquisite touch! This is what I love about being in the WI: you make a suggestion and everyone responds in a brilliant way! Didn't we have a great time?

Leigh on Mendip Jubilee Oak Tree

Today at 6pm we planted our oak tree to celebrate our Queen's Diamond Jubilee. It saw the end of four days of Jubilee commemoration in the village. Bunting and flags adorn various gates and houses. Julian and the team of bellringers heralded the start of the celebrations on Saturday and Bryan at The Bell Inn organised a whole Monday of fun and festivities, (and chose a good, dry day!) Caroline, Liz, Fran and Anthea organised a four day Flower Festival in St Giles Church and in Downhead Church. St Giles hosted very creative and imaginative displays representing each decade of the 60 years, from a crown, orb and sceptre, to the miner's strike, channel tunnel and the Olympics. A group of very talented villagers worked very hard to make such a fabulous display. Downhead church was filled with a beautiful display of flowers with a wonderful atmosphere and scent. There was also a marvellous exhibition of craft in the Memorial Hall organised by Vicki. So many visitors were heard to remark: what a lot of talent is in this village! Many photos were taken, and a video film of the Flower Festival .... Perhaps we should have a display of the Jubilee photos somewhere?

Somerset Federation W.I. At the Bath & West

Yesterday the weather was perfect for a day at the Royal Bath & West Show! I went along to help at the WI refreshment tent, which is on the village green. In exchange for my 4 hours' work behind the counter, I received my entry ticket and had plenty of time to have a wander around the show. I met some lovely WI members: Kate from Milborne Port, Gill and Maggie from Croscombe and had a chance to have a chat with Carol, our County Chair, who was there all day. We were busy throughout, and especially hectic over lunch and afternoon tea time. Everything was so well organised and planned, that it was very easy to simply slot in to the routine! The flower tent was spectacular! I can't wait to visit our very own flower festival today in the Memorial Hall! A couple of people asked me about it, so the advertising has clearly been working!