Sleeping Beauty

Sheffield's Lyceum Theatre

Many thanks to Sue Dixon for organising tickets to see Matthew Bourne's superb  performance of  Sleeping Beauty  for  WI members and friends.  The newly refurbished Lyceum was a fantastic setting for the Ballet.

          Everyone agreed the Dancers deserved their tumultuous ovation at the end of the performance.

WI Resolutions/Scones, Cream and Jam

Despite the committee being 'thin on the ground' superb refreshments were provided with a range of scones and assorted jams being thoroughly enjoyed.  Diane Marshall and her team of helpers served tea and coffee whilst members enjoyed a good 'natter' in lieu of the scheduled Beetle Drive postponed due to Sybils illness.

Ready to tuck in!!

Mmm!!

We weren't greedy though - spare Scones and jam were donated to Shiloh - the homeless shelter in Rotherham.

Get well soon Sybil - you were missed tonight.

Our visit to Wentworth Woodhouse

Our ladies had a very enjoyable morning on a tour around Wentworth Woodhouse.  It is very exciting to finally be allowed to have a look around this gorgeous grand house after years of walking past and wishing we could have a nosey!

 It is a thrill to be able to enter through the front door.

 Sadly, no photos are allowed in the house itself, but we were allowed to take photos in the newly opened Vintage Tea Room (which was gorgeous).  Currently it is just coffee, tea and cake, but the cake is homemade and superb, the tea is served in a silver tea pot, and the coffee is beautiful.

 Our appetites were well and truly whetted and we all talked of returning for the Full Monty tour.

Many thanks too to David our exceptional tour guide - we really enjoyed  our morning.

Sarnies and Stories and Silent Auction

April's meeting was a really enjoyable and entertaining one.  Refreshments were provided by members taking  'sarnies' and other 'goodies' with the committee providing Wine and Juice.

Jean and Pat organising the buffet

 President, Sue Dixon, started the evening off with the first of many personal 'entertaining' stories with other members following suit. The 'stories' were varied - personal as well as read from books, but all proved very interesting and were well received.

Sue and Jean in 'full flow' .......

After the entertainment Jean Alcock then superbly managed the 'Silent Auction' with some fantastic items up for grabs.  Many members went home happy with the bargains they'd snapped up and a considerable amount was raised for W.I. funds.

'Eyeing Up' the Bargains

Jean - Master of Ceremonies

The evening finished with Sheila receiving her birthday flowers and  Carolyn winning the raffle and all agreeing  what a 'good' night we'd had.

Carolyn

Sheila with her birthday flowers

March Meeting - Peru by Geoff Carr

Sue Dixon with Geoff

For our meeting in March the committee had arranged for local Ecologist Geoff Carr to come and give us an illustrated talk on one of his visits to Peru.

Maccu Picchu

A typical tour led by Geoff starts in Lima, the 'Spanish' capital of Peru followed by a few days on the coastal plain where we saw pictures of the many amazing birds of the area.  The world heritage site of Maccu Picchu is then visited followed by a stay in an eco-lodge in the Amazonas region.

Images from the Amazonas Region

We all found the presentation interesting and informative, and really enjoyed Geoffs' relaxed yet knowledgeable style,  and a lot of members said they would like him to visit again and talk about another area of the world he has visited (Africa) - fingers crossed!

Jill Bartrop gave the vote of thanks and then welcome refreshments were provided by Pauline Coe and Cynthia Valantine.  The raffle was won by Jayne Spaven - a beautiful china tea mug and coaster set (much appreciated.)

Members were then reminded  to sign up for next months 'Sarnies and Stories' evening.

CATS

Some of the talented 'Cats'

Many thanks to Sybil for organizing another trip to  The Academy Theatre, Birdwell to see their fantastic production of 'Cats'.
After braving the snowy conditions outside to get there, the large contingent of WI members were treated to a superbly energetic and well choreographed performance. The only disappointment of the evening was that we weren't snowed in and able to sample the Bacon Butties on offer.  (Next time!!)

Peggy and Marjorie

January Meeting

The first meeting of the New Year was very well attended with everyone keen to catch up with each others news.  After a short "business" meeting, we were pleased to hear we had won £50 for our entry into the South Yorkshire Federations Olympic competition as well as winning the Adult section of the Holy Trinity Christmas Tree Festival for the second year running. A heartfelt 'thank you' was given to Michelle for all her hard work over the years in making birthday flowers for members each month.
We then had a very moving presentation from  Richard Bean, the husband of Sally Bean who died of Pancreatic Cancer at the Northern General Hospital in 2010 and the Charity he runs in her memory.

Logo on Hand Made Bags

Sally and daughter Maisie

To help Sally's death have some meaning the idea of "Sally's Little Bag of Comfort" was born with handmade bags being provided to families in Palliative wards in hospitals to ease the suffering at a difficult time in their lives as well as letting the families know that someone was thinking of them and understood what they were going through.  Individual "spotty" bags were provided for children as well.
After being shown the bags and their contents and a short question and answer session, Sue Delaney thanked Richard for his 'brave' presentation and it was agreed that a collection for the charity be made at the next meeting.  Welcome refreshments were provided by Sheila Kavanagh and Beryl Lawson and the raffle was won by Brenda Allott.