Book Club and Walking Group didn’t plan January meetings, just as well given the weather at the beginning of the month!. Craft Group did meet to plan activities for the coming year – thanks to Annette for all the thought that she had put into this. She also displayed lots of craft items that had been given by members, some of whom, including Irene Peers, are sadly no longer with us but we will enjoy their generous donations. To see more pictures click here
Our meeting in the Village Hall had to be cancelled because of the extreme weather conditions but we did hold a Zoom meeting, arranged at short notice, to give members the opportunity for a catch up. Many had not been able to safely venture out for the last week. Susan welcomed us to her first meeting as President and members were reminded of various events planned for the coming month or so, including a Whitley discussion of the 2025 resolutions on 16th Jan and Afternoon Tea on 18th Feb to celebrate our 87th birthday as a WI. Jean give us…
Book Club discussed ‘Red Joan’, a spy novel taking us back to the 1940s and the first nuclear bomb – a very thought provoking read. Walking group members – past, present and future were invited by Ann to a very enjoyable party at the village hall. Two separate groups from our Garden Interest group visited Smith’s nurseries in Lymm and created beautiful Christmas wreaths. Click on the blue/green links to see more information and pictures The Walking Group had a great Christmas Party at the Village Hall.
We had a really enjoyable ‘home-grown’ Christmas party, lots of time to chat and socialise. Forty-five of our members were welcomed with Christmas music and served a drink of wine or fruit punch. The tables were beautifully decorated with an arrangement of ‘Christmas wrapped’ pansies, one for each guest to take home with them, all sorted by Annette. Delicious food was prepared and served by Pat and her team of helpers – locally baked quiches with ham, eggs and salad, followed by mince pies made by our members and mini fruit kebabs. Our meal was followed by different games –…
Our Jigsaw team entered the Cheshire WI Jigsaw competition again. We were one of only 3 who completed our jigsaw within the 1hr 30min time slot. We came in third place with a very pleasant jigsaw of a herd of cows walking down the lane by a thatched cottage. A very enjoyable morning, well done to Annette, Susan, Jean and Ann
Click on the blue/green links below for more information and pictures Book Club met to discuss ‘Am I Guilty’ by Jackie Kabler – a very different genre than last month’s Jane Eyre, but an interesting psychological crime thriller. Walking Group visited Marbury Park on a glorious Autumn day, followed by a visit to the Spinner and Bergamot. Craft Group made Christmas Stars, led by Melanie. Art group produced an array of Chrismas labels, pictures and foliage pictures, Baking Beauties were busy creating Christmas Icing Models
Annette is organising this competition – Nature’s Beauty. It’s a great idea, and hopefully lots of you will be inspired to take some pictures, and send the best in to Annette. There are 5 Categories, and you can enter 1 photograph in each category. Pictures must be 6” x 4”, taken by a member of Whitley WI, with your name and the ‘category’ on the back and must be taken in the British Isles. The closing date for entries is April 23rd 2025 and there will be a prize of a garden voucher for the winner in each category.
Our November meeting was the AGM, where we received reports from our Treasurer, Secretary, and President. Pat reported a healthy financial position, albeit slightly down on last year’s balance because of increased costs and our commitment to subsidising events for our members. Susan gave us an illustrated talk reminding us of the very varied activities we offer to members, including each of the main meetings, the subgroup activities and our many successes in county events. You can browse through this website to see how busy we have been. Melanie spoke about how much she had enjoyed being our President for…
A small group of us (plus one husband) gathered on Nov 2nd to put up the WI poppy by our tree at the nature reserve on Raddel Lane. The giant poppy was made by Craft Group last year, thanks to Annette for storing and renovating this. Most of the group had a lovely Autumn stroll around the nature reserve afterwards.
Our much anticipated speaker was Louise Minchin, perhaps best known for presenting BBC Breakfast for over 20 years. She didn’t disappoint and her experience really showed. She was a fascinating speaker – telling us initially about how she went from gaining a degree in Spanish at St Andrew’s university, to working as a reporter on regional television and finally her dream job on BBC Breakfast.In this role she had amazing opportunities to meet celebrities from all spheres of life, and also the chance to take part in lots of different challenges. She also took on the BBC over the inequitable…