Walk with WI members and husbands at Surlingham Ferry

Intrepid walkers at Surlingham before lunch at the Ferry Inn.  Next date 31st July.

Tour of Rosary Cemetery. 2018.

On a nice sunny May afternoon several members of the WI enjoyed a talk and tour of the Rosary Cemetery given by Mr Nick Williams. 

Many thanks to Carol for photos.

Rosary Cemetery chapel, designed by Edward Boardman.

The Rosary Cemetery was the first non-denominational burial ground in the United Kingdom. Its entrance lies on Rosary Road in Norwich, Norfolk.

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The cemetery was established in 1819 by Thomas Drummond, a non-conformist minister.^[1]The land was formerly in use as a market garden, and presents a broad green open space between the housing areas to the south and the playing fields of the Telegraph Lane schools to the north. The 13 acres (53,000 m²) of the cemetery came under the control of the Norwich Corporation in 1954 and it is estimated that about 18,500 people have been buried there since 1821. It was announced in January 2010 that the cemetery had been granted Grade II* listed status.

Humble yard English wine Mulbarton.

Thank you to all the members and husbands that braved the most rain that we have had in ages to go to Mulbarton  on Tuesday July 27th, although we could not complete the tour as described further down I think everyone enjoyed it, there were 9 different wines to taste and one sprit and the amount in each glass was very generous. 
                    
The walk amongst the vines could not be taken, a shame as Oliver described how the evening should have been instead of listening to a talk and testing the wines in the farm shop. Firstly we would have walked around a few vines then there would have been the chance to taste the result of the grapes from them under a lovely Oak tree, the walk would have continued stoping every so often under a tree to taste the result of last years grapes we had seen with a warm summer breeze blowing and a lovely sunset behind us, nibbles would have been provided at each stage to enjoy with the wine'

Grapes getting ripe.

 

Davenport's Magic Kingdom

Several members and husbands enjoyed an afternoon at Magic Kingdom.
After a interesting tour about witches and a look around the museum we were entertained by Roy Davenport in the Kingdoms theatre to a magic show.
We finished a very enjoyable visit with a lovely cream tea.

Visit to Peter Beales Rose Garde.

Many of our members visited Peter Beales Rose Garden with afternoon tea provided, the event was organized by Joan.

Several of our members visited the Guildhall in April where Mr Nick Williams a past Sheriff of Norwich gave us a conducted tour.

Norwich Guildhall was the centre of city government from the early 15^th century until its replacement by City Hall in 1938.The exterior provides an excellent example of the flint work that the city is so famous for. The east end of the building was reconstructed in the 16^th century and is crafted from alternate squares of faced flint and ashlar stone, giving the building its chequered effect.

As well as various courts, a prison and a chapel the building contained facilities for accounting and tax collection, accommodation for civic officials (it remains the home of the Sheriff's parlour today) and storage space for records, money and civic regalia.  The Assembly Chamber (or Sheriff's Court) was designed for meetings of the full medieval Council. It now contains a virtually intact late Victorian courtroom. Also known as the 'Sword Room', the roof space was once the storage place of weapons.

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The Council Chamber (or Mayor's Court) is more elaborate. Oak panelling, a sixteen-bay roof with tie-beams, renaissance decorative woodwork and stunning stained glass were from the start designed to impress.  The undercroft, beneath the east end pre-dates the building, and is thought to be an original feature of the earlier toll-house on this site. It was used to accommodate more dangerous criminals.

Our Visit to a Goat Farm March 2012

4 week old Kid

Lesley finding some food in the hay nearly caused a stampede

Thanks for coming to see me

Fielding Cottage is an award winning small business producing goat's cheese from a farm in the Breckland Valley. Our aim is simple... to supply farmer's markets, delicatessens and restaurants across East Anglia with tasty and healthy homegrown products from our herd of goats.

As active members of the Norfolk Young Farmers we spent many years thinking of different ways to combine our love of working with animals with our farming knowledge and expertise to create a business unique to the area.

A couple of years ago we started researching the benefits of products made from goat's milk over cow's milk and were hugely impressed by our findings (you can read more about these here). We decided to take the plunge and invest in a small herd of goats and the appropriate milking and processing equipment.

A goat really does have a personality of its own. In fact, our meetings with numerous goat enthusiasts at various Farmers Markets, inspired us to offer our ‘Sponsor a Goat’ and ‘Fielding Cottage Experience Day’.

For just £30, you can select a name for your very own goat and you will receive an A4 certificate with your chosen name and a colour photograph of your goat.

Or for £60, come and spend some time at Fielding Cottage. You can see the goats, help to milk and feed them, play with the kids (season permitting) and view the cheese making process. Of course, you can also try the cheese too!

So, if you are looking for a gift for someone who has everything, or just want to give something a little different, pleasecontact us for more information.

Visit to Masonic Hall, home of Freemasonry.

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.

Trip to Bury St Edmonds 2011

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

Thurton Church Visit

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.

Visit to Newmarket Stud and Bury St Edmunds

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.

The English Whisky Co.

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

The Specs factory WI event

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.

WI Trip to Little Bentley Hall in June 2007

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.