Nailsworth WI with 'A Rambling Fancy - In The Footsteps of Jane Austen' with Caroline Sanderson and Alison Hesketh's talk, 'Married to the Cloth'

SINCE the last report from our WI we have had two fascinating talks.

In her talk “A Rambling Fancy - In The Footsteps of Jane Austen” Caroline Sanderson described the visits she had made to the places where Jane Austen had lived and stayed and to locations she had used in her novels in the hope of creating a deeper connection to her when reading the letters she had written to members of her family and those she had received from them.

It was a treat for the many fans of Jane Austen in the audience to hear Caroline’s views on her character and hear the quotations from her novels that she chose to shed light on her strength of character and particularly on her sense of humour which ranged through subtle and caustic to laugh out loud.

Alison Hesketh in her talk, "Married to the Cloth" showed a similar sense of humour when she delighted us with her account of her life as a vicar’s wife.

The many hilarious happenings she experienced and the formidable range of skills required of her suggest that the CV of someone taking on the role should include; “can survive in a half built house for several years; can do wonders with five loaves and two small fishes; have the patience of a saint and the resourcefulness of Wonder Woman and a great sense of humour”.

It was a very amusing and light-hearted talk but nevertheless we were filled with admiration for the obvious dedication to helping people at any time and in whatever way needed that Alison brought to being a vicar’s wife.

Our progress in the Skittles Plate contest came to an end at The Beacon Inn at Haresfield on July 26, when we lost to Twyver WI after an enjoyable game of skill and (on our part, chance).

At our next meeting, September 11, Diana Wall will talk about “A Victorian Childhood”.

Visitors are most welcome.

Details of our meetings are available on tel. 01453 833065 or 832 034.