MONTHLY MEETINGS, First Wednesday of each month, Methodist Hall, 7.30 pm
1st December 2021 CHRISTMAS LUNCH at WILLINGTON HALL
In a departure from our usual Christmas Celebration dinner in one of our many local hostelries, this year we decided that it might be more suitable to have a lunchtime meeting. So a good number of our membership met at Willington Hall today for a lovely meal in beautiful surroundings. We had plenty of time for a chat whilst enjoying our welcome glass of wine or soft drink and after a welcome from Dorothy we began our meal. The food was excellent, and we enjoyed a chat over mince pies and coffee; Dorothy pointed out some lovely Cyclamen plants which the Committee would deliver to those members who were not able to be with us. A lovely afternoon in beautifully decorated surroundings which made Christmas seem closer than 3 weeks away.
Words and Photos: Fiona
In a departure from our usual Christmas Celebration dinner in one of our many local hostelries, this year we decided that it might be more suitable to have a lunchtime meeting. So a good number of our membership met at Willington Hall today for a lovely meal in beautiful surroundings. We had plenty of time for a chat whilst enjoying our welcome glass of wine or soft drink and after a welcome from Dorothy we began our meal. The food was excellent, and we enjoyed a chat over mince pies and coffee; Dorothy pointed out some lovely Cyclamen plants which the Committee would deliver to those members who were not able to be with us. A lovely afternoon in beautifully decorated surroundings which made Christmas seem closer than 3 weeks away.
Words and Photos: Fiona
AGM. 3rd November 2021
This evening was not just our AGM but also an opportunity to have fun and socialise. So after the business of the evening, our President presented three of our long serving members with certificates commemorating their 50, 39 and over 30 years in the WI. Then we had a quiz on the theme of "Celebrating Women"; there were six rounds and the winning team was called the Kelsall Kittens. Then came the carved pumpkin competition - they all looked spectacular when the lights went down! When the result was declared, it was obvious that it was the night for cats as both first and second places went to cat pumpkins! A very enjoyable evening.
This evening was not just our AGM but also an opportunity to have fun and socialise. So after the business of the evening, our President presented three of our long serving members with certificates commemorating their 50, 39 and over 30 years in the WI. Then we had a quiz on the theme of "Celebrating Women"; there were six rounds and the winning team was called the Kelsall Kittens. Then came the carved pumpkin competition - they all looked spectacular when the lights went down! When the result was declared, it was obvious that it was the night for cats as both first and second places went to cat pumpkins! A very enjoyable evening.
OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS, First Wednesday of each month, Methodist Hall, 7.30 pm
8th October 2021
This was our first meeting at the Methodist Hall since lockdown began in March 2020; we have had quite a lot of outdoor events but until now it was not possible to meet at our usual venue. After a risk assessment the Committee completed all the various tasks identified to keep the membership safe and comfortable - even if it was a little draughty with all the windows open!
Dorothy welcomed us all, and especially our speaker for this evening, John Stirling and his wife Annie who had stepped in at the last minute to provide us with entertainment this evening; the young violinist who had been due to appear is ill at the moment so we all decided it would be much better to invite him back next year!
John told us about his theatrical family; his mother had started her life as an actor at the age of 8 and went on to star in many films while she was contracted to J.Arthur Rank. John himself was a child actor playing Noddy in the West End, acting with Jimmy Edwards in Wack-O! and was later in Dixon of Dock Green with Jack Warner - unfortunately in this role John was shot dead! As these TV programmes went out "live", his appearance later on the bus home caused some consternation! He also appeared in shows with Sid James and Ted Ray but realised as he grew up that he would not become a mega-star so he became a stage manager.
John was writing and directing shows and during the course of one of his jobs became responsible for 12 abandoned donkeys; his wife insisted they rescue them so they took them home to Buxton. This was the beginning of an ever increasing herd of donkeys which became the basis for the charity they set up. Due to John's many illustrious contacts in theatreland, Dame Judy Dench became President of the donkey charity for over 30 years and during that time many disabled children enjoyed therapeutic contact with John and Annie's donkeys, always supported by his friends in the theatre. Annie made several long trips with donkeys and disabled children, often supported by the WI's along the way. One of her journeys was from Balmoral to Buckingham Palace; there they all met the Queen, who fed the donkeys carrots from a silver salver. Annie also travelled to Italy with her donkeys and visited the shrine of St. Francis of Assisi - the donkeys were welcomed into the Basilica.
Over the years thousands of children have benefited from contact with the donkeys; John's theatre career was short but his contribution to childrens welfare has been a long one and he and Annie were thanked for their heartwarming talk by Mary; we had all enjoyed his stories and appreciated their life's work.
