Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all our members and to any other ladies who would like to come along to a meeting to see what we do, without obligation.

See Programme and Information to the right for details of your 2017 Programme and details of your Committee.

We look forward to seeing you on January 9th. please bring along your Subs payment (£39) and a raffle prize.  Your Programme card and membership card/booklets will be available then.

Monthly Meeting in December

Such talented members!

We all had fun making our own
Christmas cards with material 'cut out' trees
and other decorations.

Christmas Tree Festival

Leigh on Mendip Church held a Christmas Tree Festival the weekend of 10/11 December. Thank you to Sue Rodford, Caroline and Shelagh for making the decorations for our beautiful tree.  It was a lovely occasion and raised funds for FOLC.

Christmas Meal

Many of our members had great fun at our Christmas Meal at The Bell on Thursday 6 December.  Thank You to Mary for organising the event.  At the end of the meal we all had a 'Secret Santa' present and Barbara gave best attendance prizes to Ann Orpwood & Christine (and also to Hazel Parks at the monthly meeting the following week).  

Monthly Meeting for November

LEIGH ON MENDIP WI

Some final arrangements were made for Christmas events at our November meeting. We were reminded about the Secret Santa presents for the Christmas meal and to make our food choices if not already done. The Carol Concert in Kilmersdon clashed with the monthly lunch in the Bell on Friday 2^nd Dec but it was decided to go ahead with the latter albeit at the later time of 12.45. The FOLC Christmas fair would take place on Friday 9^th December and members were asked to make cakes to pass to Barbara who is running a cake stall there or at least to come along between 6 and 9pm. That weekend too is the Christmas tree festival in the church where the WI entry on a Scandinavian theme will be on display with the others.

As mentioned last month don’t forget the Denman fundraiser breakfast at Barbara’s house on 13th January from 10am, entry £5. Also in January will be our 68^th birthday party on the afternoon of Sunday 29^th when we will enjoy tea and cakes along with any friends, partners etc. who would like to join us. Venue to be decided. Finally if you have any old unused spectacles Caroline would love to receive them for her recycling project.

Our speaker session in November was very different to most.  A laughter therapist led us through many different exercises which were basically just making ourselves laugh but interacting with each other. Research has shown that the many advantages of laughter which include stress and depression relief are just as effective with “pretend” laughter as the natural kind. I think some of us may have felt a little silly at first but it was surprisingly easy to get into the spirit of things and just laugh!

Our next meeting will be on Monday 12^th December at 7.30pm when fellow members will help us make Christmas cards and we will hear about the choices for the Resolutions.

Meeting Monday 10 October 2016

Christmas was definitely in our sights at the October meeting with choices being taken for the meal at the Bell on December 8^th and mentions of carol concerts at Wells and Kilmersdon. Sue Rodford volunteered to produce our entry for this year’s Christmas tree competition in the church and would be helped by Shelagh and Caroline. We were asked to bring pieces of green material to the next meeting or give them to Caroline or Mary as these are needed to use in the making of Christmas cards at the December meeting.

Looking ahead to January, Barbara will be hosting a “breakfast”, at her house, from 10am on the 13^th entry £5. This will be Leigh WI’s fundraiser for Denman so do support it if you can.

We all felt the recent defibrillator training had gone well and it was agreed that a follow up session, with maybe some more hands on action, would be welcome.

Our speaker, Mr Shepherd, gave us a talk full of fun and interest, even including a quiz, mainly on music through the decades. He brought along many objects he had “saved” from skips and told us about others he had sold at auction. He urged us not to throw our unwanted items away but to sell or give them to someone such as a charity shop instead so they would not go to waste.

At our next meeting on Monday 14^th November our guest speaker will talk to us about “The Power of Laughter”

Looking Ahead!!

Some dates for you to note:

Community Coffee Morning - Monday 3 October, 9.45-10.45am in Leigh on Mendip Village Hall
WI Monthly Lunch - Friday 7 October, 12.15pm at The Bell
Monthly Meeting - Monday 10 October, 7.30pm
ACWW Coffee Morning, Wednesday 19 October, 10.30-12.30pm.  Binegar Village Hall
Group Carol Service, Friday 2 December, 11am at Kilmersdon Church
WI Christmas Evening Meal, Thursday 8 December at The Bell
Christmas Tree Festival, Leigh on Mendip Church, 10/11 December.  WI would like to enter a decorated tree.  Volunteers please!

Monthly Meeting Monday 12 September

Barbara welcomed members back after the summer break.  During this time various events had taken place, including the party at Kilmersdon WI, a walking tour of Frome and the President’s evening (a very enjoyable social time with some lovely food).

The Annual meeting is on 22 October at Taunton.  Caroline & Shelagh will be attending.  Members were asked to donate items for the YMCA Christmas Shoe box appeal for both male and female young adults. Small toiletry and household items are required, as well as some chocolates and food treats, socks, gloves, etc.  Any items to Caroline by 17 October at the latest.  Members were encouraged to sign up for the Defibrillator training in the Village Hall on 21 September.  Other events to look forward to are the Autumn Group Meeting at Beckington on Monday 3 October at which the Frome Town Crier will be present.  There is an ACWW Coffee morning in Binegar on 19 October.  Further ahead Christmas activities include – the Group Carol Service on 2 December at Kilmersdon and our Christmas meal to be held at The Bell on Thursday 8 December.

Barbara welcomed our speaker, Steph from Dorothy House.  She gave an interesting talk on the history of the organisation.  It is a registered Charity and was set up in 1976 in a house in Bloomfield Road and was able to care for 6 people at a time.  In 1995 they moved to their current home at Winsley.  There are only 9 bedrooms as well as facilities for day patients.  Predominately care is carried out in the person’s own home.  They cover an area of 700 square miles and last year cared for over 2000 patients.  Everything is free of charge and although they do receive some NHS funding the majority is from their own fund raising.  In total they need £12K per day.

Our speaker next month will be giving a talk on ‘Living Out of a Skip’!

Monday 11 July Meeting

We started our July meeting with a fire drill, partly as we had not had one for a while but also as we had 2 ladies with us from the now closed Oakhill institute. The village fair had been financially successful with a bigger pay out for all groups than recently and Barbara thanked again all those who took part or donated items.

The National AGM had taken place and the voting raised an issue as to whether we should in future leave the decisions on the resolutions to our group delegate so they can take into account the information and views of the formal speakers at the event.  Often the resolutions are not clear or comprehensive enough and a more informed vote would seem to be sensible.

We had a reminder about Denman courses with both a one day taster and a Federation weekend listed in the County News. We still have a bursary to give out for a course and it was suggested that if wanted this could be shared between two members, maybe attending the taster day which is already good value. Let a committee member know if you are interested.

Our entertainment came from Victoria of Angel-Oh! who specialises in a range of treatments including massage and nail care. She gave us an in depth nail care session including the recipe for a homemade hand scrub, demonstrations of nail and cuticle care and hand massage both for ourselves and others. Several people were the guinea pigs for some parts of the evening while we all joined in with the massages.

The President’s evening will be at Barbara’s house on Monday 8^th August with a knife and fork supper, now to start at 7.30. At the September meeting there will be a talk from Dorothy House Hospice.

Garden Party at Beckington

On Tuesday 28 June 9 members from Leigh on Mendip went to 
Beckington Village Hall to join a 90th Birthday Celebration for 
the Queen.  We were served Bucks Fizz, with scones, cream, 
strawberry jam and fresh strawberries.











The ladies all looked lovely in their posh frocks and hats.  We raised our glasses to toast the Queen a Happy Birthday.  Our brains were put to work to complete a Picture Quiz of 'Guess Which Royal' in 20 photos.

Entertainment was provided by the Frome Town Youth Band.

Many thanks to all the organisers. 

Glastonbury 2016

Well done to these Somerset WI ladies who braved rain, 
mud (and more rain & mud!) to run the WI Refreshment Stall at 
Glastonbury.  They received donations of cakes from WIs all around Somerset (including our own Leigh on Mendip).

I'm amazed they still found time and energy to sing 'Jerusalem'. I'm sure some Festival goers went away with a different impression of us WI Ladies!

Leigh on Mendip Summer Fair

Saturday 18 June was our Village Summer Fair.  The WI ran a Home Produce Stall - cakes, puddings, bread, jams, etc.  Thank you to everyone who helped with baking, setting up and serving.  It was a great success - not just our Stall but the Fair as a whole.  And for those who still had some energy we enjoyed an Evening of Music, Dancing & just chatting with friends. Our share of the funds will help with running our WI for another year.

Don't they look tasty!!

Our Wonderful Fashion Evening

Similar Outfit

but 2 different

fashion ways.

Casual & Smart

Off to the 

beach

or

to a

Wedding!

Thank You

to our

very own

WI Models







And Thank You to Anna Perra from Shepton Mallet for a fun Fashion Evening.

Monthly Meeting 13 June 2016

LEIGH ON MENDIP WI

Lots to look forward to at our June meeting with the village fair just days away and various other events in the pipeline. Not least of these was the President’s evening which will be on Monday 8^th August from 7pm at Barbara’s house. It will be a similar format to last year with everyone bringing a plate of food to share but this time we are having a knife and fork supper so please bring something suitable for that, either savoury or sweet, whichever you did last year, if you can remember! An added attraction that evening will be seeing the recently completed scrapbook.

Other events included the Garden Party in Beckington on June 28^th, a party at Kilmersdon on July 14^th and our own walk in Frome on July 27^th.

We then had an interesting talk from fashion business owner Anna Perra, followed by a short display of some of her clothes showing how the same items could be worn in different ways. Six of our own members were the models. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and it was good to learn that attractive, affordable and individual clothes can be bought so close at hand, Anna’s shop being in Shepton Mallet. She also runs an online business.

The next meeting will be on Monday 11^th July at 7.30pm, with a speaker on Hand and Nail Care. 

Monthly Meeting 9 May 2016

LEIGH ON MENDIP WI

A fairly low turnout for our May meeting but it was a busy one. Members had taken part in several activities including the fashion show at Standerwick, the Children’s Society coffee morning and the ACWW walk round the quarry with tea and cakes back at Shelagh’s afterwards. The latter had raised around £50 on the day towards the ACWW goat purchase project and Barbara put out a collection plate for anyone who hadn’t been on the walk but wanted to contribute. Looking ahead she had arranged another walk, this one to go round Frome, starting at 6.30 on Wednesday 27^th July. The scrapbook was making good progress and the first Friday lunches were still being well supported and will continue to be in the Bell until further notice.

We then turned to the Resolutions which Barbara read out for us including the cases for and against them. We had a good discussion on both, the one concerning supermarkets sending surplus food to charities to reduce waste and help those in need and the other to get hospitals to allow people with dementia to have a relative or friend stay with them when they went in for other reasons than their dementia. We voted in favour of both Resolutions.

The AGM followed with the financial, secretarial and President’s reports. We also needed to choose a President for the coming year. Barbara was the only nominated member willing to stand and will therefore continue as President for another year. The committee has two vacancies but no one at the meeting wanted to join, if any member who was not at the meeting is willing to do so then contact Barbara or any committee member.

The next meeting will be on Monday 13^th June at 7.30pm, when we will have our very own fashion show. 

Twiddlemuffs

Anyone who enjoys knitting or crochet might like to make a 'Twiddlemuff'.

At the last Group Meeting members were given information about these - they can be of benefit for people suffering with dementia.

If you would like any more information/instructions on how to make one please ask at the May meeting.

Fashion Show

On Friday the 22nd April, 8 members went to The Standerwick Centre near Frome to a
fashion show. Julia Santon our County Chairman welcomed us all and wished us a nice
evening. We enjoyed a delicious meal of either gammon or salmon followed by fruit salad or
cheesecake. 

While we enjoyed our coffee the models men women and children walked
amongst the tables modelling the clothes they had chosen from an M & Co store. 

We were all given a voucher to spend that evening from the pop up shop. They didn’t have all the sizes so I think most of us saw something they liked and will be making a trip to a shop in Frome Wells or Midsomer Norton to spend the discount voucher.

          Even something for the men!

Croscombe Spring Road Show

Caroline Jane and Barbara travelled to Croscombe village hall in time for coffee. We were
welcomed by Julia Stanton our County chairman and she introduced the board of trustees
who encouraged us to join the activities they were organising in the future. We also heard
from “Heads Up” a charity's in Wells which helps people suffering from dementia. We had
a long lunch break when we could enjoy soup and cake and then walk round all the
displays. After lunch Dr Burrows gave an amusing talk about his time giving talks to various
WI groups over the country. An interesting day out.

ACWW Walk

A group of WI members, friends & husbands set off from the Memorial Hall on Sunday 24 April to walk in aid of ACWW.

Spring has arrived!  So lovely to see the cowslips.










Friends from Buckland Dinham came to join us.

Time for a pause on the walk round the quarry and another photo opportunity!

Looking down on the house where Vera Carey, one of our original members, grew up

Then back to Shelagh's for tea and cake. Thank you to everyone who came and those who helped with the refreshments.  We raised £51 for ACWW and had a great time too!

Trip to Wells Cathdral

On Saturday 16 April Caroline, Jan, Marguerite and Shelagh visited Wells Cathedral to see 'Threads Through Revelation'.  

This was a touring exhibition, made up of fourteen large textile panels which explore, through the medium of textile art, the Book of Revelation.


The panels are spectacular.  The techniques and style used are very unusual - a combination of painted dyes and multi-layered silks cut and stitched.

Jacqui Parkinson is a textile artist whose work has been on display in many cathedrals.


After the Exhibition we went for a hot drink (to warm up!) and some lunch.  A lovely day out.

If anyone else sees something that is of interest to them why not arrange an Outing for members?

April Monthly Meeting

We were pleased to see both some new members and visitors at our April meeting. The first Friday lunch had been particularly well attended and Barbara suggested continuing to use the Bell for these as it is easier for people to get to than elsewhere. The WI team had only managed to finish 3^rd from the bottom in the recent Hall quiz but agreed it had been a pleasant evening. Several members had been to the Group meeting at Nunney and enjoyed an interesting talk from the BBC’s Sarah Jane Bungay.

A few things to be thinking about for the future. Firstly at the next meeting, the AGM, we will be discussing the Resolutions. Barbara appealed for someone to put the for and against cases for these but if no one was willing to do so for members to at least read about them in the WI Life magazine so we are able to discuss them properly in May. Two fashion shows ahead; the one at Standerwick on 22^nd April, with 8 members booked to go and on a smaller scale our own entertainment in June. Jane is co-ordinating arrangements for this. And the bulb order booklets are already here! Contact Mary if you want one, cheques needed by the end of May.

Our entertainment was a session of Bollywood dancing which most members and guests joined in with. We learnt to build the moves up into a routine which was energetic but fun and a great sort of exercise.

The next meeting will be on Monday 9^th May at 7.30pm, Resolutions and AGM!

Bollywood Comes to Leigh on Mendip

What an entertaining evening.  In April Emma Hill came to demonstrate and teach us the art of Bollywood Dancing!  It was very energetic and even those sitting down were able to have fun watching the rest and joining in with the hand movements.  Not sure we are ready yet to take to the stage!

Friends from the Village and Buckland Dinham WI came to join in too.  

Thank you to Sue & Christine for providing the much needed refreshments - complete with an Indian theme.

LADIES WHO LUNCH!!

Photos from our April monthly lunch at The Bell at Leigh on Mendip.  We meet on the first Friday of each month at 12.15pm.  Do come and join us for a 'light bite', proper lunch or just a drink.  

New people are very welcome.  Perhaps a nice informal way to find out a bit more about the WI in Leigh on Mendip.  Hope to see you there.

Meeting 14 March 2016

There had been a good turnout for the annual litter pick (or Clean for the Queen as it was called this year) and Barbara thanked all the volunteers, the organisers and cake makers as well as those who actually picked up the litter. The recent coffee morning and first Friday lunch had also been well supported.

Forthcoming events included the next lunch, once again at the Bell, on Friday 1^st April, and the ACWW walk round the quarry on April 24^th. This would be followed by refreshments at Shelagh Haywood’s house.  Even further ahead was the Group social to be held at Beckington on Tuesday 28^th June from 5.30pm. This was to have a “Royal Garden Party” theme, so a chance to dress up a bit and it would be free to attend.

Finally we learnt that our next meeting, featuring Bollywood dancing, would be an open one and Mary encouraged us to all bring a friend along.

Our speaker, author Michael Malaghan, gave us an amusing account of how he started writing, first as a journalist on a local newspaper and later creating scripts for children’s TV programmes as well as writing books for both children and adults.

The April meeting will be on Monday 11^th at 7.30pm, do come along and join in the fun!

WHAT A LOT OF RUBBISH!!!

Clean for the Queen

What a pity so many people drive through our lovely village throwing their rubbish out of the car window.  Thank you to the 21 'litter pickers' and the 5 other helpers for clearing up this mess.  Cider cans and vodka bottles in large quantities - plus a toasted sandwich maker and a clothes horse!!

Some of the Team!

And 'Thank You' to the ladies who baked such delicious cakes & served Refreshments.  A very welcome sit down at the end of the hard work.

We must also thank Caroline for organising this annual Village event.  I look forward to the year when we return to the Hall with empty bags!!

February Monthly Meeting

It was good to learn in February that we have 2 new members and with Oakhill WI closing the prospect of even more. There were details of recent events and of some due to take place. The birthday skittles evening had been much enjoyed by those who attended and the latest first Friday lunch in the Bell had been well supported. If you haven’t tried it before why not come along to the Bell from 12.15 on the first Friday of the month for a fun get together.

Future events included the village quiz on March 19^th (1 WI team so far, more welcome) the litter pick on Sat March 5^th from 2-4pm and the group meeting at Nunney on Wed 23^rd of March with a talk from the BBC’s Sarah-Jane Bungay. Looking a little further ahead our walk for ACWW would go round the quarry on Sun 24^th April with refreshments back at Shelagh’s afterwards.

Our speaker, Mr Moon from the NGS (Yellow Book Scheme), showed us scenes from several, mainly well known, gardens accompanied by music he had matched to them. A pleasant and relaxing way to spend an evening.

At our March meeting, on Monday 15th at 7.30pm, we will be entertained by author Michael Malaghan.

MARCH - A BUSY MONTH!

Some dates for you all:
Friday 4 March - Monthly Lunch at The Bell. 12.15pm onwards.
Saturday 5 March.  2-4pm.  Village Litter Pick.  Encourage family & friends to come. Refreshments at the end.
Monday 14 March.  Monthly meeting.  7.30pm.  Speaker - Michael Malaghan - a local author.
Saturday 19 March.  Village Quiz.  Wish our team 'good luck'!
Wednesday 23 March.  Group Meeting at Nunney.  Interesting speaker.  Sarah Jane Bungay from Points West.

Meeting Monday 11 January

Back to normal after Christmas with subscription payments due and our raffle prizes for the year to hand in. We were pleased to hear Shelagh had joined the committee and to receive our programmes with details of forthcoming meetings. Notice was given of the annual litter pick on Sat March 5th and the group meeting at Nunney on Wed March 23^rd. With the latter for an entry fee of £3.50 you will be able to listen to a talk from the BBC’s Sara Jane Bungay and enjoy some light refreshments.

Caroline had delivered the sheets etc. for the women’s refuge and they would like even more, anything for single size beds including duvets and pillowslips as well as sheets would be appreciated. Finally Jan asked that we let her know of any ideas for the 2017 programme planning meeting in September well in advance and also any ideas for summer evening outings this year.

Our speaker, Lynn, from Happy Landings showed us a lot of pictures of the animals they look after and also brought along one of the dogs to the meeting. The charity is based at Hillcroft Farm in Pylle and serves as both a rescue centre and a kennels and cattery. That said they also take in a great variety of other animals from chickens to pigs and ferrets. They are currently fundraising to have new kennels built so any donations would be very welcome.

Our meeting in February is on Monday 8^th at 7.30pm when we will be able to enjoy “Garden views set to music”.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

WISHING YOU ALL

A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR