Poringland WI Newsletter April 2022

Dear All,

As I write this, our brief spell of spring like weather is over and it is decidedly chilly outside with snow and hail showers. I hope that by the time you read this spring will have returned in time for you all to have a Happy Easter

Invitations

Mulbarton WI invite you to a Barn Dance in their village hall, The Common NR14 8AE on Monday 16 May 7.30 – 9.45 £8 inc refreshments.

Long Stratton WI invite 4 members to their meeting on Wed 18 May 7.30pm in their village hall to hear Jane Hoggar, ‘Life as a Bluebell Girl’.

Please let Lesley know if you would like to attend either of these.

Local Events

Next Walk Tuesday 3rd May meet at High Ash farm car park at the end of Chandler road/Wash lane junction at 11 am, we hope to see our little oak trees and the bluebell woods.  Lunch at The White Horse Trowse, names and menu choices to Lesley (492155) by Friday 29th April for lunch booking please.

The next Tea/coffee pm is on Wednesday 27th April 2pm at the Octagon Barn on the Norwich road opposite the Barracks.

Scrabble day – There were very few attendees at the 2 events we have held, so we are leaving them until autumn.  If you are still interested but cannot make Thursday, let Joan or Lesley know and we will try to sort out another day convenient for more people.

Pottery Painting session, to be arranged for later in the year.

Birthdays for April

Happy Birthday to Alison Day, Joan Fountain and Ann Thompson

Goodbye

If you are not rejoining Poringland WI this year, then this will be your last Newsletter, and we sadly say goodbye and we shall miss you.  We hope that you will miss your friends, our meetings and events just a little.

We wish you well for the future.

Community Cinema

Friday 13 May

West Side Story

The new version -Musical/drama

£5 inc tea/coffee, doors open 6.45pm, please wear a mask until seated.

For more information call Maureen on 01508 494358

Federation Events

2 competitions for you to enter – details on the Board.

* Creative Writing – write a short story with the title ‘If I had Wings’.  Maximum 650 words, typed or handwritten using this theme to promote the good name of the WI, can be fact or fiction.  Closing date 3 October

* Poetry writing competition – a poem on the theme ‘A Celebration’  no longer than24 lines, any type of celebration.  Closing date 18 September

Celebrate National Poetry Day on Thursday 6 October with Poems, Prosecco and Afternoon Tea.  £8, bring along your favourite poem to share

New members drop in sessions at Evelyn Suffield House Monday 11 May either 2-4pm or 6.30 – 8.30pm.  Meet the Chairman and the advisors, tea/coffee and cake provided.

Celebratory Fun Day at New Buckenham Village Hall Friday 13 May 2022 10.30 to 3.30pm, £20 includes a light lunch (see form for choices)  Morning Simon White of Peter Beales Roses a Hanging Basket workshop, light lunch, Afternoon cookery demonstration  tasting allowed.

Jigsaw Race with supper – Monday 23 May 5-8.30pm.  £8 pp.  Supper choices on form.

Nosh and Natter Celebratory Lunch Monday 30 May at HQ on All Saints Green.  £12 for 2 course lunch of sticky chicken followed by pavlova.

A Trip through France with Lunch – Bawdeswell Village Hall Friday 17 June 12 -3.30pm £20 Speaker Sue Beavan on ‘La Route des Grandes Alpes’ from Lake Geneva to the Med.  Light lunch provided – choices on the form.

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PORINGLAND WI MEETING HELD ON 

WEDNESDAY 9TH MARCH 2022 AT 7.30PM.

In the Chair:  Mrs Joan Fountain, President

The meeting began with a minute’s silence to remember all those women and children who are suffering from the Russian invasion in Ukraine.

Minutes continued

APOLOGIES:  from Shirley G;  Jenny;  Pam C;  Pam L;  Marietta;  Pauline; Anne; Jeannette; Carol H.

Joan then welcomed Hazel Gillingham who gave a most interesting talk about Mary Seacole who was born in Jamaica of English and Creole parents in 1805.    Her mother  was a healer and Mary soon learned about healing and medicines.  She wanted to travel and journeyed to London quite a few times.   She felt she was needed in the Crimea and, in fact, managed to get the funds to go where between 1854 and 1856 her services were greatly needed.     She returned to Jamaica in 1861 and then came back to England where she died in 1881, aged 76.  She is buried in London.   She appeared to be forgotten but many felt her services should be remembered and now there is a ‘Blue Plaque’ and a statue to her in London.     Hazel was thanked by Jean Waters.

Refreshments were then taken and the competition was won by Sue Cranmer.

The President then continued with the meeting.

BIRTHDAY POSIES:   presented to Sue France and Jean Waters.

MINUTES:  were approved and signed.

Matters Arising:

A] Birthday Dinner:   This is on Wednesday 11th May at 6.30pm at the City College, Ipswich Rd.  As in past years, members can bring a guest.  The cost is £10 for members, but guests will have to pay the full cost of £20.  Members are being subsidised by £10.

APRIL MEETING:  The speaker will be Liz Fox – Making a Beautiful Garden Easily.  Jean Waters volunteered thank her.  Tea ladies are Shirley Gray and Sue.   Competition is a Depiction of Aries, The Ram.  

Lesley reminded the members that notices of future events, and other information, are on the notice board.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

A] Jubilee:   The Parish Council are organising an event at the Community Centre, to celebrate Her Majesty’s reign of 70 years, on Saturday 4th June.  The WI have been asked to organise an event, and it has been suggested we invite the villagers to bake a ‘Norfolk Scone’ , the recipe for which will be printed by the Parish Council and distributed by them.    We will arrange a judge for the ‘Best Scone’. 

B] Subscription:   Hilary reminded members subscription is due April and is £40 which is a discount of £4.   Hilary stated that if members wished to pay their subscription and dinner money together, one cheque is acceptable.

Meeting closed 9.10pm.

After the Jubilee

Don’t play anything else on the squeezebox mother

To honour the Jubilee

I daresay the Queen would enjoy it

But it has started grating on me

Come and sit on this tattered old bunting,

Here’s your tea in a Jubilee cup,

Don’t play “God Save the Queen” for a minute

Or in other words Mother .... Shut up!

Ah! but how we rose to the occasion

With our patriotism and flags,

With our parties and fetes and processions

And our Jubilee carrier bags.

How we planned for the local street party

With the sun beating down on your head,

But unfortunately it rained on you and me

So we had it in Angus’s shed!

So before you strike up again Mother

Let me refill your Jubilee cup.

Me slab cake went down in the middle

But I’ve turned it the other way up.

The fireworks and fetes are all over,

The street parties swept up and done

Here’s a message for Buckingham Palace,

Can we do it again? It was FUN!

Part of a poem by Pam Ayres

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A Little quiz for you – name the musical that these songs come from.

1 I don’t know how to love him

2 Brush up your Shakespeare

3 As long as he needs me

4 All that Jazz

5 Mr Mistoffelees

6 How long has this been going on?

7 At the end of the Day

8 If I only had a heart

9 All I ask of you

10 Tomorrow

11 Let it go

12 I know him so well

13 Another suitcase in another hall

14 Somewhere

15 As if we never said Goodbye

16 When I Grow Up

Poringland WI Newsletter March 2022

Dear All,

On 15th February, the walking group went to Raveningham Gardens to see the snowdrops.  As Richard and Lesley picked me up, it started to rain, the closer we got to the gardens, the heavier it felt.  However we were all well clothed and shod, so off we set. First we visited the greenhouses and viewed all the plants and cuttings being raised for the summer bedding.

Whilst we were in the greenhouse, a very irate gardener appeared wielding a sorry looking fork, and muttering £70 this cost.  No one questioned how the tines had broken from the handle, we went on our way to view the snowdrops.  The next hour or so was spent walking around the gardens, viewing the wonderful drifts of snowdrops and visiting the church.  Eventually arriving back at the cars very bedraggled.  However we went off to the Chedgrave White Horse for a well deserved lunch, or so we thought.

As Pam had been unable to attend the last few meetings and will not be at the next one, we presented her with a card of thanks and an orchid in recognition of her 11 years as our President.

I have since learnt that Lady Priscilla Bacon, the mother of the present incumbent at the hall, was responsible for introducing the snowdrops to the garden.  These gardens may be worth a visit in the summer.  The next walk will be on Tuesday 29th March.  Venue is as yet to be decided.  Suggestions are always welcome.

Joan

Local Events

Next Walk Tuesday 29 March meet at Rockland Staithe car park at 11 am.  Lunch at Green Pastures, names to Lesley (492155) for lunch booking please.

The next Tea/coffee pm is on Wednesday 30th March 2pm at the Octagon Barn on the Norwich road opposite the Barracks.

Singalong session Thursday 10.15am on 31st March at the home of Pam Lack – Hillcrest,Bungay road.  .  

Scrabble day – at Joan’s 74 Poringland rd Stoke, Thursday 24 March, 10am – 3pm drinks provided, bring a picnic lunch.  Please let Joan know if you will be attending, she has space for 12 players. Tel 493036

Pottery Painting session, We enjoyed the last session so another is to be arranged for later in March or early April.

Birthdays for March:  

Happy Birthday to Sue France and Jean Waters

Federation Events

Celebratory Fun Day at New Buckenham Village Hall Friday 13 May 2022 10.30 to 3.30pm, £20 includes a light lunch (see form for choices)  Morning Simon White of Peter Beales Roses a Hanging Basket workshop.  basket kit provided for £8.50 payable on the day.  Afternoon cookery demonstration by Carol and Heather  – ‘The Baking and Sharing Duo’.  Food for a picnic or celebration – tasting allowed.

Writing Competition – ‘If I had Wings’.  A Short story in 650 words - what would you do if you had wings?  See poster for more details

Jigsaw Race with supper – Monday 23 May 5-8.30pm.  £8 pp.  Supper choices on form.

Nosh and Natter Celebratory Lunch Monday 30 May at HQ on All Saints Green.  £12 for 2 course lunch of sticky chicken followed by pavlova.

A Trip through France with Lunch – Bawdeswell Village Hall Friday 17 June 12 -3.30pm £20 Speaker Sue Beavan on ‘La Route des Grandes Alpes’ from Lake Geneva to the Med.  Light lunch provided – choices on the form.

Community Centre Cinema

Friday 11 March- King Richard starring Will Smith

Described as a biography/drama/sport!

Friday 8 April SPENCER (12A)

Biography/drama

Starring Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Jack Nielsen

£5 inc tea/coffee, doors open 6.45pm, please wear a mask until seated.

For more information call Maureen on 01508 494358

MINUTES OF MEETING OF PORINGLAND W I HELD ON
WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 AT 7.30PM.

In the Chair:  Mrs Joan Fountain, President.

APOLOGIES:  Liz, Carol C, Pam C, Veronica, Jeanette. Jean G, Sue F, Shirley, Carol H, Pauline, Anne, Pat, Diana.

VISITORS:  The President welcomed Gillian as a visitor.

NEWS OF  MEMBERS:  Shirley Gray’s husband has died and the members expressed their sympathy for  Shirley.   Jean Gowing was recovering from her operation.   Liz Bussey was unwell.

Minutes continued

BIRTHDAY POSIES:  presented to Sue Cranmer.   As Carol Cole was absent a suitable card would be sent to her.

MINUTES:  of January Meeting approved and signed.

Matters Arising:

A] Federation Annual Meeting:  Judith Finn is our delegate for this meeting.

B] Presentation:  Lesley explained it was usual to make a presentation to the outgoing

President, and stated that Pam Cooper had been our President for 10 years. As Pam had been unable to attend since October, a card was circulated for members to sign, and, together with an orchid, would be presented to Pam after the next walk.

MAGAZINE AND CORRESPONDENCE:    The magazine had been distributed to members.    Lesley stated that proposed events were on the notice board.

MARCH MEETING:   The speaker is Hazel Gillingham who will talk about Mary Seacole a nurse in the Crimea War.   VOT Jean Waters.  Competition – Pisces – the fish.   Tea Ladies – Marietta  and a volunteer.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:  

A] Birthday Dinner:  As it is the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee it is suggested we celebrate this at our dinner. 

    The suggested venue for our dinner is the College, but if any member has any other venue, to let the

    committee know by 25th February.
B] Scrabble:  If any members would like to play scrabble, Joan stated she would be prepared to hold this

    at her home and the suggested date is 24th February morning.
C] Car Boot Sale:  The Poringland Parish Council are organising a Car Boot Sale and members were

    asked if theyI would like to join in as a fundraiser.    The members voted agreement to this.    Date to be

    advised.

D] CIO:   Lesley explained that the Trustees of Federation would be liable if anything untoward happened

    and it was proposed to rectify this by the Federation becoming incorporate. Members voted agreement

    to this and Judith would vote our agreement at the Federation  Annual Meeting. 

The President then welcomed Juliet Webster who talked about her great –aunts’ journey around the border of Norfolk in 1912 in a horse-drawn wagon, which was, in fact, an old cinema hall on wheels. One of her aunts had written a diary every day and made it into a ballad of their adventures, which was the basis of Juliet’s talk. VOT was given by Sue Hinsley.

Refreshments were taken and the raffle drawn. Competition was won by Mary Stancer, second Sue Cranmer.

Thanks

Thank you all sincerely for the lovely orchid Joan and Lesley presented to me, on behalf of Poringland WI, at our lunch after the WI walk in February.  Orchids are my favourite plants and I am hopeful I will be able to keep it flowering every 6/12 months like many other orchids I have.

Unfortunately I am unable to meet back with you all at present due to another commitment that same evening.

Warmest wishes.

Pam.

New year

Everyone has now received their membership card for 2022, but your subscription will be due in April.  Last year we allowed a £10 discount on our part of the fee but the full subscription remains the same at £44.  You may think £44 is rather a lot of money, and the price has certainly gone up over the years, but how does that compare with the price 50 year ago?  

When I joined in 1972, the annual subs cost 10/- (50p), However that was only our WI portion of the subs, we had to raise a further £1 per head for Federation and National by a collection or fundraising.  We also each had to pay individually for our magazines and the refreshments at meetings cost 5p per month (over 50p per year).  So today’s subs of £44 (which includes payments to National/Federation, refreshments and magazines etc) is equivalent to ≈ £2 in 1972 (an increase x22).  

By how many times has the cost of other things increased since 1972?  In January 72 members saw Carousel at the Theatre Royal for 50p, this year’s production of The Sound of Music cost about £23 (50px46).  The Christmas dinner in 1971 cost £1 per person, this year’s birthday dinner will cost £20 (x20).

In 72, meeting hall hire cost 25p, today this is £35 (x140) wow!  Speakers cost £1.25 to £2.  Today it is mostly between £50 and £70 (x35), These 2 costs have to be met from the subs so as you can see quite an increase compared to the increase in what you are expected to pay.  We are pleased to say that we are offering a discount of £4 this year, and payment is due to Hilary at the April meeting, thank you.

February Newsletter

 

Poringland WI Newsletter February 2022

Dear All

Here we are moving into the second month of 2022, where does the time go?

As there is no Denman College to use our Bursary on, your committee feel it would be nice to continue using our ‘Bursary’ money to organise workshops and outings for members so that more of you will be able to participate. 

So if you have any ideas for workshops or speakers, please let a member of the committee know.  We do have some ideas, but it is always nice if you, the members tell us the sort of thing you would like.      

Joan

Local Events

Pottery Painting session,  The next session is booked for Thursday morning 10.30am on 10^th February.  I will try to organise another for those who cannot make that date as I am having trouble finding a date that everyone who wanted to come along, could attend.

Next Walking date is Tuesday 15^th February at Raveningham Gardens to see the snowdrops.  Entry fee is £5, £4.50 concessions or free to RHA or HHA members.  We will hopefully be taking lunch at The White Horse Chedgrave.

The next Tea/coffee pm is on Wednesday 26^th February 2pm at the Octagon Barn on the Norwich road opposite the Barracks.

Singalong sessions are back! at the home of Pam Lack – Hillcrest,Bungay road.  Thursday 10.15am – on 17^th February and 3^rd March.  Speak to Pam/Lesley if interested – just for fun, absolutely no singing talent required!

Gym sessions Thursday afternoon 3pm at the Anchorage, Upper Stoke, new members welcome.

Darts evenings on the second and fourth Tuesday evening at the Oak, next session on 22^nd Feb.

Ten Pin Bowling second and fourth Friday 10am at NAMCO Bowthorpe,

Please ask a committee member for more information on any of these.

Scrabble sessions coming soon watch this space for details.

 

Birthdays for February: 

Happy Birthday to Carol Cole and Sue Cranmer

CRAFT DAY

Bunwell and Carleton Rode WI invite you to a craft day on Saturday

26^th March 10 – 15.30 in Bunwell Village Hall.  Cost £25 including lunch,

Craft options:  Jewellery, Stained glass, Macrame plant holder, Folded card pen holder and Ribbon embroidery.  If interested contact Christine Potter on 01953 788792 or email christine.potter45@icloud.com

2022 Art Exhibition and Sale

Will be held at the Catholic Church, Upgate NR14 7SH.

10-4pm on Friday 18 & Saturday 19 Feb.  Refreshments available.

Entrance fee £1.  For more info speak to Ann Webster on 494401

or email kandawebster68@btinternet.com.

 

Community Cinema shows in the Community Centre

Friday 11 February ‘Nowhere Special’

 a drama with James Norton

Friday 11 March ‘King Richard’

 described as a Biography/drama/sport starring Will Smith

£5 inc tea/coffee, doors open 6.45pm, please wear a mask until seated.

For more information call Maureen on 01508 494358

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Federation Events

Still time to apply for these events – details on the Board:

Nosh and Natter –  Celebratory lunch on Monday 30 May.  2 course lunch £12  Sticky chicken or veggie option with fruit pavlova for dessert.

Jigsaw Races – Monday 23 May 5 – 8.30pm. £8 pp include a simple hot meal and dessert.

Bridge Day for Beginners Wednesday 18 May 10 -3pm  £15 including a light lunch-

Get to know your Smart phone – android or I-Phone Thursday 21April – am or pm £7.50 per 2hour session.

Unless otherwise stated, all events take place in WI House 45 All Saints Green.  Parking available in our Car park situated off Surrey street.

INVITATION

Thurton Ashby WI invite you to their open evening at 7.30pm on Thursday 7 April in Thurton Village Hall.  The speaker will be Ivor Stamp of the Wherry Trust.  Please let me know if you wish to attend so that I can advise numbers.

 

Walking group In January,

To avoid the muddy fields, we took a stroll around Norwich, visiting the lanes area and St Benedicts, and passing 10 of the 31 remaining medieval churches in the city.  These included St Giles on the hill on upper St Giles street – the highest point in Norwich at a grand 86 feet above sea level.  In times past this church which has the tallest church tower in Norwich had a beacon on the top.  We also saw 3 blue plaques – one on our own WI House in memory of Evelyn Suffield, one on a house on upper St Giles where Sir John Mills went to school and one on the end of J Lewis to Pablo Fanque – the first black Circus owner in the Country.  If you were a Beatles fan, you would have heard of him, but maybe did not realise that he was a real person.  The song was – ‘Being For the Benefit of Mr Kite.’  The words for the song were taken almost verbatim from an 1843 Show poster. Pablo would regularly hold benefit shows for retired or injured circus performers, orphans etc. But in the end he died in poverty.  Google him for more information and pictures.

Here is a reminder of the Beatles’ song:

‘For the benefit of Mr Kite, there will be a show tonight, on Trampoline

The Henderson’s will all be there, late of Pablo Fanque’s fair, what a scene! Over men and horses, hoops and garters,  lastly through a hogshead of real Fire.  For tonight, Mr Kite is topping the bill’

 

We ended our walk at the Old Skating Gallery, with its beautiful original wooden roof beams. This is now a showroom for the Country and Eastern shop and museum, next to the fire station on Bethel Street.  An Aladdin’s cave!

MINUTES OF MEETING OF PORINGLAND W I HELD ON

WEDNESDAY 12^TH JANUARY 2022 AT 7.30pm.

In the Chair:  Mrs Joan Fountain, President

 

The President welcomed everyone to this the first meeting of 2022.

 

APOLOGIES:   received from Jean G; Jean W; Shirley G; Pam C; Annette; Pat;  Jeanette; Diana.

 

NEWS OF MEMBERS:  Jean Gowing has had an operation and is now recovering.

 

BIRTHDAY POSIES:   presented to Linda Daniels, and Mary was presented with a specially made birthday card as she is the posy maker.

 

MINUTES:  of December Meeting approved and signed.

 

Matters Arising:

Federation Annual Meeting:  This will be held on 21^st March at the Theatre Royal.  

A delegate is needed, so if anyone would like to be our delegate please let Lesley know.

Annual General Meeting:    This will be held on Saturday 11^th June in Liverpool.  It is our turn to provide a delegate for our group. Lesley is prepared to be our delegate, but if anyone else would like to be our delegate let  Lesley know.

 

RESOLUTIONS:  Lesley read out the 5 Resolutions proposed for the AGM in June.  Members voted as follows:

Resolutions  - 1. 0 votes; 2. 9 votes; 3. 2 votes; 4. 6 votes; 5. 0 votes – Resolution 2 was the one we wished to go to AGM.

Norfolk Magazines distributed and Lesley pointed out that events were printed in newsletter and also on notice board.

 

FEBRUARY MEETING:   The speaker is Juliet Webster and her subject ‘Yellow Caravan’.   VOT Liz.

Competition – Depiction of Aquarius – The Water Carrier. Tea Ladies – Sue Hinsley & Ann Webster.

 

The President then welcomed Sue Sursham who told us about her year working in Vanuatu, an archipelago of islands in the South Pacific. She illustrated this with slides. She told us she dealt with administration and ‘gently persuading‘ the population particularly getting more ‘rights’ for women). The language is French/English/Local Vanuatu (like pigeon English!). She also pointed out that the islands had active volcanoes , tsunamis, earthquakes, and lots of rain, being tropical. Sue was thanked by Maureen Scott.

 

Refreshments then taken. Competition won by Sue Cranmer; Second Mary Stancer.  Raffle drawn and meeting closed 9.20pm.

Tree Planting

 Poringland WI Norfolk is ahead of the game in tree planting.

An old Chinese proverb says that the best time to plant a tree is 30years ago, and the second best time is today.  Over 30 years ago, the year of ‘the great storm’ was a mast year, when every oak tree shed thousands of acorns.  On my walks around Poringland I collected many acorns and gave every WI member one or more to grow.  The resulting saplings were taken to High Ash farm (a local conservation area) and were planted in their hedges and woodland.

Autumn 2020 was again a mast year and once again I collected a bag full of acorns.  During lockdown, we had been keeping members in touch in various ways, and at Christmas everyone received a goody bag.  Along with such items as a greetings card, Centenary pen and mini Christmas cake etc, was another acorn.  All the little saplings were returned at our Annual Meeting in November.  This time, 20 were donated to High Ash farm, where they will form part of a regenerative area, where most of the trees have sprouted naturally.  A further 20, plus a few hazel saplings that the squirrels had planted in my garden, will go to our local tree warden.  These will form part of a native hedge and small woodland area to be planted on our newly designated Community land.

A batch of little oaks awaiting collection.

Joan Fountainm, President, and Lesley Sanders, Secretary handing over some of the little oak trees to Daniel Skinner at High Ash farm.

December Newsletter 2021

 Poringland WI Newsletter December 2021

We wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year.

Our November Walk.

5 members and 2 husbands enjoyed a pleasant stroll around Whitlingham Broad on 16 November when the weather was again kind to us.  We were joined for lunch at the White Horse in Trowse by Hilary, whose birthday it was, and Pam Cooper, for whom it was her first outing since she came down with Covid.  We were pleased to see her, but sorry that she was still not fully fit.  We hope you are feeling better this month, Pam.

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Local events:

Our next morning walk and lunch will be Tuesday 16 January.  Details in the January Newsletter.

Next Singalong session at Pam Lack’s is postponed to January

The next Tea/coffee pm is on Wednesday 26th January 2pm at the Octagon Barn on the Norwich road opposite the Barracks!  

If you are interested in any of our other regular events – Gym, Darts, 10 Pin Bowling, singing etc, please ask a committee member for more information.  We will hopefully be arranging Scrabble sessions in the new year.

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CRAFT WORKSHOP

Pottery painting morning at the Octagon Barn.  9 members enjoyed this session, producing an interesting variety of pots! 

At the Annual Meeting in November, there were rather a lot of members absent for one reason or another.  As 3 members of the committee were retiring that leaves only 5 members to run the WI.  Thank you to those of you who have volunteered to continue helping with various duties, we could not run meetings so efficiently without you.  We have now co-opted Rosemary Wain onto the committee and she will take over as visitor and speaker hostess as required.  The other duties are as follows:  President Joan Fountain, Treasurer Hilary Lark, with help from Gail and Zelia if required.  Secretary is again Lesley, with the help of Maureen as Minute Secretary and Zelia as Programme Secretary.  Gail agreed to continue as points Secretary and Zelia to run the raffle.

There are still a few other duties that we would like help with, please speak to a committee member if you feel you could take on any of these:

Publicity Officer, this involves writing a short monthly report of the meeting for the Contact Magazine and for the 5Plus quarterly mag.  

Outings Secretary to arrange one or two visits during the year.

Posters.  To put a small notice on the board by the bus stop and in the Community Centre each month advertising the monthly meeting.  I could provide the poster if you are unable to do the printing

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January Meeting, the speaker will be Sue Sursham on her visit to Vuanatu.  Tea hostesses Linda Daniels and Pam Cooper.

Competition – make something relating to Capricorn – the Goat.  It could be knitted/crocheted/sewn/painted etc or a photograph taken by you.

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Birthdays for December:  Happy Birthday to 

Gail, Pam Lack, Ann Webster, and new member Marietta 

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Community Cinema show:

Friday 10 December “Last Bus” with Timothy Spall.

£5 inc tea/coffee, doors open 6.45pm, please wear a mask until seated.

Federation Events all in WI House on All Saints Green unless otherwise stated.

Lots to choose from!

Fun Foliage and Flowers Friday 19 November New Buckenham Village Hall was enjoyed by 4 of our members. Who each made a holly wreath under the guidance of Simon Wright of Beales Roses.  After lunch, they sat back for a Flower demonstration using only supermarket bought flowers.  My bunches of flowers never looked like that!

Nosh and Natters –  New year menus are on the board.  Book early as we are only allowing reduced numbers at the moment

Jigsaw Races – Fri 18 Feb and Mon 7 March lunch served at 12.15. £8 pp

Water  Colour Painting workshop – 10 March £25.

Mah Jong Taster Day Tues 15 March 10.30 -3pm.  Bring your own lunch £12

Bridge Day with lunch Wed 16 March 10.30 -3pm £15

Auditions Day Tues 29 March.  10- 3.30pm.  Chance to see 5 new speakers.  £7.50 or £13 including lunch.

Federation Annual Meeting 21 March at the Theatre Royal , guest speaker Lucy Stevens on the life and music of Kathleen Ferrier.  We need a delegate who will have a free ticket, but is required to report on the meeting.  Visitor tickets £11.  Lunch available.  See Hilary if you are interested in attending.

Osteoporosis screening – new date 7 April 2022.

Calico Garden Workshop 12April and 31 May.  £25.  Everything provided.

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Thank you to everyone who grew a little Oak tree.  Joan and I took half of them down to High Ash Farm last week and Chris Skinner has already planted most of them.  He did take one into the Radio Norfolk Studio to show Matthew Gudgen on Sunday morning and we got a mention and a thank you.  The other half plus a few Hazels that the Squirrels planted will go to our tree warden for planting on the new Community Land which is across the Ridings from the Community Centre.		Daniel Skinner taking possession of the trees.
	This is one of the little trees happily settled into its new home.  We would like to keep an eye on them – so here is the location - walk down the hill towards Caistor village from the car park on the corner at the end of Chandler road.  The trees are planted at the far end of the area where lots of new young trees are growing. See the green man!

The Bolder Generation.

Granny is up to her geria-tricks

Down at the disco she swings with the chicks

She won’t have a dotage but acting the goatage

And does cooky things just for kicks.

Hanging around with unsuitable mates,

One of the girl-gang of old reprobates;

Who meet at the Crown for a night on the town

While dolled up and hoping for dates.

Why can’t she sew dainty lavender bags,

Knit fluffy jumpers and give up the fags

Attempt to be couth, reminisce of her youth,

And not tell embarassing gags?

Poem by a past member Pru Sheldon.

I have several booklets of her poems if anyone would like to read them.

Christmas Quiz

1 Who sang ‘All I want for Christmas is a Beatle’? 2 According to the carol. Who followed Good King Wenceslas? 3 How many reindeers did Santa have? Can you name them? 4 In Love Actually who sang ‘Christmas is all around’? 5 Which film originally featured the song ‘White Christmas? 6 Who was the lead actor in Wonderful Life?

7  Can you name all 7 of Snow White’s dwarves? 8. Who sang ‘Happy Christmas, War is over’? 9 In the song who did I see Kissing Santa Claus? 10 According to the Carol what must Christian Children be? 11 What gift was given on the 7th day of Christmas? 12 And at the end of the 12 days how many gifts were given in total?