Poringland

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2012-02-03T12:52:00.001Z

Mr Nick Williams came and gave us a fascinating talk about the History of being a Sheriff of Norwich.

In 1404 King Henry IV granted a charter to appoint one Mayor and two Sheriffs and Aldermen to run the affairs of the City in order to keep order, hence the role of the ceremonial sword and mace - there is only one Mayor and Sheriff now and they serve for one year. Mr Williams had worked and been a Norwich City Councillor for some years and when he was invited to be a Sheriff, at a Special Meeting of Norwich City Council, he was delighted to accept for the year May 2007/8. He and his wife Gill thoroughly enjoyed their year but found it could be very tiring sometimes - 2 engagements were not unusual in a day. He brought along a photo album to show us his robes and memorable moments.

Special events for him during the year were the Mayor and Sheriff Ceremonies at the City Hall followed by the evening reception at Norwich Castle, going in the Ceremonial Coach to Norwich Cathedral for the Civic Service and the Lord Mayor's Procession.

However, the most moving event for him was in November 2007 coming down the steps of City Hall with HRH Duke of Gloucester to present to the Royal Anglian Regiment, who had returned from Afghanistan, the freedom to parade through the City. With thousands of spectators applauding, several hundred soldiers with fixed bayonets and flags flying and the Minden Band of the Queens Division, marched through the streets to the Cathedral for a Thanksgiving Service.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 14 March at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when Brian MacFarlane will be coming again to show us a further selection of his Nature Photography - members were enthralled last time he came. Visitors are always welcome and if there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155 .

Shirley Shackshaft

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2011-12-31T13:49:00.002Z

Christmas has passed all too soon. Hope you all kept warm and healthy.

Our December meeting was very enjoyable and our Lucky Dip Parcels proved very popular. We made over £50 profit and this will be sent to a local Charity, yet to be decided.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 8 February at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when one of our members, Beryl Keen, will demonstrate Painting with Materials ie Patchwork. I look forward to watching this.

Visitors are always welcome and if there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155 .

JUMBLE SALE

Our next Jumble Sale is on Saturday 25 February at 2.00pm. This will be in the Communty Centre. As usual there will be books, tombola, bric-a-brac. clothing, household goods, raffle and tea/coffee and homemade cakes. Everyone very welcome - I am sure there will be many bargains there.

Shirley Shackshaft

Caistor Church Tree Festival

2011-12-12T12:01:00.006Z

Caistor Church tree festival was well worth a visit, and our tree above looked splendid thanks to everyone who donated baubles.

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2011-11-05T12:59:00.000Z

Our October meeting proved to be a great success when Margaret Furness demonstrated the art of truffle and fudge making. Recipe sheets were handed out and so I am sure some our families will be enjoying these over the Christmas period.

Our December meeting is always a highlight of the year. Our entertainment this year will be provided by The Trillers, a lovely group of singers. We have invited some of our friends from neighbouring Institutes as well. We always manage to put on a lovely buffet and so we have all the ingredients for a very enjoyable evening. This will be on Wednesday 14 December at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Why not come and join us (alone or with a friend) - you will be made very welcome. Any queries to Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155 .

Finally, on behalf of our members, may I wish all of you that read this, a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.

PORINGLAND WI

2011-10-04T23:46:00.001+01:00

Our meeting in September was a social affair with a Beetle Drive. Much laughter and frustration was expressed when the right numbers were not forthcoming. It always amazes me how different the interpretations of the beetles being drawn are!

Our meeting in November is our Annual Meeting and takes place on Wednesday 9 November at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. There is also going to be an exhibition of Arts and Crafts which members have made in the last 3 years. I am constantly surprised how clever some of us are. Why not pay us a visit and you may get an idea for a future hobby for yourself.

Visitors are always welcome to our meetings and if there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.

Group Meeting held at Broome

2011-10-04T23:35:00.002+01:00

The Waveney Valley Group meeting held on 29th September at Broome Village Hall.
The talk was about Victorian Country life, mainly about how the women
had to cope when husbands died, were jailed or transported, with
illegitimacy, with the lack of mod cons, lack of money etc.
Despite the credit crunch etc, we were all glad not to have been born
150 years earlier.

The competition was to dress a member in Victorian costume.
The winning entry from Thurlton was dressed in her nightie, and night
cap complete with candle.
.
This is our volunteer Pam in all her finery, She was voted third.
I have not shown the best bit, which was her saucy drawers, provided
by Joan Fountain.
These caused much delight in the hall when displayed by Pam!

Visit to Masonic Hall, home of Freemasonry.

2011-09-09T11:29:00.008+01:00

Our visit to the above building on 8th September was very interesting.

After coffee and a short talk we were given a tour of the building, I think we were all surprised how large these buildings are, the architecture and design of the rooms, especially the Temples is lovely. A interesting fact was an architect was appointed in 1904/5 to design suitable meeting rooms , he was Mr Albert Havers (Great Grandfather of the Actor Nigel Havers) from London.

Walking up St Giles you would find it hard to realise what lovely gardens are attached to the sides or back of each building.

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2011-09-03T13:26:00.002+01:00

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 12 October at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when we will watch Margaret Furness demonstrating the art of chocolate and fudge making with sampling afterwards of these delightful goodies. I am sure we will get some good ideas for Christmas. Not good for our figures but I am sure they will taste delicious!

Jumble Sale

As I mentioned last month our Jumble Sale is on Saturday 15 October at 2.00pm in the Community Centre. There will be books, tombola, bric-a-brac, clothing, household goods, raffle, and a cake stall. We will also be selling tea/coffee and homemade cakes in the cafe area. Everyone is very welcome - I am sure there will be many bargains to be snapped up.

Visitors are always welcome to our meetings and if there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155 .

Shirley Shackshaft

2011-08-04T23:41:00.003+01:00

PORINGLAND WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

We welcomed Carolyn Williams to our July meeting. Her talk was on the origins of Nursery Rhymes. Some rhymes were to help children count and have good morals ie ding dong bell, pussy’s in the well, or to entertain ie pat a cake, pat a cake.

Humpty Dumpty is thought to refer to a big cannon called a boulder, which was used in the civil war and aimed at the opposite force’s wall until it fell down. During the uncertain times between Catholics and Protestants, in Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I times, there was a lot of resentment, but nobody could speak their minds on pain of death, so some nursery rhymes were composed to reflect their feelings without being prosecuted.

Carolyn is always researching these rhymes but as she said, different books put forward different theories.

Our August meeting took place in Joan and John Fountain’s beautiful garden and what a lovely and hot, if humid, afternoon we had. Members and friends from other Institutes were seeking the shade. Lovely scones and cakes were consumed and there was a bring and buy, a plant stall and raffle. A very enjoyable afternoon and our thanks go to Joan and John for making us so welcome. I know from past experience the hard work that goes into these events.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 14 September at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when we will be enjoying a Social Evening with a Beetle Drive. Visitors are always welcome and if there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders Secretary on 01508 492155.

JUMBLE SALE 15 OCTOBER in the Community Centre – details next month.

Shirley Shackshaft

Trip to Bury St Edmonds 2011

2011-08-02T23:58:00.006+01:00

After visiting the Newmarket Stud members had free time to look around the Church and Abbey Gardens.

Thurton Church Visit

2011-06-28T18:44:00.017+01:00

Thurton is quite a large place, and just above the busy Norwich to Beccles road. The church stands below the village top road, the houses hidden in the valley.St Ethelbert is a very curious shape. The little tower appears to grow out of the thatch, and it also appears that they ordered it in the wrong size, and didn't bother to send it back. It is in two stages - at nave level it is probably 13th century, but the top bit is more recent. I've seen it described as early 16th century. It is one of those small towers that looks as if it was specifically designed for bell-ringing, although all the bells are early.

In common with several churches around here, St Ethelbert has a stunning Norman south entrance, this one in particularly good condition. I love the way that later generations have enhanced the archway by adding to the decoration - one pattern in particular, on the east side of the doorway, must have taken hours. There is a simpler Norman doorway on the north side, but it is through the south door you enter.

The building is continuous, without a transition between nave and chancel, although you can see a large arch about two thirds of the way along which once held a tympanum to divide the two. I would guess that the western part is pretty much the original Norman church, disguised by later windows. The roodcreen cannot have been very big, and its shallow stairway embrasure suggest the stairs were wooden and part of the structure of the screen.

This building has two great delights, Firstly, the St Christopher on the north wall. It was uncovered in the late 1980s, and at first sight appears disappointingly indistinct. On closer inspection though, there are a lot of the details which have now faded from St Christophers which have been exposed for a century or more. In particular, the azure blue of the water, and the multitude of creatures in it.
Up at the top, look at the way the Christchild sits on the Saint's shoulders. It is most unusual - Christ is actually behind the Saint, holding his orb in a gesture of reigning in majesty. The style of the child puts this painting very late, perhaps as late as the early 16th century. They have begun to uncover other wall paintings in this church, and although nothing is understandable yet, the figure immediately to the east of the St Christopher is obviously much earlier, which may mean it is part of a hagiography, many of which came to be frowned upon in the 14th and 15th centuries, being replaced by more doctrinal paintings. There is probably part of it under the St Christopher.

The other thing that makes Thurton remarkable is the collection of glass. Books credit it with being from Rouen cathedral, but actually it is much more interesting than that. It came partly from the collection of a Norwich antiquarian, partly from the Beauchamp Proctor family who donated similar glass to the churches at nearby Chedgrave and Langley. It was installed here in the 1820s. It does include some Rouen glass, but there is also a 15th century English Holy Trinity, and a set of Instruments of the Passion. The little roundels depicting one line homilies may well have come from the refectory of Langley Priory. Further, Chris Harrison tells me that there is surviving work here of the remarkable Lowestoft stained glass artist Robert Allen who was one of the earliest exponents of the medium in the years that the English were first rediscovering it. His are the eight Saints in the west window, as well as the Man of Sorrows in the south of the nave, St Andrew in the east window and a number of other pieces on the south side. We all enjoyed our vist to the church and the lovely cream tea that followed at High House.

Poringland WI presents a bench to Poringland Parish Council

2011-06-28T18:02:00.010+01:00

On Wednesday June 8th, Pam Cooper President of Poringland WI formally presented a park bench to Poringland Parish Council. The bench was paid for by the WI, Poringland Sand & Gravel Charity and Poringland Fuel Allotment Charity. Norfolk Homes installed the bench outside the Poringland Community Centre. John Ellis, chairman of the parish council, thanked everyone involved for their generosity.

Visit to Newmarket Stud and Bury St Edmunds

2011-06-23T19:13:00.012+01:00

A unique opportunity to see behind the scenes of one of the most beautiful stud farms in the country. What you see during your visit will depend on the season but can include the superb Stallion Unit along with the stallions in residence, nursery yards and mares and foals in their paddocks.

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2011-06-04T14:45:00.003+01:00

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

We had an enjoyable evening at our May meeting but with reduced numbers due to various reasons. We discussed differing views on the two Resolutions to be discussed at our National Meeting in June. Our delegate from Newton Flotman was there to hear our discussions and how we wanted her to use our votes. The subjects were Mega farming and the future nationally of Public Libraries (both in the news a lot recently). Some lively discussion took place before voting.

We then enjoyed a lovely buffet and much chatter as well.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 13 July at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Our speaker will be Carolyn Williams who will talk on the origins of Nursery Rhymes - Jack and Jill etc. I must say I have never thought ot their origins when reciting them many years ago to my sons. Should be enlightening!

A date to put in your diaries is our Garden Party on Wednesday 3 August at 2.00pm. This year it will be in the garden of Joan and John Fountain, 55 Howe Lane, Poringland. They have a lovely garden and there will be the usual bring and buy and raffle stalls plus, of course, tea and lovely cakes to enjoy. All members and friends are welcome.

Visitors are always welcome and if there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492156.

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2011-05-06T18:17:00.002+01:00

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

We welcomed Mr George Rockingham from PACT (People for Animal Care Trust) Animal Sanctuary, Woodrising, Hingham. He kept us spellbound with tales of the abandoned animals which they keep. They never "put down" any animals (approx. 600 at the last count) unless they are very sick. As with other Charities they rely on donations. At the moment they are in the process of building the Rabbit Village. You may have read recently in the EDP about the 80 rabbits left at Horsford when the man who bred them had a stroke. A Cattery and more kennels are also in progress. They receive some very odd telephone calls - one lady said she had changed the decor in her lounge from chocolate to cream and could the Sanctuary change her chocolate labrador for a cream one!

As you can imagine, food and bedding prices keep rising and, of course, vets fees, so we did a quick collection to add to our normal donation. They are open to visitors Wednesdays to Saturdays between 12 mid-day and 3.30pm. Worth a visit if you are in the area.

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 8 June at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Our speaker will be Hannah Clay from the East Anglian Air Ambulance Trust.

Visitors are always welcome and any queries contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492156.

Shirley Shackshaft

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2011-04-05T18:51:00.003+01:00

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

We welcomed to our March meeting Lynn Barrow who came in costume to talk about Victorian Tussie Mussies. They were very popular during Queen Victoria's reign. She explained that these were little nosegays or posies. They were used to ward off body odours and were pinned onto the top of the breastbone of the lady's dress or hem. Gentlemen used to have one on the top of their walking canes. The first one she produced and sent round for us to smell was little sprigs of sage, lavender, rosemary and chives bound together.

Nosegay bouquets were a lighter larger and were tied together like some modern wedding bouquets. Moss (mussies) was put round to keep the flowers fresh. These were exchanged between gentlemen and ladies and different flowers had different meanings. English and American flowers sometimes have different meanings. A red rose meant "love"; a red carnation meant "my heart aches for you"; a camelia "I do wish you luck"; lavender "good luck" and a single chrysanthemum "your a wonderful friend" to name but a few. She then invited everyone to come and make their own nosegays and most members took advantage of her offer.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 11 May at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. This will be our Birthday meeting so there will be no speaker but it will be a very enjoyable social evening with a lovely buffet provided by members.

Everyone welcome and an queries to Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492156.

Shirley Shackshaft

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2011-03-03T08:47:00.002Z

I think we all enjoyed the talk about Mother Julian of Norwich, a renowned mystic who lived in the 14th century, given by Sister Pamela from All Hallows House.

Mother Julian, who was an anchoress, lived in a little dwelling attached to St Julian's Church in Rouen Road. Most of these ladies cells had three windows - one open into the Church so that they could hear Mass, another into an inner room so that her servant could bring in food and clean clothes and take out slops etc. and the third window which was curtained off with black cloth with a white cross on it open onto the roadway. Through this she could look out onto the world and speak to people who came for counselling and help. She became famous in her lifetime. The language of the clerics and elite was Latin and French but her book was written in English, the language of the lower classes. It was called Revelations of Divine Love which she wrote after nearly dying. There is a copy in the British Museum. The Church and her cell were destroyed in the last War but have been rebuilt. People come from all over the world to visit the shrine which is open from dawn to dusk every day.

We had a very successful Jumble Sale and thanks go everyone who helped and/or contributed.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 13 April at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Our speaker will be George Rockingham from the PACT Animal Sanctuary.

They and others have been in the news recently about the high cost of feed and vets costs. I have no doubt we will hear good and sad tales about these mostly abandoned animals.

If you have any queries, Pam Cooper,President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492156 will be delighted to hear from you and as always visitors are always welcome.

Shirley Shackshaft

WI Members attend the Tree Plaque placing on January 16th

2011-02-09T23:45:00.006Z

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE.

2011-02-04T19:55:00.003Z

Mr Howard Zelley, our speaker in January, proved to be a very interesting gentleman on the subject of Amber (fossilised resin from extinct pine trees). Apparently it all originated on the seabed and coastline of the Baltic area. Any small pieces we may find around our coast will have been washed over the centuries from that area. Occasionally larger pieces are picked up by trawlers. He passed many necklaces around for us to judge whether they were real amber. Many substitutes have been produced over the years. He was a mine of information.

Our next Meeting will be on Wednesday 9 March at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Our speaker will be Lynn Barrow who dresses in period costume and talks about Victorian Tussie Mussies (Victorian nosegays). I look forward to hearing all about the meaning of the individual flowers.

Unfortunately, the date of our Jumble Sale had to be altered from 12 March and will have already taken place in February.

If you have any queries, Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492156 will be delighted to hear from you. Visitors are always welcome.

Shirley Shackshaft

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2010-12-09T10:11:00.003Z

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Due to new deadlines for entries for the magazine, I am unable to give you a report on our Christmas meeting. Weather permitting I am sure we will enjoy it. I will tell you a little of that meeting in the January issue.

Our first meeting in 2011 is on Wednesday 12 January at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Our speaker will be Mr Howard Zelley who will talk about the history of Amber. I have heard him in the past and he is a mine of information. If you have any items of amber, he will gladly tell you if they are really amber (there are a lot of fakes) and approximately where in the world they originate from.

Visitors are always welcome and if there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders on 01508 492155.

Finally, may we hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas and wish you a happy and healthy New Year.

Shirley Shackshaft

The English Whisky Co.

2010-11-27T12:12:00.004Z

Members of Poringland WI, husbands and friends enjoyed a visit to the St George's Distillery.

The tour started with a coffee whilst watching a short video that gives a brief insight into how whisky is made. You are then taken on a tour of the distillery to see the way whisky is made in the beautiful copper stills. The tour ends with the tastings of the spirit and several liqueurs.

Many thanks for the above pictures which were taken by Martin, Marys son who enjoyed the trip with us.

Poringland Women's Institute Meeting

2010-11-11T14:20:00.004Z

On 10 November we held our Annual Meeting and turned our attention once again to electing a Committee and President to run our Institute for the coming year. Happily, all but one of our existing Committee members agreed to continue for a further year, and the one member who was to retire, after giving 13 years of dedicated work to our institute, had well earned her retirement and was presented by a grateful membership with a pink rose tree, appropriately named 'Retirement'.

Our current President, Pam Cooper, kindly agreed to remain in post for a further year and so we look forward to another interesting and eventful year, thanks to our Committee's efforts.

We spent the remainder of our evening amusing ourselves with puzzles and a beetle drive, the usual surfeit of wings, legs, eyes, etc and lack of bodies and heads in order to score over our neighbours, accompanied with laughter and chatter.

Next meeting on 8 December we are to be entertained by Patsy /Rose , a singer/guitarist; and all bring our Christmas goodies to eat and enjoy in good company. Hope to see all our members there.

Pam Cooper can be contacted on 01508 491674.

M. Bambra

Moving the whole house - related by Christine Adams

2010-10-18T21:04:00.007+01:00

Poringland Women's Institute

We anticipated hearing of a most unusual housing-moving experience, related by Christine Adams, at our October 13th meeting - moving the whole house. Housing moving is traumatic enough, what a brave and enterprising task to move everything, and one which most of us would find too daunting to contemplate. We were filled with admiration.

Our jumble sale has probably passed by, when you read this report. So many thanks to all who organised and gave support to this event, always much enjoyed.

November 10th, next meeting, is our Annual Meeting, followed by a quiz and games evening. Hope all members can attend, and our usual warm invitation is extended to new members who are interested. Pam Cooper, our President, on 01508 491674 will be pleased to hear from you.

Meraney Bambra

To read the report below type in Moving House to Wells on sea on the Web, it is very interesting

Moving house: How a little old lady spent 23 years single-handedly moving and rebuilding her house brick by brick again.

Demonstration of canapes

2010-09-10T17:34:00.003+01:00

September W. I. Meeting

Frances Mobbs, our speaker on 8 September was a most welcomed and entertaining demonstrator, very involved with Norfolk County Federation functions and now writes in the EDP as a Saturday correspondent. We were treated to the most delicious hot and cold canapes and mouth-watering desserts. We learnt some helpful tips and were impressed by her beautiful presentation of dishes - savoury and sweet. Her recipes were eagerly noted, our taste buds quite inspired.

Angela Hipwell gave a very enthusiastic account of her visit to Denman College, where she took a course on "Water Soluble Oils for Beginers". We enjoyed seeing samples of her work - drawings and paintings - and admired her talent.

Next Meeting on 13th October we have Christine Adams on "Moving House" - literally the whole house from Hertford to Wells - should be a fascinating saga; why not bring a friend or partner along?

Date to remember 16TH OCTOBER AT 2.00 PM IN COMMUNITY CENTRE - JUMBLE SALE. Come and join us and find a bargain - household goods, bric-a-brac , toys, cakes, books, plants and popular TOMBLA and RAFFLE.

Pam Cooper, our President, 01508 491674, , will be pleased to tell you more of our activities. We are always glad to welcome newcomers.

Meraney Bambra

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

2010-08-12T17:38:00.004+01:00

Our Garden Party in Mary Stancer's beautiful garden proved to be a lovely afternoon. The weather was kind to us and there was an abundance of delicious cakes for everyone to taste in convivial company. There were about 38 members and friends there. Thank you Mary and your husband for being such good hosts.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 8 September at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when Frances Mobbs will be demonstrating hot and cold canapes for all us to try - hopefully we will be able to pick up some tips (maybe for our Christmas buffet) - should be good. Visitors are always welcome. Any queries, contact Pam Cooper on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders on 01508 492155.

Shirley Shackshaft

A Love of Orchids

2010-07-15T18:51:00.007+01:00

Pictures of the Bee Orchid taken by M Cooper at Seaham.

Pam told the meeting that, unfortunately, due to family illness, Lynn Barrow, could not give her talk, but Pam was delighted to say that Mrs Robin McDonald of Norfolk Orchid Society had kindly agreed to step in and talk about orchids

She had brought with her many samples of these lovely flowers and her talk was very informative and very entertaining. She then showed slides of many genus of orchids. Mrs McDonald then answered many questions, after which she was thanked by Beryl Keen.

Susan Lee she has dedicated her life to a charity in Kolkata (formerly called Calcutta).

2010-06-11T12:50:00.004+01:00

Our 90th Celebration lunch at Caistor Country Club really lived up to expectations - the room, the food, the company, the flowers and the weather all proved perfect and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

We had a wonderful speaker this week in Susan Lee, a retired midwife at the N & N. For the past 7 years, she has dedicated her life to a charity in Kolkata (formerly called Calcutta).

She works with 7 other volunteers and about 146 Indian staff with an Irish doctor, Dr Jack Preger, in the slums there and with very limited resources they run 4 clinics (including a leprosy clinic) and 2 informal schools. At Tala Park where she works they treat between 100-120 patients a day. The slides showed the terrible conditions these people live in but they would share their last drink with you. 98% of the patients are illiterate so they have an ingenious way with drawings on the envelopes of how and when to take their prescribed drugs. We were all enthralled and humbled listening to her.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 14 July when Lynn Barrow will be giving us a talk on Victorian Tussie Mussies (nosegays) - should be good - why not come and see us at the Community Centre at 7.30pm. Our President, Pam Cooper, Tel 01508 491674 will be happy to speak to you.

www.calcuttarescue.org.uk/Calcutta_Rescue. Susan Lee has written several articles of interest on the above web site

Shirley Shackshaft

WI PORINGLAND MEETING MAY 2010

2010-05-13T20:05:00.010+01:00

Our Birthday Meeting on 12th May was a very special event - our 90th Anniversary - and to celebrate, a Birthday Lunch is to be held on 19th May at Caistor Hall to mark this important occasion.

This evening opened with our usual notices, and the proposed Resolution for the National AGM duly discussed and agreed for submission. Then, Pam Cooper gave her report on the Federation Annual Meeting, held at St. Andrew's Hall, where the guest speakers were both informative and entertaining. We spent a happy, sociable evening with wine and cheese and good company, followed by a beautifully decorated birthday cake which was cut by Monica Fawcett, our longest serving member, shared out, and we toasted our Institute's role and our enjoyment of friendship and pleasure we have as members. Each of us was surprised and delighted to be presented with a delicate china mug, decorated with W.I. logo and dated 1920 - 2010, as a momento of our 90th Anniversary, for us to treasure.

Next meeting is on 9th June, when Susan Lee from Calcutta Rescue, will speak on her work as a midwife in Kolkata.

If you would like to join our W.I. to enjoy meetings, speakers and outings, Pam Cooper - President - on 01508 491674 will be happy to give you further information,

Meraney Bambra

The History of Hats and Hat Making

2010-04-15T09:40:00.005+01:00

The above hat looking very elegant on Shirley our model for the evening.

PORINGLAND W.I. Meeting 14 April

At our meeting on 14th April, our guest was Julie Hurst, who operates a studio at Wymondham - "Raffique", where she makes bespoke raffia hats and also baskets.

Julie gave us a demonstration showing her traditional working methods in this durable material, when we admired her craft, followed by a most interesting talk on the history of hats and hat-making.

Log onto Julies webset for more information: www.raffique.co.uk

May Meeting on 12th is our Birthday Meeting, where we discuss Resolutions.

If you are new to W.I. , do give it a try, we are always pleased to meet newcomers. Our President, Pam Cooper, can give any details you may like to know. (01508 491674.

Meraney Bambra

FEDERATION ANNUAL MEETING 23RD MARCH 2010

2010-03-26T13:26:00.004Z

The meeting started at 10.45 with every one singing Jerusalem followed by the Chairman's Welcome.

The first morning speaker was Ruth Bond, National Chairman after that more business matters were discussed until the second speaker of the morning, Jim Bacon, Weatherquest.

After lunch the presentation of cups and certificates took place and Poringland was awarded its 90th Anniversary Certificate signed by Susan Warr who was the Federation Chairman.

The afternoon speaker was Rick Wakeman, Musician.

The reaction of the audience suggested it had been a very enjoyable day for everyone present.

The 2010 Programme page has been updated

2010-03-16T22:04:00.001Z

A more complete list of programme events for 2010 can now be found here.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE MONTHLY MEETING

2010-03-13T12:34:00.008Z

Nature Photography Brian MacFarlane

Nature Photography was presented to us by Brian MacFarlane at our meeting on 10 March, when we saw many examples of beautiful bird shots. We were alternatively impressed by his sharp, awesome photographs of birds of prey - Eagles, Kestrels, Red Kites - contrasting with familiar local waterfowl - Bitterns, Reed Warbler and Great Crested Grebe. Serene vistas of autumn and winter scenes and spectacular shots of Ospreys, Avocets and Starlings roosting, made an escape from our grey, cold weather and proved a most enjoyable evening.

At our meeting on 14 April, Julie Hurst will entertain us by speaking on "The history of Hats and Hat-making". New members will be welcome to join us and can contact our President, Pam Cooper, on 01508 491674 for more information.

Meraney Bambra

The Specs factory WI event

2010-02-28T13:48:00.006Z

On Thursday 25th Feb many WI members enjoyed a talk on eye health and sight conditions and then witnessed the production of glasses from the frame choices through to lens production.

After the talk I was allowed to choose a pair of frames, I had already sent in a recent prescription to the dispensing optician, he laughed and said in Blue Peter style he had already prepared the correct lens that would be used earlier. Before we went to the glazing facility workshop I had to have my pupil distance measurement taken. The first machine logged all details and transferred the information onto your file, the second machine that has replaced 3 people in the last few years then details to the precise mm where the main vision point has to be in the frames and the third machine ground down the very large round lens to the correct size to fit the chosen frame in 1 minute 14 seconds.

The lenses then went through the quality control stage of production process during which time they are checked for smoothness etc and then fitted into the frames, we then returned from the workshop back to the display room and while every one else was talking and looking at frames and having refreshments, I had my last fitting, the glasses are perfect and I think I state on behalf of every one on the visit that it is well worth a visit to the spec factory next time you require new spectacle's. The choice of frames expertise and friendliness is superb.
We were also the first group to have a cup cake with our coffee, the top was iced in white and then a pair of colored iced specs finished off the decoration which we all thought was a very nice gesture, the cake was delicious.

Jumble Sale

2010-02-22T23:10:00.010Z

Each year we hold several fund raising events.

The first event this year was a jumble sale held on Saturday 13th February

"caption" picture by Pam Cooper

If you missed this one then make a note of the next one to be held on October 14th @ 2pm in the Poringland Community Centre.

Poringland Community Centre home of the WI

2010-01-03T15:32:00.007Z

where they meet every 2nd Wednesday of the month @ 7.30pm.

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Tree Planting by WI members on 30th November 2008 in the grounds of the Poringland Community Centre

Photo taken 30th March 2010 of tree and bulbs

WI Trip to Little Bentley Hall in June 2007

2010-01-02T14:11:00.001Z

After a very long journey due to traffic holds up for miles along the lanes leading to the hall, every one had a very enjoyable day with the weather being perfect for the occasion.

Poringland Village Sign Unveiled October 1971

2010-01-01T12:12:00.002Z

Poringland Village sign back in place after refurbishment in Wayland Prison by the Prisoners

The sign was purchased by Poringland Womens Institute to commemorate their Golden Jubilee in 1970. It was made for them by Hubbard Brothers (Decorative Ironwork) Ltd of Oak Street, Norwich, from a design by their then President and Secretary, Mrs P Wilcox and Mrs M Scott. The cost was £68 and the money was raised by various events held by the W.I.