Arlingham WI

IT WAS lovely to see two new visitors and potential members at our very special September meeting.

This year is the centenary of the WI and to commemorate the occasion a celebration cake was baked by Bernie.

Our president, Chrissie, opened the meeting by informing members of forthcoming events.

These included a visit to the Christmas market in Cardiff, a new speaker’s taster morning and a walk at Cooper’s Edge.

Our next ladies’ lunch will be at the Old Lodge in Minchinhampton on September 22.

After the financial report it was time for our visiting speaker.

Maria Wilkinson from ‘Well to Walk’ kindly agreed to give us a talk and demonstration about reflexology.

Maria practices the Ingham method, based on the work of Eunice Ingham and her nephew Dwight C Byers.

This method pioneered by Eunice over sixty years ago can deliver health benefits to people of all ages and with a wide range of health problems.

Eunice has written two books demonstrating the effectiveness of her work, ‘Stories the feet can tell through reflexology’ and ‘Stories the feet have told through reflexology.’

It is not intended to be a diagnostic tool, nor to provide a cure but the aim is to restore the balance in the body.

Interestingly there are pictures showing the ancient Egyptians having their feet massaged so the benefits of foot reflexology have a long history.

After giving a demonstration of foot reflexology on our guinea pig, or rather volunteer, Kay, we were then encouraged to try out some hand reflexology on each other.

Reflexology is not a quick fix.

After all, it probably took some time for the body to become out of balance.

Likewise, it will take more than one session to restore the balance.

It may mean that you feel worse initially before the benefits begin to show.

After just a taster session, however, most of us were left with a better appreciation of how reflexology can make the client feel better.

If you know someone who might enjoy a treatment, Maria does home visits and gift vouchers are available to purchase.

She can be contacted on 07792 759744.

We then enjoyed a delicious spread from hostesses Julie and Val.

The competition for an item beginning with the letter N was won by Sue with some nigella flowers, second place went to Maureen with a pair of nutcrackers and in third place was Pauline with a bar of Nutrigrain.

It was decided to give the flowers to Heather Maule.

The next meeting will be on October 8 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall when we will be having a go at card making.

The competition will be ‘Something beginning with the letter ‘O.’

New members and visitors are always welcome.