Happy New Year!!

Welcome to the new year everybody!! We hope that your Christmas and new year celebrations went well and that the new year was greeted by you and yours win good health.

January 11th 2012.

'From Russia with love'.

Unfortunately, I couldn't attend today's meeting, but I gather from those who were there, the speaker was extremely entertaining and was enjoyed by all.

Next months meeting-

February 8th 2012.

Speaker- Mrs E Regelous "A year in the life of a celebrity".

The competition is - a 'photo of a favourite celebrity'.

Meeting dates for the rest of the year-

March 14th-

Members day.

April 11th

Speaker Mr D Johnson "Underwater wreck diving"

Competition-Seaside memento.

May 9th

Speaker Mr M Conyers "Insight without sight" (Life of a blind physiotherapist)

Competition- A scarf.

June 13th

Speaker Mr Tim Moorey. " Joys of the English language"

Competition- A single rose.

July 11th

Speaker - Mrs Linda Scoles "Help I need a life style advisor"

Competition- A necklace

August- NO MEETING

September 12

Mr W Bossom "The garden of Capel Manor"

Competition- Small floral arrangement in a tea cup.

October 10th

Speaker Mr B Billins "Antiques & collectibles- My collection"

Competition-A cherished object.

November 14th

Speaker-Dr S Tyler-Damon "Cakes and confetti"

Competition- A wedding photograph

December 12th

Speaker- Mr Martin Harrison

"Matinee at the musicals"

Competition- A decorated cupcake.

Other important dates for your diary-

Saturday February 11

Table top sale.

Wednesday 25th April

Group spring meeting.

Saturday 12th May

Charity coffee morning.

Monday 11th June

Inter WI quiz.

Wednesday 20th June

Summer lunch.

Wednesday 4th July

Strawberry tea.

Saturday 20th October

WI Bazaar.

Wednesday 5th December

Christmas lunch.

For further information on any on these events, please contact either :-

The chairman Daphne Stringer or secretary Lilian Pedrick on the numbers shown at the top right hand side of this page.

A few dates and items to remember-

Message from our leaders- New blood is required!!

Members are asked to consider volunteering for the committee.

Committee members are required to organise raffles, the teas, lunches, speakers, competitions etc..

Positions such as Chairman, secretary or treasurer cannot be undertaken by anyone who hasn't been on the main committee for less than one year.

If you think you would like to join the old Harlow committee members please speak to the President Daphne, or to the secretary Lillian.

I have it on good authority that they don't bite!

Dates for your diary-

16th December 2011- Handicraft group. This will be the last meeting on this year.

9th January-It is anticipated that the darts and games group will resume this week. Both groups are welcoming new members.For further details please contact Lillian Pedrick on 01279-303652

11th January- Your annual subscription is due for payment. The cost is £31.50. All cheques to be made payable to Harlow WI.

February 11th 2012- Table top sale. This is the idea opportunity to de-clutter after chrstmas. You could pick yourself up a real bargain and of course you can buy some of the wonderful WI cakes.

Raffle prizes- Unwanted, duplicate Christmas presents would be very welcome donations for our raffle prizes.

Theatre group- Jennifer Quinn is looking at the possibility at organising a theatre group for trips to the Harlow Playhouse or the Victoria Hall. If you are interested, please speak with Jennifer at the next meeting.

Walking group - Jennifer Quinn and the walking group are planning more walks for next year although no walks have been planned until after they are sure the bad weather has passed. There will be no walk in January.

Book stall- So far the sale of books and puzzles from the table inside the hall has raised £130. Please feel free to leave your books or puzzles on the table and if you wish you purchase any there is a price list on the wall.

Todays meeting : 14th December 2011

It was a very chilly day, but despite the weather loads of ladies had ventured out and the hall was full to brimming for the afternoons meeting.

Our speakers today were Mr Bryan and Mrs Margaret Tester who gave us a really beautiful view into the world of audio visuals or as Bryan put it 'Photos to music'. The pair are amateur photographers who make their own AV's using their own photos or from pictures found in books or on the internet.

Bryan and Margaret had prepared some sequences on a variety of subjects including; Leonardslee Lakes and gardens, Cats, VE Memorial Day, The Alhambra Granada, Staffordshire Arboretum, Paris, The Seaside, Granddad and finally a Christmas message. Each series of photographs were put to the some very beautiful and appropriate music.

All in all a beautiful afternoon viewing this photo videos.

As this is the last meeting before Christmas, we all enjoyed a warm mince pie with our cup of tea. Mmmm yummy!!

The vote of thanks was given by Joan Alderton and the flowers were provided by Christine Dellow.

The competition was a handmade Christmas card. All entries were absolutely superb.

Next meeting:

January 11th 2012 : The talk is 'From Russia with love' by Mrs M Rogers.

The competition is- A holiday memento.

We wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Meeting 12th October 2011

A lovely warm sunny afternoon brought in a good crowd for the meeting today. The speaker today was Mr Richard Thomas from the Royal Gunpowder Mills in Waltham Abbey. We learnt a great deal about the history of gunpowder and of the mills and gunpowder transportation methods some of which were particularly unsafe and harrowing for those concerned. We also learnt about gun powders accidental discovery and of the three key components of gunpowder, but warned that it was probably best not to try and make it at home!! Ha Ha!! I don't think there were any true worries on that score.

Here is a photograph of Mr Thomas proudly showing one of the metal tools used to remove the compressed gunpowder from the wooden sheeting and his book entitled ' The Explosions at the Royal Gunpowder Mills'.

Next meeting date is- November 9th which will be the AGM.

The competition is- A small autumn arrangement.

There will be no speaker at this meeting.

Decembers meeting is on the 14th and is entitled 'Audio visuals- Pictures to music' and will be given by Mr & Mrs B Tester. The competition is a handmade Christmas card.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.