Amazing Estonian Women!

We had a first hand view of five Estonian WI equivalent groups today at the ACWW event in Binegar. Valerie Stevens, a well travelled and experienced member of ACWW told us of her stay in Estonia, where she was warmly welcomed by five separate women's groups, which each looked after her for a day. They introduced her to local dignitaries, showed her around schools where she enjoyed several dance displays and took part in an English language lesson. The sense of community is very strong and the creative skills used to the full. In every WI hall there was a spinning wheel and loom alongside knitted, crocheted and felted items of all descriptions. The looms are used to weave the fabric for the traditional costumes they make for their dancing and to wear when they sell their produce at the market. There was always  someone who could speak English to help her understand and talk to everyone. In Tallin, the capital, she was particularly struck by the museum of occupation.  No! Not weavers and miners, but a history of the times their country has been occupied: by Russia, Sweden, Germany...
The day started with an excellent cookery demonstration and talk by Bini Ludlow, of Sweet Cumin and of recent fame on the Good Food Show. Her talk was very informative and appealed strongly to the senses as she showed us colourful photos of her visit to India as well as cooking a delicious smelling chicken dish - which one lucky person won in the raffle! Bini has a cooking school and is based near Ston Easton. She had prepared some very tasty samosas for us to sample.

The last speaker is a very inspiring lady, Kathy Miller,  who did some voluntary teaching 13 years ago in a school for 80 boys who had suffered polio and whose parents were unable to care for them at home. She has returned each year and has set up The Neem Tree Trust to help support and care for the boys. Now there is no polio in India ( thanks to Bill Gates and the Rotary Club), so there are boys with other disabilities who are now living in the home. Her videos gave us a real insight into life there.

Visitors had come to this event from Dorset, Devon, Hampshire and Gwent as well as Somerset! A number of those present are looking forward to attending the next ACWW conference in Chennai  in September. It will be very interesting to hear their feedback.

Thank you to Eileen Hurd for organising such an inspiring day, and to Binegar WI for looking after us so well.