Harrods 1909

This month was an 'Open Meeting' with 53 visitors from 8 local WI's and the general public.  Mr Richard Furnival-Jones from London was welcomed by the president, Susan Leng, with his talk entitled "The Palace of Knightsbridge - aka Harrods".

He joined the company when he was 18 years old and retired after 40 years. It was interesting to hear about the history of the department store from the nineteenth century to its present day. He related many fascinating anecdotes to his captive audience. The evening ended with a grand raffle.

December will be a Christmas Party with buffet and no cutlery or glasses will be required this year. Mr Frankie Coulter will entertain with a variety of music played on his keyboard.

Dogs, College & Lifeboats - The Women's Institute October Update

An outing has been arranged for 17 October to Tiptree and lunch at Perrywood Garden Centre. A coffee morning is held every month at the Treble Tile. Next one 25 October at 10.30am.

Canine Partners

We have an open meeting in November when Mr Furnival-Jones will talk about his 40 years at The Palace of Knightsbridge i.e. Harrods. Visitors £2 pay on the door. We shall be welcoming many local WI's.

In September the president, Susan Leng welcomed members who enjoyed a talk from Canine Partners Assistance Dogs, helping people with physical disabilities. The wheelchair bound speaker brought along Guy, his dog, who demonstrated his skills used around the home and when out shopping.

In August five members visited WI Denman College for the day near Oxford and spoke about their impressions during social time.  Squares are being knitted and made up into blankets for the special care baby unit.

West Mersea Lifeboat Station

Mr Rick Boreham was this month's speaker. He is a volunteer with West Mersea RNLI. With the aid of slides members heard about the history of the organization and the many incidents involving the Mersea Lifeboat. He also put on the suit the men wear when going out on a call.

Jubilee Thrones with the WI

President, Susan Leng welcomed guest speaker Barbara Faulkner who celebrated the June Jubilee meeting with members. She began with a quiz of 20 questions about the Queen. No one knew the Queen had nine thrones! The evening continued with a racing game.  Barbara then played music for the members to sing Land of Hope and Glory and Rule Britannia everyone was dressed in red, white and blue.


Following tea, a verse was chosen from the adult village competition and this will be printed together with drawings from the two age groups of children.  The card will be sent to the Queen from the residents of West Bergholt.

Van Dal & Norwich trip - Seats available

The local WI have arranged a visit to the Van Dal shoe factory and shop on 4th July and have seats available for anybody interested in joining them (couples welcomed).

After visiting the factory there will be ample spare time to wander around Norwich with its waterside, city centre and castle as obvious attractions.

If you are interested contact 01206 240854 to book a place on the coach, seats are £16 and the coach departs from Orpen Hall car park at 8:15.

WI meetings and outings

The president Susan Leng welcomed members and thanked all who brought cakes as our annual contribution to St Helena Hospice Colchester.

The July outing will visit the Van-Dal factory and shop in Norwich with free time to follow. Contact 01206 240854 to book a place on the coach.

As part of the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations the W I is organizing a card with verse competition which will be professionally printed and sent to the Queen from the village of West Bergholt. Forms will be available from the Co-op later this month.

Erika Cole presented the completed photograph album recording the W I's 90th birthday celebrations during 2011.

Mrs Paula Short was welcomed with her talk on The Artists who Painted Horses.

Beetles & Mediums - WI January report

The new president, Susan Leng, welcomed members and several visitors to the January meeting. Following tea members enjoyed a game of Beetle.

Ideas for Social Time can be brought to the next meeting on February 1st where contributions to our new sales table for unwanted gifts etc. would be appreciated to help our funds. Mrs Stephanie Barrows will talk about Psychics and Mediums.

 Members are looking forward to the WI's 91st Birthday Lunch at The Lion Leavenheath on Wednesday 8 February.

Women's Institute - Christmas update

Pat Moran, president, welcomed members to the Christmas meeting.  She was presented with an orchid and grateful thanks from everyone who appreciated her hard work and dedication throughout her 4 years in office.  Susan Leng will take over as president in January. Joint winners of the competitions during 2011 were Nora Bates and Erika Cole.

Subscriptions of £31.50 will be due at the January meeting. A birthday lunch has been organised for 8 February anyone who has not signed the board or paid should ring 01206 240854.

Women's Institute - September Update

President Pat Moran welcomed members and visitors to the most recent meeting. The W I is looking forward to entertaining past members as their 90th year is celebrated.

A walk is planned for 19 October followed by lunch at Barn Plants.

The scheduled speaker was unable to attend at the last minute but the president gave a fascinating and enlightening talk on her childhood in a mining valley in South Wales.

Next month Barbara Faulkner makes a welcome return with her talk entitled The 'Witch' Report on Halloween. Everyone is encouraged to wear something appropriate for the occasion. It is an Open Meeting with several other W I's invited to attend.

Happy Birthday to WI

The village W I was 90 years old on February 2 when they met in the Orpen Memorial Hall and enjoyed hearing memories of past meetings from 3 members. A taster evening of favourite recipes were on hand to sample and the president, Pat Moran read the minutes from the first meeting held in the village school now the local hairdressers.

The Balkerne Restaurant

A Celebration lunch was held at the Balkerne Restaurant, Colchester Institute on February 17th. The students prepared an excellent 3 course meal for everyone. Rene Keates, 90 this year and long standing member Joyce Lucking cut the cake made by the college. Individual pieces were wrapped in cellophane and tied with a red bow which members took home.

A truly memorable day.

Women's Institute - December Report

Members braved the icy conditions to be welcomed by the president Pat Moran to the Christmas party. The supper was prepared by the committee and members were then entertained by Ray Spiller with his musical quiz and CD's from the pop charts interspersed with his anecdotes.

Next month subscriptions of £30 are due also the remaining payment of £7 for our birthday lunch in February. The meeting on 5 January will welcome a speaker from the Salvation Army. The competition will be a pretty cup and saucer.

Women's Institute - November Report

The president, Pat Moran, welcomed members to the Annual Meeting. Vouchers were given to Joyce Hollock and Mary Fulford who were joint winners of the monthly competition for 2010. A letter was received from the federation secretary, Val Stone, for our cheque of £19.32 collected from 'pennies for friendship' for ACWW.

Pat Beeching chaired the Annual Meeting with president Pat Moran re-elected, Pat McSweeny remaining as treasurer, Marie Fitz-John minute secretary and Jacqui Hunns joining the committee as secretary. Retiring secretary, Rachael Colley, was presented with a plant and good wishes given to her for her forthcoming marriage.

Two plays then followed 'Crickets' written by Rene Keates and 'Old Friends' written by Joyce Lucking both members of our WI.

Next month is the Christmas party which will begin earlier at 7pm, members are reminded to please bring cutlery and a glass.