Summer Outing to Winthrop

Once again Sybil excelled herself by picking a wonderful summers evening for our outing to Winthrop Park in Wickersley - 'South Yorkshires Hidden Jewel.'

After a short presentation by David who set up the park from a former sewage treatment works after a period of ill-health we were able to enjoy the park at leisure in glorious sunshine.

Wall hanging in the Atrium Resource Centre

It is due to the vision and determination of David and his wife Carol that Winthrop Park has been opened to the public.  It is run as a charity by volunteers and trustees, providing a beautiful garden for relaxation and respite.

Exploring the garden

Anyone know what this is called?

Glass Sculptures

Jill with owner David

Enjoying our Cream Tea

The park has received the prestigious Queens Award for voluntary Service and we all agreed it was a very special place.   After a lovely tea, we enjoyed a visit to the 'Curiosity Shop' and treated ourselves to a range of plants, pictures, cards, and jewellery.  

Silk Painting Workshop

Ten members attended a really enjoyable evening with Elayne Wears-Taylor,  making individually painted Silk Painted Cards.  Many thanks also to Sue Dixon for her help as well, as well as making the Tea!!

Pat and Margaret ready for the off!

Pattern attached

Ready for Painting

Ready to Mount on to Card

The finished article

Don't they look good!

Rockley Rally

Many thanks to all WI members who helped in any way to make the Rally such a HUGE success - we have had great comments and feedback.

Heritage Walk - High Green

This years team of Sue Dixon, Peggy Calland, Pat Shaw and Jayne Spaven set off from St Mary's Church Hall , High Green on a lovely summers evening.  

 Most of the early clues centred on the beautiful St Saviours Church where we admired the Millenium Quilt displayed in the entrance porch.

Although the team took a few 'detours' whilst following the clues we were pleased to find out that we hadn't finished last!! (and we got back before the rain started!)

Results time!

After completing the walk we joined members from other WI's for a really enjoyable tea provided by the members of hosts high Green.  Next year we might try and get more teams from Thorpe Hesley WI to join in the fun.

Thorpe Hesley and Gawber teams

Silk Painting with Elayne Wears-Taylor

Many members were really glad they'd made the effort to brave a wet miserable evening as they enjoyed a really interesting practical demonstration of Silk Painting by Elayne.

After introducing us to the basic techniques involved, we were soon 'gutta-ing' and painting away!  We couldn't believe how easy it was to obtain such effective results.

Sue and Jean enjoying a chance to paint on Silk

Enjoying the display of Elayne's work

Silk framed Paintings and Cards

After Elayne's demonstration,  refreshments provided by Diane and Sheila were enjoyed followed by the business part of the meeting.  Joan gave out birthday cards to June 'babies' and final arrangements were made for the Rockley Rally.

Centenary Baton Celebrations - Grenoside

Centenary celebrations began on the1st January 2014 for WI members everywhere as the specially designed centenary baton officially began its journey around the UK.  The baton, launched in Anglesey where the first WI meeting was held in the UK in 1915, will travel throughout the 69 federations in England, Wales and the Islands to celebrate the links of friendship and community developed through the WI, and will finish its trip at the Annual General Meeting in June 2015 at the Royal Albert Hall.

The South Yorkshire Federation Chairman introducing the Baton

Chapeltown members Irene, Norma, Brenda and Hilary
receiving the Baton

The Centenary Baton

St Marks Church Hall Grenoside where WI members enjoyed a wonderful Cream tea provided by the Grenoside hosts.

      It really was a good afternoon in which members from all WI groups in the area could mix socially - as well as be part of the National baton Celebrations.

Quiz winner!

Silent Auction - Scones, Cream and Jam!

What a night yet again!  Members arrived and quickly got in to the spirit of the evening by 'eyeing' up the goods and getting their 'secret' bids in to our resident auctioneer Jean Alcock.  Whilst Jean and her team of helpers were busy organising the fantastic array of donated items, Sue Dixon got through the business part of the evening.  May 'babies' received their birthday cards from Joan Egley who also presented Sheila Kavanagh with beautiful flowers as she celebrated being 80 years young!!

Inspecting the goods

Jean recording secret bids

Ready to tuck in  - Pat's already started!!

Happy 80th Birthday Sheila

Jean in full flow

Happy Customers

Birthday Girl Ellen with her Raffle Prize

Thanks were given to Jean and her team for all their hard work in organising the Silent Auction which raised the massive total of £160 for WI funds - a record!  Many thanks also to Caroline Scaife and Jill Bartrop our wonderful hostesses for the evening.   We all left warmed up nicely for next weeks outing for Afternoon Tea to the Potting Shed.