Nailsworth WI with talks on aromatherapy, archaeological sites, metal detecting and local research

SO FAR this year we have had four talks and enjoyed them all.

Christine Gardiner’s talk on aromatherapy explained that aromatherapists are able to determine the best combination of essential oils which will improve a specific health or wellbeing problem affecting someone.

We were fascinated to see the great number of oils from which Christine had to choose.

The next three talks had some connection with looking into the past; Dave Partington described and illustrated the archaeological sites which he had visited in Jordan; they date back to civilisations which had occupied Jordan at different times during the last few thousand years.

He took us on a journey through Petra showing pictures of buildings carved out of the rock face some of which were just a facade carved on the surface and we saw how narrow the opening was into to this mysterious valley.

The next talk was by Barry Wales about his hobby of metal detecting.

He brought along many examples of his finds which we were able to study closely.

He explained the rules relating to treasure trove and the rights of farmers and others on whose land valuable objects were found.

He passed on to us the fascination and excitement to be experienced when bringing to light an object, no matter how humble, which had belonged to someone from a different age which could have been lost tens, hundreds or even thousands of years ago.

The next talk was by Jane Butler who based her talk on her researches into local families, their houses and gardens.

She explained that her search started on coming across a charming photograph of a young woman of a well-known Nailsworth family and deciding to look into the era and society into which she was born.

Her researches uncovered many more old photographs of her family, their house and garden and those of their friends and built up a history of Nailsworth businesses, social events and a history of the Baptist Church which fascinated all our members whether they were Nailsworth born or moved to this pleasant town.

Our next talk “A Rambling Fancy - In the Footsteps of Jane Austen” by Caroline Sanderson is on June 12.

Visitors are welcome.

For information phone 01453 832034.