On Tuesday 4th December we were joined by members of the Anstey Royale Chalfont for an evening of morris dancing. It was a brilliant evening and a great end to our 2018 programme. The dancers explained about the different types of morris dancing before a lively demonstration of several different dances and then a chance for LEWI members to join in. Interesting, informative, entertaining and above all - great fun! We collected selection boxes and a mountain of other food and donations for the local Food Bank, provided Zoe with more fabric drawstring bags for her forthcoming teaching trip to India in the new year, and celebrated the December birthdays. Many of us will be getting together for the Christmas party evening at the Village Hotel in Chilwell on Tuesday 18th December. Christmas wishes to all our members and visitors. The 2019 programme is now available so do join us on Tuesday 8th January for Lesley Padley's talk on Mental Health What an amazing evening we had on Tuesday 6th November at the Reserve Centre at Chetwynd Barracks.
We were made so welcome and the Ration Pack demo and blind food tasting was great fun. A huge thank you to everyone who organised, delivered and attended this meeting. We collected more coats and warm jumpers for the Derby Soup Kitchen; Christmas decorations made from non-recyclable materials for the tree festival at St Laurence Church in late November, drawstring bags for Zoe's trip to India early next year, and remembrance rocks for the display and service at St John's Church before being placed around the town centre on Saturday 10th November. We paid our respects to Freda, our lovely Treasurer, who sadly died in October - we will all miss her very much. There are lots of things coming up for LEWI members over the next few weeks so look out for details of the Quiz Night at the Mill and Brook, Ghost Walk in Nottingham, LEWI Sunday walk around Church Wilne, the Christmas Bauble Making Workshop, the Canaan Trust Christmas lunch, LEWI's decorated tree at St Laurence's Church, and our own Christmas Do at The Village, Chilwell. The next meeting of Long Eaton WI will be held on Tuesday 4th December at The May Hall, Trent College, Long Eaton when we will be joined by ladies of the Anstey Royale Chalfont Morris Dancers. All welcome. Our speaker for the meeting on Tuesday 2nd October was local lady Julie Dexter talking about Complementary Therapies. Julie is a trained and accredited Bowen practitioner and she gave a really interesting talk about her work with people and with horses and other animals. Julie outlined the principles of the Bowen Technique and highlighted the myriad of conditions which can be helped by the treatment including respiratory and digestive problems, bowel and urinary disorders, gynaecological conditions and head related conditions such as migraine and sinus. Julie practices from home but also offers sessions from the Riverside Natural Health Centre in West Bridgford. LEWI members were, as always, generous in their support of charitable causes, donating used greetings cards for the Cystinosis Research Foundation, adult winter coats and jumpers for the Derby soup kitchen, and used spectacles and necklaces and new biros for David Pinney's forthcoming Africa visit. On Tuesday 4th September we were joined by Pete Wearn for "Cool Science": Experiments with Liquid Nitrogen". What an amazing evening of fizzing fun: Pete was an excellent speaker and kept us entertained with his experiments (including an exploding balloon which certainly made our hearts beat faster!) and stories about the science that he takes to local events and primary schools
Ann took the donations for the Long Eaton and Sawley Foodbank and Anita and Margaret collected donations of good quality, clean adult winter coats and jumpers to take to the soup kitchen in Derby. Lynn was given another 423 used greetings cards and card making materials for recycling to raise funds for the Cystinosis Research Foundation. Astonishing! Andy Markwell (https://www.facebook.com/AndyMarkwellImages/) joined us to take our group and committee photos and we look forward to seeing these soon. As ever, a really brilliant evening enjoyed by members and visitors. On Tuesday 7th August we held our summer social and it was a fantastic opportunity to get to know each other better. Emma's speed mating worked so well and Zoe's conversation prompts provided lots of laughter.
The raffle to raise money for the Playwell Playgroup raised £47, a staggering 410 used greetings cards were given to Lynn for passing on to friends who are recycling them for the Cystinosis Research Foundation, and our outdoors picnic was enjoyed by everyone. What a great evening on Tuesday 3rd July when Steph Burton taught us the basics of the Spanish language and shared with us some of her experiences of getting to grips with the language when living and working in Argentina. Thanks Steph - you were brilliant!
Jo thanked everyone who had helped with the Carnival and with special thanks to Cindy, Zoe and Janice.
Denise won 2nd prize at the County Show with her amazing patchwork bag You did us proud Denise! Naomi had provided details of forthcoming theatre trips - please see the events page for further information about Made in Dagenham, Thoroughly ModernMillie, Being of Sound Mind and Nell Gwynn, all at the Duchess Theatre, Long Eaton. Please sign up at forthcoming LEWI meetings if you would like to attend any of these shows. It was a really lively and fun evening on Tuesday 5th June when we made our own beauty products with Susi Henson.
Susi's introductory talk was very informative, highlighting the chemicals used in many cosmetics and beauty products, and showing how by using simple ingredients it's possible to make healthy and attractive products at home at a reasonable cost. Susi's recipes for a reviving body scrub and herbal foot soak were simple to make - who knew that Epsom salts could ever smell so wonderful! Brad Moore, Managing Director and Co-founder of Operation Orphan came along at the start of the meeting to explain a little about their work and to collect the donations of children's coats from LEWI members. Cindy provided final details for LEWI's Carnival cake stall on Saturday 16th June. Members had been busy making over 260 fabric napkins to use on the day and at future meetings and had also donated some large plates and 75 tea plates. What a great evening it was when we celebrated our 5th birthday on Tuesday 1st May.
We held our Annual Meeting, welcomed a new committee (Jo, Cindy, Zoe, Jenny, Freda, Avril, Janice, Lynn, Jane and Emma) and re-elected Jo Bartram as our President for the coming year. Margaret Brown judged the children's cardigan and hand made card entries and provided some invaluable craft judging tips. The entries in both categories were great and really did our members proud. Special congratulations to Fay, Sally and Lynne C for the top three entries in the cardigan competition and to Zoe and Mo for their winning cards. Our meeting on Tuesday 3rd April provided the opportunity to discuss the national resolution "Mental Health Matters".
Members shared their experiences in a wide ranging and moving discussion led by Jo and Steph. The Resolution "Mental health matters as much as physical health. The NFWI urges all WI members to recognise the importance of parity between mental health and physical health, and take action to make it as acceptable to talk about mental health issues as much as physical heath issues, and to lobby government for better support" gained wide support from LEWI members. The briefing notes for the discussion can be found here. www.thewi.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/282920/MHM-briefing-notes.pdf Any full member of LEWI who was unable to attend the meeting can cast their vote by emailing [email protected] no later than Friday 13th April. LEWI's decision on the Resolution will be announced at our Annual Meeting in May. Jeanette, Avril and Jean are celebrating birthdays in April - many happy returns to them. At our meeting on Tuesday 6th March 2018 our speaker for the evening was LEWI member Sandra Abbey talking about her work as a midwife. Sandra's extremely interesting, informative and entertaining talk outlined her career as a midwife both in local hospitals and the community. Members had made 417 baby hats and several sets of bootees, cardigans and blankets for Sandra to pass on to the Premature Baby Unit at the Royal Derby Hospital. In the picture below you can see just some of the lovely hats made by LEWI members. Maureen, Esther, Laura and Jayne are celebrating birthdays this month; many happy returns to them all. Our President Jo paid tribute to Hilary Porter who has stepped down from the committee. Hilary has been a huge support to LEWI and its activities. Members brought along 53.2 kg of donations for the bi-monthly Food Bank collection which is always generously supported. We had an amazing meeting on Tuesday 6th February when members of the Rockabilies choir , led by Nicky, entertained us and lead us in song. It was a really lively and fun evening with a chance for everyone to join in. There was a chance to register interest in the forthcoming glass fusion taster workshop, and to sign up for the Arcade Players performance of W.I Blues at the Duchess Theatre in May. Zoe highlighted the quiz night at the Sportsman Pub in Long Eaton, lots of members are interested in going along on Thursday 1st March; Steph provided details of the evening meals arranged for the next three months; and Jo noted that the next Trent Vale Group meeting would be held on Wednesday 28th March at Aston on Trent with speaker Mike Newbold talking about his service on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Dawn, the volunteer co-ordinator for the Leonard Cheshire Disability Social Group spoke about their groups and encouraged LEWI members to go along and meet group members and get involved in their activities. Several LEWI members have offered to help make a banner to promote awareness of the group. |
Our first meeting of 2018, held on Tuesday 9th January, got the year off to a great start.
Our speaker for the evening was Suzy Roseblade an Occupational Therapist who works for Age Concern Carlton and District. Suzy spoke with passion and commitment about her work in helping to combat loneliness and isolation among older people. Her talk was warm, funny and immensely practical in highlighting ways in which people can become lonely and isolated and some of the ways in which help and support can be provided.
The Food Bank collection was as always very well supported with a staggering 55.8 kg of goods donated and several members brought along used postage stamps for the collection for the ACWW.
Julie Morley's embroidered brick for the DFWI centenary wall hanging was on show and much admired. Julie had designed the brick and embroidered the pattern which highlights some of the key features for which Long Eaton is best known - the upholstery industry, lace factories and the Town Hall building at The Green. Congratulations to Julie for a superb piece of work. The brick will form part of a large wall hanging featuring each of the Derbyshire WI branches.
Jackie and Claire have birthdays this month and Janice presented the cards and led the singing. A very Happy Birthday to them both!
Our speaker for the evening was Suzy Roseblade an Occupational Therapist who works for Age Concern Carlton and District. Suzy spoke with passion and commitment about her work in helping to combat loneliness and isolation among older people. Her talk was warm, funny and immensely practical in highlighting ways in which people can become lonely and isolated and some of the ways in which help and support can be provided.
The Food Bank collection was as always very well supported with a staggering 55.8 kg of goods donated and several members brought along used postage stamps for the collection for the ACWW.
Julie Morley's embroidered brick for the DFWI centenary wall hanging was on show and much admired. Julie had designed the brick and embroidered the pattern which highlights some of the key features for which Long Eaton is best known - the upholstery industry, lace factories and the Town Hall building at The Green. Congratulations to Julie for a superb piece of work. The brick will form part of a large wall hanging featuring each of the Derbyshire WI branches.
Jackie and Claire have birthdays this month and Janice presented the cards and led the singing. A very Happy Birthday to them both!