July is the month when we celebrate the anniversary of the launch of our W.I. and to mark the occasion delicious cakes were served with our refreshments.
Our anniversary was not the only cause for celebration as during the meeting we celebrated the success of the Vintage Cream teas which we served at the Royal Papworth Hospital Centenary fete by presenting cheques to 4 local good causes. The first donation was presented to Megan Sandford from the Royal Papworth Hospital and she told us the money would be put to good use within the Critical Care department, a further cheque was presented to Rosie Blencowe for St Peter’s Church where it will help with emergency repairs to roof leaks The third presentation was made to Jenny Howlett for the Papworth Day Centre and will be put towards their Christmas festivities and our final gift was presented to Joyce Burton for our own Papworth Everard and Elsworth choir, Lyrical Voices.
Cheque presented to Megan Sandford for the Royal Papworth Hospital, Critical Care Department
Cheque presented by Clair Smart, Secretary, to Jenny Howlett for Papworth Day Centre Christmas celebrations
Cheque presented by Pat Martin, President, to Joyce Burton for Lyrical Voices Choir
In addition, our President, Pat Martin, attended Pendragon School Leavers’ Assembly and presented three £10 book tokens to the top 3 pupils in year 6 for the Endeavour Cup and as support to the school fete, a £20 Marks and Spencer voucher was donated as a raffle prize.
Our speaker for the night, Caroline Meyrick, came to tell us about Fine Cell Work, a charity which teaches prisoners in many British prisons to produce high-quality needlework which is made into beautiful handmade products. This paid work boosts prisoners’ self-worth, instils self-discipline, fosters hope and encourages them to lead independent, crime-free lives. It also enables the prisoners to fill the many lonely and frustrating hours spent languishing in jail.
Caroline has a group of 12 prisoners and the embroidery work they produce is incredible. It was often difficult to work out which was the back of the piece and which was the front. The embroideries are sent on completion to a warehouse in London where they are made up into cushions, wall hangings, lavender bags and other similar pieces. The standard of the items that Caroline displayed was inspiring. A proportion of the sale price is paid to the prisoners which they can use to help support their families or put aside for their release. Many of them go on to get formal qualifications to enable them to carry on in paid employment for example to become tailors or work in theatrical costume once they leave prison. Supporters include Prince Charles and Camilla and Cornelia Parker, the artist. More information about this fascinating aspect of prison life can be found on their website. (finecellwork.co.uk)
For our usual monthly social, we lunched together at the White Swan, Connington
