Eastcombe WI with a cross country skier

OUR President welcomed everyone to the meeting and business matters were swiftly dealt with.

The number of events/activities always takes a sharp rise as we emerge into some spring-like weather.

A trip to Clark’s Outlet Village, support for the Thomas Keeble annual coffee morning on Wednesday, May 1, Open Garden teas, a trip on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway, and a Jewellery Enamelling course are just a few additions to the regular activities.

So far this year, £65.36 has been raised in pennies and loose change, and donated to Focus, a charity that aims to provide support to local cancer patients and their families at Gloucestershire Oncology Centre.

This month Robert Bryant, ARPS (Association of the Royal Photographic Society), amazed and amused us with tales of his experiences on The Engadine Cross-Country Skiing Marathon.

In 2018, Robert embarked on his adventures on the 50th anniversary of the Engadine Cross-Country Ski Marathon.

Having begun skiing at the age of 23 on laminated wooden skis, his current ski equipment and wardrobe presents the man in a totally different light.

We were treated to spectacular photographs of the alpine flowering meadows, marmot, and alpine sheep and cows.

Then, breathtaking photographs depicting the scenes as some fourteen thousand skiers, some in national costumes – many in fancy dress, struggled across frozen lakes, up steep inclines and down heavily forested slopes to complete the 26 mile trek!