December 2022 - Christmas meal
We enjoyed a lovely Christmas meal at the Castle Inn, West Lulworth, with a few festive games and quizzes and a Secret Santa.
November 2022 - Rob Clarke, Papermaking
Rob started off with a demonstration of how paper is made, first sploshing some blue dye to a container of water, then adding some pulp which he swooshed round in the container. Using a frame with a mesh bottom, he scooped up the pulp which quickly became a sheet of paper! He then talked about the history of papermaking and passed round various types of paper, parchment and even money made from sources including wood pulp ad animal skins.
October 2022 - Wendy Jeavons, Red Brick Glass
Local glass design artist, Wendy Jeavons, treated u
s to a taster workshop where we had great fun designingour own glass Christmas trees, stockings and snowmen for tree hangers. Wendy took them away to be fired and will return them next month after they have been fired. We also had a chance to look at some of Wendy's beautiful fused glass creations, including coasters, wall art and jewellery.
You can see some of Wendy's glass at www.redbrickglass.co.uk
WI Group Meeting - September 2022
We meet up with members from Broadmayne & West Knighton WI, Crossways WI, Dorchester Maiden Castle WI, Overcombe WI and Wool WI twice a year to enjoy a speaker, get involved in some fun competitions, catch up with what other WIs are doing and, of course, eat cake!
The speaker was David Bailey, wildlife photographer, who gave us a very lively, entertaining and informative talk. We had some success in the competitions:
- A courgette creature - Gillian Coxhead (3rd place)
- An Ode to Autumn - Jacqui Leaton (3rd place)
- Apple cake - Jenny Halsall (highly commended)
West Lulworth WI won the third place silver cup
September 2022 - Clapper Chaos
We welcomed a fabulous four-piece handbell group, Clapper Chaos, to our September meeting. With a vast range of handbells covering three octaves, they entertained us with folk tunes, hymns and film music. Following coded charts, they each played several of the 40 main bells and 25 chimes during each tune, setting out the bells ready for each set. We learned about the history of handbells, as well as the task of repairs and maintenance. We learned just how difficult it is when groups of eight of us were led through charts with two bells each - with dubious outcomes! A great evening.
Clapper Chaos welcome enquiries from other WIs - see https://sites.google.com/site/clapperchaos or email
July 2022 - Amy Brenan, Heirlooms
We were delighted to welcome Amy Brenan, from Heirlooms in Wareham, for a valuation evening. Amy brought a selection of vintage and antique jewellery and talked us through each piece, passing them round so we could have a good look. We also brought items from home which Amy assessed and valued for us, although no one discovered they were sitting on a fortune! We had a lot of fun and learned a lot.
June 2022 - Queen's platinum jubilee - Miranda Pender
At this meeting we celebrated the Queen’s platinum jubilee, with the hall decorated in red, white and blue bunting. We were entertained by Miranda with light-hearted songs of her own composition and we joined in with some traditional folk songs. Entries into our three competitions were judged by members putting a penny on the exhibit they liked best. There was a variety of crafted crowns, poems in the form of an acrostic spelling out the word ‘platinum’ and a vast selection of impressive jubilee-themed puddings, which we enjoyed with a cup of tea after the entertainment.
May 2022 - So Far So Good by Malcolm Wells
A former Army officer, Malcolm had later turned to rescuing and training dogs and then taking on challenges to raise funds for charities close to his heart.
April 2022 - AGM and the Ukelele Ladies
Following our AGM we were pleased to welcome the Ukelele Ladies from Swanage, who entertained us with their singing and playing. Passing round various traditional percussion instruments, we were encouraged to get involved, with one of our members joining in on the washboard! A most enjoyable evening.
March 2022. Margaret Green Animal Sanctuary
We enjoyed an illustrated talk about our local animal sanctuary, which focused on some of the many cats and dogs who had been successfully rehomed.
February 2022 - Rod Miller, Thatcher
For our February meeting we welcomed local thatcher, Rod Miller, who gave us a fascinating insight into his trade. Bringing a selection of tools and equipment, he demonstrated aspects of his work and talked about the history of thatching. He explained that, although the basic techniques have altered little, the sourcing of materials had changed, with reeds now being imported from abroad and spars bought in ready-made rather than being produced by apprentices. Next time you see a newly thatched roof, have a really good look at it to appreciate the skill and artistry used by the thatcher.