Kay Jeffords talks on Women who made unusual changes in their lives

She then spoke about the lives of British women joining their husbands in India - Honoria Lawrence went in 1827 and spent 7 years there, then in 1839 living in a mud hut near the Afghanistan border.  She then went to Simla, in India  which had a beautiful climate but unfortunately due to the Indian  uprising of the 16,000 there, only a few survived!

She then told us tales about the tr

Kay Jefford came and gave us a very interesting talk about women who have decided to make an unusual change in their lives.

Mary KIngsley twice went on a Big Adventure to West Africa in 1890 - she collected and conserved fish.  Very often she was on her own except for a porter.

Kay then spoke about Gladys Aylward who in 1936 went as Inspector of Feet in China and whose story was told in the film Inn of the Sixth Happiness - she trekked for 27 days with children when she was banned from China.  She returned after 17 years and died in Taiwan in 1970.

ansportation of British convicts to Australia,and  the assisted passage for £10 scheme which took place between 1945 and 1982.  It was far from a "milk and honey" life when they arrived for many of them

She finished with tales of the European trekking for 2,000 miles in North America in 1843 - the Indian people where friendly at first!

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 10 September at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when Charlotte Philcox will come and speak about remedies and beauty treatment - should be interesting.

JUMBLE SALE

Our next Jumble Sale will be on Saturday 11 October in the Community Centre between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Lots of bargains and the usual Tombola and books.  Hope to see you there.

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

Shirley Shackshaft

Written by Samantha Mosedale, Committee member of Poringland WI

When my friend suggested joining the Women's Institute I laughed it off. I mean, the WI is for old middle class women who are retired who knit and crochet, make cakes and calendars. Its not for someone like me - a middle aged working class women, who works full time and is bringing up a child. But, being a good and supportive friend, I decided to attend  a meeting at the Poringland WI with her. I thought one or two visits, then I would politely tell her that it wasn't for me and I wouldn't need to go again.  My friend appeared keen on having me stay though, and even offered to pay my subscription for a year. However, on my first meeting I met lots of women who were thrilled at younger women showing an interest. (I may be presumptions with the younger part as I am almost 40! But in comparison to some of the members, I'm a spring chicken!)

After visiting for a couple months with some very interesting and informative speakers, I found myself paying for a subscription and looking forward to the monthly meeting,. I even enjoyed singing Jerusalem at the beginning.

Each member is treated as an individual and there is almost a neighbourhood watch situation, if a member is ill, some one would check on them and keep the WI updated on them. The November meeting is when the members vote on a new committee. I was very surprised when many members approached me to ask if I minded if they voted for me. I was flatted to be voted onto the committee less then a year after joining.

Since being on the committee I have felt more involved in all aspects of the WI, from organizing the traditional jumble sale, to helping with the organising and arranging of the whole programme for next year, including speakers, competitions and exhibitions.

The WI began in 1896 to give women a voice, both politically and educationally. In those days it  was not commonplace for women to have access to much education so it was to empower women to realise their potential, but also realising the strengths of many women in home skills - cooking, sewing, knitting, crocheting etc. In the 1945's Denham college was developed to continue encouraging women to further their knowledge and skills. Denham is still gong strong and offers  over 500 2-4 day courses for a reasonable fee (which includes all meals  and accommodation).

Poringland WI is 95 years old now. Speaking to some of the older members, there is a real concern of this particular branch literally dying out if younger members do not join. I have been desperately  trying to think of way to attract women of my own age to join, to dispel the assumptions that it is for old people. So, let me bullet point some advantages to joining  the Women's Institute.  

    *  The WI introduces you to a new range of friends and acquaintances.

    *   It helps women to have a voice, both politically and intellectually.

    *   It proves that some traditions  are worth keeping, but it is not averse to change and  
         modernisation.           

    *   It is a charitable organisation.

    *   It may help you to discover new interests and new places (outings to various places 
are


         arranged on a regular basis.  You do not have to to go every one!)       

     *  It is all-inclusive, and does not care about race, colour, experiences, situations.

     *  The members all care about each other, and are almost like another family.  

     *  The competitions and exhibitions are voluntary, but you gain points for entering.

There are many other advantages, but, like anything you get out what you put in.

In conclusion, the WI may be full of crotchety old women but that should be a testament to the institution that is the WI, as many of these women joined in their 30's. They are simply waiting for the baton to be taken up by the next generation, who will maintain  the tradition but also help to  make it more attractive to younger women. So, if you want to be a pioneer, just like our  predecessors and champion the Women's Institute, look up your nearest meeting on the WI website. (www.thewi.org.uk)

Samantha Mosedale

Aged: almost 40! 

   

Jackie Aldous - Flower Arrangements.

Jackie Aldous came to our June Meeting.  She started by making an arrangement with an amazing variety of foliage and then added flowers.  When she had finished, she then produced two copies of the same arrangement but on a much smaller scale.

While producing two further beautiful arrangements, she told us about how she came to train as a florist.  She was also invited to produce a 9 foot high free flowering pedestal arrangement with the theme of a tribute to the Virgin Mary at Westminster Abbey - she said she felt immensely honoured to be invited.

All of the 5 arrangements went into the raffle and there were some delighted members who carefully carried their arrangements back home.

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 13 August at 2.00pm at the home of Pam Lack, Hill Crest, Bungay Road, NR14 7WD.  Our garden meetings are always enjoyed.   Entry fee is £2.50  which includes tea and cake.  There will also be  a raffle and a Bring and Buy stall with produce and plants for sale.  All friends are welcome.

If there are any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.

Annual Birthday Meeting

 

We held our Annual Birthday Meeting in May which was very enjoyable.  We heard from two of our members.  Diana about her trip to our Denman College after winning our all expenses paid Bursary - she thoroughly enjoyed herself.  She had picked the course on the Ashmolean Museums and the Bodlian Library in Oxford. Quite a lot of walking though!

 

Sam, one of our newer members,  went as our delegate to the Norfolk Federation's Annual Meeting held in St Andrews Hall.  Over 700 ladies attended.  There were various talks but her favourite was by Mary Kemp, a Norfolk farmer's wife, which she found inspiring.

 

We then listened to Maggie Gallop, the Federation's Denman College representative telling us the history of the College.  It is a grand Georgian House in spacious grounds and was purchased in 1948 for £30,000. by the W.I.  Apparently every Institute in the country contributed £10 - a big sum in those days!

 

We finished with a delightful buffet produced by our committee members.

 

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 July at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when Kay Jefford  will be talking about new beginnings in her life - her talk is entitled "No Going Back" - should be interesting.

 

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

David Reeve talk on Royal Security

We welcomed David Reeve whose talk was on Royal Security.  What a fascinating subject it proved to be.  David had been a serving officer in the Norfolk Police and one day, much to his surprise, he was asked if he would like to go and be responsible for security at the Queen's Royal Sandringham House and Estate and anyone who was staying there.  He accepted and  together with his team had to make contingency plans for all sorts of eventualities.   It involved 12-14 hour shifts.  All visits that Royalty made within the County were his responsibility as well,  including the Maundy Thursday ceremony at Norwich Cathedral she attended which took place a few years ago.  On that occasion it involved 7 days constant surveillance and every nook and cranny in the Cathedral searched

He has been invited to lunch with the Queen and Prince Philip on several occasions.  He was always very nervous about going as he is quite fussy about certain vegetables.  He also found it a bit disconcerting as at these lunches, the Queen insisted he walked in front of her because he was her guest!  Apparently the Royal Family always eat very small portions of food - how to keep your figure!

He worked in all 14 years in this job and was awarded the MVO and MBE.  Although retired, he still hears from the Queen.

Funnily enough, he was born in Rockland St Mary and went to Framingham Earl Secondary School.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 11 June at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when Mrs Jackie Aldous will be delighting us with her skills at flower arranging. 

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

Mrs Kate Smith who came and talked about a boat called Rogue

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

We welcomed Mrs Kate Smith who came and talked about a boat called Rogue which is a much loved sailing vessel owned by her and her husband.

She talked about how the Broads have changed with rivers flooding and receding over the centuries, Burgh Castle and Caistor St Edmund being prime examples of rivers receding and the Dove Valley between us and Brooke would have been a river.  Hard to imagine isn't it?

Kate and her husband lived in the Midlands for many years but on returning to Norfolk, wanted a project.

She said at the start of the War all boats anchored on the Broads were commandeered by the Government and joined at intervals across the rivers and Broads to make things difficult for possible river invasion by the Germans.  The embargo was lifted in July 1943.

Her husband always had fond memories of sailing on the Broads with a young school friend and his parents pre-war.  He made enquiries from his friend only to find it had been sold many years previously and they had no idea of its whereabouts.  They kept looking on the internet and catalogues and at long last in 1989 it came up for sale.  They went to see it and what a pitiful sight met their eyes - just a rotting hulk!  After much thought, they decided to purchase it and brought it back to Norfolk.  They and their family and friends set to,  to restore it and after 4 years, it was fit for sailing - they still had the old sails thankfully. The original owners from Norwich were invited to see her at the launch - they were overjoyed to see her again.   They went on to win different Broads Racing Trophies in 1998 and 1999. Over the years, they have sailed up and down all the Broads and rivers and we saw lovely slides of their travels.

It was amazing to see the slides of the wreck that she was and what she was like after restoration -  I wonder how many people would undertake such a project!

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 14 May at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.  This will be our Birthday Meeting so after discussing the Resolutions, we will enjoy a nice buffet  and then chatting and a Quiz ,  if time permits. 

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

Shirley Shackshaft

House of Lachasse leading Couture Houses London

 

We welcomed Kathleen Dentten to our February meeting to talk about her experience of working for the House of Lachasse, one of the leading couture houses in London famous for its classic styles.  It was situated just round the corner off Berkeley Square. 

 

She was always interested in dressmaking and embroidery at secondary school.  After leaving school, she applied to several fashion houses but was accepted at Lachasse for a 5 year apprenticeship in 1967.  She started in the tailoring department and just did sleeves at first under strict supervision.  Customers had three fittings before completion of a garment   Over the years she went on to make complete garments.  She also managed to gain experience on the dressmaking side as well - dresses etc.  She made a pink jacket for Barbara Cartland, who liked her clothes very tight.  They held a Fashion Show twice a year at which 72 outfits were shown!

 

She left them when she married a man in the Forces and travelled all over the world.

 

In the latter years, she set up her own very successful dressmaking business including making theatre costumes in Norfolk which she sold two years ago.

 

Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 9 April at 7.30pm when David Reeve will be coming and talking about Royal Security.

 

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

The Royal Geographical Society

 

We welcomed a young man called Daniel Evans who gave us an enthralling talk about his journey into Alaska, Canada and  the USA in September 2012.

 

He is a scholar at The Royal Geographical Society and when he was 18 years old he won a scholarship grant of £4,000 for four months.  Extra funding from relatives and friends was also needed. Approximately  5,000 people applied but only 14 were successful.  He decided on the above countries and spent half of that time in Alaska.  He travelled by Greyhound coaches and stayed in Youth Hostels.  He researched for a year beforehand getting a sense of what he would see.

 

His remit was to study peoples movements from one place to another, advancing geography and geographical learning.  He said people travel so much faster nowadays and don't  appreciate life around them at times.  A change of scenery anywhere is to be relished and enjoyed using all our senses.

 

He showed some lovely slides of Alaska through autumn and winter including the Northern Lights, down the West Coast of Canada and USA to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.  He remarked on everything being on a large scale with California having six lane highways.

 

At the end of his trip he had  to present his findings with a lecture to an invited audience. He  certainly passed on his enthusiasm for geography and the need to enjoy life around us.

 

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 12 March at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Mrs Kate Smith will come and talk about her travels with her boat called Rogue.

 

 

REMINDER - 8 MARCH - JUMBLE SALE

 

As I mentioned last month, our Jumble Sale will be at the Community Centre from 11.00am.  Everyone welcome.

 

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

 

Aspects of Christmas by Ernie Richards

Ernie Richards came and gave an interesting talk on the Aspects of Christmas.  The programme was not as everyone had imagined.  It consisted of readings by various well known people interspersed with short excerpts of Christmas songs by Bing Crosby, Cliff Richard and Frank Sinatra. and The 12 days of Christmas. We welcomed members from other Institutes.  We followed this with a super buffet table, all provided by our members which everyone seemed to enjoy.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 12 February  at 7.30pm in the Community Centre. Mrs Kathleen Dentten will be coming and giving us a talk on A London Fashion House.  We might get some tips for those of us who are fashion conscious!

 Jumble Sale - Saturday 8 March

Early notice of our next Jumble Sale in the Community Centre from 10.30am to 12.30pm. There will be the usual stalls.   Any unwanted items will be very welcome.

Visitors are always welcome to our meetings and, of course, to the Jumble Sale.  If there any queries, please contact Pam Cooper, President on 01508 491674 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.

  

Shirley Shackshaft

Annual Meeting

Our Annual Meeting was unusual as for a lovely change we had an election for Committee members.  This was followed by an election for President and  Pam Cooper was voted in.

 

We followed, after refreshments,  with a DVD presentation of members of different Institutes, including one of our ladies,  being filmed talking about what the Women's Institute meant to them.  Everyone was very positive about their experiences over the years!

 

2014 heralds in the first of our meetings. This will be on Wednesday 8 January at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.  Mr Daniel Evans will give a talk with slides about the Royal Geographical Society,  Should be enjoyable.

 

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

Windmill Ringers (Hand Bells)

 

We welcomed the Windmill Ringers to our October meeting.  There were three ladies in the Group each with 4 bells.  Altogether there were 29 bells and some chime bells.  The bells were made in America and are tuned to concert pitch and stay in tune.  They played a full range of tunes from the music hall like "Oh Mr Porter" to light classical music by Schubert.  We enjoyed ourselves singing along to some of the tunes. Apparently they often play Hymns and Carols in Churches as well.  All the members thoroughly enjoyed the evening.

 

Our Christmas meeting is on Wednesday 11 December at 7.30pm in the Community Centre.  Mr Ernie Richards will be coming and entertaining us with Christmas readings and music and we will have our usual buffet supper. Everything for an enjoyable time.  Do come if you can.

 

Visitors are always welcome and if there are any queries, please contact Veronica Brett on 01508 493029 or Lesley Sanders on 01508 492155.

 

Finally may we wish all readers a happy, healthy and warm Christmas and New Year.

 

 

 

Shirley Shackshaft

Voluntarily workers for the East Anglian Childrens Hospice Charity Shop

PORINGLAND WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

We welcomed Pauline and Maureen who work voluntarily  in the East Anglian Childrens Hospice Charity Shop in Long Stratton.

The Trust has 3 Hospices in Quidenham  Norfolk, Milton  Cambridge and Tree House  Ipswich. They have 15 shops in East Anglia and the Long Stratton branch is one of the most successful.

They were asked why there was not a shop in Norwich and they said rents were very high and there were too many other competing charities.

The aim of the Charity is to help parents of children not expected to reach adulthood because of life threatening diseases often from birth. This help can be in parents own homes or at the Hospices themselves.  They also offer bereavement counselling when the child dies - 478 last year under their care.

Everything they receive is processed and most of the clothes/linen if  unsold after two weeks in the shop are  sent for salvage.

We were told some amusing episodes of life in the shop.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge recently became their Patron.

A very interesting talk.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 13 November a 7.30pm in the Community Centre.  This will be our Annual Meeting followed by entertainment afterwards.

Visitors are always welcome and if there any queries, please contact Veronica Brett, President on 01508 493029 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.

Shirley Shackshaft

Poringlands WI Garden Party - August 2013

We celebrated our August meeting in Mary and David Stancer's garden.  It was a beautiful afternoon and the garden looked beautiful with shrubs and flowers and the gazebos.  We had some visitors from other Institutes as well who thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

 

With the plates of lovely cakes which kept appearing and cups of tea, it really was an afternoon to remember with friends having a good natter as well! 

 

Our thanks go to Mary and David for all the work they did - I know from personal experience how demanding it is.

 

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 9 October at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when the Windmill Handbell Ringers will be coming and entertaining us.  I'm sure we will have a lovely meeting - maybe they will ask members if they would like a "go"!

 

As I mentioned last month our Jumble Sale  will be on Saturday 12 October  at 10.30 am to 12.30 pm in the Community Centre.  There will be the usual stalls - come early as the bargains always get snapped up very quickly.

 

Visitors are always welcome to our meetings and, of course, to the Jumble Sale.  If there are any queries, please contact Veronica Brett, President on 01508 493029 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.

   

Shirley Shackshaft 

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.

Tales of mystery - Tales of long ago

We had a surprise change of speaker as the lady could not come until our September meeting.

Instead, we welcomed Mrs Esme Wilson-Staniforth.  She came to entertain us with tales of mystery of long ago.  She was excellent for her telling of the tales both in expression and voice.

The first tale was about the Pedlar of Swaffham - a very familiar story, followed by tales of the velveteen rabbit, a riddle about King Arthur, Body and Soul and several others.  She finished with an amusing rhyme about "whether you are well or whether you are ill".  One of our members asked if she had been an actress in the past but she said no but she had been a teacher.  A very enjoyable evening.

We were so sad to learn of Monica Fawcett's sudden death, a peaceful one by all accounts.  She was our longest serving member and will be sorely missed.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday 11 September at 7.30pm in the Community Centre when our delayed speaker, Mrs Pauline King, will come and talk about working as a volunteer in a charity shop.

Start collecting your jumble as our next Jumble Sale will be on Saturday 12 October n the morning at the Community Centre.  More details next month.

Visitors are always welcome to our meetings and if there are any queries, please contact Veronica Brett, President on 01508 493029 or Lesley Sanders, Secretary on 01508 492155.

Shirley Shackshaft