Leonard Stanley WI: with Slimbridge Dowsing Group

A WARM welcome greeted members after their holiday break from President Maureen, who also welcomed visitors - Elizabeth Morris and Dana Kowalska, Mick Keay and the return of Barbara Cook.

We hope they will enjoy our WI and become members.

Quite a few apologies received but even so, we had a good attendance.

Birthday posies presented to Chris, Shirley, Eileen and Janice followed by a brief report from Treasurer Mary that Fete teas had made £213.62, out of this £33 was donated to the Village Fair committee and £70 towards the Village Hall refurbishment, making a total of £113.62.

The family of Dorothy Clarke, a former President and a long member of WI had given us £300 in memory of her and it was decided that we should try and purchase a wooden seat plus plaque, hopefully with planter to be situated outside the village hall.

The Croquet afternoon at Jill’s had raised £16 for Denman and members were asked to put a small contribution, with the WI making it up to £50.

Every bit helps!

Newsheet – Particular items of interest:

Visit to Lincs on April 24, 2017, New Speakers Taster Event, Poppy appeal by British Legion, Resolutions Shortlist conference on December 1 (delegates requested), Taster Day at WI House and visit to Tyntesfield dressed for Christmas.

WI Activity week – It was decided to walk from the village hall to King's Stanley on morning of September 15, and partake of the gym equipment on the field.

This would be followed by a very welcome cup of coffee at the King's Head coffee shop.

Yvonne reported that we had raised £44.40 so far for ACWW project.

Our monthly lunch will be at The Bell, Frampton on September 21. With costs increasing, Maureen asked members if we should change to alternate months.

Members were reminded that there will be a Macmillan Coffee Morning in the village hall on Saturday between 10am and 12noon. This is always well supported.

Chris, acting Secretary went through correspondence and said how much she and Yvonne had enjoyed their Gloucester Federation weekend at Denman and encouraged others to go and experience what Denman has to offer.

Our speakers were from Slimbridge Dowsing Group which has 45 members and who explained that dowsing had been going on for thousands of years and even mentioned in the Bible and was used when building our wonderful Norman churches.

It was quite interesting to hear the many places it could be used and how the rods responded to specific questions.

Professional dowsers are sometimes employed to find water to sink bore holes etc and check quality of water.

It can also be used for Health dowsing, food allergies etc.

Apparently the remains of Richard III was found with the help of a dowser.

Members were then given the chance to try their skills, amongst some merriment from the rest of us.

The craft afternoons will recommence on September 27, at Claire’s, 6 Gardeners Way, KS at 2pm and WI members are busy knitting poppies, some of which were on display and items for the Christmas shoe boxes.

Anne showed examples of what to put in the shoe box for Operation Christmas and we are aiming to beat our previous target.

Our meetings are always the second Monday in the month at 2.15pm in the village hall and next month’s meeting will ‘Whisper and Shout’ which is the history of Mr Punch.

There will also be a Bring and Buy Stall.

Why not give us a try – you will enjoy it.