Meeting held at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 24th November 2015
Shropshire born Michael Leach, the wildlife photographer, spoke at our meeting on the history of Christmas. He told us of his early years in the county and how he loved to watch barn owls and kingfishers. Bigger animals he studied from books. Michael has written 29 books that have been translated into 19 languages and are sold around the world.
In his talk he explained that holly and ivy have been around for 10,000 years. They are magically evergreen. Mistletoe, so the myth says, is good for keeping lightning away. Mistle thrushes eat 800 mistletoe berries per day. Michael spoke of the changing traditions of the festive Christmas dinner; from wild boar, to swan and then peacock.
Dickens introduced the theme of snow at Christmas. There were only two Christmas Days in the twentieth century when it snowed.
Michael gave an excellent talk. He was most entertaining, informative and was very well received. Several members asked, when will he return for part two!
Meeting held at the Memorial Hall on Thursday 27th October
This meeting was our AGM, where the previous years social events, speakers and finances were discussed. Our President Sue spoke about the things that she had done this year representing the Farndon WI and looking forward to the future. Sue also agreed to stand again for one more year as president. After the initial business the group were given the opportunity to vote for next year's president, this was done with Sue being voted back in with Kerry Evans being voted in as Vice President. The group were also asked if any of them would like to join the committee. The current committee were happy to continue in their roles.
We then all enjoyed a very entertaining talk from Kerry, our new Vice President, about the Role of Women in the Police Force finishing with the hilarious incident of the "The Christmas Pudding and The Snowman".
Meeting held at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday 29th September
Alexander Clement from Halls Fine Art in Shrewsbury, shared with us his pathway to success having run the European ceramics and Asian Art departments at Phillips, later Bonhams, in Chester where he became saleroom director in 2007, joining Halls in 2015. He also described his work on a number of TV antique programmes before moving onto our own Antiques Roadshow.
Members had bought in personal items for our discussion which included a small ceramic saved from Reims Cathedral during the war, a writing desk with hidden drawer, jewellery and paintings and nautical items.
Meeting held at the URC Rock Chapel on Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Linda Jenyon, a team leader and trustee of Cheshire West Street Pastors and School Pastors. Linda gave an enlightening talk on their roles.
Street Pastors is an initiative of Ascension Trust a national Christian Charity. It is an Interdenominational Church response to neighbourhood problems, engaging with people on the streets and in night time venues, to care, listen, dialogue and offer practical help. It is committed to working in partnership with the police, council and other agencies. Individual street pastors are Christian adults with a concern for their community, who undergo 12 days of training in order to voluntarily patrol the streets of towns and cities at night, helping and caring for people in practical ways. Street pastors wear a blue uniform, with the term 'Street Pastor' visible in white. They work closely with councils and police but maintain an operational independence seeking to maintain confidentiality so far as is legal, and do not have any powers of enforcement or arrest. Street pastors are expected to provide services unconditionally. Their aim is not to proactively preach or evangelise, but to provide a neutral and reassuring presence in local communities. They go out on the streets of Chester on a Friday and Saturday evening from 10 pm to 3 am and from 5.30 pm on race days. http://streetpastors.org/locations/chester/
Shropshire born Michael Leach, the wildlife photographer, spoke at our meeting on the history of Christmas. He told us of his early years in the county and how he loved to watch barn owls and kingfishers. Bigger animals he studied from books. Michael has written 29 books that have been translated into 19 languages and are sold around the world.
In his talk he explained that holly and ivy have been around for 10,000 years. They are magically evergreen. Mistletoe, so the myth says, is good for keeping lightning away. Mistle thrushes eat 800 mistletoe berries per day. Michael spoke of the changing traditions of the festive Christmas dinner; from wild boar, to swan and then peacock.
Dickens introduced the theme of snow at Christmas. There were only two Christmas Days in the twentieth century when it snowed.
Michael gave an excellent talk. He was most entertaining, informative and was very well received. Several members asked, when will he return for part two!
Meeting held at the Memorial Hall on Thursday 27th October
This meeting was our AGM, where the previous years social events, speakers and finances were discussed. Our President Sue spoke about the things that she had done this year representing the Farndon WI and looking forward to the future. Sue also agreed to stand again for one more year as president. After the initial business the group were given the opportunity to vote for next year's president, this was done with Sue being voted back in with Kerry Evans being voted in as Vice President. The group were also asked if any of them would like to join the committee. The current committee were happy to continue in their roles.
We then all enjoyed a very entertaining talk from Kerry, our new Vice President, about the Role of Women in the Police Force finishing with the hilarious incident of the "The Christmas Pudding and The Snowman".
Meeting held at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday 29th September
Alexander Clement from Halls Fine Art in Shrewsbury, shared with us his pathway to success having run the European ceramics and Asian Art departments at Phillips, later Bonhams, in Chester where he became saleroom director in 2007, joining Halls in 2015. He also described his work on a number of TV antique programmes before moving onto our own Antiques Roadshow.
Members had bought in personal items for our discussion which included a small ceramic saved from Reims Cathedral during the war, a writing desk with hidden drawer, jewellery and paintings and nautical items.
Meeting held at the URC Rock Chapel on Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Linda Jenyon, a team leader and trustee of Cheshire West Street Pastors and School Pastors. Linda gave an enlightening talk on their roles.
Street Pastors is an initiative of Ascension Trust a national Christian Charity. It is an Interdenominational Church response to neighbourhood problems, engaging with people on the streets and in night time venues, to care, listen, dialogue and offer practical help. It is committed to working in partnership with the police, council and other agencies. Individual street pastors are Christian adults with a concern for their community, who undergo 12 days of training in order to voluntarily patrol the streets of towns and cities at night, helping and caring for people in practical ways. Street pastors wear a blue uniform, with the term 'Street Pastor' visible in white. They work closely with councils and police but maintain an operational independence seeking to maintain confidentiality so far as is legal, and do not have any powers of enforcement or arrest. Street pastors are expected to provide services unconditionally. Their aim is not to proactively preach or evangelise, but to provide a neutral and reassuring presence in local communities. They go out on the streets of Chester on a Friday and Saturday evening from 10 pm to 3 am and from 5.30 pm on race days. http://streetpastors.org/locations/chester/
Meeting held at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 28 July 2015
Sue introduced our speaker Angela Ruth Kennedy of ARK Contemporary designed handcrafted jewellery. Angela gave us an informative and interesting presentation on her life and the hobby which became a full time occupation.
She brought with her a selection of her tools and a small workbench from where she made a small silver ring explaining each stage of the process. Angela also brought a selection of jewellery she had made which was available to buy. She also takes commissions, jewellery repairs, tuition and workshops. One particular innovative workshop is where couples come and make their own wedding rings.
An enjoyable evening enjoyed by all
Meeting held at the Memorial Hall at 8pm on Tuesday, 30th June 2015
June Corner gave us a very informative and amusing insight into our undergarments through the Ages, dating back many years.
She arrived with a large suitcase filled to the brim with underwear and a story of each. Her collection of items had been obtained over many years from Antique fairs and Charity Shops. Regrettably she has not been able to make many recent purchases as such items attain high prices at Auctions and Antique Fairs, and at Charity Shops such items are passed elsewhere to command higher prices.
She was witty and full of energy and enthusiasm to relate not only how she had acquired such items but also to tell us of the history and evolution of our underwear to todays current fashion trends and style.
She was happy to answer a number of questions from Members and everyone commented on how much they had enjoyed the evening.
We were pleased to welcome some guests that evening from neighbouring Villages and a good turnout from Members.
June Corner gave us a very informative and amusing insight into our undergarments through the Ages, dating back many years.
She arrived with a large suitcase filled to the brim with underwear and a story of each. Her collection of items had been obtained over many years from Antique fairs and Charity Shops. Regrettably she has not been able to make many recent purchases as such items attain high prices at Auctions and Antique Fairs, and at Charity Shops such items are passed elsewhere to command higher prices.
She was witty and full of energy and enthusiasm to relate not only how she had acquired such items but also to tell us of the history and evolution of our underwear to todays current fashion trends and style.
She was happy to answer a number of questions from Members and everyone commented on how much they had enjoyed the evening.
We were pleased to welcome some guests that evening from neighbouring Villages and a good turnout from Members.
Meeting
held at the Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm on Tuesday, 2 June 2015
This was a special meeting to mark the Centenary of the WI which was attended by past members of the original WI who had been invited as our guests to mark the occasion. The hall was admirably decorated with our Centenary Banner and Bunting taking pride of place along with the original WI tablecloth which was made many years ago and kindly loaned by Anne Sergison.
In the absence of our President, Sue Falcus, who was attending the WI Centenary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, the welcome was given by Jan White who read out Sue’s greeting on her behalf.
Jan introduced our guest speaker Anne Sergison who was a former President of the original Farndon and District WI which folded in 2008. We were invited to sing Jerusalem in keeping with the old tradition after which Anne gave an interesting and informative talk on the life of the WI since its inauguration in 1915 up until its final chapters in 2008.
Anne continued the evening with a sparkling toast to the WI followed by the cutting of the Celebration Cake which had been made by Pauline White, a present day committee member. All members enjoyed a piece of the cake before the next part of the evening began.
A demonstration of a non-surgical facelift and a talk on a new health drink was given by Becky and two of her beauticians from the Secret Spa in Holt. After which, in keeping with tradition, tea and coffee were served giving everyone an opportunity to look at the archive material on loan from WI House.
The final part of the evening was a chocolate making demonstration given by Artisan Chocolatier Jo, of Aballu, Rossett, in which we were all invited to try our hand and sample her delicious wares.
The evening concluded with the drawing of the raffle.
This was a special meeting to mark the Centenary of the WI which was attended by past members of the original WI who had been invited as our guests to mark the occasion. The hall was admirably decorated with our Centenary Banner and Bunting taking pride of place along with the original WI tablecloth which was made many years ago and kindly loaned by Anne Sergison.
In the absence of our President, Sue Falcus, who was attending the WI Centenary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, the welcome was given by Jan White who read out Sue’s greeting on her behalf.
Jan introduced our guest speaker Anne Sergison who was a former President of the original Farndon and District WI which folded in 2008. We were invited to sing Jerusalem in keeping with the old tradition after which Anne gave an interesting and informative talk on the life of the WI since its inauguration in 1915 up until its final chapters in 2008.
Anne continued the evening with a sparkling toast to the WI followed by the cutting of the Celebration Cake which had been made by Pauline White, a present day committee member. All members enjoyed a piece of the cake before the next part of the evening began.
A demonstration of a non-surgical facelift and a talk on a new health drink was given by Becky and two of her beauticians from the Secret Spa in Holt. After which, in keeping with tradition, tea and coffee were served giving everyone an opportunity to look at the archive material on loan from WI House.
The final part of the evening was a chocolate making demonstration given by Artisan Chocolatier Jo, of Aballu, Rossett, in which we were all invited to try our hand and sample her delicious wares.
The evening concluded with the drawing of the raffle.
Meeting held at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday, 28 April 2015
Sue introduced the 2015 Resolution to be voted upon:- Failing to care – assessment of need in long term care
This meeting calls on HM government to remove the distinction between nursing care and personal care in the assessment of the needs of individuals, in order to advance health and wellbeing. She gave a detailed outline of what to take into consideration whilst casting our votes. The vote was unanimous – 21 in agreement. Donna will vote accordingly on our behalf at the Centenary AGM in June.The evening continued with a fun beetle drive which judging by the laughter was enjoyed by all. The winner with the most points was Lorna who took home an Orchid plant as her prize whilst the booby prize for the least points, a tube of ant powder, went to Babs.