Our AGM was very well attended, despite it being a particularly cold night on Wednesday 19th. We managed to let ourselves into the school after a bit of a tussle with the automated locking system and were all seated by about quarter past. This month we had a talk given by Margaret Parker and friends from the History Live group based in Hollinsclough. To call it a talk is rather misleading as what the three ladies (each with a very unique style of delivery) regaled us with was part acting and part reading: the collected memories of local people from days gone by. Some of them cheerful, some of them poignant, and some of them, like the brief funeral bill for a baby boy, stowed away in a drawer for years, brought tears to more eyes than mine, I am sure.
We thanked the ladies of History Live, had a nice hot cup of tea and got down to the WI business of the evening. Our Treasurer Julie Phillips presented the accounts, and her report was followed by our Secretary Carolyn Chambers, who gave us an excellent and beautifully written summary of our very first year. Retiring President Denise Lorne and Treasurer Julie Phillips were then presented with a bottle of wine by me, (I asked them not to forget to drink to us when they broach it and they will be missed not least as founder members of this special new WI).
The lovely Sylvia Jennings, President of Fairfield WI, and friends had agreed to officiate for us in the electing of a new President and setting up a committee for 2012, and after Sylvia had disseminated some good advice to help us fill our sails for the journey into the coming year, Melandra Smith was duly elected as new President. That’s me, and I would like to thank everybody who voted for me most sincerely. I shall enjoy my part in arranging an exciting programme for next year.
If you would like to know more about History Live, our next meeting or joining Longnor Area WI please get in touch. We’re recruiting all the time! Email: melandrasmith@gmail.com or carolynchambers@btinternet.com
Our next meeting is a cookery workshop – Christmas Puddings Delia’s Way, given by Carolyn and held at 7pm on Wednesday the 16th November, Longnor School, Buxton Road, Longnor. Bring a basin! The competition is an amusing business strapline, so get your thinking caps on.
Charges will be Members: 50p (for refreshments) and Visitors: £3.50. If you have been to more than three previous meetings you will be required to take out full WI membership, however, the cost of the meetings will be deducted from what you have to pay as a member so it gives you a chance to try before you buy.
What a lovely way to spend a summer evening, tasting wine and sampling cheese with your friends and neighbours? Longnor Area WI welcomed Neil Duckworth from Majestic Wines at Ashbourne and Helen Kidd from the Hartington Cheese and Wine Company to describe their wares to us at our July meeting.
Helen described the lovely cheeses she had brought for us to try and also told us a bit about the company and the wide range of services they offer. A popular choice for brides at present is a wedding cake made up of tiers of cheese rounds.
A world tour of wine was on offer from Majestic. Neil explained how a wine should be swirled in the glass to bring out the subtle flavours and that drinking it with the tip of your tongue enabled you to judge its acidity. After trying 3 whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Macon Villages and Errazuriz Chardonnay followed by 3 reds: Pinot Noir, Rioja and Malbec we all retired pink faced to the splendid buffet made by the members.
We were also delighted to welcome to the meeting a contingent of members from Taddington, Biggin and Fairfield WI’s. It was great to see them and they clearly enjoyed the experience. The next meeting is at Longnor Primary School on 17th August 2011 at 7pm. We have booked a Stall at the St Bartholomew’s Fayre on 10th September. We would like members to come along on 17th with ideas for craft items that we can make to sell at the Fayre. Please contact Carolyn on 01298 83783 if materials for your idea need to be purchased in advance.
The heavy rain showers all day threatened to stop us in our tracks but we WI women are made of sterner stuff and we set off on what turned out to be a truly lovely mid-summer evening. We met at Longnor market place and walked up top o’ the edge to our first stop where John Wilson, our bird expert explained the difference between various bird calls and we heard amongst many others, warblers and blackcaps. On we went, down past the ripening hedgerows to Underhill farm and along the Dove where curlews and whitethroats were in evidence. A cheeky robin sitting on the fence at Meadow farm gave a wonderful display before we entered Crowdecote where we stopped for a drink and a rest before the long pull up the lane back to Longnor. It was a great evening and a good chance to catch up with each other. Anyone with access to Facebook can see the photos on ‘Longnor Area Women’s Institute’ pages.
Next month, we will be in the expert hands of a professional wine taster. The meeting ‘A Taste of the Summer Wine’ will take place at Longnor School on Wednesday 20th July at 7.00 pm. Posters will go up in the villages with more details nearer the time.
The W.I. meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month, normally at Longnor school. We have a full programme of activities for local ladies to join in with and we welcome visitors as well as WI members.
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Page last published: February 16th 2012, 9:24 am