A busy year with Eastcombe WI

THE November meeting saw our annual Xmas Auction, led with great hilarity by Beryl Freebury – always such a good fun evening – and everyone gets a present!

2017 has seen well-attended meetings, with a varied programme of speakers:- Nell Gifford on her circus life and the formation of Gifford’s Circus; decorative flower-making with Susan Stayte; the experiences of Julie Dolphin (new owner of Miserden Nurseries) in her role as horticultural researcher for the Gardener’s World programme.

We had an insight into the work of the Air Ambulance, the National Star Centre, and life as a tennis official at Wimbledon.

In July, Izzy Dalby (Jenny Walker’s granddaughter) inspired us when she spoke about her visit to the United Nations in New York, where she gave an impressive address on the empowerment of women.

A talk about 40 years a Salesman brought back fond memories of a time gone by, but a talk about Highway Men and Women made us thankful that they were a thing of the past!

We were the hostess Institute for the Group, and organised the Carol Concert in St Augustine’s Church, the Group Round of the County Quiz, and hosted a Group Fund Raiser for Denman College.

Members have supported GFWI activities – the County Carol Concert, Annual Council Meeting and one of our members was Link Delegate at the AGM in Liverpool.

We helped serve teas at the Snowdrop weekend at Colesbourne, have been on walks, and hosted a County walk in May.

We have been on Federation holidays, courses at WI House and at Denman.

Trips have been enjoyed – to the BBC at Bristol, afternoon tea in the Pump Room at Bath, the Royal Mint in Cardiff, and twice enjoyed shows at Bristol Hippodrome thanks to kind invitation from France Lynch WI.

Oh, and not to forget - a friendly skittles evening.

Lunch and Book Clubs are both still popular, and the Craft Club enables new crafts to be learnt from fellow members.

Tiny garments are knitted for premature babies in Bristol, and coins collected for the Cobalt Unit.

A tree has been decorated with Father Christmases and placed in the St Lawrence Tree Festival, and we look forward to our Christmas meeting with a festive supper and entertainment.

We have another busy year planned for 2018 - if you would enjoy involvement in our activities - just contact Margery Lambert (01453 886697, or email marglambert@btinternet.com) for further information and to arrange to sample one of our meetings.