Visit to Seven Hills WI

On Thursday Jean, Michelle and I went for a visit to the Seven Hills WI in central Sheffield. This is the newest WI in Sheffield and is very trendy. We were made to feel really really welcome.

We were there to enjoy the evening, and also to see if we could pinch a few ideas for our own WI.

There were some very obvious differences to Thorpe Hesley WI:

• The age group - 7 Hills ladies are mainly in their 20's, although the oldest member is 59. Our youngest member is nearly 40, and our oldest is 90.
• Almost all of the 7 hills ladies work, most of ours are retired.
• The venue for the 7 hills draws ladies in from all around the Sheffield area - 360 degrees. Almost all of our ladies are from our village.
• Most 7 hills members were strangers to each other before they joined, most of ours have known each other for years.

There were lots of similarities:

• The noise level of the chatting - very reassuring to know that this is normal!
• The boring meeting bit at the start that nobody really enjoys but is fairly vital.
• The value of friendship. Lots of 7 hills ladies were young and single, working in a new city with no friends. Lots of our ladies are single by bereavement and empty nest syndrome. All have found friends their have enriched their lives and given them a sense of belonging again. I think that this is the most precious thing ever.
• The cakes and food in general. 7 hills seem as food obsessed as we are!
• Joie de Vivre - by the ton in each group.

We took part in their "swishing" event. We took 5 items of clothing that we didn't wear any more, and were aloud to swap them. I came home with 5 new outfits for my daughter that she loved. I was miffed to have missed the Cath Kidston dress that someone nabbed!

We had a great night and came away with some great ideas. I hope that some of them make a reciprocal visit.

http://www.sevenhillswi.blogspot.com/

http://www.shwi.co.uk

Diane

Super speedy tasty puds

Novembers meeting may have piled on a few extra pounds for a few of our members. Joan had suggested that it may be nice to have a meeting demonstrating the making of quick desserts.

So up stepped Joan, who mashed a Morrison's date and walnut cake with a banana to make a fab dessert, and then soak ginger biscuits in sherry and brandy, with cream and make the best roulade ever!

Next up was Linda with "Eton Mess" or as she called it "Cheaton Mess" - very speedy and very tasty.
Then Karen who made two different Fruit Creme Brulade's in a matter of minutes - using a flame thrower!
Then yours truly - ably assisted by Sue who took her days frustrations out on a bag of digestive biscuits to help me make Lemon and Chocolate Cheesecake.
There was a mad rush to test the puddings.
I couldn't pick a favourite as they were all so very delicious, but the alcohol content of Joan's roulade would have swayed it if I was pushed to pick one!
I am going to have a go at all of the puddings that were demonstrated - they were all very quick to construct, and I am also going to have a go at Joan's frozen bowl - a stunning way to present a dish for a special occasion.
We all got great feedback from the rest of the ladies, and Sue mentioned that this was what the W.I. was all about - sharing our skills and inspiration. I couldn't agree more.