Goodbye to Roger (Honorary WI Member!)

A large number of WI members supported Carolyn at the funeral of her beloved husband Roger at St Marys High Green.

Roger was well-known at WI meetings.  He entertained us at our WWII 70th Anniversary Celebrations ...... managing to judge our 'best dressed' competition won by Sue Delaney

despite being 'flashed' at by Jean (Knickerless Newbold) earlier in the evening!

We won't forget his Christmas 'Odes' .....

                                                 ..... or our Christmas gifts over the years.

Roger and Carolyn also supported our coffee mornings for Weston Park Hospital .....

     Thanks for so many lovely memories Roger ..... we'll continue to look after Carolyn for you.

Time for Tea for Weston Park

Holy Trinity Church was the venue once again for our third 'Time for Tea' party in aid of our local cancer hospital, Weston Park in Sheffield.

Members arrived heavily laden with the most wonderful array of pastries and cakes and the tables looked fantastic.

A quick photo outside the church and we were soon welcoming the first of over 100 visitors to the church - a response beyond our wildest dreams.

Ready to go!

Our wonderful tea-ladies did a fantastic job ....... well done Pat, Sue, Ann and Sheila           

                                   

Pat Shaw did a great job keeping the table stocked up  ....

                  ...... but she still managed to sneak a well-earned cuppa with her husband as well!

Sybil ran a stall selling jewellery, scarves and bags which proved very popular ...

                                           .... as was the raffle run by Dorothy and Peggy

                    Thanks to all members who donated prizes and to Lucy Greensmith for helping

                                                                   Mary with the draw.

The Escafeld Players provided wonderful musical entertainment in the main body of the church and our visitors commented on how much they enjoyed their playing as did WI members.

                        Pat and Cynthia with Chris, Mabel and Margaret enjoying the music.

Joint Presidents Mary and Jean were kept busy throughout the morning chatting to as many visitors as they could ....

After a really busy but enjoyable morning we all enjoyed a cuppa with some cake whilst we counted up our donations -

Tracey, Maggi and Joan

An amazing £700!!

(plus an extra £50 with Gift Aid)

a fantastic achievement

Well done to all and especially Jean and Ann our directors of operations.

Rockley Groups Centenary Trees

Its eighteen months since the Rockley Group of WI's planted their trees at Elsecar Park to Celebrate the Centenary of the WI.

Tree planting in 2015

Trees now

I'm pleased to report the trees have grown and are looking fantastic.  I can also recommend a visit to the park to see them.

Easter EGGtravaganza!

Our March meeting started with Linda leading a very eggciting 'Easter' related Quiz - just what was needed to get the old grey-matter stirring.  Our number allotted as we entered the hall was our quiz partner which was a good way to get us mixing.

Easter Quiz Time

Linda presenting the Quiz winners Pat and Pat with their prizes

After the quiz we then had the business part of the meeting with so much to look forward to.  Our birthday girls received their cards and Jennifer received flowers for celebrating her Golden Wedding Anniversary.

We then had a parade  of ladies in their Easter Bonnets before having the daunting task of picking a winner - after a secret vote Sheila emerged the winner.

Don't they look great!

Elsie, Rita, Ann and Pat displaying their hats

The well deserved winning hat - well done Sheila

Well earned refreshments were enjoyed whilst the Easter Egg-rolling competition was carried out - who knew egg rolling could be so technical!  After a great deal of fun the winner turned out to be Jean.  We also had the chance to buy some of Margaret's beautiful hand-made charity cards and sign up for the many activities on offer.

Our busy tea ladies at work

Egg Rolling time ... go Angela ....

......... then June

........... but the well deserved winner was Jean

Pat admiring Margaret's cards

Mary presenting the raffle prize

Thanks Linda for a great evening

Remember our coffee morning for Weston Park on April 22nd and bring your friends and neighbours.

Spring Meeting

The many WI members who attended the Spring meeting enjoyed a thoroughly good day, mixing with friends from other WI's as well as being entertained by the excellent speakers.

Federation business ....

Linda, Pat, Angela, Peggy and Jean

Christine Robinson who's family had worked on the Chatsworth Estate for over 200 years gave a very interesting talk entitled "The Housekeeper's Tale" and we heard about life in the 'big house' as well as the surrounding villages where the staff live as well as their many annual events.

Members had all visited Chatsworth at various times and enjoyed hearing Christine's stories.

We then had the opportunity to buy a signed copy of her book plus other Chatsworth souvenirs.

Although there was disappointment when it was known that Ashley Jackson was not well enough to come and speak, we enjoyed listening to the heart warming, 'namedropping' talk given by actor John Stirling.  After a varied stage career appearing with many famous actors he now runs "The Actors  Donkey Sanctuary" in Derbyshire which is also used to help support disadvantaged children.

John (above) plus Dot ... one of his famous friends visiting his donkeys.

All agreed it was a thoroughly good day out ....

....... now for our Easter Eggstravaganza!

March Meeting - Bluebell Wood

Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice is well known locally and so we were delighted to welcome volunteer Sally Baker to explain about the fantastic work they do.

Sally explained how she got involved with volunteering and fundraising for Bluebell Wood, following the serious illness of her grandson Harrison at just 3 weeks old.

After being admitted to the Children's Hospital in Sheffield the family was told that Harrison was so poorly there was nothing they could do for him and so he was transferred to Bluebell Wood for palliative care.  The whole family as well as Harrison received the most tremendous help and support from the hospice and against all odds Harrison started to thrive.  Sally showed us a selection of beautiful photos of her wonderful grandson now four years old and ready to start school in September! We were all absolutely delighted for all concerned.  Sally also explained that Bluebell Wood is almost entirely voluntarily funded and outlined the various ways we could help should we wish to do so.

Sally showing us fundraising material for Bluebell Wood

Jill and Joan admiring photos of Harrison

Jill Bartrop gave our heartfelt thanks to Sally for her very personal talk on Bluebell Wood and we carried out a collection in appreciation of such a wonderful cause and one we will certainly continue to support.  Indeed one of our members was proudly wearing her Bluebell Wood Supporters badge!

Margaret - a proud Bluebell Wood supporter displaying her badge

After we said our 'goodbyes' to Sally we then got on to the business part of the meeting.  Our March babies received their cards, with Elsie being presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers for being 90 years young!

Vice President Joan presenting Elsie with her birthday flowers

Mary outlined the wide variety of trips and activities in the months ahead before announcing that Sybil our long-serving Entertainment Organiser on the committee had decided to step down.  She has done a fantastic job over many years and thoroughly deserved the rousing round of applause given her.  She will definitely be a hard act to follow - any volunteers?!? 

Gwen giving special thanks to Sybil

We then enjoyed some of Ann Marson's wonderful gingerbread with a well-earned cuppa whilst signing up for future activities and of course catching up on news.

Next outing is lunch at the Travellers in Birdwell....

...... and don't forget your Easter Bonnets for Aprils meeting.