This was followed by our bring and share supper.
We had a most interesting and fun evening playing games organised by Debbie and Annette. A smelling game which had everyone flummoxed and a guess who you are which was thoroughly enjoyed by all member and guests. Wendy brought along a memory game that probably needed a bit more concentration than we could give it, but fun anyway, I think!
This was followed by our bring and share supper. Our talented member Pam Bufton led us all in making beautiful Christmas wreaths. We were warmed up on a very cold evening with mulled wine courtesy of the committee, and the wreath making was followed by Secret Santa and an egg cosy for everyone knitted by Debbie Denton. Another jolly evening in the village hall!
After the business meeting there followed a very interesting talk by Richard Williams on Penhros farm’s diversification into gin distilling. This appears to have involved jumping through rather a lot of hoops. (Far be it that Staunton WI should suggest that this might have been aided by sampling the products!) Members were privileged to sample quite generous amounts of the various flavours and judging by the quantity of sales at the end of Richard’s talk these met with approval.
Richard was thanked for an uplifting evening following which members retired to a slightly more convivial than usual bring and share supper. Wendy was presented with her calendar certificate and Debbie showed our certificate for our 75th anniversary. Nearly 40 members and friends gathered in the Village Hall at beautifully decorated tables on Saturday 29 October for a delicious Harvest Supper. Claire Brown made all the portions of lasagne, which was followed by a variety of homemade puddings, cheese and biscuits plus coffee or tea. The evening was a great success and our President Debbie Stokes thanked the committee and members for all their hard work.
A small group of members and friends went to the Courtyard cinema to see 'Mrs Harris goes to Paris'. A very enjoyable evening. Thank you Debbie Stokes for organising and Heather for driving us there.
Members enjoyed a talk from Jo Hilditch abbout her year as High Sheriff of Herefordshire, which included a Wing Walk in aid of the local charity The Cart Shed.
Debbie introduced Mari Fforde, Activities and Learning Manager at Hay Castle, who gave an very interesting and absorbing talk on the history and restoration of Hay Castle. Whereas in the hands of the wrong teacher/lecturer some of us might remember hours and hours of sheer boredom punctuated by an almighty shock when said teacher/ lecturer noticed our wandering attention, on this occasion everyone’s attention was riveted for over an hour and the questions flowed. This was largely due to Mari’s enthusiasm for her subject which left us all eager for a visit to the castle. It is hoped to arrange a visit and a guided tour for next spring or early summer.
Debbie thanked Mari for making our evening exceptionally enjoyable. Members then enjoyed the bring and share supper. 10 members of Staunton on Arrow WI enjoyed an extra evening activity on a trail around Pembridge village, answering 20 questions. A social time at the New Inn followed!
Debbie introduced Ben who gave a talk on St Michaels hospice and the history of the hospice
movement. The concept began in the middle ages, perhaps the earliest were started in Malta as treatment for those returning from the Crusades in the 11th century and later, in the 14th century the Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem opened the first hospice on Rhodes. At this stage they often fulfilled numerous functions, hospitality as well as spiritual and physical wellbeing but the modern hospice was founded by Dame Cicely Saunders in 1967. Probably most members were surprised at the number of volunteers that give their time to this very worthy cause. Ben showed several slides of the accommodation and grounds. Debbie thanked him for a very informative talk. Bring and share supper followed. It is gratifying to see how our membership has grown in recent months and how supportive all our new members are. On this occasion the Business Meeting was preceded by our guest speaker, Ann Cummings. Ann is an experienced and highly qualified graphologist having spent many years studying her subject. She talked to us for some while about the history of graphology, what it involves and how much information could be gleaned from an individual’s handwriting. Following this she took samples of handwriting from some members whose identity was initially not revealed. After interpretations several members owned to their writing and invariably Ann’s interpretation, (always positive of course!) appeared to be correct.
Members had been totally engrossed in this talk and it was with some surprise we realised how quickly the time had passed. Ann departed following a vote of thanks given by Debbie Weaver and rather later than usual we commenced our business meeting. |
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