Oakridge WI

WE HAVE had two very different meetings, April saw us welcome Gill Garrett who spoke to us about The Female Poets.

Starting off with Elizabeth Barrett-Browning who moved from Co Durham to Ledbury, Christina Rosetti, Vera Britton (Mother of Shirley Williams), Sarah Teesdale the US poet, Pam Ayers, Ironwy Thomas the daughter of Dylan and Wendy Cope, also UA Fanthorpe from Wootton-U-Edge.

Gill read a selection of poems from these ladies, bringing back lovely memories, and many a smile, this was a

lovely evening.

On May 14 Anne guided us through the Resolution for the 100th Annual Meeting in June, which reads as follows:- This meeting urges H H Government to remove the distinction between Nursing Care, and Personal Care in the assessment of the needs of individuals in order to advance health and well-being.

We debated this very carefully and at length, but decided to vote against the resolution.

The Needle Felting Class will be from 2-5pm on Saturday, July 4 in the village hall.

Tickets were on sale for the Summer Group Meeting at Bisley on July 6.

The GFWI Christmas Carol Concert will be on Wednesday, December 2 at Cheltenham Town Hall.

Names and money at the June Meeting please.

Our Speaker was Malcolm J Watkins, who gave us a very interesting illustrated talk on the Mysterious Birdlip Grave Group.

In 1879 Joseph Barnfield was quarrying stone on the scarp between Crickley and Birdlip, when he discovered three human skeletons.

Interred with them was one of the most significant groups of items from the period around the time of the Roman invasion of Britain.

The Birdlip Mirror, beautifully decorated, with engraving and enamelled spots; the Birdlip Brooch is made of silver with gold in some areas, two bronze bowls, a knife handle and a bead necklace containing amber, shale and one Pyrophillite bead.

Smaller items include a bracelet and cast bronze rings.

All these items can be viewed at The Gloucester City Museum.

Date of the Next Meeting:- June 11 at 7.30pm.

Heather Sutton will give us a No 7 demonstration.

July 9, Bob Browning, his subject is Collecting and Recollecting.

As you can see we have a varied and interesting programme on offer, with something for everyone.

Visitors and new members are always very warmly welcome to join us in Oakridge Village Hall on the second Thursday in the month at 7.30pm.