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.

Keeping Busy!

 Pauline and Caroline (plus 2 friends) have been busy during the various lockdowns with their knitting needles and crochet hooks.  Between them they have made 6 beautiful knee blankets and I full size blanket.  

They have also created 17 Twiddle Muffs in bright colours with an assortment of ribbons, buttons, rings, bells, etc for people to handle and play around with.  They are a good way for people with dementia and children in special schools to relieve anxiety and stress.  When this lockdown is over we will arrange to get them to Hazel for onward distribution.  

If anyone has some spare wool and would like to "have a go" contact Caroline (01373 812889) or Jan (01373 812460).

JANUARY!

 

Nearly at the end of January!  So good to see the evenings getting lighter.

With lockdown continuing we are only able to meet up as a WI on Zoom, but we are also continuing with our phone rota – which is much appreciated by some of our members, especially those who have no access to the internet.

For those who were free and able to join in we had a NYE Party on-line.  Several members (and a couple of husbands) dropped in during the evening and it was good to chat and raise a glass or two to the New Year.  Thank you to Caroline for organising it.

On 11 January we held our "Kickstart 2021" meeting.  Members were invited to share stories and any New Year's Resolutions.  We also discussed a list of 21 Items that might "Make Us Happy" – some more light hearted than others but plenty there to 'be kind to ourselves'.

Our Institute is 72 years young this year and on 25 January we held an on-line party – and being Burns Night we had a Scottish theme.  14 ladies took part.  One member had made a Dundee cake and candles were lit (2 – not 72!) whilst the tune to Happy Birthday was played.  We raised our glasses in celebration.  We had poems, accounts of previous Burns Night evenings held in the village, followed by pictures and interesting information on Scottish themes.  Members also recounted their own stories connected to Scotland.  A very enjoyable time.  I wonder if our original members could have imagined Zoom meetings, when possibly very few of them even had a phone at home!

There are a number of WI Zoom talks plus plenty of on-line courses offered by Denman.  Members are encouraged to take a look – plenty of choice to please many people.

Dates to look forward to:

Monday 8 February, 7.30pm – our monthly meeting on Zoom. 

Friday 26 February, 10.30am – Zoom Coffee Morning

Monday 8 March, 7.30pm.  Monthly meeting with a speaker on the topic of "Brilliant Brunel".

More details on these events will be sent out closer to the time.

Meanwhile take care and please contact any of the Committee members with your ideas for the coming months.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

 

Leigh on Mendip WI is 72 this month.

We will be holding a Zoom Party 

on

Monday 25 January at 7.30pm.

There will be a "Burns Night" theme

for those who wish to wear something tartan, 

perhaps recite some poetry 

or just join in for a Social chat.

Bring your own drink & nibbles!

More info from Mary on

01373 812415.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

Happy New Year to all our Members.

And a Happy New Year to anyone else who is reading our Blog.

If you would like to know more about us and what we are doing

during these very unusual times

and would like to get to know some new people

please do get in touch.

Contact Mary on 01373 812415.

December

  

On Monday 14 December we held a Party Zoom evening as we were not able to have either a Christmas Meal or Christmas meeting in the Hall.  

All members had received a Goody Bag last week with some fun and festive gifts inside, including items for tonight or make at home if unable to join in.  Members had been encouraged to raise their glass this evening to us all.

We'd been invited to suggest one of our favourite Christmas Carols or Songs, which was also used for a "Beat the Intro" Quiz.  It was amazing how many songs we 'knew' but couldn't think of the title or singer!  We also had a go at signing "Away in A Manger" – several practice sessions and then we did it to music

With guidance we all made a Scandi Felt Basket.  Not as easy as it looked!  But we were all delighted with our efforts.  This was followed with a Hand Massage – using the cream and instructions from our bag.  We all decided that it was lovely to have some pampering time.

 A party wouldn't be the same without a "Raffle" – everyone was a "winner" and prizes will be distributed over the next few weeks.

We also did a quick Food Quiz – which a number of us found easier than the Music Quiz!  Time then for some final chat and also to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas. 

A Big Thank You to Mary and everyone else involved in creating such a lovely end of year for our WI.

Autumn News

 

We were able to arrange just one meeting of 6 members in the Village Hall before the second lockdown started but will plan to restart this at an appropriate point. Meanwhile we are keeping in touch with all our members (from Leigh and other villages) as best we can – by phone, email or saying hello as we cross paths when walking around the village. We will not be holding formal meetings in the Hall for the time being and will review the situation again for the New Year. We are running events via Zoom; in October we enjoyed sharing stories and pictures of our Dream Holidays and on another evening talking about what autumn means to us – with a wide range of stories and items shown. We booked a speaker for our November meeting, Francis Borroughs.  He has been Church organist for over 70 years and recounted some of his more amusing experiences both locally in Yeovil and also whilst he was in Oxford.  Our second Get Together was on Tuesday 24 November at 7.30pm.  11 ladies took part and we enjoyed a good chat, swapping stories of past and present times.  It's a lovely way to get to know each other better, with either a cuppa or glass of something to hand!  We are looking forward to our Christmas Party Zoom on 14th December. Look out for more details!

We have been treated to some fabulous speakers through Somerset Zoom events – author Rachel Winn and the “Yorkshire Shepherdess” Amanda Owen as well as several short online courses attended via Zoom from our training college Denman. For the first time our County AGM was held on-line.

We look forward to when we will be able to meet up again in person either in small groups or larger meetings

Meanwhile, if anyone is new to the village and would like to get to know a range of ladies from the area or maybe you are now working from home and miss chatting to colleagues, you are welcome to get in touch and join our email list and Zoom sessions. You can then get to know us before we are able to all meet in person.

If you are interested, give us a call - contact Mary on 01373 812415.