April "Meeting"

We were unable to hold our normal monthly meeting in the Village Hall but Mary had sent several e-mails keeping us up-to-date with WI news and inviting members to take part in a Zoom coffee morning on 27th.  Our speaker was to have been on how to make a buttonhole with a demonstration and a chance for everyone to "have a go".  Instead we were given a YouTube link to watch.  So far one has been made.  Anyone else want to try their hand?

Other members have been busy sewing bags, hats, headbands and masks for front-line workers. Congratulations to them all for their efforts and hard work.  Much needed and much appreciated.

It was a good chance to have a coffee at home and a catch up with what people have been doing for themselves and helping others.  Some are, of course, rising to the challenge of working from home instead of going to their normal place of work. Many ladies are enjoying taking in nature on their regular walks and others keeping up their exercise routines by following online fitness classes at home.

Mary has sent details on how we can order bulbs this year and also a link to the County News.  Hopefully, things to look forward to with a Visit to Hauser & Wirth on 26 August and the County Quiz has been rescheduled to 30 September.

11 of us enjoyed the session and hope more will join in next time.  Meanwhile if you have any ideas that you would like to share please contact one of the Committee.

Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW)

"The Associated Country Women of the World exists to amplify the voices of rural women, so that the problems they face and the solutions they raise are heard and acknowledged by international policy-makers and legislators. Rural women are the backbone of families, of communities, of nations, but they are often a silent support, adapting to change and tragedy with comparative ease. They bear the burden of conflict, they go unheard in legislation, and they remain unprotected and unsupported. ACWW exists to change that."

For a number of years now Leigh on Mendip WI have taken part in the "Women Walk the World" event, which this year was to be held on Friday 24 April.  Some of us decided we could still mark this event by walking on our own or with other household members and record what we achieved.  Perhaps we had time whilst walking here in beautiful rural Somerset to reflect on the work and the aims of this organisation.  If you would like to read more see the link below:
https://www.acww.org.uk/what_we_do.html

We walked from our home, across the fields to Cranmore Woods.  So lucky with the weather as we have been out in pouring rain in other years!

And, of course, there has to be time for "Tea & Cake" at the end.  Hopefully, when we are all able to meet again at the Village Hall we can continue with saving "Our Pennies for Friendship"

To Make You Smile Ladies!

Litter Pick

Not the prettiest of photos!!

But thank you all so much for helping with our village Spring Clean this year.

Over 30 people were involved in picking, collecting, baking and serving refreshments afterwards.  This resulted in this pile of bags and a few items to be collected by Mendip.

Many thanks for your support with this venture.

Coronavirus upate for WI Members

Please note that due to the current situation with Coronavirus, we have cancelled all WI events for March and April.

We will keep in touch with members by email and telephone and let you know as soon as we can safely resume meetings and events.

In the meantime, stay safe and DO ask others for any help when needed.

Mary Mears

Meeting 9 March 2020

There were so many forthcoming events to note at our March meeting we had a slip attached to our WI Life listing them all! Mary thanked everyone who had completed the questionnaire in February and said she was pleased how positive most of the answers were. She had spoken to most people about the possible name change of the Institute and as no one was completely against the idea it had been decided we would investigate this further. So if you haven’t already done so, put your thinking caps on and send any name suggestions to Mary, either by e mail, a note or bring to the next meeting. 

Members had enjoyed the outing to Camerton Court, an extensive garden with so much more than just the snowdrops we went to see. It would be beautiful at any time of the year but unfortunately is not open to the public on a continuous basis for security reasons. They do open for guided walks on various specific dates during the year so worth checking their website if you are interested.

Mary and Caroline had recently been to Denman and Mary brought along a very impressive wicker pig she had made to show us. We can look forward to seeing Caroline’s “modular knitting” from her course at the April meeting. Mary once again urged us to consider a Denman course, especially if we have never been. A bursary is available.

Our speaker was Christine Clinch from the Ammerdown Centre near Radstock. This is situated in the stable block of Ammerdown House which is owned by Lord and Lady Hilton. There are a huge variety of courses available plus the chance for personal retreats all for very reasonable fees. There are both residential and day sessions which all include meals.Their mission is stated as Hospitality, Peace and Reconciliation with the courses falling into three categories, spiritual, handicrafts and inter-faith. We had the opportunity to take away a course brochure and there is more information on their website www.ammerdown.org

Meeting 10 February 2020

There was some positive feedback in February on the different meeting format in January and also the birthday party afternoon. Those who had missed giving their opinions about the choice of Resolution and the possible name change of the institute plus the chance to make a name badge were encouraged to do so.

Forthcoming events included the village clean up on 14^th March from 2pm. Meet at the Hall where you can choose a section to cover and afterwards enjoy tea and cakes This is open to anyone who would like to help, not just WI. On the 21^st March we will be putting in at least one team for the Hall quiz which starts at 8pm. If you have not already put your name forward for this and would like to take part do let Mary or a committee member know.

Looking further ahead we have a visit to the garden and farm of member Pauline West on the 22^nd of May at 2.30, charge probably £4, profits to go to the Dorothy House Hospice. Also in May we will once again be helping to run a refreshment tent at the Bath and West show. Volunteers are only expected to work for a few hours giving plenty of time to look round the show. If interested contact Jan Pattison. Another garden outing will be for the group social which Leigh are running on Tues 30^th June in the evening, more information later.

Our speakers were enthusiastic explorers of the Frome Tunnels. They explained these could be divided into four categories: those made for drainage and to carry water, industrial tunnels, often made for storage, those made for people to access various sites and finally the “Serious” tunnels which led from local stately homes and similar buildings. They were currently looking forward to exploring the Wheatsheaves pub which in addition to tunnels was well known for many ghostly happenings.