Rockley Carol Service - Holy Trinity Thorpe Hesley

It was our turn to host this years' Rockley Carol Service.  Members chose their favourite carols in member of a loved one and each WI group chose a representative to read.  Holy Trinity looked beautiful with all the trees from their festival still up in church.  

All members and guests from other WI's agreed how lovely the service had been as they enjoyed refreshments afterwards.  Thanks were given to the Rev Jan Hardy, Sara Parish the organist and the church Choir for their contributions to a lovely service.

Christmas Tree Festival and Victorian Fair

Well done to Mary Wilman and her team of 'crafters' who helped the WI to a third consecutive 'win' in this years Christmas tree Festival at Holy Trinity.  The tree was beautifully decorated as usual by Sylvia Attwood and Carolyn Scaife and really depicted the words of the Carol 'Good King Wenceslas'.  However all members agreed that all the trees looked wonderful and the real winner was the church itself.

Pauline Pavior and Husband with the WI tree

Many members then donned Victorian costumes to help at the very successful Christmas Fair held in the Trinity Centre

Marjorie Law - Cake Stall

                                                                                 

Jayne Spaven - Books Stall

 

Christmas Party

                   Many thanks to the committee for a fantastic evening of entertainment .....

.... first we enjoyed the singing by 'Steps' .....

                                          ...... followed by a wonderful buffet ......

....... a drink ......

Cheers!! 

                                     ........ and then a visit from Father Christmas .......                            

                                                                               

            A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Thorpe Hesley WI members.

A toast to absent friends ......

Gladys Shaw

Beryl Lawson

........... and many thanks to both of you for all your friendship over your years of WI membership.

Busy...........

... crafting for the Christmas Tree festival.  Can we make in 3 wins in a row? 

 Fuelled by very sickly chocolate and ginger cake!!

November Meeting - Armchair Aerobics/Line Dancing

President Sue Dixon introduced the meeting by getting us up-to-date with the many activities happening in the next few weeks in the lead up to Christmas. The Autumn Council meeting was enjoyed by those who attended as was the recent WI Quiz night and "Occupations" evening. Jean Newbold introduced our members who took part in the evening and we all thoroughly enjoyed their impromptu 'fashion' show.

Birthday cards were then distributed to the many November 'babies' present with special flowers given to Sue Delaney.

Then the fun started!! As you can see from the photos we all really enjoyed Velma Furness introducing us to some Armchair Aerobics followed by some Line Dancing routines. Everyone joined in enthusiastically and Velma was impressed by our efforts (if not our co-ordination!).

The Vote of Thanks given to Velma was given by Pam Holmes as was a well earned round of applause.

The raffle was won by Joan Egley and then much needed refreshments served by Carolyn Scaife and Ellen Webster were enjoyed by all.

All agreed it had been a really enjoyable evening - bring on the Christmas parties!!

October Meeting - AGM/Pie and Peas

The meeting started with Sue Dixon asking us to remember ex-member Emmie Bowman who had died recently, as we sang Jerusalem.  Many of the older members remembered her fondly and were sad to hear of her death.  Jean Newbold gave a very entertaining summary of the years' activities and the Committee received heartfelt thanks and a round of applause for all their efforts this year.  Ideas for this years Christmas Tree Festival were discussed as were suggestions for the Carol Concert we were hosting.  Peggy Calland gave a 'positive' account of the finances for the year.

Pam - our amazing Chef

Once the official meeting had finished, members then tucked into generous portions of Pie 'n Peas prepared as usual by our resident chef Pam Barraclough ..... and we were not disappointed .... all agreed the food was up to her usual high standards.

 Tea and Coffee finished a really enjoyable evening, and  the raffle was drawn.

What a lovely prize.

Ladies who Lunch

Many thanks to the Masons Arms for providing us with yet another wonderful Tuesday lunch ..... and of course to Sybil for her organisation.

September Meeting

President Sue Dixon welcomed everyone back after the summer break quickly going through the 'admin' part of the meeting.  September 'babies' received their cards from Jean Philip and special congratulations were given to Brenda and Pam for their recent Diamond and Pearl Wedding Anniversaries.  Sybil got us up-to-date with forthcoming activities and reminded us to sign up where necessary.  Unfortunately our expected talk from Adrian Eggleston on D.N.A did not take place but the committee had managed to get a speaker at short notice.

 

Sue and Sarah

Sarah McCreton, a qualified Solicitor, came to talk  to us on the sensitive issue of 'Protecting our Assets' - and as she started her informative presentation on a variety of issues, many of us soon realised that it was something we needed to seriously think about.   Sarah explained many legal terms to us without being patronising  and willingly answered individual questions over coffee and refreshments.  Linda Simpson gave the Vote of Thanks to Sarah for providing us with 'food for thought'.

Next months meeting is the AGM/Quiz and Pie and Pea Supper and members were asked to think about joining the committee if they felt it was something they could do.

Wortley Hall - Summer Meal

Wortley Hall in the early evening sunshine

Many thanks to Sybil for organising such a lovely evening - the setting,  food  and of course the company couldn't have been better.  After ordering our meals,  many members enjoyed a leisurely walk around the grounds of Wortley Hall in the sunshine enjoying the lovely panoramic views across rolling countryside.  All agreed it was just the place to catch up on news of recent holidays plus holidays to come.

Enjoying our Meals

                                                                                    

                                                                   Time to Go .......

 When's the next trip Sybil!!

                                                                   

Treasure Hunt - Todwick WI

On a beautiful Summers' Evening, the Thorpe Hesley 'team' ably led by Chairwoman Sue Dixon, wandered around the streets, recreation ground, churchyard and play parks of Todwick looking for answers to some quite 'testing' clues.  After 2 hours (although it didn't seem anywhere near that long) we arrived back at the Village Hall to be greeted by Todwick WI members and a most wonderful tea.

Jayne, Sue, Beryl and Pat

What a tea!!

We finished in a creditable 3rd position and so didn't disgrace ourselves - but more importantly we'd had a lot of fun as we 'attempted' to answer the clues.  Well done to Whiston who won, and will host next years competition.  We would encourage other members to join in next year.

Around the Swingin' 60's

After hearing the news that Andy Murray was safely through to the Wimbledon semi-final,  we were thoroughly entertained by the Thorpe Hesley Village Choir with a wide range of familiar songs from the 60's.

The Village Choir

We were soon all singing along - although our harmonies were not quite up to the same standard!  Even the churchyard resident Blackbirds joined in!

WI Choir Members - Pam, Pat and Mary

After an hour of  wonderful singing, well-earned refreshments were provided by hostesses Diane and Jill.  The raffle was won by Margaret Atter and birthday cards and flowers  received by all the July 'babies'.
Jean Philip gave the 'Vote of Thanks' to the choir who then received an enthusiastic round of applause in recognition of a fantastic evenings' entertainment.  Everyone agreed how lucky we were to have such a talented group of individuals on our 'doorstep'.

Bess of Hardwick

June's meeting began with Secretary Jean Newbold giving a warm summary of Ann Simpson's many contributions to the life of  Thorpe Hesley WI,  following her recent death.  Ann's lovely smile as she greeted members each month will be sadly missed.  Many members attended her funeral, and the order of service was made available for others to look at as they came in to the Trinity Centre.  A few moments of silence was held followed by the Lords Prayer and the singing of Jerusalem.  All agreed Ann was a much loved member who will be remembered with great affection.

Order of Service


Then followed an eagerly awaited talk on Bess of Hardwick by academic  historian  Maureen Taylor - and we were not disappointed.  In full costume of  the day,  Maureen gave us a superbly illustrated account of Bess and her long and eventful life, as well as describing other important characters of the time.

The talk reinforced many members intention to revisit Haddon Hall and Chatsworth House and see them

through the eyes of Bess herself.

Pat and Jean with Maureen

Many thanks to 'Hostesses' Caroline Scaife and Sylvia Attwood for providing refreshments and Margaret Howard for the raffle.

Rhododendron Walk - Wentworth Castle

After a really enjoyable tour of Wentworth Woodhouse last month,  members were looking forward to seeing the renovated gardens of his cousin the first Earl of Strafford who created a landscape of high fashion, dramatic beauty and diversity at nearby Wentworth Castle - the result of fierce rivalry!

Peggy outside the Corinthian Temple

The weather improved throughout the afternoon, and we were able to enjoy a leisurely  walk through the gardens  without any rain.

The Rhododendrons looked superb and we found out that there are no fewer than 300 different forms represented in the gardens - although we're not sure if we saw them all!

Stainborough Castle

We enjoyed our stroll past the Earl's Seat, Archer's Hill Gate, the Sun Monument to Stainborough Castle which was built as a playground for Thomas Wentworth's children and must be one of the most delightful garden follies in the country.  As it was half-term children were enjoying playing on the grass inside the bailey - just as they would have done almost 300 years earlier.

The Azalea Garden opposite the Conservatory was a riot of colours and we enjoyed a sit down and well earned rest before sauntering back for a cup of tea and piece of cake.

The Wentworth Castle and Stainborough Park Heritage Trust really have done a fantastic restoration job ........ and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.