Our newest member Carol offered to show us the art of spinning wool and told us the wonderful story of how she came to be such an expert. Her son inherited a flock of sheep when moving to a new property and not knowing what to do with all the fleeces once the sheep had been sheared he asked Carol if she could make her grandson a jumper from what they had. Carol took it upon herself to learn how to spin and then how to weave which we are looking forward to as the second instalment!
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The committee hosted an evening of learning to crochet with the help of a few friends who knew a thing or two about the skills needed to wield the hook and yarn. This was great social evening with more experienced members helping those less at ease with crochet.
January started off to a calm evening of Tai Chi with local master Carol Wrigley. We learnt the art of breathing and simultaneous movement and Carol taught us the importance of keeping your body moving. This was just what we needed after all indulgence over Christmas!
August meeting was hosted at Sotterley Rose Fields, with Kevin from KPS roses.
With dramatic skies on the horizon we ventured through Kevin's fields whilst he told us about his passion for horticulture and the process of growing some award winning roses. Picking a few, we sampled the amazingly varied scents of several different roses including the Beatrix potter rose! After a slightly soggy and muddy tour, we all headed back to Shadingfield fox for some warming refreshments - Thank you Jemma! Another fantastic year at Ellingham and Kirby Cane village fete.
Fully decked out with our handmade (by members) bunting and cakes, our stall was stocked with mouth-watering treats. Well done ladies - the stall looked fantastic! Paul the Baker was back by popular demand to teach us how to bake some tasty Easter treats.
He started by showing us how to make an Easter plait with deliciously traditional dried fruits and a bread dough, but added a little 'twist' with mini eggs and chocolate chunks - Yummy! A couple of our members participated in the demonstration, as Paul's glamorous assistants (holding the table) whilst he kneaded his dough! Thanks Ladies! Next up were the chocolate hot cross buns, made with chocolate bread dough and even more chocolatey chunks! He brought samples of several variations on a hot cross bun including wholemeal, traditional and even some Gluten Free ones for the coeliacs in our group. Thanks Paul! Historian, Rachel Duffield, came to visit us for our February meeting to talk about Queen Victoria.
Talking through the life of Queen Victoria and the fashions of the time, Rachel started in her royal undies and gradually dressed herself with all the time appropriate clothing and accessories telling us about each and every one of them. She brought some beautiful victorian garments to hand around, demonstrating the quality of hand sewing of the time. As our open evening, inviting local WI's, we had nearly 50 people attend who all enjoyed Rachel's fabulously factual and thoroughly interesting evening. Stacey Richards, from Heart of the Matter, came to visit us for an uplifting, post-festivities, January meeting.
As a life coach she runs courses and workshops to build self esteem and personal well-being and came to talk to us about how we can make sure we look after ourselves. She helped us understand a few different thought processes that can help keep us strong, mentally to deal with day-to-day life challenges. With a few techniques to help keep us positive and grounded, members got in touch with their inner selves and can now make sure we keep everything in our lives scrumptious and sparkly! Thank you Stacey for starting our year on a positive note! Our festive open event of Wreath Making was a successful day of two workshops with lots of beautiful wreaths made.
Hosted by our own member Helen, who guided everyone through making their own individual Christmas wreath, we saw a great selection of different results. Everyone left with their wreaths in hand ready for the Christmas period. If you missed out this year, don't worry, we aim to host the event again next December. Ex-professional cake maker, Jane Temple came to show our members how to prepare their Christmas Cakes.
Many of our organised members had their cakes made ready, which were just waiting to be tarted up! Jane took us through the correct steps of jamming, marzipanning and icing all our cakes with that professional smooth finish. Offering great tips to even our most practised bakers on how to get the best and most impressive Christmas Cake. Members were then invited to crack out all their creative skills to add those decorative finishing touches including glitter, crimping, cutting and ribbon tying! Many thanks to Jane for helping us be the best festive hostesses with the most(esses)! |
E&KC WI BlogA record of what we get up to since our beginnings in late September 2013. Archives
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