Rockley Carol Service

Many thanks to Wath WI for a wonderful Carol Service at their Parish Church and to the Revd Sue Hobley for officiating.

 

Sue reading on behalf of our WI



Candles lit on behalf of each WI group



 

Christmas Wishes to all.

 

Christmas Party

Decembers meeting saw everyone enjoy a really fantastic Christmas Party.  Retiring President Sue Dixon fulfilled her final duties of the year before handing over the mantle of President to Mary and Jean.

Thanks were given to all the Committee for their hard work in producing another wonderful year of wide-ranging activities and events as well as organising all the monthly meetings.

 

Thanks Sue!!

Sue with new Joint-Presidents Mary and Jean

Cheers!!



Alison getting in the Christmas spirit!!



 

 A Festive Feast!!

Musical Entertainment from Andrea and Tom

Greetings from Father Christmas

 

   Presents for everyone !!!!!

 

Best Wishes to all members and their families and friends for a very Happy Christmas and healthy New Year.

 

Christmas Tree Festival

 

Holy Trinity Trees


Holy Trinity looked absolutely wonderful for its 13th Annual Christmas Tree Festival with the church filled with decorated trees from each community group using the Trinity Centre.
The WI tree depicting the song "Mistletoe and Wine" was stunning so well done to all members involved in making decorations and then those who put it all together.

We were delighted to find out that we had won the trophy for best decorated tree as voted by visitors to the festival.



 

South Yorkshire Federation Centenary Dinner

 

Over 200 members from all South Yorkshire WI groups joined together at the Consort Hotel in Thurcroft for a wonderful Christmas Meal and entertainment as a final celebration of the WI Centenary.

 

The festive meal of Turkey or Pork and all the trimmings was enjoyed by all.

Thorpe Hesley Table - Sarah, Alison, Peggy, Pat, Jill and Maureen
(and Jayne with the Camera!)

Pat and Jill enjoying the entertainment

 

 

It really was a wonderful afternoon of food and entertainment and of course WI Friendship. 

Well deserved thanks were given to the Federation for all their hard work for organising the afternoon as well as the many activities throughout the year.

The Federation Committee wished all members a very Happy Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year - Cheers to that!!

Rockley Group - Centenary Trees

After a live interview on Radio Sheffield with Jennifer Brunskill (Wentworth WI) and Sue Bleaze (Wath WI) representing the Rockley Group of WI's,  over 20 WI members of all the groups gathered in Elsecar Park for the unveiling of the plaque. 

 

 

Dorothy Meakins (Federation Chairman) unveiling the plaque

 

Sue Dixon gave a short speech as to how the Commemorative Trees came about and all agreed they looked fantastic as did the plaque.

 



Rockley Group Members

 

After the unveiling it was off to the Heritage Centre for some well-earned refreshments and a bit of Retail Therapy.

Thorpe Hesley Olympics - Curling and Boccia

November's meeting started with a minutes silence in memory of long-standing and committed member Brenda Allott following her recent death.  Her presence will be greatly missed at WI meetings and activities.

 

 

Sue Dixon then gave a full report of all recent activities and those leading up to Christmas.  Mary Wilman asked us to think of ideas for the forthcoming Christmas Tree Festival ready for the 'get-together' next week to make decorations.  Sylvia and Pat were thanked in advance for offering to decorate the tree.  Thanks were also given to Linda Simpson and Sheila Lincoln for offering to be 'Speaker Finders' for future meetings as Jean becomes Joint President with Mary.   Sybil also agreed to continue organising future outings.

 

Those members who wanted to participate (and many did!) were divided into two sections by Jean Philip and the Boccia and Curling Competitions commenced.

Matches in Action



The Red Teams always seemed to win!!



Pat and Jayne narrowly defeat Jean and Pauline

It proved to be a really fun evening with lots of competitive games.  Those watching and enjoying refreshments said how much they'd enjoyed the evening as well and might be tempted to join in if we do it again.  Well done to our finalists and to Jean for her organisation.

Well deserved Finalists!!

AGM - Pie and Peas Evening

 

Retiring President Sue Dixon chaired a very efficient and full meeting of all the years activities and events.  Financially the WI is in a sound position as it is in terms of numbers with several new members joining this year.  The committee were thanked for the fantastic work they do both in preparing such a varied programme on Wednesday evenings as well as all the additional trips and visits.  Members were asked to think about joining the committee to ease the load of organisation - hopefully this is something people will do.  Jean Phillip and Mary Wilman will be sharing the role of President for the year ahead and we wish them well, whilst Sue will continue on the committee.

 

 

Sue Dixon handing over the reins of President to Mary

 

Then down to the serious business of 'Pie n Peas' sadly not provided this year by Pam but we toasted her health and hope to see her back at WI meetings soon.

 

Pam at last years AGM in her glory!!

 

 

Another great Wednesday evening - enjoyed by all.

 

Federation Quiz

 

Eighteen teams from across the Federation gathered at the Gordon Bennet Memorial Hall in Thurcroft for what proved to be a really entertaining and enjoyable evening.  Our team of Mary Wilman, Pat Shaw, Pat Henderson and Jayne Spaven had fun 'stirring-up' the grey matter to questions on a wide variety of topics.  Many congratulations to the winning High Green team with 51 points, followed by Penistone with 49 and Wentworth with 47.  We finished a creditable 4th equal with 45 points and so were fairly happy with our efforts.

 

We then had a wonderful tea served by members of Wickersley WI before the raffle was drawn and we could engage in some retail therapy at the WI 'shop'.

 

Pat Shaw won the main raffle and Jayne won as well.

 

It was a really fun evening and was nice to mix once again with members from other WI's as this Centenary year draws to a close.

 

Bring on the Pie and Peas at the AGM - sadly not cooked this year by Pam Barraclough but at least she's home from hospital now and on the way to recovery.

 

Best Wishes Pam.

Centenial Fair Harrogate - Celebrating 100 years of the WI's Achievements

Sue, Pat, Sheila, Elsie and Jayne along with members of other WI's in the Rockley group enjoyed a wonderful day in Harrogate at the Centennial Fair - one of the key events to celebrate the events of the WI over the past 100 years. 

 

Any one for raffle tickets!!

What a lovely day

Tea first - then the hard part deciding where to start!!

 Huxley Cup Winners


Sheila voting for the 'peoples choice'

Sue shopping for Craft Items

Jayne enjoying the photography presentation

 

We all enjoyed the Centenary Panels

Each panel represents a decade of the WI - amazing!!

 

After lunch a cookery demonstration ...... and a free spoon!

 

The Fair achieved its aims in showing that the WI is made up of all kinds of women of different ages and backgrounds providing a range of activities that appeal to all.

All of this is underpinned by friendship, fun and socialising - that was certainly apparent today.

 

Here's to the next 100 years!