Life of a Customs Officer - 17 March 2005

Want to learn how to smuggle ? Talk to a member of Wallington and Rushden WI. After listening to Malcolm Brewer, formerly of Customs and Excise at Stansted Airport we can now give most people tips. Fiona proved a wonderful mule, even fooling Malcolm at one point (but we did say that he should let her off!) We were amazed at the lengths people will go to to bring in illegal goods, particularly drugs and the tragic consequences that can follow. Next time we walk through the green exit, we will be very much more aware of the people behind the scenes.
Next month Graham Goodall will be talking about the Plants and Animals of Hertfordshire on Thursday 21st April at 8pm in Rushden Village Hall and on 28th April a National Trust shepherd will talk at the Group Meeting at Baldock on Caring for the Cotswolds.

The Andes to the Galapagos - 17 February 2005

Members were treated to a fascinating insight into the lives of the women of the Andes when Margaret Rogers came to talk on from The Andes to the Galapagos on Thursday 17th February at Rushden. The women themselves are very small compared to their menfolk and the richer people of the area due to their poor diet. In spite of this they enjoy their “girls’” outings to the local markets selling hand made goods at nominal costs.Next month sees Malcolm Brewer talking about his life as a Customs Officer at Stansted Airport. This is an open meeting and everyone in welcome. If you want to find out what life is like on the other side of the barrier now’s your chance. We are told by other W.I.s to whom he has spoken that this is a talk not to be missed. It is on Thursday 17th March at 8pm at Wallington Village Hall.

Another Sinister World - 20 January 2005

Wallington and Rushden WI met on Thursday 20th January to learn about another sinister world, that is the world of the left handed. Ann Warner managed to prove that for most of us, it is not a case of being left or right handed but a little of both. She also showed that for those of us who class ourselves as left handed, life can be very difficult in a right handed world, by asking members to use implements designed for the left hand.

Our new programme is now available, with plenty of interesting talks to suit all ages and enthusiasms from Customs and Excise at Stansted to medicinal and culinary herbs.

This year the WI celebrates its 90th anniversary and we would like to celebrate by encouraging new members to join us. Forget the blue rinse brigade. Wallington and Rushden WI is drawn from all ages and all interests. Why not give us a try?

We also intend to complete the ninety miles suggested by the organisation as a way to celebrate the year and hopefully become healthier individuals as a result.

The Spring Group Meeting is on Thursday 28th April at Baldock and will feature a National Trust shepherd.

Our next meeting is at Rushden on Thursday 17th February when Margaret Rogers will speak on From the Andes to the Galapagos. 

Aston Bellringers- 16 December 2004

The WI meeting proved a resounding success with the Aston Ringers encouraging members to have a go at handbell ringing and treating us to a seasonal selection of tunes. It was wonderful to see so many young people being involved. The nibbles afterwards were delicious. 

December 2004 - Christmas Lunch

Several members of the WI met to enjoy Christmas lunch and cheer at the Rose and Crown in Ashwell. The meal was voted delicious and Ann and Diane were thanked for their hard work in organising it. We all decided that it beats doing the cooking ourselves.

I Don't Have Christmas Decorations + Spender Cup 18 November 2004

A select band of stalwarts braved the surprise snow of 18th November to go to a seasonal talk by Joyce Vincent entitled “I Don’t Have…… Christmas Decorations.” We weren’t surprised as she seems to spend so much time doing them for other people and she gave us several tips on how to make them from very little and also for the non artist. Afterwards the Spender Cup competition was judged. Everyone was amazed to see how so many different cakes could be produced from the same recipe. This was a wartime recipe for ginger cake. Fiona Potts won with her Aga produced cake, but she did admit to having had a test run! Next year we are entertainment for the Spring group meeting and hostesses for the Autumn meeting.

Rushden AGM + Table Top Auction 21 October 2004

The Wallington and Rushden AGM proved to be a successful occasion with the present committee being re-elected and Dian Tucker being returned as President. They were thanked for all their hard work during the past year.
The events of the past year were reviewed and we were surprised at how much we had done. We are now looking forward to 2005 and an interesting selection of speakers.

The table top sale proved its usual fun. Whodunnits were particularly popular and of course Joyce Hart’s delectable lemon meringue pie.
We meet at Wallington next month on Thurs 18th November to hear Joyce Vincent on I Don’t Have…Christmas decorations! The Spender Cup will also be judged on a Wartime Recipe for Ginger Cake. If you want to have a go here it is.Eggless Ginger Cake
2 oz margarine
2 oz sugar
1 good tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp golden syrup
¼ tsp salt in teacupful of hot water
6 ozs self raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Method
Bring first five ingredients to boil in small saucepan. Add bicarb dissolved in tsp of hot water. Stir in flour. Turn into greased cake tine and bake in moderate oven.
Good cooking!