We are looking forward to  our ‘Colours’ Fashion Show with Pop-Up Shop on 6th April in the Village Hall and hope that all those who attend find it a worthwhile evening and that between us we raise some useful funds for the Doctors’ Surgery.

Other ‘colours’, which we hope you have been enjoying, are the daffodils along Ermine Street in the centre of the village. For the past two years bags of bulbs have been donated by members and we’d like to thank the Community Rehabilitation Team who planted them for us. Over the coming years, decades even, we would hope to be able to expand their coverage further across the village.

Early in the month a group of members enjoyed lunch at the Windmill in Somersham…

…. which is to be followed by an evening dinner in April at the Black Bull in Godmanchester. 

The March meeting started with a short business section and refreshments then the rest of the evening was dedicated to our AGM. You might think that such occasions have a low ‘entertainment value’ but on this occasion you’d be wrong! Our lively Secretary Clair repeatedly had us in fits of laughter with her take on the activities of the past year in her presentation of the Annual Report. Angela’s President’s Report and the rest of the evening followed the light-hearted theme and ensured that we all had some fun.

The darts team have played four matches so far this season with each match showing an improvement, resulting in an exciting win against Lode.  The match was very even so the fifth game was the decider and it came down to who got the double at the end. We did it, though in the process we had a fluke dart throw when aiming for (and missing) a double ‘5’, as the second dart lodged in the shaft of the first! It is great to have a win under our belt and we are always grateful to Simon at The Prince of Wales, Hilton, for enabling us to use the snug and for producing lovely food and drinks.

The meeting on 19th April will feature Lucy Lewis talking about ‘Life in the Army and first female Bomb Disposal expert’, then on 17th May we are expecting Geoff Lambert (and perhaps a four-legged friend?) to talk to us about Medical Detection Dogs.

Our forthcoming Big Event is on April 6th at 7.30 pm when we are hosting a ‘Colours’ Fashion Show with pop-up shop in the Village Hall. Lots of high-street fashions at knock-down prices with the chance to try them on and purchase them on the night. Tickets £6.00 including a drink, with all our profits going to Papworth Surgery. Open to members and non-members alike so put the date in your diary and do come along for a fun evening.  Full details and ticket information are in the adverts around the village and on the Fashion Show page of this website. 

Another winter month is over already and so far no significant episodes of bad weather. Soon the winter-flowering bulbs should be encouraging us to think of Springtime. The February lunch was held at The Exhibition in Godmanchester and was as enjoyable as ever while providing a good excuse for lots of chatter and laughter, then the March lunch will take place at The Windmill in Somersham.

At our February meeting we were delighted to have the opportunity to welcome Guinevere Glasfurd, a local Cambridgeshire author, who talked about the writing of her first novel ‘The Words in my Hand’. She fascinated us with a talk about the process of researching and writing the book then, after finding an agent, the search for a publisher. It was surprising to hear that it was first translated and published in Germany in 2015 but was then swiftly taken up by a British and several foreign publishers to much critical acclaim. By late 2016 the book was chosen as one of just eight that were shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award. Quite an accolade!

Rita Backhouse was presented with flowers to mark a special birthday ……..

……….  and we also  congratulated the members of the Papworth W.I. Quiz Team who were the winners at the annual Pendragon school quiz.  Well done!

On March 15th we will be holding our Annual General Meeting, then the meeting on 19th April will feature Lucy Lewis talking about ‘Life in the Army and first female Bomb Disposal expert’. Meantime the choir members are as busy as ever, this time preparing items for a concert in early April for the residents of Field Lodge care home in St Ives.

 If you are 18 or over just come along to one of our meetings at 7.15 for 7.30 on the third Wednesday of each month in the Studio next door to the Library. You can be sure of a warm welcome. The visitor’s fee is £4.00 including refreshments.

Once again our monthly ‘lunch’ was replaced by an evening dinner outing so that those with daytime commitments had the opportunity to come along too. This time those who attended were made welcome at the George & Dragon, Elsworth and enjoyed a convivial evening together. We are now planning to feature a dining-out evening every third month.

At the January meeting we were joined by several visitors and were particularly pleased to welcome some from the recently defunct Cambourne WI. Our Speaker was our very own Rosie Blencowe who fascinated, informed and entertained us with the second part of her series about Pauline, Napoleon’s sister, whose infamously colourful life from gutter to Princess ended after her death in Italy with her being buried between two Popes! Rosie also provided us with some delicious Italian Pannetone to have with our teas and coffees, that perfectly complemented the ‘flavour’ of the evening. Thank you Rosie.

For the forthcoming meeting on 15th February we are delighted to be welcoming Guinevere Glasfurd, a Cambridgeshire author, whose acclaimed novel ‘The Words in My Hand’ was one of just eight shortlisted for the 2016 Costa First Novel Award.

The darts team members played their first match of the season against Eltisley W.I., not with the result they would have chosen but very enjoyable nevertheless…………….

…………..while the choir members have started working on their repertoire for the year ahead.

We have been busy making the preliminary arrangements for a ladies Fashion Show with pop-up shop in the Village Hall on Thursday 6th April at 7.30 pm. The evening is open to both members and non-members so mark the date in your diary and come along for a fun evening. Tickets are £6.00 – see the posters around the village for details – with all profits going to the Papworth Doctor’s Surgery.

Early in December 25 members enjoyed an especially pleasant Christmas lunch at The Dolphin Hotel in St Ives. Good food and good company, what more could we ask for.

The choir spent a pleasant afternoon entertaining the residents at the Bethany Frances Care Home in St Neots …………..

……….then, on the 17th, they were once again privileged to take part in the annual Papworth Hospital Carol concert in Ely Cathedral. Afterwards, as they served mince pies to members of the audience (many of whom complimented them on their singing) they got a bit carried away and burst into an impromptu rendering of a light-hearted Christmassy song ‘Mozart’s Mince Pies’ that they had rehearsed for another occasion. Great fun! 

The monthly meeting was, as usual in December, given over to a social evening, so after a minimal amount of formal business we got down to the serious business of enjoying ourselves. There were plenty of refreshments as we were entertained by the Choir (including a reprise of ‘Mozart’s Mince Pies’ of course), a seasonal quiz, a bumper raffle and communal carols. 

We are now looking ahead to 2017, thinking about what can be done to either inform and/or entertain us all and to stimulate interest as well. We currently have about 50 members of mixed ages and would love to attract more newcomers to come and give us a try. Perhaps we will be able to welcome you to one of our meetings one day soon?

We really want to play our part in helping develop a friendly community spirit in our growing village and send our good wishes for 2017 to everyone here.

On January 18th our past President Rosie Blencowe will be concluding her entertaining talk about Pauline, Napoleon’s infamous sister, which she started earlier in the year and left us wondering ‘whatever happened next’? Following the success of Rosie’s seasonal Gateaux des Roix last January, this year she is going to treat us to some of her delicious Pannetone.

Our February 15th meeting will feature a talk by author Guinevere Glasfurd whose first novel ‘The Words in my Hand’ is one of just eight novels that have been shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award 2016. The winner is due to be announced on 3rd January 2017.