Many members enjoyed a delicious lunch at the George and Dragon at Elsworth in early May.

Monthly Meeting: Julia Payne, our speaker for the evening, gave us a most interesting talk and slide show on The Cold War from 1945 – 1990.   As an officer in the Army during the Cold War Period, Julia shared many of her experiences as a trained Interpreter – studying in Russia. She described what it was like being able to move freely in Berlin during this time from the East to West and vice versa. Many photographs were shown with Julia working at many of the conferences held between world leaders during this time and some of the antics the senior ranks got up to whilst stationed there. Her talk was followed by many questions from the members who remember much about the Cold War.

Outing: Members, friends and family enjoyed a delightful Sunday afternoon visit to Island Hall in Godmanchester. The weather couldn’t have been better as we were shown around the beautiful grounds of the Hall which lead down to the river and the ‘Island’. Island Hall is the ancestral home of Christopher Vane Percy and his family who are the 7^th generation to occupy the house. Following its decline during the Second World War the house was taken over by the Council and used as emergency housing. Saved by the Herrtage family in 1979 who were responsible for restoring the structure of the house to its original eighteenth century design, the current owner who is a highly recognised Interior Designer, has brought the interior of the property back to it’s original glory.   The garden tour was followed by afternoon tea in the very grand Hall and then a relaxed wander around the interior of the home.

Papworth Hospital and Village Fete:

 Papworth Everard WI will be holding a ‘Vintage Tea’ and ‘Puppet Work Shop’ at the Hospital and Village Fete to be held on Saturday 16^th June.   Please come along and enjoy a ‘traditional tea’ whilst your children have fun making a puppet and enjoying a puppet show.   PLEASE COME ALONG AND SUPPORT US .

 To find out more about what is going on you can log on to our website at www.papwortheverardwi.org.uk or 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.

PAPWORTH EVERARD WI

Many members joined us for our first ‘Zoom’ meeting’ on 16^th February and were delighted to see and chat to many friends.  We started in the normal way with the business catching up on recent information and this was followed by our first talk and demonstration via the Zoom network.  Our very own Daphne gave a brilliant talk and demonstration entitled Nurture and Nourish when she explained the importance of looking after and caring for ourselves mentally and physically before we can look after and care for others.  We all joined in with Daphne doing some meditative head and shoulder exercises concentrating on our breathing – a wonderful relaxing end to our evening. 

(photo)

A REMINDER OF WHAT IS TO COME:

 OUR NEXT ZOOM ON 23^RD MARCH AT 7.30PM

EASTER – BRING ME SUNSHINE

A demonstration by Lyn on how to bring Sunshine into your room by making a lovely spring arrangement on a plate from small flowers, plants and greenery from your very own garden.

Thanks to many ladies who supported Siyabonga in providing his schooling requirements for another year.  Here he is looking so smart:  (photo)

Here is a message from one of our ladies which will  hopefully encourage ladies in the Community to consider joining us in the future.

Some six and a half years ago I settled into the village of Papworth Everard; feeling like the new girl going to school I wanted to make friends and become  part of the village community.

I had been a member of my local WI for some 20 years or more and was hoping that I would be able to join this organisation here.  I had previously experienced a most enjoyable evening with the WI offering a friendly welcoming atmosphere amongst its members.  Day trips were also organised for those wishing to visit the theatre or seaside for a breath or fresh air and sample the local fish and chips.  Most evenings, a speaker would be present enlightening and entertaining the members on different interesting subjects. Occasionally members would make their own entertainment, crafting etc.

Therefore, my first port of call was to contact the Papworth Everard WI via their website (PEWI) for short.  I was delighted to be contacted by one of the members who advised me of the night and time they met (once a month) and invited me to come along to see what they had to offer.  I was welcomed by the very friendly members and soon became part of the WI family. I tried to sit with different people each month to learn their names as they had a good number of members who attended most meetings.

Well; I must have been impressed as I quickly joined in and now I am part of the committee and although sometimes very demanding, its fulfilling and enables me to have my say in planning how to keep the members happy, ensuring the evening goes as expected.

We now find ourselves in very difficult times under this lockdown, but I am just writing to say we are still here and will be strong again once this situation has been resolved.  (Organising our speakers/outings; having a laugh and generally enjoying the moment of being part of a friendly caring club).  Some of our ladies enjoyed monthly luncheons choosing different venues to visit and sample (keeping our local publicans/restaurants in business). We hope this will still be the case in the near future.  Others joined the choir which has proved very successful, entertaining at different venues and The Ely Cathedral singing festival. The choir have still been meeting on ZOOM throughout the lockdown.  Therefore, we offer members variety and entertainment as well as friendship and companionship.

Should you be feeling in need of some support and friendship we would welcome you and help you through these hard times too; working together in a common cause. If you have a certain skill or interest you wish to share with us, or would like us to work on together; we would be happy to discuss this with you and hopefully incorporate it into our meetings.

We  look forward to hearing from you in the future to chat over your ideas/proposals to prepare a way forward for each and every-one of us, or just come along and join in.

Please contact us on our website….. papwortheverardwi.org.uk

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 15^TH MARCH 2023

Thank you Joan, as always a great reflection over the past year with a full programme from our Committee.

Following the pandemic we were very unsure how we would progress into 2023 but thanks to the hard work of the Committee we have had some great meetings, wonderful theatre trips, picnics in the park, not to mention the  ‘1950s theme Vintage Tea’ to celebrate our beloved late  Queen Elizabeth’s life.

We have continued to enjoy monthly lunches and afternoon teas – always a favourite, and we look forward to many more this year.

Many of you will know and have noticed the wonderful garden outside the library which in part is the WI Memorial Garden and also part belonging to the Community.   The latter was quite run done, but due to the expertise of our very active member Jenny Wilson, she has turned this into the most beautiful area, planting and re-planting over the months, and much admired by the local people passing by.  Thank you Jenny you have certainly put a WI mark on the village with all your hard work.

Our choir continues to meet on Wednesday evenings (except for WI evenings) under the guidance of Joyce, Lyn, Rita and Penny.  Singing for joy and performing during the year with a Concert for friends and family in aid of the Ukraine War and also performing at a joint Concert at the Village Hall.  Even though I say it myself, we make a wonderful sound!

On a special note I would like to thank Gill who has served on the Committee for many years and who has been a great Vice President to me.   She has continually welcomed members and visitors at the door with her  warm personality and has always given that extra something which I know you will miss in the future.  We wish you well Gill.

Thanks to all the Committee, Joan, Charlotte, Gill, Daphne, Lyn and Eunice – you have kept us going throughout thick and thin of the Pandemic and I know you will continue to make our WI one of the most (I think the most!) welcoming, friendly and caring Institute’s anyone could hope for.  I will miss our monthly meetings and chats but I know we will continue always to be friends and keep in touch.

Finally, my resounding thanks to all you members, without whom there would be no WI.  We share a fantastic friendship and I know it will continue well into the future.

My very best wishes to you all for the future and thanks for everything.

Patxxx