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All monthly meetings from January 2024 onwards will be on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 2pm, at Poringland Community Centre.

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Next speaker - July 10th - Helen Murray (Author) Newhaven Court). .

Sunday, 12 October 2025

Poringland WI Newsletter October 2025

 Poringland WI Newsletter October 2025

 

The Annual meeting is coming up in November, and as several committee members are standing down, we shall need nominations this month for replacements, one of whom will need to take on the duties of Secretary.  This may seem a daunting task, as I have taken on things that seemed like a good idea, but are not essential or could easily be done by another member on or off the committee.  Basically you will be the contact point for correspondence and liaise with President and Treasurer to ensure the smooth running of meetings.

Coming up this month:

10 Pin Bowling sessions Namco Bowthorpe.  10am on Friday 10 & 24 Oct.

The next Tea/coffee pm at the Nook Tuesday 14 & 28 Oct                     

Scrabble day Thursday 30 October at the Feathers 11.30 – 3.30pm. 

Scrabble with Christmas lunch Friday 27 November.  All members welcome to join us for lunch.  Cost £30 to be paid in October. Please sign up on board or inform Liz on 558132.

Craft Afternoon Monday 13 October @ 2.30pm (Second Monday of month) at Joan’s, 74 Poringland road Stoke HX.  If you would like to come along to craft and chat, please contact Joan on 493036.

Next Walk: Tuesday 21 October Meet at 11am at layby opposite Carleton St Peter church, suggest you drive through Thurton on A146 turn left at top of hill onto Ferry road signed Carleton St Peterdrive about 1½ mile and church is on left shortly after a cross roads.  3 or 4 possible walks and 3 churches to visit. Lunch at 1pm in the George & Dragon, Thurton.

Gym Sessions. At the Gym Group (next to Asda on Hall road).  Currently we have an hour long session each Wednesday morning early.  

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Poringland Community Cinema at Poringland Community Centre

THE BLACK BAG 

FRIDAY 10TH OCTOBER CERT 15 THRILLER

Stars Michael Fassbender Cate Blanchett

MR BURTON

FRIDAY 14H NOVEMBER CERT 12A  DRAMA/BIOGRAPHY

Stars Harry Lawtey Toby Jones, Lesley Manville

Tickets £5 on the door (includes tea or coffee)

Doors open at 6.45pm, Film starts 7.30pm

You are invited to Rockland WI meeting on Tuesday 14 October 7.30pm when the speaker will be Rob Ray talking about the North Norfolk Chalk Reef.  Let me know if you would like to attend.

Federation Events, I have the flyers/application forms or see in your magazine:

Preloved Jewellery Sale. Saturday 18 October at Evelyn Suffield House 11am – 3pm.  

Just Add Water – an improvers workshop with hints and tips Friday 24 Oct in ES House 10 – 3pm £30 including materials bring a packed lunch.  Tea & cake provided.

NEW MEMBERS MEETING Thursday 30 October either 10.30 – 12.30 or 2 - 4pm – You are invited to visit the house to find out what the WI is all about.  A fun and informal get together.  FREE EVENT but donations for tea/coffee appreciated.  Must Apply for tickets as space limited.

Tubing with coffee and cake. Tuesday 4 November 10 – 12noon at the Ski slope Whitlingham £25.  I can vouch for this being great fun, why not release your inner child and whizz down the slope?  £5 for spectators including refreshments.

How about a Photo Safari around Norwich? Thursday 6 November 10 – 12.30.  Start and finish at the House, where refreshments will be available.  £8 per person and a chance to show off your pictures.

Four Corners Craft Day. ES House Thursday 13 November 10 – 3.30pm £25 make 4 items of craft during the day.  Take a packed lunch.  Doors open 9.30 tea/coffee available.  Items to make include:  a paper star, iced gingerbread, embroidered felt star and Explosion Box!

Cambridge Day trip. Thursday 20 November £23. Coach from the depot on the Cattle market.  Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum and/or Botanic gardens or just do your own thing.  Plenty of eateries/craft/book shops/fashion shops etc etc.

Other Events:

Have you tried Ladies that lunch?  These take place in Evelyn Suffield House usually on the first Friday.  Get a delicious home cooked 2 course lunch for £13.50 and you might meet up with or make some new WI friends.  This year’s Christmas lunch with all the trimmings is on Dec 5th only £20.  Next year’s menus have just been released.  See the board to make your mouth water.

AND just released for 2026:

Patchwork taster day Monday 23 Feb 10 – 3.30 in the House £25 all materials supplied.  Tutor our old friend Betty Stacey.  Take a packed lunch, drinks supplied.

Now for the BIG one:

Tour of the Royal Opera House includes a 2 night stay in London, travelling by train and staying at the Hub, Covent Garden with continental breakfasts, travel to and from Covent Garden, visit to Covent Garden, free time for shopping, to book a theatre, visit a museum etc.  £440.

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The Smile

Smiling is infectious

You catch it like the flu

When someone smiled at me today

I started smiling too

I walked around the corner

And someone saw me grin

When he smiled, I realised

I had passed it on to him

 

 

I thought about the smile

And then realised its worth

A single smile like mine

Could travel round the earth

So if you feel a smile begin

Don’t leave it undetected

Start an epidemic

And get the world infected!

Poem by Spike Milligan

Do you like these little extras?  Do you know any poems, recipes, anecdotes that members might like to read? Why not pass them to me to put in the Newsletter for everyone to enjoy?

 

Poringland WI Newsletter September 2025.

 Poringland WI Newsletter September 2025

 

 We were blessed with perfect weather for our garden party and we hope you enjoyed it.  Thank you to all who attended, to those who donated cakes, raffle prizes etc. and a big THANK YOU to Joan Fountain for the use of her garden and kitchen.  We hope we didn’t disrupt your home too much.

Well done everyone we raised over £90 for funds.

I tried to get everyone into this picture but who managed to hide behind a bunting flag?

 



 

Coming up this month:

10 Pin Bowling sessions Namco Bowthorpe.  10am on Friday 12 and 26 Sept.

The next Tea/coffee pm at the Nook Tuesday 16 & 30 Sept                    

Scrabble day Thursday 25 September at the Feathers 11.30 – 3.30pm.  Please sign up on board or inform Liz on 558132.

Craft Afternoon Monday 13 October @ 2.30pm (Second Monday of month) at Joan’s, 74 Poringland road Stoke HX.  If you would like to come along to craft and chat, please contact Joan on 493036.

Next Walk: Tuesday 16 September Meet at 11am at Fairhaven Gardens South Walsham NR13 6DZ.  Entry fee applies.  I need to know for numbers as to book in advance is cheaper! Lunch at 1pm in the café (no entry fee needed for café entrance).

Gym Sessions.  At the ‘Gym Group’ (next to Asda on Hall road).  Currently we have an hour long session each Wednesday morning at about 9am. 

Other local events you may like to attend:

Poringland Community Cinema at Poringland Community Centre

BRIDGET JONES MAD ABOUT THE BOY

FRIDAY 12th SEPTEMBER CERT 15 COMEDY/ROMANCE

Stars Renee Zellweger Chiwetel Ejiofor Leo Woodall

THE BLACK BAG

FRIDAY 10TH OCTOBER CERT 15 THRILLER

Stars Michael Fassbender Cate Blanchett

Tickets £5 on the door  (includes tea or coffee)

Doors open at 6.45pm, Film starts 7.30pm

You are invited to Rockland WI meeting on Tuesday 14 October 7.30pm when the speaker will be Rob Ray talking about the North Norfolk Chalk Reef.  Let me know if you would like to attend so I can inform the Secretary.  I shall be attending if you need a lift.

Heritage open days

On Saturday 13 September.  Our own Evelyn Suffield House is open for tours 10.30 – 3.30pm Refreshments available.  Or you could visit or have a tour of lots of other locations for free that weekend or that week.  EG Felbrigg hall walled garden on Thursday 18th Sept free entry and parking.  There is a whole Booklet and I’ll photocopy of a few pages on the table for you to look at.

Federation Events, I have the flyers/application forms or see in your magazine:

Cartier Exhibition V&A London Tuesday 14 October £55.  A Major exhibition featuring more than 350 objects, including precious jewels historic gemstones, iconic Watches and clocks etc

Preloved Jewellery Sale. Saturday 18 October at Evelyn Suffield House 11am – 3pm.  DONATE your preloved Jewellery for someone else to love. Bring items to our meeting and I will take them to the office.

Just Add Wateran improvers workshop with hints and tips Friday 24 Oct in ES House 10 – 3pm £30 including materials bring a packed lunch.  Tea & cake provided.

Everyone has a story in them, so they say, do you?  How about entering the Creative Writing Competition?  The title this year is ‘Grandma’s Handbag’.  You can write fact or fiction in 650 words in any style or genre.  Eg ghost/mystery/love story etc:  you choose.  Details on the flyer.

NEW MEMBERS MEETING Thursday 30 October either 10.30 – 12.30 or 2 - 4pm – You are invited to visit the house to find out what the WI is all about.  A fun and informal get together.  FREE EVENT but donations for tea/coffee appreciated.  Must Apply for tickets as space limited.

How about a Photo Safari around Norwich? Thursday 6 November 10 – 12.30.  Start and finish at the House, where refreshments will be available.  £8 per person and a chance to show off your pictures.

Four Corners Craft Day. ES House Thursday 13 November 10 – 3.30pm £25 make 4 items of craft during the day.  Take a packed lunch.  Doors open 9.30 tea/coffee available.  Items to make include:  a paper star, iced gingerbread, embroidered felt star and Explosion Box

Cambridge Day trip.  Thursday 20 November £23. Coach from the depot on the Cattle market.  Visit the Fitzwilliam Museum and/or Botanic gardens or just do your own thing.  Plenty of eateries/craft/book shops/fashion shops etc etc.

Other Events:

The Season of Giving at John LewisYou & a friend are invited to an exclusive Christmas Customer Shopping event on Thursday 4 December 5.30 – 8pm.  Free parking on entry after 5pm.  Enjoy an evening of Fashion, Home & Beauty brought to you by our in-store stylists and experts.  Glass of fizz and Christmas prize draws. 

Apply by Thursday 27 Nov to Norwich.events@johnlewis.co.uk

Centenary Salver – 2 competitions in one. See board for details

Individual competition – a Handmade box.  Any suitable medium £2 entry

Corporate entry to make a display on the theme ‘A Period in Fashion’ (past/present or future)

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Savoury potato biscuits – a 1940s recipe from Zelia.

2 oz margarine, 3 oz plain flour, 3 oz cooked, mashed potato, 6 tbsp grated cheese

1 tspn salt, pinch of cayenne or black pepper.

Rub the marge into the flour.

Add spuds, cheese, and seasoning, working It into a stiff dough.

Roll out thinly and cut into shapes.  Bake in a moderate oven for 20 minutes

Why not let us know how you get on, or bring some for us to try at our next meeting.


Sunday, 15 June 2025

  

What a lovely day we had for our April walk around Seething.  Believe it or not this picture is of a pond, not a bowling green!  There are several pretty ponds in the village, the church is worth a visit and there are a number of old cottages to admire, including one with a fire insurance plaque and one with ‘ammonites’ set into the wall.  It still has a post office cum store but the petrol pumps are museum exhibits.  Fancy a walk around? – plenty of parking at the village hall, and a community café is open on third Wednesday afternoons.

It was just as lovely at Surlingham in May (8 walkers, 12 for lunch) but I forgot to take any pictures!

 

Coming up this month:

10 Pin Bowling sessions Namco Bowthorpe.  10am on Friday 13 & 27 June.

The next Tea/coffee pm at the Nook Tuesday 14 June & 8 July                     

Next Walk: Tuesday 17 June.  Meet at 11am. At the Goat Shed, Colton Road, HoninghamNR9 5DJ .   Lunch at 1pm.  Sign Board for walk and/or lunch. Or phone Lesley 492155 to book or cancel.

Craft Fair Saturday 5th July at Brooke House.  We hope to have a stall as we have several boxes of items to sell.  Helpers needed to take boxes/set up table/ serve on the stall.

Craft Afternoon Monday 14 July 2.30pm (Second Monday of month) at Joan’s, 74 Poringland road Stoke HX.  If you would like to come along to craft and chat, please contact Joan on 493036.  

Scrabble day Thursday possibly 3 July at the Feathers 11.30 – 3.30pm.  Please sign up on board or inform Liz on 558132.

Gym Sessions. At the Gym Group (next to Asda on Hall road).  Currently we have an hour longsession each Wednesday morning at about 9am.  

If you’re new and fancy any of these, talk to Lesley or the named member.

Other local events you may like to attend:

More gardens to visit that are open for Charity in the National Open Garden Scheme:

2 in lower Stoke on 14/15 June – 47 & 51 Norwich road.  £6. Home made teas at no 47.

On Sunday 22nd June there are 3 Eaton gardens open £7 – 19 Branksome road (homemade teas) plus 4 Coach House Court and 15 Waverley road.  More details on the board.

Sunday 29th.  The Almonds 21 Southgreen Mattishall NR20 7JT.  £5. Over an acre of garden: orchard, borders, sculptures.  Refreshments available

Sunday July 6th, Bishops Garden.  £5 plus refreshments in aid of Priscilla Bacon Hospice.

More information about these is on the Board.

Quiz night at the Nook.  Friday 20 June 7pm.  Teams of 6 – 8.  £5 per person in aid of EACH.  Bring your own drinks and nibbles. Contact janehewer@hotmail.com or phone 07740734123

Federation Events

Gliding Days.  Tibenham Airfield Friday 29 August with fall back date 12 September as flight is weather dependent.  Winch launch £70 or Aero tow £144.  You are welcome to come along for a picnic (£10) to watch me and the others taking flight.

Summer Garden Party at Wiveton Hall NR25 7TE.  Tuesday 17 June. 2-6pm £40. Includes afternoon tea and tour of the gardens with Desmond, famed for the programme ‘Normal for Norfolk’ that featured the hall.  Glass of wine £3 extra.  Too late fully booked.

Get Comfortable on Line. Thursday 17 July 10.30- 12.30.  Bring along your ipad, laptop tablet etc and your questions.  £7.50

THIS IS A NEW ONE!  Adventure weekend – Bunk up or camp out! At Bramley Lakes Horsford 30 – 31 August.  Overnight stay, light lunch evening meal & breakfast.  Five activities: Canoeing, abseiling, axe throwing and zip line.

Saville Gardens and Runnymede Boat trip.  Wed 3 September £75.  Am Garden visit (part of Windsor Great park) PM 2 hour cruise including Cream Tea.

Bridge Day Wed 17 Sept 10am to 3.30pm at our House £22 includes lunch of cottage pie (veg option) and pudding.

PuddingsPlonk and Pop Wednesday 24 September 7-9pm @ Hethersett Hub NR9 3EN £25.  Try any number of delicious desserts washed down with a summer fruit punch whilst singing or dancing to Simon Howard with classic tracks across the decades.

CRAFT DAY at Horsford Cricket club NR10 3AQ Friday 26 Sept 10 – 3.30pm.  Doors open 9.30 for tea/coffee.  £32 includes materials and ploughman’s lunch (and pudding).  Choose from the following crafts:  No Sew patchwork baubles, Embellished Canvas Work, Autumn Wreaths or a selection of cards using different techniques.

There are 2 competitions to enter (on top of the 100 villages one):  Design a Christmas card and Decorate an Apron.  SEE BOARD FOR DETAILS of these and all Events.  Application forms available from Lesley or in your magazine.

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Newhaven Court

This is the house by Cromer Town,

The bricks are red, though they look so brown

It faces the sea on a windswept hill

In winter it’s empty in summer its chill

Indeed, it is one of earth’s windiest spots

As we know from the smashing of chimney pots

In August I ask for another quilt

This is the house that Jane my wife built

(Frederick Locker-Lampson)

Hear all about this house at our July meeting – visited by the rich, famous and maybe notorious?