Flower Demonstration and Christmas Party - 18 December 2008

Thursday 18th December 2008 - The WI Christmas party at Rushden on 18 December was a most enjoyable evening for flower arrangers and non flower arrangers alike when Julie Troupe came to show off her skills and later offered her creations as raffle prizes. Everyone one was keen to win them. Mulled wine and delicious nibbles followed provided by members.

The January WI talk will be at Wallington on Thursday 15th January at 8pm when Geoff Horritt will talk on ringing the changes.

Places are still available for the New Year lunch at the Moon and Stars on Friday January 9th at 12.30pm. If you would like to join us please let Sue Austin know. Tickets are £10. 

Trip to Antarctica - 20 November 2008

Thursday 20th November 2008 - saw a packed Village Hall in Wallington, when Sue Hutchinson spoke on her trips to Antarctica. John had taken the slides which gave a wonderful picture of this cold but beautiful region and its fascinating wildlife. We were also entertained to see the amount of clothing needed!
The Spender Cup for a homemade greeting card was judged by members and won by Joan Hoefkens.
Next month, Thursday 18th December, is our Christmas party at Rushden, when we ask everyone to bring a tray of nibbles. Mulled wine and non alcoholic punch will be provided. Julie Troupe will be giving a Christmas Flower demonstration.
Our New Year lunch is being held at the Moon and Stars on January 9th. Cost is £10. if you would like to come please let Sue Austin know.
2009 sees the 90th anniversary of HFWI and the 60th anniversary of Wallington and Rushden. We would like to celebrate these events by creating and Institute tablecloth. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
On January 22nd Geoff Horritt will speak on Ringing the Changes at Wallington. 

AGM and Apple Social - 16 October 2008

Our October AGM, which featured an apple social, proved great fun for all. After a quick career through the business, which included the decoration of the WI Christmas tree for Sandon Church organised by Anna Warner- Smith and a report on the Food and Farming day by Ann Cottam, a new committee was appointed with Diane Tucker once again taking the Chair, The social side of the evening began with a tasting of apple juice and cider provided by Charles Paget-Wilkes and delicious apple pie and apple cake. 

Next month is an open meeting when all are welcome (including men!) Sue Hutchinson will speak on Cruising the Antarctic at Wallington Village Hall on Thursday 20th November at 8pm. Visitors entry is £3.
Entries are invited for the Spender Cup competition of a hand made greeting card.

Bees, Honey and making Balm -Thursday 18th September 2008

So what do you do if you have an excess of beeswax? Pauline Aslin who now has 17 hives decided to find ways of putting it to good use by making different products based on the wax. In addition to her talk about her bees she showed us how to make lipbalm and each member present was given their own to take home. Members were also entertained by a suitable beekeeping poem and several have asked for copies so here it is:-
When Mrs Gorm, Aunt Eloise
Was stung to death by savage bees
Her husband, Prebendary Gorm
Put on his veil and took the swarm.
He's publishing a book next May
On how to make beekeeping pay!
Next month is the AGM which will be followed by an Apple Social. If you have your own apple trees and know the varitety please bring a labelled apple along. The meeting is at Rushden on Thursday 16th October 2008.

Visit to the Lavender Fields at Hitchin - Thursday 17th July

July saw members enjoying a trip to Hitchin Lavendar recently shown on television! A walk amongst the lavender flowers and a talk on the history of lavender growing in Hitchin was followed by an opportunity to buy lavender based products

Our next meeting is at Wallington on Thursday 18th September when Pauline Aslin will speak on Bees, Honey and making Balm. The Autumn Group meeting is at Ashwell on Wed 24th September and will be on Hertfordshire and the Slave Trade.

The Most Common Indoor Activity - Thursday 15 May 2008

So what’s your favourite indoor activity? Tim Moorey thinks it should be doing crosswords, both to keep your mind active and stave off Alzheimer’s and for the sheer fun of it. All who attended (and Wallington Hall was packed) will never be able to look at a crossword again without checking it for hidden messages. Next month, on Thursday 17th July, members are invited to visit the lavender fields of Hitchin. Check out www.hitchinlavender.com to find out more. Car shares will be organised.
Please note that the Autumn Group Meeting is at Ashwell on Wed 24th September when the talk will be on Hertfordshire and the Slave Trade. 

WI Resolutions - Thursday 15 May 2008

The May meeting of the WI saw a lively discussion on the resolutions to go  forward to the AGM in Liverpool in June as mandates for WI action. This  year they are about a ban on bottom trawling and inappropriate imprisonment  for the mentally ill. At the end of April we hosted a very successful  meeting of our group of WIs when Lydia Somerville described the building of  her eco-house, showing how to make a much lighter footprint on the planet.

On Thursday 19th June at Wallington we will welcome Tim Moorey who will talk  about 'The Most Common Indoor Activity'. This is an open  meeting to which all are invited, including gentlemen, price £3.

Sing for your Supper - Thursday 17 April 2008

At the April meeting Mary Roberts led us in a very enjoyable opera workshop.

She taught us how to breathe, how to sing vowels, and the evening culminated in a mass of brightly coloured scarves with the vibrant singing of 'Glory, Glory, Hallelujah'.

The next meeting is at Rushden on Thursday 15th May. This is the resolutions meeting and members are also asked to bring a photograph of their gardens.

My Life as a Supermodel - Thursday 20 March 2008

For the March meeting members were given a resume of Daphne Selfe’s life as a supermodel but it has only been in the last nine years that her career in this field has taken off. Previously she had worked as a stable girl, shop assistant, dancer and TV and film extra not to mention as a wife and mother of three. Daphne has managed to fit more into her life than most and continues to do so in her late seventies. On 24th April Baldock will be holding the Group Meeting when Lydia Somerville will be talking on her Eco house.
Our next meeting is at Wallington on Thursday 17th April when Mary Roberts will be holding an Opera Workshop entitled Sing for your Supper.

A Moment of Madness - Thursday 21st February 2008

The WI met on 21st February at 8pm to hear Richard Thomson speak on A Moment of Madness whose talk on many things aeronautical ranged from Concorde to model aircraft with much else in between. In February we will be starting our new programme and would be delighted to welcome new members to join us. Please note that our meetings are always on the third Thursday of the month so if you are thinking of arranging something else cancel it and join 
Our next meeting is on Thursday 20th March when Daphne Selfe will talk about her life as a suprmodel.

Set in a Silver Sea - Thursday 17 January 2008

The WI started the New Year with a most enjoyable meal in the Moon and Stars. The first meeting of the year was held at Rushden Village Hall when Peter Coborn came to talk on Set in a Silver Sea, the English, history, eccentricity and madness and one has to admit that over the years we have proved more than a little mad. We learned several fascinating facts about our ancestors and recognised the ability to never take ourselves seriously.
Next month we will be starting our new programme and would be delighted to welcome new members to join us. Please note that our meetings are always on the third Thursday of the month so if you are thinking of arranging something else cancel it and join us instead!
We will be meeting at Wallington Village Hall on the 21st February at 8pm to hear Richard Thomson speak on A Moment of Madness.