Ancient Baldock - Thursday 16th February 2006

Did you know that Baldock has the largest collection of burials, including the Baldock Giant, outside Ancient Egypt? Keith Matthews, North Herts resident archaeologist told us of this and many more interesting facts when he talked to the W.I. on the subject of Peoples of ancient Baldock. In a packed hall we learned of the “scrap metal” burial that turned out to be the grave of a local king and saw many examples of graves throughout the early periods of history, several with their own tragedies, now unknown, attached to them. Baldock has been settled since Mesolithic times and historically is very important. If you would like to know more about digs in Baldock look out for the shortly to be published book on the subject edited by Keith.
Our next meeting is on Thursday 16th March at Rushden when Nigel Jury will talk on bookbinding.  

Aids – the Future - Thursday 19 January 2006

Today, 1800 children will be born infected with Aids. These are some of the statistics that Sue Jagelman of Save the Children gave us in her talk entitled Aids – the Future on Thursday 19th January at Rushden Village Hall. At present there are 14 million children orphaned by Aids and this is expected to rise to 25 million by 2010. So what is the answer? Well, in the words of a well known politician, “Education. Education. Education.” Save the Children is helping workers acquire the skills to spread the message around the world , from Wales to Mozambique via Brazil. It is only by teaching the young that we can protect them from the disease as they reach adulthood.
If you want to know more about the work of the charity visit www.savethechildren.org.uk and learn how you can help.
Next month, Keith Matthews, a local archaeologist will talk on People of Ancient Baldock at Wallington Village Hall on Thursday 16th February at 8pm. This is an Open Evening and everyone is welcome. Cost is £3 to non members.

A Life in Thatching - Thursday 15 December 2005

For Malcolm Dodson tile is a four letter word or so he told us when he came to speak on A Life in Thatching. He blames the Romans. Not the least of his talk was concerned with problems with local authorities and the fight for decent roofing for his customers. He has been told that his thatch is of too high a quality and will last too long! Members were fascinated by his talk and questions continued well into our mulled wine and nibbles provided by members party time. It was a great way to start Christmas.
We also congratulated Ann Warner on coming second in the County Quiz.
Our January meeting is on 19th January at Rushden when Sue Jagelman will talk on Aids the Future! 

Rushden A Botswanan Safari Mike Thomas - Thursday 17 November 2005

Members of Wallington and Rushden were delighted to once again welcome Mike Thomas who talked on his latest Botswanan safari. He brought an amazing selection of slides of the wildlife of the area, including a real photo winner of a fish eagle sitting on the head of a hippo. He also told us about the problems hippos have when they get sunburnt. Presumably it takes a lot of after sun to soothe a hippo! Selective tourism is now an important part of Botswana’s industry and this means small groups only go on safari. Sadly, the wonderful lion pride we saw was decimated by predators and none of the youngsters have survived. Afterwards the Spender Cup was judged by members and Ann Warner won with her re-caned market chair. She says it’s her first win in thirty years of WI-ing! The Christmas lunch will be held at the Moon and Stars on Thursday 8th December. Please let Fiona Potts know as soon as possible if you wish to go.
Next meeting is at Wallington on 15th December when Malcolm Dodson will talk on Thatching and hopefully give us a demonstration of making countrymen’s favours. This is also the Christmas Party so will members please bring a plate of goodies. Mulled wine will be provided. Our January meeting is on 19th January at Rushden when Sue Jagelman will talk on Aids the Future

AGM - 20 October 2005

Everyone enjoyed last month's AGm which saw the Committee being returned with an extra member, Audrey Bradfield and Diane Tucker remaining as President.

After the Business members played whose Wine is it Anyway and proved very adept at guessing who was being truthful. Judy, Dawn and Sarah formed the panel of experts. Afterwards, members were able to stock up their store cupboards with a wonderful selection of produce the proceeds of which will be donated to Associated Countrywomen of the World.

Forthcoming events are the Christmas lunch which will be organised by Sue and Fiona. The date is to be announced. 

The next meting is at Rushden on Thursday 17th November when we will once again have a chance to see Mike Thomas' wonderful selection of slides and hear him speak on An African Safari. This will also be the chance to enter the Spender Cup which this year is Make do and Recycle though we're not sure if a member's suggestion of "My husband's old underpants as a duster" were
quite what people had in mind!!

Rushden Medicinal and Culinary Herbs John Webster - 15 September 2005

So how many healing herbs grow in your garden? Wallington and Rushden WI had a chance to find out all about the power of herbs when Herbal Haven came to talk to them about growing herbs and their uses.

Southernwood is nature’s moth balls, hearts ease for eczema and sweet cicely can act as a sugar substitute for diabetics and if you are a New Ager what better than comfrey on your compost heap. Recipes for herbal preparations have been found written on papyri from ancient Egypt. With the discovery of the New World many more medicinal plants were discovered. Many of the original uses of these herbs have been lost but some still remain. Taking an exam; try lemon balm tea or another use is to steep it in white wine as a fertility drink! If you want to know more about herbs and their uses and stock up your garden try visiting www.herbalhaven.com.

On 29th September we will be hosting the Group Meeting when Marie Cardin will talk on Dogs for the Disabled at Baldock Community Centre. The competition is most appealing toy dog.
On October 20th we hold our AGM at Wallington and new committee members are being sought. We will be holding a produce bring and buy and enjoying a game of Whose Wine is it Anyway? We can always try some ajuga afterwards as a cure for hangovers!! (So that’s why a certain person in Rushden grows so much of it outside their house!!!)
The Spender Cup Competition will be judged in November for the best example of Make Do and Recycle!
There will be display of what we do at Sandon’s Contact 2005 on 17th September.
Organisers are needed for the Christmas lunch.
 
Trip to Hinxworth.
Members were overwhelmed by the hospitality of sculptor John Mills when they visited his garden at Hinxworth Place in August and were invited into his studio as well. They were shown a quarter size statue of his sculpture Women in War recently unveiled by the Queen as part of this year’s 60th anniversary of the end of WW11. The evening ended with a visit to the Three Horseshoes which also hosts one of John’s sculptures as does Ashwell Church.

WI Fashion from the 1900s - 21 July 2005

Breast flatteners, modesty vests, liberty bodices and split drawers; these are just some of the garments WI members learned about at their recent meeting when Eve Davis came to talk on Clothes from the Early 1900s. It proved a fascinating evening for all. Did you know that at the beginning of the twentieth century hats were annually recycled with new trimmings or that the shape of women slightly later in the decade was described as a Grecian bend due to their tight fitting corsets? Eve had also brought a wonderful collection of clothes of the period for us to exclaim over.
The next group meeting is on September 29th when the talk will be on Dogs for the Disabled and we are hostesses. New Officers are looked for at the forthcoming AGM in October. The questionnaire feedback has proved very helpful and it is suggested that sub committees organise one off special events through the year starting with the Christmas lunch.
For those who missed the meeting there will be an outing to the sculpture garden of John Mills whose work "Women in War" was recently unveiled by the Queen on Thursday 4th August at 6.45pm. Phone Ann Warner if you are interested.
Next meeting is on Thursday 15th September when John Webster will talk on medicinal and culinary herbs, a chance for the alternative medicine aficionados to come and brush up their knowledge.