AUGUST NEWS
Members and friends enjoyed the trip on the West Somerset Steam Railway to Minehead in June and we are very grateful to Eileen for once again organising a very successful outing.
“Sugar Island – Castro’s Cuba” was the title of Chris Shaw’s travel talk at the July meeting. We were very interested to learn more of the history and culture of the Island and to see pictures of the beautiful old buildings, many of them preserved by UNESCO. Thanks to Margaret Ashworth and Anne Armstrong for refreshments.
There is no meeting in August but we do hope that you will all support our Autumn Sale on Saturday September 4th on the Green from 2 – 4 pm. This will include cakes, jam, produce, plants, books …… and much more
September meeting will be on Wednesday 8th at 6.45 pm – “Happy Feet” - a talk by Debbie Marsh of Hotter Shoes.
Scrabble in future will be on the first Thursday of each month at 1 Hardy Close – All welcome.
Angela Barrett
Cerry McQueen and Maureen Marchant enjoying the train ride on our Outing on West Somerset Steam Railway in June.
Manning the WI Cake Stall at the Blanchard Barbeque 19th June 2010 - Angela, Cerry and Elaine.
A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY...
WI's 'MADE IN MARTINSTOWN'
on the Village Green • 4th September 2010.
JUNE/JULY NEWS
The May meeting took place on our new meeting night of Wednesday, and earlier time of 6.45 pm. In the absence of our President, Jill, the meeting was ably chaired by Vice-President, Jan and we moved swiftly through the business before welcoming our speaker Joyce Peel, assisted by Mel, from the Police Driver Awareness scheme. Their aim is to prevent accidents by educating drivers and we were reminded of the acronym C O A S T : C – Concentration, O – Observation, A – Anticipation, S – space-giving and T – Time to plan. We were also asked when we last read the highway code (quite some time ago for most of us!) and urged to obtain a copy.
Margaret Hearing reported on the Spring Council meeting which she had attended as delegate. There had been an excellent talk from Erin Pizzey on Women’s Refuges. She stressed there should be a Refuge within reach of every town.
Thanks to Ann Singleton and Maureen Marchant for refreshments.
The Outing to Minehead will be on Monday, 14th June. There may still be a few places left – contact Eileen on 889459.
At the July meeting on Wednesday, 14th we look forward to hearing more from Chris Shaw on her travels – this time to “Sugar Island – Castro’s Cuba”. Doors open at 6.30pm. This will be an open meeting and all visitors are welcome at 7 pm.
Angela Barrett
APRIL NEWS – UPDATE
On 12th April 2010 we had our normal meeting combined with our AGM.
Please note the cost of our Outing Monday 14th June is now £21.50 this will include Tea or Coffee on the outward journey. Please give your payments to Eileen as soon as possible, thank-you. 25 Members attended the meeting and the Committee announced the decision of the Questionnaire as 22 in favour (4 against ) for meetings to be held on the second Wednesday of the month. Doors to open at 6.30p.m.
Please note the next meeting date in your diary - Wednesday 12th May 6.30pm. New members would of course be welcome.
From the AGM Reports, Cerry our Secretary reminded us of our successful outings - one to Brownsea Island and Moreton Church, fundraising events, and donations to Village causes, the Hall and our Beekeepers.
Jan - Finance:- By keeping costs in check we have a healthy balance and hope to be able to make another village donation this year.
Jill - President, Thanked Committee and members for their loyalty to Martinstown WI, they make it the pleasant meeting it is.
The present Committee and President were unanimously voted to continue in office.
We ended the meeting with a humorous Quiz involving the Village and delicious desserts, calorie content ignored !
Jill Pearce (p/p Angela Barrett)
APRIL NEWS
At the March meeting we were joined by a number of visitors for a most interesting talk from Mrs Una Russell and Mrs Audrey Grindrod on “The Manor Houses of Dorset” – a beautifully illustrated book which had taken them 7 years to write. The book tells the history of the houses and their owners, many have been owned by the same family for generations. There were tales of murders, intrigues, love affairs and ghosts!
Thanks to Monica Ellis and Barbara Figg for refreshments.
The WI. are considering changing their meeting night to a Wednesday and members are asked to return their questionnaires or make their views known to the Committee as soon as possible so that a decision can be reached at the AGM on 12th April.
Eileen announced details of the outing on Monday 14th June on the West Somerset Steam Railway from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and return, allowing 2 hours in Minehead for lunch. Coach leaving the village at 8.15 am and back by 5 pm. Cost £19.50 inclusive. All welcome. To book ring 889459.
Next meeting – 12th April at 7.45 pm – AGM (with desserts provided by the Committee)
Angela Barrett
MARCH NEWS
At the February meeting the speaker was Revd Stewart Timbrell who entertained us with a hilarious account of his days as a curate in Lancashire, including the pitfalls of taking funeral services (be sure to know the name of the deceased!), visiting (and drinking tea) with elderly housebound parishioners and taking Assembly at the Infants School with a ferret called Humphrey.
Thanks to Christine Gibson and Alison Stevens for refreshments – the Valentine’s Day heart shaped biscuits were much appreciated.
The next meeting will be on March 8th at 7.45 in the Village Hall when Mrs Una Russell & Mrs Audrey Grindrod will be telling us about “The Manor Houses of Dorset”.
Open Meeting -
All visitors welcome at 8 pm.
Angela Barrett
FEBRUARY NEWS
Well done to all those who braved the icy weather to attend the January meeting when we enjoyed sharing memories of 50 years ago. We discovered that members were scattered throughout this country, Scotland and even the USA. Some were working and others just starting young families (and a few of us were still at school!).
Thanks to Margaret Ashworth and Denise Parmiter for providing delicious refreshments.
The next meeting will be on February 8th at 7.45 pm – a talk entitled “Clerical Error” by Rev Stewart Timbrell. This is sure to be a very amusing talk – so don’t miss it.
Angela Barrett
DECEMBER NEWS
At our meeting in November we took part in a session of Chair Based Pilates with Sophie Dorkins and Samantha Firkin from the Dorchester Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic.
Margaret Hearing reported on the Autumn Council meeting in Poole which she had attended, together with four other members. The speaker in the morning, Jen Green, had been highly entertaining, and in the afternoon gardening expert Bob Flowerdew had been very interesting and given some helpful tips. Plans are already been considered for celebration of the Centenary in 2016!
Refreshments were kindly provided by Di Bailward and Maureen Battcock.
Thanks to fund raising efforts such as the Made in Martinstown stall and cream teas we are very pleased to have been able to donate £250 to the Village Hall Funds.
The Christmas Party will be on 14th December with seasonal music from Anne Grey – “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. We have decided not to have a bran tub this year, but we will be making our usual gift of toiletries to the Women’s Refuge.
“Where were you in 1960?” is the subject for our first meeting of the New Year on 11th January – come along prepared to share what you were doing 50 years ago.
Christmas Lunch at the Brewers will be on Tuesday 15th December
Angela Barrett
The Women’s Institute
The largest women’s voluntary organisation in the country. Martinstown WI usually meet on the second Monday of each month in the Village Hall at 7.45 pm when talks are given on a wide range of topics. Other activities include weekly table tennis, monthly Scrabble, two book reading groups, an annual outing, theatre and garden visits and community support activities
All ladies of any age most welcome. Further details from Mrs Jill Pearce (President) Tel: 01305 889295.
Visit the WI website • CLICK HERE