Horsham Normandy W.I.

On Tuesday 25th October 2018, we took the train to London. Once we had reached Blackfriars, we had a relaxing walk beside the Thames to the Globe Theatre. This was the dream of Sam Wanamaker who erected a copy of the original Shakespearean theatre in 1997. We spent a short time in the museum, and saw many different types of stage memorabilia. Then we joined the tour, which was aided by each participant having a radio receiver, which meant that we could hear the guide’s commentary however far behind we lagged.

We toured different levels of the Globe, learning of the different disasters and triumphs during the history of the theatre. it was a very informative and enjoyable experience.

                                                                                                               We carried on down Bankside towards Borough  Market. Once there the group stopped for much earned refreshment. Thanks to Jill B and Lesley M for organising the trip.

Thanks to Pam T for these words and Anne R for the pictures.

Members have been busy knitting for the East Surrey Neonatal unit and another consignment was delivered last month by 3 of our members.  As always these items are gratefully received by staff and parents of a new fragile life.                            Other members sew textured dementia mats to help relieve anxiety for patients within this specialised unit. Many interesting items can be worked onto these and members regularly bring suitable trims, buttons and zips along. This can challenge the creativity of the makers and several were shown at recent meeting. 

August is a slow month in our WI with craft and book clubs taking a summer break, no official meeting except our Summer lunch, so the Annual Federation Quiz is a welcome date for the calendar.                                                                                                                                This year we entered 2 teams and were delighted that Anne,Sue, Kath & Hazel were the afternoons winners. Carol M, Pat R, Diana H and Pam T came a very creditable 4th but all had enjoyed the quiz. There had been an excellent mix of reasonably easy questions with ones that meant clawing that elusive answer from the depths of our brains and a few that we just didn’t know!    We all went home tired but happy after a very pleasant afternoon.

Our thanks to the Federation committee for organising this event and to Pat R for submitting this blog.

On the (then) hottest day of the year in late July, six of us went to Standen House (NT), showcasing the best examples of the Arts and Crafts movement, with interiors by William Morris & Co. In addition, it was interesting to read of Miss Beale’s association with and generosity towards her local WI, loaning a not inconsiderable amount of money to build their own hall.      One of the main reasons for the visit was to see the embroidery exhibition, with exquisite work by local artists, not least Anne Sillifant whom we had met as one of our speakers. Some members left several £’s lighter!!        A light lunch in the lovely cool barn rounded off a most interesting visit.         My thanks to Diana for submitting this piece.

Anne, Hazel & Pat went to the tenpin bowling event arranged for West Sussex WI’s at Rustington. The facilities are very good and we joined with two ladies from Felpham WI for our 2 rounds of 10 games. Despite advice from Michele (Felpham WI) our games varied from brilliant (Anne’s first ball was a strike!) to awful (we all found the gutter quite often), and Pat decided that age is catching up with her as she didn’t do as well as last year! Michele  was the clear winner in both matches, however we had a lot of laughs & met other members so thoroughly enjoyed the morning.

Our thanks to the Sport & Leisure Committee for organising another successful event.

An interesting and informative day at the WI Fraud prevention and security day in Dial Post. A joint presentation by Sussex Police and Trading Standards exposed the range of scams that now confront us. However, it was reassuring to learn that there is much we can do to confound these scammers and that these two agencies work together to gain knowledge & remove these unscrupulous people. Sussex Police produce an excellent booklet about staying safe and smart entitled “the little book of BIG SCAMS”. An e-version of this information can be downloaded from their website http://www.sussex.police.uk

After lunch a  brief overview of the new GDPR legislation explained how we, and not only organisations, have to be data aware and the need to think before passing personal details.

The final section was advice from a cyber security expert who gave us much to think about. He concluded with a sheet if hints & tips that I have scanned and placed on our website under the Shared heading.

A thought provoking day.

From a patchwork tutorial at one of our craft sessions last year we created a variety of 4 patch, 9 patch and applique squares. Interest on this task was maintained over the summer and with a vast selection to choose from two members assembled & backed them to make these cosy comforters. A total of five were made and have now been passed on through known contacts, to support women & children at a local refuge house.

We may never know the recipients but we hope that these patchwork comforters bring  some love to their new owners.

At the end of 2017 Anne R visited East Surrey Hospital and delivered more knitting & wash bags. She said “What better way to end 2017 than by expressing the deep gratitude from the  neo-natal ward for the exquisite knitting! They were amazed with the quality and amount. Sister said she would need another wardrobe.                        The emergency wash bags were warmly received and went to Brockham Ward, where Carol Munn sent her best wishes to former colleague, Linda.

It was pouring outside and Ken helped to carry the bundles of joy inside.”

Linda thanked Anne & Ken and said that this such a worthwhile venture.

On a bitterly cold December day, West Sussex WIs came together in Chichester Cathedral for their annual carol service.   The cathedral was full and the singing raised the roof, beginning, of course, with Jerusalem.  The West Sussex Federation choir, under the direction of Aedan Kearney, performed carols ranging from Bach to cowboys!    There were readings from Yvonne Price, Federation Chairman, Janice Langley, former National President and other members of the Federation Board.  There was a solo from Sidonie Winter and performances from the Chichester Silver Band.    Normandy members Diana H, Gill and Gloria are members of the choir.

To celebrate Parliamentary week we arranged a belated  visit to the Palace of Westminster  with a tour of the Houses of Parliament in September 2017. Despite the best efforts of Southern Rail, 18 of us including 2 husbands, met at the agreed spot on time. Once inside the Great Hall of Westminster we were met by out MP Jeremy Quin to whom we handed a letter of petition to research the solutions for plastics in our oceans.

Meeting our MP Jeremy Quin in the Palace of Westminster 2017

Jeremy was enthusiastic about the Palace & engaging about the practice of Parliament. Our tour guide, Cliff, led us on a quirky, thought provoking tour of the building and concluded back at the Great Hall below the newest installation.

This beautiful window,  entitled “New Dawn”, celebrates 100 years of women’s suffrage; the circles in the centre represent the scrolls upon which our laws were originally recorded. The outer circles included the biological symbol for the female and the lighting for the whole panel changes with the tidal fall of the Thames nearby.                          A fitting finale to an interesting day.