Broughton WI do a
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Broughton WI’s May meeting is on Thursday 13th May (via Zoom) at 7pm. It is an ‘Open’ meeting so members can invite a friend or member of another WI. We welcome Sarah Lott (shown below) as our speaker for the evening. Sarah is a life story writer and reminiscence specialist. She is passionate about celebrating people’s memories and capturing them for future generations to enjoy, in very special and beautiful life story books / journals. |
Sarah says “In a world where photos exist on phones and laptops and where emails have replaced the precious exchange of letters, keeping memories safe in a tangible way is becoming increasingly important. The world is changing so rapidly that preserving social history is vital to give children and grandchildren insights into a world before technology started to rule our lives.”
It will be interesting too to see if we could record the centenary of Broughton WI in this way.
It will be interesting too to see if we could record the centenary of Broughton WI in this way.
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Anne and Yvonne #WIWalkWithWomen
STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH ALL WOMEN.
#WIWalkWithWomen
On Friday 19th March, Anne and Yvonne went on a walk around their village between 6pm - 7pm. to show support for the NFWI action calling on all WI members to show their support and solidarity with all women who have experienced abuse and harassment.
Although they only met one other person, they chatted about what and why they were doing this. Well done girls.
“Tackling violence against women has been a longstanding concern for the
WI, and while work has already started through our Not in My Name and No More Violence campaigns, NFWI acknowledges that more needs to be done
to eradicate all forms of violence, harassment and abuse against women.
Today and every day, the WI stands in solidarity with all women”.
On Friday 19th March, Anne and Yvonne went on a walk around their village between 6pm - 7pm. to show support for the NFWI action calling on all WI members to show their support and solidarity with all women who have experienced abuse and harassment.
Although they only met one other person, they chatted about what and why they were doing this. Well done girls.
“Tackling violence against women has been a longstanding concern for the
WI, and while work has already started through our Not in My Name and No More Violence campaigns, NFWI acknowledges that more needs to be done
to eradicate all forms of violence, harassment and abuse against women.
Today and every day, the WI stands in solidarity with all women”.
Broughton WI marks its Centenary. (via Zoom).
Candles, cake, bubbles, memories, singing, giggles and games..... a good mixture .... even though it was a virtual meeting and not the 100th birthday meeting we had originally planned.... it was so lovely to see everyone this evening, and great to see new faces and hear Jean and Beryl on the phone.
Thanks were given to everyone (guests, members and friends) for joining us and especially to the committee for the organisation. Here’s to ‘Bumble Puppies’ next year!
Ros. X
Candles, cake, bubbles, memories, singing, giggles and games..... a good mixture .... even though it was a virtual meeting and not the 100th birthday meeting we had originally planned.... it was so lovely to see everyone this evening, and great to see new faces and hear Jean and Beryl on the phone.
Thanks were given to everyone (guests, members and friends) for joining us and especially to the committee for the organisation. Here’s to ‘Bumble Puppies’ next year!
Ros. X
Programme to mark Broughton WI 100th Birthday Celebrations
- Welcome
- Toast to HM The Queen
- Toast to Broughton WI by Helen Newman (Chairman Staffordshire Federation WI)
- Reply by Broughton WI President
- Light candles on cakes and sing happy birthday.
- Reminiscences led by the Committee./slideshow
- Entertainment
- Raffle
- Jerusalem.
A snapshot across 100 years - celebrating fun and friendship at Broughton WI.
‘Bumble Puppy’... one of the most popular activities for Broughton WI ladies in the 1920s - 30s. What was it?
Bumble Puppy was an old game resembling bagatelle, but played out of doors with marbles or ‘dumps’ of lead. It was also known as ‘nine-holes’. It was known to have been played in the early seventeenth-century, it met with a revival, particularly in London, in the late eighteenth-century.
“The game is simply this: nine holes are made in a square board, and disposed in three rows, three holes in each row, all of them at equal distances, about twelve or fourteen inches apart; to every hole is affixed a numeral, from one to nine, so placed as to form fifteen in every row. The board, thus prepared, is fixed horizontally upon the ground, and surrounded on three sides with a gentle acclivity. Every one of the players being furnished with a certain number of small metal balls, stands in his turn, by a mark made upon the ground, about five or six feet from the board; at which he bowls the balls; and according to the value of the figures belonging to the holes into which they roll, his game is reckoned; and he who obtains the highest number is the winner”.
“The game is simply this: nine holes are made in a square board, and disposed in three rows, three holes in each row, all of them at equal distances, about twelve or fourteen inches apart; to every hole is affixed a numeral, from one to nine, so placed as to form fifteen in every row. The board, thus prepared, is fixed horizontally upon the ground, and surrounded on three sides with a gentle acclivity. Every one of the players being furnished with a certain number of small metal balls, stands in his turn, by a mark made upon the ground, about five or six feet from the board; at which he bowls the balls; and according to the value of the figures belonging to the holes into which they roll, his game is reckoned; and he who obtains the highest number is the winner”.
In January, your President
was thinking about how to celebrate our Centenary
in February ...
wearing a T-shirt to emphasise..
SAVE THE DATE IN YOUR DIARY!
Broughton WI January Newsletter
Votes for the Resolution Shortlist
22 Broughton WI members cast their vote ... the results tally was Ovarian Cancer 9, Coronary Heart Disease 4, Racism & Discrimination 1, Protecting Nature space 4, and Stop destruction of peat bogs 4. Thank you to everyone who took part.
The results from across the Federation are shown below. Only 1319 of the potential 4000 votes were cast!
The results from across the Federation are shown below. Only 1319 of the potential 4000 votes were cast!
Great meeting tonight (our final one in our 99th year!), ...where we welcomed visitors from several other WIs ( one, ... Pat K’s pen-pal joined us from as far away as Essex!), and were wonderfully entertained by Lynn Barrow (aka The Quirky Bird), who is also a member of Let’s Make Jam’ WI. Many members enjoyed having a go at the paint-a-long with Lynn who since losing her job in the Travel Industry at the start of the Pandemic has become a most successful and entrepreneurial teacher of art to hundreds of WI members and other groups across the country. Her tutorials are now also followed by people who find it very beneficial to their mental health and well being during the Pandemic. Lynn is soon to be featured in WI Life.
Vicki Evans was congratulated on winning the photo challenge for a ‘garden in winter’ and Judy Thompstone won first place for the December Challenge to write a rhyme about New Year’s resolutions.
Plans are now afoot to include all our Broughton WI members in our 100th birthday celebrations in February.
Vicki Evans was congratulated on winning the photo challenge for a ‘garden in winter’ and Judy Thompstone won first place for the December Challenge to write a rhyme about New Year’s resolutions.
Plans are now afoot to include all our Broughton WI members in our 100th birthday celebrations in February.
Broughton WI Choir at the SFWI Carol Service, Lichfield Cathedral. 13.12.21
Broughton WI performed at the SFWI Carol Service at Lichfield Cathedral (13.12.21). Huge thanks to our Musical Director, Martin Jones and to our pianist, Jean. What a wonderful experience it was!
PLANTING OF THE CENTENARY TREE 4.12.21
Pear tree successfully planted! Thanks to everyone who turned up on a crisp sunny 4th December morning to help plant the Centenary tree. Long may it live and be ever fruitful. Thanks to Louis Bugliarello and Ken for preparing the planting site, and to Vicki for sourcing the tree locally from Johnson Hall Nurseries. Happy Broughton WI Centenary everyone.
Broughton WI December Newsletter
Broughton WI lay a wreath at St. Paul's Church Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday.
In our Centenary Year, a posy was laid on the grave of our first President, - Lucy Vernon Kynaston.
October Newsletter
Centenary Presidents Board unveiled
The Centenary Presidents Board has been hung on the wall of the Broughton Parish Room and looks magnificent. A real work of art by Susan and Christopher Mather to whom we are so grateful for their generosity and wonderful craftsmanship.
BROUGHTON WI CENTENARY DINNER 16.9.21
On a beautiful summery evening, 46 members and guests celebrated the Broughton WI Centenary with a dinner at the wonderful Goldstone Hall Hotel on 16th September… a celebration coinciding with WI Day.
During the evening a newly crafted Presidents Centenary Board was unveiled detailing images (on velum) of the 33 Presidents in office from 1921-2021. It was made by one of our very talented members, Susan Mather, and will be hung in the Parish Room.
President Ros Langford reflected on the last 100 years and raised a toast to the WI going forward into the next 100.................
"I have been reflecting on our Centenary and what has made Broughton WI
so special and vibrant over the past 100 years. ……
Above all else, .. it’s the members! We have such a good mix of all ages,
interests and dynamics. Due to the hard work of those on Committees who
have steered us through the last 100 years (including our current ‘Dream
Team’ as I like to call them) …our membership is long-lasting and loyal; -
numbers have increased and our catchment has widened to include those f
from Shropshire, Woodseaves, Eccleshall and beyond.
Broughton WI over the years has risen to many social and national
challenges, - campaigning for improved housing, sanitation, local transport
and environmental issues, and supported National efforts during the Second
World War and more recently the Covid pandemic. Our members have always
involved themselves with the local community, fund-raising for local
charities; supporting local events and creating wonderful opportunities to
bring people together.
Our WI, like many others has enabled members to develop their skills and
interests, - utilising their amazing talents to cascade their knowledge, and
thereby inspiring many to take-up new ventures and opportunities.
From our archives we know that our founding members entertained
themselves with games of croquet and ‘bumble puppies’, and participated in
many pageants and dramatic performances on stage. Today’s members
might equally be found ‘ breaking a leg’ on stage (Mamma MWIa -style); in
their choir singing specially written anthems, or creating beautiful works of
art in the form of well dressings, to name a few!
Above all our WI is known for the fun and friendship it offers, - and that was
no more apparent than during the past 17 months of Lockdown, when we
supported one another in so many ways, and have come out of the other
side, all the stronger for it.
I am so proud to be a member of this fabulous group of ladies. Like many, …
in what for me, has been one of the most difficult years, to have had such a
wonderful group of friends, who have been so caring and supportive, just
exemplifies they really are the ‘best’.
The future looks bright, and we can finally enjoy meetings face-to-face!
We have welcomed 8 new members since Lockdown ended, and our
reputation as a friendly, active and forward-looking WI is well known.
I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all our members past and present,
and I invite everyone here to join me and raise a glass to toast…
…… ‘the inspiring women of Broughton WI in the next 100 years!"
During the evening a newly crafted Presidents Centenary Board was unveiled detailing images (on velum) of the 33 Presidents in office from 1921-2021. It was made by one of our very talented members, Susan Mather, and will be hung in the Parish Room.
President Ros Langford reflected on the last 100 years and raised a toast to the WI going forward into the next 100.................
"I have been reflecting on our Centenary and what has made Broughton WI
so special and vibrant over the past 100 years. ……
Above all else, .. it’s the members! We have such a good mix of all ages,
interests and dynamics. Due to the hard work of those on Committees who
have steered us through the last 100 years (including our current ‘Dream
Team’ as I like to call them) …our membership is long-lasting and loyal; -
numbers have increased and our catchment has widened to include those f
from Shropshire, Woodseaves, Eccleshall and beyond.
Broughton WI over the years has risen to many social and national
challenges, - campaigning for improved housing, sanitation, local transport
and environmental issues, and supported National efforts during the Second
World War and more recently the Covid pandemic. Our members have always
involved themselves with the local community, fund-raising for local
charities; supporting local events and creating wonderful opportunities to
bring people together.
Our WI, like many others has enabled members to develop their skills and
interests, - utilising their amazing talents to cascade their knowledge, and
thereby inspiring many to take-up new ventures and opportunities.
From our archives we know that our founding members entertained
themselves with games of croquet and ‘bumble puppies’, and participated in
many pageants and dramatic performances on stage. Today’s members
might equally be found ‘ breaking a leg’ on stage (Mamma MWIa -style); in
their choir singing specially written anthems, or creating beautiful works of
art in the form of well dressings, to name a few!
Above all our WI is known for the fun and friendship it offers, - and that was
no more apparent than during the past 17 months of Lockdown, when we
supported one another in so many ways, and have come out of the other
side, all the stronger for it.
I am so proud to be a member of this fabulous group of ladies. Like many, …
in what for me, has been one of the most difficult years, to have had such a
wonderful group of friends, who have been so caring and supportive, just
exemplifies they really are the ‘best’.
The future looks bright, and we can finally enjoy meetings face-to-face!
We have welcomed 8 new members since Lockdown ended, and our
reputation as a friendly, active and forward-looking WI is well known.
I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all our members past and present,
and I invite everyone here to join me and raise a glass to toast…
…… ‘the inspiring women of Broughton WI in the next 100 years!"
September Newsletter
Every member received in their
'Friendship Bags' last year, a
packet of sunflower seeds to grow
in 2021.
This is Vicki Evans's giant
sunflower which really dwarfs
her. Has anyone else managed to
grow a giant sunflower from the
seeds given in friendship?
Success at the 2021 County Show
Because of understandable Covid concerns many of our members didn't attend or enter this year's 2021County Show which was held on 25th-26th May. However
Brenda and Pat K. did enter cakes. Congratulations to Pat who won a 1st for her
Lemon Drizzle cake, and 3rd prize for her 'marbled' cake. The marquee was
awarded 'best in Show and did look beautiful. Next year we hope to submit our
usual larger number of entries across all Classes.
Brenda and Pat K. did enter cakes. Congratulations to Pat who won a 1st for her
Lemon Drizzle cake, and 3rd prize for her 'marbled' cake. The marquee was
awarded 'best in Show and did look beautiful. Next year we hope to submit our
usual larger number of entries across all Classes.
‘ FUN AND YUM’
AT BROUGHTON WI COMMITTEE MEETINGS
A busy committee meeting last night (5.8.21) preceded by some seriously good Indian food created by (host) Anne Clews and culinary partner Patricia Kennedy. So delicious and the best ever start to a meeting! The recipes and techniques were honed at an Indian Cookery course held at ‘Field to Fork Cookery School in Eccleshall which Anne attended using the bursary she had won in our Broughton WI Centenary year, … accompanied by Pat who even bought a new gas stove on which to make ‘proper’ Naan breads! Yum. We did do some serious ‘planning business’ afterwards of course!
AT BROUGHTON WI COMMITTEE MEETINGS
A busy committee meeting last night (5.8.21) preceded by some seriously good Indian food created by (host) Anne Clews and culinary partner Patricia Kennedy. So delicious and the best ever start to a meeting! The recipes and techniques were honed at an Indian Cookery course held at ‘Field to Fork Cookery School in Eccleshall which Anne attended using the bursary she had won in our Broughton WI Centenary year, … accompanied by Pat who even bought a new gas stove on which to make ‘proper’ Naan breads! Yum. We did do some serious ‘planning business’ afterwards of course!
Anne's 'Spicy' Broughton Centenary Bursary Course
Anne Clews, (who won the 2021 Broughton WI Bursary), attended an Indian cookery course at Perrys ‘Field to Fork’ Cookery School accompanied by Pat K. Anne has sent some photos of her Bursary-funded course. It looks delicious. The course was led by chef, Amarpal Harrar, and he helped Anne and Pat create an ‘All day feast’ of traditional Indian dishes. Sounds wonderful! Perrys Field to Fork
Our July 2021 Newsletter
June Meeting
A great June meeting….(hopefully our last to be held on Zoom for a while). Michelle, Yvonne, Carol and Brenda gave some wonderful short talks about an item ‘close to their heart’…. a family bible; a treasured trinket box, a chiming clock and a very special ‘key to the door. We now look forward to our 8th July meeting at Sugnall Gardens where we will enjoy a cream tea; finally get to cut the Centenary cake (made and decorated by Brenda) and judge the entries of our final Lockdown Challenges.
Broughton WI Newsletter : June 2021 edition
Another Broughton WI member’s garden is celebrated in the May-June edition of WI Life.
Congratulations to
Pam Trafford ‘aka BLUE BELLE’.... a wonderful article and you and the garden look amazing.
Broughton WI Newsletter April 2021
Pebbles decorated and inscribed by Michelle, Pat K., Ros and Lesley A.
15th April WI Meeting (via Zoom)
The April meeting was really excellent, albeit a week later than usual. Sixteen members, two guests and our wonderful speaker Frances Carlaw aka 'The Pearl Lady, zooming in all the way from Beaune in France. Some of us had heard Frances speak before at R.H. Group meeting, and knew we were in for a treat, and each time, the presentation has a different angle and you learn something new about that most precious of jewels... The Pearl.
Frances has done hundreds of talks to WIs around the country and was also a Denman Tutor. The funds that she raises from these talks and her Craft Holidays ' Pearls before Wine' are donated to a charity in South Africa that helps feed hungry children; ... that's another amazing story for a future meeting!
So last night we learnt about how Frances was introduced to pearls by her Grandma and that led in later life to trips to China where her love of pearls really took-off. We learnt about the differences and characteristics of the three types of pearls (1) Seed (2) Cultured (3) Faux or simulated. Natural pearls are only found in one in two million bi-valve shells, and Elizabeth Taylor owned a very rare 1" long tear-drop pearl worth £1 million. There are 2 thousand varieties of bi-valve molluscs, but only 20 know how to make a pearl, one of which lives in the River Tay in Scotland, (they are protected!!) The gold-lipped ones are to be found in the South Seas; black pearls can be found in bivalves in Tahiti and gold pearls from those in waters around Japan.
We learnt how cultured pearls are farmed and that a pearl develops - (not from a reaction to grit -as commonly thought), but as a result of the oyster's reaction to a parasitic maggot that has inadvertently entered the shell. The oyster, -irritated by its presence, continually squirts a mixture of calcium carbonate (chalk) and a fibrous protein called conchiolin (forming a substance called aragonite) around the trapped maggot forming a sac and eventually mummifying it, - and in so doing creates a pearl. You can determine the age of a bi-valve by counting the ring marks on the shell. The oldest known pearl is 276 years old. Oysters are some of the longest living organisms on the planet ... averaging 150 years. It can take 2 - 20 years to seed a pearl.
We had a look at examples of different colours of pearls and how we might match them to our skin and eye colour. The lustre of a pearl is more important than their size! The best way to care for our pearls is to wear them, - as the oil from our skin keeps the pearls shining. The hotter we get the more oil we release on our skin.... much hilarity ensued thinking of the activities we could get up to to ensure the good housekeeping of our pearls! We were told to avoid spraying perfume or deodorant onto the pearls as they will be damaged by the chemials....(So dab a drop of perfume behind your ear like Granny used to do!). How could we tell if they are natural pearls? Well we need to run them over the front of our teeth! If they feel rough ... that is because the crystals of the natural pearls are being felt.... so go and test yours now!
A great evening... thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thank you Frances ... we hope to hear more from you in future talks and will be eagerly looking on your website to purchase some of the pearls you have for sale, or maybe even attend one of your courses (Virtual or at your lovely farmhouse in France) to sample 'Pearls before wine'.
* Further information can be found on Frances Carlaw's website:
www.thepearllady.co.uk
and Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/FrancesThePearlLady
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A poem especially written for Broughton WI Centenary by Jean Beasley.
100 years now since we came on the scene
In the Year of Grace one nine two one.
We have seen Peace and War, Plague and Pestilence too
And have met them with Friendship and Fun.
We celebrate now with unquenchable hope,
Firmly set on a future that’s bright
Our love of community strong as before
And with women worldwide we unite.
Jean Beasley 2021
In the Year of Grace one nine two one.
We have seen Peace and War, Plague and Pestilence too
And have met them with Friendship and Fun.
We celebrate now with unquenchable hope,
Firmly set on a future that’s bright
Our love of community strong as before
And with women worldwide we unite.
Jean Beasley 2021