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Although there was no meeting of Doveside WI in August, members enjoyed a Murder Mystery Treasure Hunt around the village, the dastardly deed having been perpetrated at the Club with a stick of dynamite!
Members also took part in the Village Gala, both helping and entering competitions. Several members won prizes across a range of classes, with Angie Gillespie winning the Shield for the most overall points for a lady, and Pauline Giles winning First for her gingerbread.
In September some brave ladies signed up for a trip on the Trent and Mersey Canal on Barton Marina's day boat, skippered by Sue Willmot, and the two days were much enjoyed, once the mysteries of locks and steering had been sorted out.
The September meeting opened with a Toast to the new Royal Baby, Prince George. The expected speaker was unable to come, so a self-taught photographer called Helen Willis came to talk about a trip to India, with many superb slides, and we had fun playing “spot the tiger”!
We also heard from Ruth Winterbottom, who has agreed to run a WI choir, with members from both Rolleston and Doveside: sessions are scheduled for Tuesday afternoons, from 1.30 to 3.00 pm at the Old Grammar School.
In October we had a very brief introduction to his role from Matthew Ellis, the Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, and it was clear there was much more that a could tell us - and we had lots of questions for him - so we hope to invite him back. He was followed by Davina Dryland, a young geologist and gemmologist, who gave an illustrated talk about birthstones and displayed some of her very attractive jewellery for sale.
It was the turn of our Institute to host the autumn Group meeting, and other local WIs joined us at De Ferrers Academy to hear Sue Richies talk about taking part in a relay race to the North Pole – a most enjoyable and inspirational evening.
As always, members can take part in all sorts of activities: hand-quilting, glass jewellery, rustic-reindeer workshops, a Brazilian drumming session, and an afternoon making things for our contribution to the year's Advent display in the Church. Some members have been knitting glove puppets for Operation Christmas Child Boxes, while those of us for whom knitting is a complete mystery have provided items like soap and colouring books.
Outings have included a trip to Lichfield to see the Vienna Festival Ballet's “Sleeping Beauty”, and before Christmas we have a trip to the Potteries and two meals out.
As you can see, we are a lively Institute; we are always delighted to welcome visitors and prospective new members. We meet at Rolleston Club at 9.45 am on the third Friday of the month. For further details see the village noticeboards, or ring Kate Goldsmith on 813234.
Sue Willmot
Doveside W.I continues to grow, and with a variety of speakers and ever more diverse activities seems to meet with the approval of members.
In May, a retired Policewoman, Carolyn Bailey, gave a highly entertaining talk about the trials and tribulations of female recruits in the 1970s. With a title - “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” – cookery was expected. How wrong can you be! It was an eye-opener into the attitudes of a not too distant past, and thankfully things have improved.
As the speaker for the June meeting was unable to come, a W.I member, Sue Willmot stepped in at the last minute. She had us “in stitches” regaling us with her activities afloat – some quite hair-raising – not for the faint hearted.
Hugh Davies gave a most interesting talk in July about Women in Intelligence, Espionage and Resistance – we have a great deal to thank these brave and ingenious people for.
Many outings have been enjoyed – an afternoon with Mistress Shakespeare (aka Lesley Smith) at Tutbury Castle lived up to the usual expectations, visits to some beautiful gardens – Floribunda at Chatsworth, Lea Gardens and a garden at Little Haywood that has been featured on Gardener’s World – all with delicious food, as are many W.I visits. The interesting Literary Luncheon, and the Group Cream Tea also both lived up to the W.I.’s reputation for good food.
Other activities included a Swap Party, cinema visit to see “The Audience” starring Helen Mirren, encaustic art classes, a chance to make a willow tension tray, floral art workshop and a local walk. Many more are planned – Treasure Hunt, Canal Trip, Potteries visit and Hand Quilting, and good speakers booked.
The Michael Jackson scarecrow won highly commended at Garden Sunday and I am sure W.I talents will be on show at Gala Day.
Doveside W.I meet at Rolleston Club at 9.45am on the third Friday of the month – for further details see village noticeboard or ring 813234.
Elunid White
They say time flies when you’re enjoying yourself – it doesn’t seem long since the last report, and Doveside W.I has certainly been busy.
A variety of topics have been covered by our latest speakers – in February, Julie Willis gave a talk about aromatherapy, explaining how different oils are produced and stored, and their use for a variety of different conditions.
At the March meeting, Doveside W.I. member Sue Fraser gave an interesting talk about Victorian childhood, illustrated with toys and artefacts from the collection at Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood – a far from idyllic time for many children and their families. the A.G.M. was also held at this meeting and Kate Goldsmith was re-elected as President.
Another local resident, Sylvia Martin, was a mine of information giving us a talk about Historic Kitchen Gardens at the April meeting – much of the food we now enjoy was an expensive luxury, and quite a status symbol, years ago.
The Annual Rose Bowl competition was held in April – the chocolate cakes entered all looked very tempting and the winner was Pauline Giles. Gill Pyne was also presented with a crystal bowl for the highest overall average score at the monthly Scrabble meetings.
Doveside members have also been successful at County and Group levels including some amazing fashion accessories made out of plastic bags.
Many attended the Rag Rugging Workshop, and produced some very professional looking flower corsages and they will be busy again soon trying their hand at Encaustic Art. A very different morning was enjoyed at the Singing Workshop - very entertaining, but the rest of us have yet to be regaled with the results.
On a cold sunny morning in February, a large group of W.I. members, friends and family, had a very enjoyable visit to St George’s Park – all were most impressed with the facilities, and were surprised to meet the England Manager who happened to be attending an event. The young grandson of one member was especially pleased and will be the envy of his friends when he shows them the photograph he had taken with him.
The production of Calendar girls at the Brewhouse was enjoyed by all, and
with many other outings in the pipeline including canal trip, garden visits and
a cream tea at Tutbury Castle, county and local events members will continue to
keep busy.
Two members have made the national press – Edna Wilson had a beautiful poem
published in the Daily Mail, and Diane Marriott has taken part in BBC Bargain
Hunt programme. At a recent meeting it was interesting to hear how she and her
daughter were selected and auditioned and then about the recording of the
programme to be shown in the autumn.
With a full programme of meetings – speakers covering Cookery, antiques and Womens’ Role in War Work – if you are interested to come along to a meeting at Rolleston Club on third Friday of the month at 9.45am. For details see a village notice board or ring 813234.
Elunid White
Despite the inclement weather, Doveside W.I. has continued to keep busy with various meetings, outings and activities.
There have been three W.I meetings since the last edition of Rollestonian. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the speaker on Indian Cookery was unable to come to the November meeting. Stepping in at the last minute, Sue Robinson gave an interesting demonstration of Encaustic Art – it did look rather hazardous, but it’s amazing what can be produced with a hot iron and paint.
Christmas Miscellany was the title of Audrey Hall’s talk in December – setting the festive mood with her lively repertoire with a competition for the best wrapped gift. Delicious mince pies and Christmas biscuits baked by Carol Swift, and the Christmas tree from the Advent Festival on display, Christmas was in the air. The tree looked very impressive with some innovative and attractive handbag decorations made by members using a variety of crafts including decoupage, crochet and knitting.
W.I. member Gill Pyne compiles such a good quiz, she has now become an annual fixture for the January meeting – her hard work results in a morning enjoyed by all.
Members have other opportunities to meet up, with a thriving Scrabble Group, many workshops and outings, and Group and county events. The decoupage afternoon at Tutbury Ceramic Cafe produced eye-catching items, and the results of the seasonal flower arranging workshop, run by Ann Haywood and Elsie hood, will have graced many a table at Christmas.
The Christmas meal at the Jinnie Inn was, as always, an enjoyable occasion thanks to the appetising food and good hospitality on offer.
In January, a visit to the cinema in Burton to see a live transmission of La Boheme from the Royal Opera House, was a very pleasant evening. As usual Ann Haywood organises a comprehensive programme, and in the pipeline are a tour of the National Football Arena, A Military Wives concert in Lichfield, Cream Tea at Tutbury Castle, and a Rag Rugging workshop. She has also booked a variety of speakers for the coming year.
A joint Coffee morning with the evening W.I. was well attended, and raised funds to help the Scouts in their venture to build an orphanage in Kenya.
With a friendly atmosphere to add to all this why not see if it is for you – we meet on 3rd Friday of every month at 9.45am in Rolleston Club. For further information see village noticeboard, or contact Kate Goldsmith on 813234.
Last updated: 2 February 2014