Take 2 Theatre Visit - The King and I

Despite Sybil (our intrepid  Entertainment Organiser!) being on holiday, she still made the booking so that over 20 members and friends could enjoy the wonderful performance of the King and I by the local Take2Theatre group .   Once again we were thoroughly entertained by the groups many talented members - especially the youngest member who we all wanted to take home!!

 

 



Our happy band of theatre goers!

WI Centenary AGM from the Albert Hall

After Sue's wonderful day at Buckingham Palace, the WI continued its Centenary Celebrations with its AGM held at the Albert Hall.

 

We had the opportunity along with other members of our Federation to watch the AGM 'live' at the Centertainment in Sheffield.  The cinema was absolutely packed when we walked in and we only just managed to get seats where we could all sit together.

 

Carolyn, Peggy and Jayne arriving at Centertainment

100 Years of the WI

Our first glimpse of the Albert Hall on screen

The National WI Chair greeted the Queen, Princess Royal and Countess of Wessex to the stage as the WI Centenary Baton entered the Hall to great applause.  As everyone stood to sing the National Anthem we then listened to the Queen give a rousing endorsement to the work of the WI over its first 100 years!  The Queen then left to cut the Centenary Cake to be enjoyed by federation delegates with their lunchtime tea!  Unfortunately we had to buy our own!!
 

Cutting the Cake!

WI members in the 1950's


We listened to this year's resolution being heatedly debated, before three excellent speeches from three inspirational women in completely different fields of life - Historian Lucy Worsley,  ex Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and Businesswoman Helena Morrisey.  All were highly entertaining and did full justice to the WI logo of Inspiring Women.

 

We left the Centertainment complex proud to belong to such a wonderful organisation.  Here's to the next 100 years!!

 

 

June Meeting - The story of Liquorice

A lovely sunny evening .... and a really lively and entertaining presentation by Tom Dixon (no relation to Sue!) about his work as a young man in the liquorice industry at the W.R.Wilkinson factory in Pontefract.

 

Tom giving us a history of Liquorice production in Pontefract

Tom told us how Liquorice came to Pontefract from Spain and was grown in the fields around Pontefract thriving in the 'sandy' soil of the area,  supplying at the turn of the 20th Century seventeen factories for use in a wide variety of ways - not just sweets.

We discovered all sorts of interesting information - such as the fact that liquorice is fifty times sweeter than sugar and is the sweetest natural product on earth.  Also Camel trains that go for weeks on end across the deserts of the world are always chewing liquorice as its stops them getting thirsty!!

The famous Pontefract cakes

Tom showing us the original 'wax seal' used by Mrs Dunhill to make the first Pontefract Penny which became the world renowned Pontefract Cake

Joan with an 'edible' liquorice boot used in one of the Charlie Chaplin silent movies

The presentation was really enjoyed by us all and Tom thoroughly deserved the vote of thanks given by Jean.  We were then able to buy signed books written by Tom with the proceeds going to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity.

 

We then had the business part of the meeting with information about many forthcoming summer events  -  WI Centenary AGM live from the Albert Hall ... Rockley Rally ... Theatre Trips ... Heritage Walks ... Lunch at Marie's Tea Rooms as well as our own  WI Centenary 1920's Themed Party!!  With all that to look forward to we really were ready for Brenda Allott's famous Fruit Cake and Date and Walnut Cake and Tea.

Buckingham Palace Garden Party

What a way to celebrate 100 years of the Womens Institute - a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. 

 

Our hardworking President Sue in the Rose Garden of Buckingham Palace
(enjoying a well-earned rest)

Wentworth WI President - Jennifer Brunskill

On the coach travelling to London



Exploring the Palace Grounds
 

Sue and Jennifer joined 8.000 other WI members from around the country to celebrate the Centenary of the WI.  They were joined by the Duchess of Cambridge, the Countess of Wessex and the Duchess of Gloucester.  It was a wonderful sunny day and enjoyed by all.

 

 

We're glad you enjoyed your day Sue - and many thanks from us all for all the hard work you've put in during your tenure as President - you've been fantastic!!

 

Coffee Morning Extraordinaire

What a fantastic morning - both in terms of enjoyment and money raised.  A special thanks to all who helped in any way.

 

With Gift Aid we raised a massive £600!!!

 

Sign is up ....

 

Cards and Books are ready ....

Memory Tree

 

Now for the cakes ......

 

Wow!!  Our bakers have done us proud!

Welcoming  Party!!  We're open for business!

 

Sheila's got the tea ready ....

 

Raffle Ladies

 

Now lets enjoy a cuppa and some cakes .....

...... and enjoy we did!!!

 

Thanks for the help we had with the raffle from Alva and Joseph

 

 

Thanks to all WI members and members of  Holy Trinity Church who supported this wonderful event in memory of 'absent friends' - we'll no doubt do it again.

 

 

Time for Tea! In aid of Western Park Hospital - Sheffield

Don't forget our Tea/Coffee Morning 

 

 

This Saturday 16th May  -  10 am onwards.

Lunchtime at the Hidden Gem Cafe

After a wonderful cream tea at our May WI meeting,  what better way to follow it than lunch at the highly acclaimed Hidden Gem Café in Ringinglow Sheffield.

 

 

The Café is run by WORK Ltd a charity in Sheffield working people with learning difficulties reach their full potential.  As well as the Café, they provide a range of hands-on work projects to develop life skills for people aged 16+.  These include Woodwork, Gardening, Textiles, Arts and Crafts plus of course Cooking.  They also offer dance groups, drama and music classes once a week to help with confidence building and motivation.



Ready to tuck in ...... we were not disappointed!!

After our wonderful lunch, we were given the opportunity for a bit of 'retail therapy' as one of the volunteers - a wonderful Geordie lass called Brenda - showed us around the wide range of hand-made goods on offer.  As you can imagine it didn't take long for us to treat ourselves!!

Sybil with Brenda (volunteer) plus WI members


A really enjoyable visit - and long may the Charity continue.  We'll be back!!