Leonard Stanley WI

IT WAS great to meet up after the holiday break and catch up on all our news.

Although some of our members were still on holiday, a reasonable number turned up at the Village Hall despite a wet evening to a warm welcome from President Ann.

Birthday posies were given to Jean, Pat and Chris and a pretty pot of pansies to Monica who recently celebrated a ‘special’ birthday.

The visit to Westonbirt House and gardens went well, despite the weather and the afternoon tea with bowls and croquet on the lawn at Jill‘s was much enjoyed and we all had a good natter.

After a vote, it was agreed that our monthly meetings from January 2016 would be on a Monday afternoon instead of our usual evening, thus avoiding dark evenings to venture out.

Ann then went through items of interest in the Gloucestershire News and advised that the annual membership would be increased to £37.50 and for a joint member £18.

We were also reminded of the GFWI Archive Exhibition at the Folk Museum at Gloucester which was well worth visiting.

Lunch this month would be on September 29, at the Farmers Table at Tortworth and deposits were required for our trip on October 14, to Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

A sample of items to fill Christmas Boxes for age group 2 – 4 years were on show, as it was felt that sometimes this age group was more difficult than the older age groups.

Jill invited any members who liked to knit and natter to come along to the weekly Tuesday afternoons and said that the next one would be at her home. Diaries and calendars would be available at the October meeting.

Members were asked to let Madeline know of anyone who was sick etc, so she could send a card.

Also Maureen thanked everyone who had helped in any way with the recent Macmillan Coffee morning in the Village Hall.

Items were sold rapidly at the well stocked Produce Stall in aid of Operation Christmas Child which included tomatoes, beans, jams etc and it was decided there would be a Bring and Buy Stall at the October meeting.

Ann then introduced Celia Hargrave, who is no stranger to our WI and who gave a most interesting talk on Running the Himalayas in October 1999.

Celia as always is very articulate and gave a good description of her preparation for this race and then details of the actual race and what it entailed.

You felt as though you were with her every step of the way as so vivid was her description of the sights she encountered, the warm welcome she and the other competitors who came from all around the world received.

We felt for her when she felt sick due to the altitude, could actually visualize the wonderful sunset she described and the breathtaking scenery and were touched emotionally when she described the poverty she encountered.

Celia has run 27,000 miles so far and would like to reach 30,000 if she can.

I am sure with her determination, she will achieve this.

Next meeting is on October 12, at 7.30pm in the village hall when Di Alexander will give a talk on ‘Pen and Polisher’, with the competition being ‘My favourite WI memory’ with a photograph if possible.

A warm welcome awaits anyone who is new to the area or who would like to come along and see what the WI is all about.