SEPTEMBER MEETING

 The meeting on 13 September saw a good turnout of members and visitors.  After Jerusalem and the usual business, with the Minutes from July to remind us of what was going on two months ago, we welcomed the day’s speaker, Liz Huxley.  Her talk, entitled “The Colours of Summer”, was primarily about the birds to be seen around Essex but also included an overview of plants, trees and insects.  An amazing diversity was on show including some rare visitors such as the stilt.  The changing global climate may be playing a part in driving wild-life species to seek fresh pastures.  Members very much enjoyed the talk, and Liz was thanked by Sue Livings.  

Tea, coffee and biscuits were served, giving members a chance to catch up with friends’ news.  The raffle was drawn and the competition (for a small seasonal arrangement in a box) was judged.   President Linda Monk then reminded everyone about forthcoming events, the National Anthem was sung, and we all departed for home.  

Forthcoming Events

    Tuesday 19 September - Activities Afternoon - 1-4pm    Entrance £3

                    This event is open to all.  Come along, play darts and table games, bring your craftwork, discuss books and music, enjoy drinks and biscuits, bring a friend.  

    Wednesday 18 October - Fish & Chip Lunch 12.30 for 1pm    Cost £7.50

                    This event needs to be booked in advance.  Contact  Hazel Quinn on 01279 745145

SEPTEMBER

After rather a long interval, here we are again.  There are two events to tell you about this month; the members' meeting on Wednesday 13th and the Activities Afternoon on Tuesday 19th. 

Firstly, our meeting on Wednesday 13th September will start at 2pm with Jerusalem and a welcome from Linda Monk, the President, followed by minutes, matters arising and notices.  After this, Liz Huxley will talk about "The Colours of Summer" before we enjoy refreshments and a chat.  After tea, the Raffle will be drawn, the competition* judged and a prize awarded for the winning entry.  

*The competition is for a small seasonal arrangement in a box.

We now have a good selection of second-hand books and a table of donated goods, any of which can be yours in return for a modest offering.  

This month's second event is the Activities Afternoon on Tuesday 19th September between 1 and 4pm  This covers table games, darts, needle crafts etc.  We also hope to revive our Book Group and perhaps the Play Reading, if enough people are interested.  This event is open to all, so bring your friends. The afternoon costs just £3 and includes drinks and biscuits. 

JANUARY MEETING

 Who knew there were so many miniature teapots around?  Only about half our members were able to come to the January meeting, due to seasonal infections and miserable weather, but nine small teapots arrived on the competition table.

As usual, the meeting started with Jerusalem and apologies (lots of those).  Then on to the minutes of the last meeting - November’s as we were snowbound at the time of the December meeting.  After the President had signed the minutes, she became the caller for our bingo session, ably assisted by the Minutes Secretary.  The games of bingo proved very popular and we shall be holding more from time to time.  Prizes consisted of small bags of sweets.  

The refreshment break arrived with tea or coffee and mince pies, which had been preserved in the freezer since early December.  The raffle was drawn and the competition was judged.  The winning teapot is shown below.  (Photographs to follow)

After all the prizes had been collected and reminders given about the Activities Afternoon and the February meeting, we sang the National Anthem then headed home in the rain.

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Forthcoming events:  (all these events are open to non-members)

Tuesday 17 January from 1pm until 4pm - Activities Afternoon (£3 including refreshments)

Wednesday 8 February at 2pm. The speaker will be Brian Carline on “Soil, Sweat and Tears”

                  Competition A personal garden/gardening photograph

We shall also be voting for a Resolution, so please remember to bring the voting slip from the December copy of WI Life.  

Another New Year

After a year's silence on the subject of WI, here we are again.  We managed to hold most of the planned meetings last year - apart from December's which was snowbound.  Most existing members have renewed and a few new ones have joined.  At the AGM in May 2022 a new President, Linda Monk, took over from Christine Dellow who also resigned from the Committee.  The Committee now has eight members.   

The next meeting is on Wednesday 11 January at 2pm.  We had hoped to have the musical duo originally planned for December, but unfortunately they have transport problems and cannot get here.  Instead, we shall have a social afternoon with a bingo session.  Many members have asked about having bingo so here we are.  The competition is for a miniature teapot.  

We hope as many of you as possible will come on Wednesday and why not bring a friend?  All are welcome.  

A very happy New Year to you all.