Snowdrop Walk

We enjoyed coffee and cake in the cafe whilst the rain passed over but it was soon sunny and dry and it was a lovely walk round the gardens. Afterwards we went round the servants wing, which I hadn't visited before. It was a lovely few hours out and a break from the normal routine.

Snowdrops @ Brodsworth Hall

Sorry I got there late ladies, but after a foul start, the weather improved and it was a pleasure to walk through the grounds.

You were right - the clotted cream scones were delicious.

February Meeting

At our meeting this week, we were educated and entertained by the ladies and gentlemen of the Heartsease Folk Dance group.

They performed dances which would have been danced as far back as 1651.

And then with Tena Lady's firmly in place, some of our group joined in - to much hilarity!!!!

Our Christmas Dinner

Sorry for the skwiffy photo ladies, but it does reflect the state of most of us!!

Great meal and great company - Many thanks to Cybil for organising this. I was also highly impressed by the very high quality crackers!

Our Christmas Party

Last night, we held our Christmas Party - and a lovely time was had by all.

Christmas cards were swapped - and I particularly loved swapping Christmas Card mishap stories with Brenda. They were hilarious!
Lovely ladies were dolled up in their finery.

And we all enjoyed the gorgeous food again - I told you that this WI is all about the food!
We were highly entertained by the musical nuns! They looked so realistic!
They were also incredibly funny.

Santa made his appearance and dished out a beautiful scarf for all our members and guests.
Tut tut Carolyn!!! Can't make my mind up whether Santa will be putting you on the naughty or nice list!!!

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone.xx

High Green WI Party

Michelle and I enjoyed a lovely evening with High Green WI after we had been invited to their Christmas Party. The food was wonderful, we joined in with the singing and were entertained by a delightful duo who serenaded us all.

We spotted Rudolph,
ans Santa made an appearance with our gifts.
Many thanks ladies for a lovely evening.

Visit to Seven Hills WI

On Thursday Jean, Michelle and I went for a visit to the Seven Hills WI in central Sheffield. This is the newest WI in Sheffield and is very trendy. We were made to feel really really welcome.

We were there to enjoy the evening, and also to see if we could pinch a few ideas for our own WI.

There were some very obvious differences to Thorpe Hesley WI:

• The age group - 7 Hills ladies are mainly in their 20's, although the oldest member is 59. Our youngest member is nearly 40, and our oldest is 90.
• Almost all of the 7 hills ladies work, most of ours are retired.
• The venue for the 7 hills draws ladies in from all around the Sheffield area - 360 degrees. Almost all of our ladies are from our village.
• Most 7 hills members were strangers to each other before they joined, most of ours have known each other for years.

There were lots of similarities:

• The noise level of the chatting - very reassuring to know that this is normal!
• The boring meeting bit at the start that nobody really enjoys but is fairly vital.
• The value of friendship. Lots of 7 hills ladies were young and single, working in a new city with no friends. Lots of our ladies are single by bereavement and empty nest syndrome. All have found friends their have enriched their lives and given them a sense of belonging again. I think that this is the most precious thing ever.
• The cakes and food in general. 7 hills seem as food obsessed as we are!
• Joie de Vivre - by the ton in each group.

We took part in their "swishing" event. We took 5 items of clothing that we didn't wear any more, and were aloud to swap them. I came home with 5 new outfits for my daughter that she loved. I was miffed to have missed the Cath Kidston dress that someone nabbed!

We had a great night and came away with some great ideas. I hope that some of them make a reciprocal visit.

http://www.sevenhillswi.blogspot.com/

http://www.shwi.co.uk

Diane