MARCH

During March we were still unable to meet up in person as a Group but continue to hold our Committee, Monthly and Social meetings on Zoom.

On 8 March we invited members from other WI Institutes as well as our own partners and friends to listen to the Speaker, Barry Edwards, who gave a talk on "Brilliant Brunel".  Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a great hero for Barry.  He spoke about the great engineer's personal life and the time that he had spent in Bristol as well as London.  With the help of some slides he covered a wide range of projects from railways, including new ideas like the atmospheric rail, actual train stations as well as bridges and with his eye on travelling further afield great ships like the SS Great Britain and the SS Great Eastern.  He was also involved in field hospitals. 

We had a Social Evening with 11 members on Monday 22^nd March, which had an optional Indian theme.  One member shared her family recipe for curry (yummy!) and several other members talked about their holidays and family experiences in India showing some of their photos. 

 

We travelled from Kerala in the South where we saw Sue's meal served on a banana leaf (instead of a plate!) and Karen's ride in a tuk-tuk (more fun than an air conditioned Mercedes!) to Shimla in the North, calling in at the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Golden Palace in Amritsar on the way.  

Others shared items they had either bought or been given from India.  A very friendly evening and a chance to catch up.

Mary has kept us all informed and up-to-date with general WI information and opportunities to listen to various speakers or join in Denman courses on Zoom.  Our phone calls continue as well as the opportunity to meet with one other member outdoors for a social catch up and walk.

In April please note that our Monthly meeting will take place on TUESDAY 13th at 7.30pm.  Again it will be a Zoom meeting with the Speaker, Celia Guppy on "Improve your Health & Wellbeing: Tips to destress and relax".  This was a subject that many members were keen to have.  A reminder that subscriptions for the coming year are due this month.  Please send your money to Caroline.  With the help of members' views and suggestions we have put together an interesting and varied Programme for the rest of the year.  Some of these speakers will either be talking on Zoom or "in person" in the Hall, if that is a safe environment for all involved.

Meanwhile do keep in touch with each other and contact one of the Committee if you have any ideas, concerns, etc.

 

 

LEIGH ON MENDIP - LITTER PICK!

 

Leigh on Mendip WI has organised a litter pick in the village for many years, usually during March to coincide with the Keep Britain Tidy “Great British Spring Clean”.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions we cannot plan the usual event this year (the post-collection tea and cake will be missed!) but instead suggest that anyone who would like to help collects litter during the week 8-14 March.  Take a carrier bag and gloves and see what you find whilst out walking.  If you find anything that you don’t want to touch or that is too big or fly-tipped then either report it via

www.fixmystreet.com

or contact me with details of the location, for forwarding to Mendip District Council.

Please do NOT leave any litter collected outside the Village Hall, as it is not possible to arrange a collection from there this year.

Thank you to everyone who regularly collects litter.

Little known fact: Keep Britain Tidy was originally set up by a conference of 26 organisations in 1955. The conference was initiated by the national Women's Institute after a resolution was passed at its 1954 AGM to start a national anti-litter campaign.

Caroline Harris       812889

FEBRUARY!

February is a short month and one that brought changes.  

From having seen daffodils in bloom in January we then had snow and ice followed again by more Spring–like weather.

Strange Hair Ice Fungus found in Cranmore Woods

Still in Lockdown but we were able to exercise with one other person which gave members the opportunity to see a friend outside.  We were able to walk along our quiet country lanes when it proved far too wet and muddy to be going across the fields and alongside the streams on footpaths.

 

At our first Zoom meeting in February we were able to come together to discuss various topics and speakers with the hope of putting together an interesting Programme for the rest of 2021.  Initially these will have to be Zoom meetings but hopefully later in the year, depending on Government regulations, we may be able to meet in the Hall.  We ended the evening with a Fun Quiz, in our groups of 3 or 4 people in the chat rooms. 

 

This was followed at the end of the month with a Zoom Coffee morning – a chance for a group chat and catch up.  Someone mentioned the very bright full moon – apparently traditionally known as the Snow Moon in the northern hemisphere and typically symbolises the beginning of Spring.  

We watched a slide of photos from members showing the "Awakening of Nature" with beautiful Spring flowers they had taken in the hedgerows and own gardens.  Edwina gave a short talk about her pictures telling the story of Spring and new beginnings from around the world. 

 

There is light at the end of the tunnel with a gradual lifting of restrictions.  Many of our members have now had their first vaccination.  We look forward to having greater opportunities to see friends and family, especially those who do not have the technology to meet up in the "virtual" world.  We are also mindful of all those people who have been out in the workplace all through this pandemic.  We are very grateful for how they have helped us in our everyday lives.

 

Our next formal Zoom meeting is on Monday 8 March with a speaker on "Brunel".  We hope with the new Programme to run more meetings like this until it is safe and legal for us to meet again in the Hall.  We do hope as many members as possible will make the most of these opportunities.  On Monday 22 March we will have an evening social Zoom meeting on the theme of India.  Please share any photos, memories, recipes, etc.