Stanhoe & Barwick WI news archive
3 May 2012
A worthy resolution
WI members support Britain’s midwives.
Nine stalwart members of Stanhoe & Barwick WI turned out on a cold, wet evening in May to debate the 2012 Resolution, explained clearly by Mary Lancefield our vice president, “that the government should increase involvement in the training, employment, and retention of midwives in England and Wales.”
Afterward arrangements were made for a variety of outings. We left for home happily looking forward to running our fundraising cake stall on Saturday, and our birthday lunch next Thursday.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 3 May 2012
12 April 2012
Kitchen advice
Food hygiene and kitchen hints at the April WI meeting.
“What temperature should your fridge be set at?” “Which is the safest way to dry your hands?” “At what temperature do bacteria thrive best?” These were some of the kitchen and food hygiene questions posed in a quiz by Geraldine Butcher at the April meeting of Stanhoe & Barwick WI. We were baffled and uninformed, we discovered, and we were pleased to reap the benefits of two members attendance at a food hygiene course.
Then we laughed merrily as Sandra Carr showed us how they had been shown the correct way to wash your hands, accompanied by the singing of “Happy Birthday”, twice. A lesson that we shall always remember.
In chatty mood we went on to compile a collection of “helpful hints” such as how to stop the smell of fried onions, or how to rejuvenate solid brown sugar, pooling our years of experience in the kitchen.
As a special occasion our president Pamela Austin was honoured for her expertise in taking photographs by being presented with an engraved silver cup awarded by the Norfolk Federation, for submitting the best photo for the 2013 calendar, under the heading of “Typically Norfolk”.
It was a splendid, happy evening, run by the members for the members.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 12 April 2012
2 March 2012
Hotel hilarity
WI open meeting speaker proves well worth the wait.
photo: Pamela Austin
Secrets of the hotel trade: Deborah Preston
attracted — and captivated — a large audience
It was almost a laugh a minute when Deborah Preston spoke to a packed room of WI members and visitors at the March open meeting of Stanhoe & Barwick WI. Having spent over 30 years as an executive housekeeper at a string of very smart London hotels, interspersed with a short period teaching hospitality and life skills in Slough to committed students and “yops”, her stories of the whole experience of organisations, guests, and people that she had met, had us well entertained. We were left in no doubt as to her efficiency in all manner of unimaginable situations.
The afternoon finished with a cream tea provided by our hardworking committee, and was enjoyed by all.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 2 March 2012
8 February 2012
Hotel secrets
Top insider to spill the beans on the hospitality trade.
Have you ever wondered what goes on “below stairs” in a 5-star hotel?
Deborah Preston, dubbed “Britain’s Top Mrs Mop”, will reveal a lot about life above and below stairs in some of the UK’s biggest hotels — from the challenges of managing and motivating a large multi-lingual staff, to the eccentricities of some of the guests. In a career spanning 34 years as an Executive Housekeeper she has seen it all.
For a chance to hear Deborah’s fascinating insights, come and join Stanhoe & Barwick WI at their open meeting on Thursday 1 March at 2.30 pm in the Reading Room, Cross Lane, Stanhoe. Everyone (male and female) is welcome. There will be a £2 entry fee, to include tea and scones.
Posted by: Geraldine
Posted on: 8 February 2012
3 February 2012
Left, right, left...
Osteopath advises the WI on healthy movement.
“You must do something active every day,” Stanhoe and Barwick WI members were told by Cameron Reid, an osteopath, at their February meeting.
Osteopathy, introduced into Britain in 1911, stimulates the ability of the body to self heal, and reduces pain by maintaining mobility. It is very much about muscle manipulation rather than bone manipulation.
A short discussion on how to walk had us thinking about our habits, and vowing to be more active at all times of day.
The competition for a “Get Well” card produced a tableful of very professional entries.
We finished the meeting with two very funny stories, and went home in a happy mood.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 3 February 2012
5 January 2012
Mouse magic
WI members meet children’s author Brian Ogden of Maximus Mouse fame.
Seated in a semi-circle, and clutching a furry toy, we were led astray by Brian Ogden at our January meeting, singing our hearts out, with different words, to the tunes of ”The Hokey Cokey”, “This Old Man” and “Michael Finnegan”.
Having found the talent for writing at an early age it was later in life that Brian found his niche in writing children’s books, and found fame with the stories of Maximus Mouse. He explained the rocky road to publishing with us, and his way of working with children.
As the light failed we were treated to some stories; had our sing song; and best of all, laughed a lot. It was a very happy afternoon on a very chilly day, and a good start to the New Year.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 5 January 2012
3 December 2011
Jingle bells
Handbell ringers enliven WI December meeting.
It was festive cheer all round at the December meeting. The committee had trimmed the hall with holly, candles, a tree, and lots of sparkly decorations. The “bring and buy” was full of Christmas things. And three ladies from the Windmill Ringers wove their magic, creating Christmas tunes by intricately ringing their 29 very shiny bells. We all sang along. It felt like the start of the festive season.
Mulled wine and savouries started off the proceedings, and tea and mince pies concluded the afternoon.
We chose the Christmas lunch; had fun with the Christmas quiz; and marvelled at the competition Christmas crackers; and generally revelled in a sense of festive well being, leaving for home looking forward to the year ahead.
photo: Rosemary Brown
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 3 December 2011
4 November 2011
Year in focus
AGM sees the WI set for another year.
The November meeting of Stanhoe and Barwick WI saw eighteen members involved in a busy AGM. By popular vote Pamela Austin was re-elected as president and four loyal committee members agreed to work with her.
A witty secretary’s report spoke of the many events, trips, and meetings that our “friendly bunch” had supported. A very thorough treasurer’s report showed rising costs, but that hard work has kept us solvent. All of the committee were thanked by the members for their committment and behind the scenes effort.
Before going home a musical quiz, mostly about forgotten pop music, kept us thinking, and a shopping quiz caused much laughter.
We look forward to doing things together during the coming year.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 4 November 2011
8 October 2011
Helping farmers
WI members learn about the work of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.
At their October meeting Stanhoe and Barwick WI members had their eyes opened to the realities of farming life when Bob Baldwin spoke about the work of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI). The reality of the effects of low incomes, poor weather conditions, serious accidents, and epidemics of animal disease on small farmers and farm workers was graphically illustrated in a DVD presentation. And we were told how RABI has helped families in a wide variety of ways by support with food, grants towards personal equipment, heating oil, funeral expenses, and care home accommodation.
Although funding is through donation it is also by the sale of cards and calendars, and through sponsored events such as Welly Week, National Cream Tea Week, Farmhouse Breakfast Week, walks, and marathon running.
An enlightening talk.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 8 October 2011
1 September 2011
Goodbye Carol
WI loses a valued member.
The September meeting of Stanhoe and Barwick WI saw sadness and happiness.
Sadness as we presented farewell gifts to Carol Mountney, a stalwart committee member, who is moving to Suffolk. Happiness as we welcomed Gilly Spencer with a splendid display of Blackwork embroidery.
Gilly took us through the history of the craft from its original use for decorative effect on clothing in Tudor times, to its present day creative use on wall hangings and cards. She finished with a clear explanation of the construction of stitches used, and offered to come back another day to take a workshop on the subject.
Plans were also made to help at a fundraising table top sale, a group meeting, and for several outings.
The afternoon closed with a “Social Half Hour” quiz on shopping, organised by Gillian Beckett.
Posted by: Charles
Posted on: 1 September 2011