In this section, you can read about any news relating to the Forest Group, CFWI or NFWI.
The Forest Group Autumn Meeting was held on Monday 7th October 2024 at 2.30pm in Tarporley Community Centre. There were more attendees than usual as we had really tried to garner a lot of interest due to our expected visitor - more about her later!
The meeting was run by our secretary Bobbie Nancarrow, as our president Pat Symms was unable to be there.
Following a rousing rendition of Jerusalem, a representative of Tarvin WI gave the Institute news, telling us what Tarvin had been up to this last year.
There followed a great buzz of anticipation and excitement as our guest speaker was introduced, and there she was - Mistress Nell Gwynne! Nell was born in 1650 in St. Martin in the Fields. She told us all about her very colourful life, from when she was about 7 living in a pub, looking after her little sister of 5, while her mother entertained her male customers - upstairs! The life of a prostitute was never going to be hers and, always with her little sister by her side, she made every effort to earn money in other ways. This included selling oranges - which was only a small part of her story. She sold oranges to theatre goers in Drury Lane before becoming an actress herself. She first went on the stage at the age of 14, and was the first woman/girl to play a woman's role on stage, instead of the role being played by a man, as it had before.
She became the mistress of Charles II when she was about 18, one of the many mistresses he had. He had seen her on stage, and it wasn't long before they were together. She is reputed to have been his favourite mistress and she bore him two sons. Sadly one of them, James, died at the age of 9, however the other founded the line of the Dukes of St. Albans which persists until this day. Nell outlived the King by 3 years, dying in 1687 aged 37 years.
We in the audience, listening to Nell Gwynne telling her own story, were absolutely mesmerised. Lesley Smith, who was playing the role, was utterly convincing as Nell and kept us enthralled with her amazing performance. Lesley is an English scholar, historian, heritage publicist and actress. Until recently she was the curator of Tutbury Castle near Burton upon Trent.
Following her performance we all enjoyed tea and many types of cake, after which the raffle was held. We ladies went home very happily, in the light rather than the dark, due to our meeting being held in the afternoon for the second time.
I think that the general opinion was that Lesley Smith, aka Nell Gwynne, was one of the best speakers we have ever had!
The meeting was run by our secretary Bobbie Nancarrow, as our president Pat Symms was unable to be there.
Following a rousing rendition of Jerusalem, a representative of Tarvin WI gave the Institute news, telling us what Tarvin had been up to this last year.
There followed a great buzz of anticipation and excitement as our guest speaker was introduced, and there she was - Mistress Nell Gwynne! Nell was born in 1650 in St. Martin in the Fields. She told us all about her very colourful life, from when she was about 7 living in a pub, looking after her little sister of 5, while her mother entertained her male customers - upstairs! The life of a prostitute was never going to be hers and, always with her little sister by her side, she made every effort to earn money in other ways. This included selling oranges - which was only a small part of her story. She sold oranges to theatre goers in Drury Lane before becoming an actress herself. She first went on the stage at the age of 14, and was the first woman/girl to play a woman's role on stage, instead of the role being played by a man, as it had before.
She became the mistress of Charles II when she was about 18, one of the many mistresses he had. He had seen her on stage, and it wasn't long before they were together. She is reputed to have been his favourite mistress and she bore him two sons. Sadly one of them, James, died at the age of 9, however the other founded the line of the Dukes of St. Albans which persists until this day. Nell outlived the King by 3 years, dying in 1687 aged 37 years.
We in the audience, listening to Nell Gwynne telling her own story, were absolutely mesmerised. Lesley Smith, who was playing the role, was utterly convincing as Nell and kept us enthralled with her amazing performance. Lesley is an English scholar, historian, heritage publicist and actress. Until recently she was the curator of Tutbury Castle near Burton upon Trent.
Following her performance we all enjoyed tea and many types of cake, after which the raffle was held. We ladies went home very happily, in the light rather than the dark, due to our meeting being held in the afternoon for the second time.
I think that the general opinion was that Lesley Smith, aka Nell Gwynne, was one of the best speakers we have ever had!
FOREST GROUP Carol Service will be held on Monday 2nd December in Bunbury Parish Church.
