Rolleston W.I’s autumn meetings began in September following our annual break in August. August also turned out to be busy though, with a guided walk from Ticknall to Calke followed by a pub lunch, as well as guided tours of Melbourne Hall and Clarence House which were very much enjoyed by all who went. We were also invited to attend an open house hosted by our President, Mrs Joan Price, at which we were able to discuss the running of our W.I.

September’s meeting saw members being taught how to make Corn Dollies by Mr Rush who produces around 1000 of these for his local church annually. We all tried making a basic corn dolly with varying degrees of success, and our speaker showed us his own work all intricately made from corn. September also saw us celebrating the 90th birthday of the N.F.W.I with a glass of sparkling wine and a handmade chocolate each.

October saw members being entertained with the history of Repton School by Mr J. Plowright, Head of History and Archivist at the school. The school is about to celebrate 450 year anniversary and Mr Plowright gave us an overview of these years providing members with an informative and enjoyable talk. 

October also saw Rolleston W.I hosting the Group meeting which took place at De Ferrers Specialist Technology College. Our speaker was Notty Hornblower who put on a fashion show of period costumes giving a brief history about them. This was followed by a supper, the evening being thoroughly enjoyed by all those attending.

This month has also seen members enjoying a free visit with coach included, to Ikea at Nottingham. 

Needless to say, no one came away empty handed! We also have a Christmas crafts evening planned at the end of the month.

November promises to be another busy month beginning with the monthly meeting, our guest speaker being Mr G Hook on ‘The World of Mother of Pearl’. This is followed by our annual Christmas Fair on November 19th. Members are also busy stitching at the moment for our contribution to the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church at the end of the month.

Future events planned include the Christmas Party in December, a Beer Tasting evening, Bead Jewellery Making Evening and a trip to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre along with a weekend in Harrogate and York.

If you would like to sample our varied activities and meet new people why not come along to one of our meetings. We meet on the first Monday of the month in John of Rolleston Primary School, Chapel Lane, Rolleston. 

For more information contact Lesley Harding on 01283 530824.

This summer has seen our W.I members busier than ever with Summer activities which began at the end of April with a guided walk in Bluebell Wood. At our meeting in May we discussed this year’s Resolutions which included; further action to reduce waste and conserve resources in our own homes; and raising awareness of the unfair differences in retail prices and prices paid to farmers for milk. Our volunteer representative took our views to the A.G.M at the Albert Hall in June, reporting back to us in July, on what had been a very interesting meeting and had included guest speaker Jane Fonda.

May also saw us on our annual picnic supper which turned out to be a very pleasant and enjoyable evening spent at the Wolseley Wildlife Trust site and H.Q. Again in May, the W.I took an active part in the World War Two weekend in the village, as well as manning a stall at Community Day. Two of our members also took part in the County Scrabble competition taking a very respectable 4th and 5th place.

At the June meeting Michael Cashmore demonstrated the benefits of T’ai Chi and at the end of the month several members took a drive to a garden in Bramshall for an evening visit. We were taken on a most enjoyable guided tour of the garden followed by tea and biscuits.

In July we were entertained with a talk from Ann Wood, a past Events Organiser at Shugborough Hall, about various catastrophes that had occurred during some of the events she had organised. Our annual summer party also took place in this month and turned out to be a lovely sunny evening with delicious food and activities on offer. 

Although we do not meet in August we shall still be busy with a walk from Ticknall to Calke, followed by lunch at a local hostelry, and three days later, a visit to Melbourne Hall. In September we are all looking forward to a coach trip and tour of Clarence House.

We always have plenty of activities and outings going on, as well as our monthly meetings where new visitors will always find a friendly welcome. Why not come along and try one of our meetings. We meet on the first Monday of the month at 7.15p.m, except August, in John of Rolleston School, Chapel Lane. For more information contact Lesley Harding on 530824.

October “Calendar Girl” Comes To Dinner

To celebrate their 70th birthday Rolleston W.I. held a dinner at the Hilton House Hotel on Tuesday 8 February when “real” Calendar Girl, Tricia Stewart, told us how 12 Yorkshire W.I. members made headlines with their nude charity calendar and raised a fantastic amount of money for Leukaemia research. Since then they have travelled widely in this country and America, met many celebrities who are just names to us and were closely involved in the recent popular film. Her talk was a wonderful reminder to us, as we look to the future, that membership of the W.I. can bring amazing opportunities and lasting friendships and enjoyment.

The previous evening President Verity Conner welcomed members and guests to a packed house for the 70th birthday meeting. Staffordshire County Chairman Denise Moreton brought greetings and spoke about the early days of the W.I. movement in Canada. Joy Rose came to judge the knitted premature baby layettes entered for a new competition prize of a silver plate presented to the W.I. that evening by her family in memory of the late Barbara Reynolds.

Seven ladies each presented a brief history of a decade, selecting important moments from our history to interest both old and newer members. We watched a film of a 1978 County Outing to Windsor, which brought back many happy memories to those involved.

After a canapé buffet and a suitable drink we heard about the important part played in our Institute’s history by Barbara Reynolds, a respected and influential former President. Her daughters spoke about their family connections to the Institute and presented the silver plate to first winner Sue Fraser. All the layettes entered will go to the baby unit at Queen’s Hospital.

A month of celebration will be rounded off with a weekend trip to Bath and Bristol for members and friends.

Christmas celebrations began at our December meeting when local toastmaster Keith Kneebone explained in a very entertaining manner how he came to take up this rather different job and how he organises the various events at which he officiates. He shares in the happiness of weddings and relishes the chance to meet sporting heroes at formal dinners. Talk of toasts and celebrations put us in the mood for a seasonal drink and mince pie before our choir led us in carol singing, which is the traditional ending to our December meeting. Stretton Stars entertained us at our Party and we welcomed members of the Forest and Vale Group to a Carol Service in St. Mary’s Church which featured Hanbury’s hand bell ringers, Doveside’s bell plates and Rolleston’s choir.

Richard Farman brought part of his large collection of postal related items to illustrate the history of postcards at the January meeting. Members were intrigued by delicate Valentine cards of the late 19th century and elaborate engraving on bill heads and advertising cards- junk mail was just so much more attractive in the past. A selection of fascinating glimpses of an earlier Rolleston had every one crowding round to look. A fish and chip supper and a quiz to test how well we knew the words of Christmas carols rounded off our evening.

“Bob and Sue’s” Quiz in January tested our brains and Sue Underhill gave us a flower arranging evening with a chance to do our own arrangements. For our 70th Birthday meeting in February we have a visit from our County Chairman and from the family of Barbara and Dennis Reynolds who are to present the Institute with the Barbara Reynolds Plate which will be competed for annually.

Barbara was a past President and guiding light for many years in drama and handicrafts. She inspired and helped many of us and is remembered with affection. As she was an expert in knitting and taught many of us the finer points of finishing our work, the Plate will be presented this year for the best layette for a premature baby and all entries will be sent to the baby unit at Queen’s Hospital. The following evening members take a coach to the Hilton House Hotel for a celebration dinner with guest speaker Tricia Stewart, one of the “Calendar Girls” to tell us of their amazing success with their charity calendar.

March brings our annual meeting when our officers will change. President Verity Conner, Secretary Ann Burston and Treasurer Sue Fraser have led us through the last three very successful years with energy, inventiveness and humour – we thank them for their hard work and dedication. Interested visitors are always welcome at our meetings. Find details on the village notice board or phone 812184.

Joan Price, Press Correspondent

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Last updated: 6 July 2006