Horsham Normandy W.I.

Hazel and Diana H joined about 20 other members of West Sussex WIs for a walk round Highdown Hill, Goring.   We were all togged up for the cold, but although there was a stiff breeze, the sun shone.   The views were rather hazy, but we could still see a fair distance.    There were skylarks and red kites flying above us.   

 Having completed the walk we treated ourselves to a cuppa and the hugest slices of cake or scones you have ever seen!   Suitably refreshed, we were joined by the Head Gardener of Highdown Gardens and her three-month old son for a guided tour of the gardens.   What a hidden gem!  Literally, as the gardens are mostly in an old chalk pit.  They were started 100  years ago by Sir Frederick Stern and some of the trees and shrubs are original and rare.   The gardens are splendid in all seasons, certainly the spring blossoms and blooms were glorious.    The gardens are now maintained by Worthing Borough Council and are  worth a visit – free entry!   And don’t forget the tearoom……

 Sorry, no pictures as we both forgot our cameras.

 Diana H provided the text for this report.

Some of our ladies enjoyed an afternoon at Christs’ Hospital recently. Looking up to magnificent Brangwyn prints in the chapel. It was a superb visit with such articulate and animated pupils leading us  around the huge school. There was a delicious tea under the Verrio painting. The culmination was a visit to the museum.

Thanks to Anne R. for the report and picture.

Friends, Romans and Horsham Normandy W.I. all enjoyed a trip to Fishbourne Roman Palace followed by a delicious lunch at the Old Greenhouse, Fishbourne.

The day started well with good weather and a smooth train journey.  Our thanks to the guard on the 9.32 from Horsham who advised us that we needed to change at Barnham and who duly announced when we were approaching Barnham that “the young ladies in coach 3  should change trains”!

Some of us were  revisiting Fishbourne after a long gap and others for the first time.

Having done the cultural bit we went to the restaurant and had a wonderful meal cooked by Nik Westacott.

Nik gave a cookery demonstration at the W.I. Bees Day last year and several of us, having sampled his food, thought we would like to have a meal at his restaurant so decided to combine the Roman Palace with a meal.

As Carol said “The Old Greenhouse was a real find.  Food was delicious and all the menu choices looked very yum. The hosts were friendly and very welcoming and the service perfectly paced. ”

An excellent day out and it was an opportunity to get to know some of our newer members.

With thanks to Carol and Lesley for providing this report.

NIne members attended the 4D’s day organised by the Environment and Public  Affairs sub-committee of WS Federation on Friday.   The talks on dementia, diabetes, drink and drugs were interesting, informative and thought-provoking, giving us an insight into recognising and/or coping with these challenges of modern life.

This report supplied by Diana H.

Anne, Lesley and Sue went to this West Sussex Event last week and came home exhausted after an energetic day relearning how to Jive and Tap dance in the morning and, after a picnic lunch, Line and Country dancing in the afternoon. Tuition was given in all of these and there was much laughter as everyone tried hard to remember the steps. Tea and coffee was on tap all day and the dancers were rewarded with tea and cake at the end.

On Tuesday afternoon 6 of us accompanied Linda, our President to East Surrey Hospital to distribute a car load of items to three departments. We had an appointment with Donna Webster, Communications Officer and Chris O’Connor, Lead Dementia Care, and they were amazed at the quantity and variety of garments, neonatal mats and twiddle muffs we have made. As well as detailed tours of some departments Donna took some photos of our delivery being passed over to the teams concerned.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Pat handed over the twiddle muffs to Chris O’Connor; he was most encouraging about the colours and textures and offered a few more suggestions that we shall follow up in our next efforts.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The emergency wash bags were a new idea to Donna & Chris but were enthusiastically received by the staff on Brockham Ward. The bags we had delivered 3 months ago had already been used  and they were generous with their thanks  & appreciation  for this thoughtful idea.

Following this visit Linda will be interviewed by Donna for coverage within the SASH area and we hope to promote your efforts more within the NFWI.

Once again  huge thank you from all concerned.

Another encouraging craft meeting “showing the love” in a contemporary way. The original idea of decopatch, evolved into something we made our own. The WI tree as a fridge magnet and a few other bits in time for Valentine’s Day.

We decided to celebrate a most successful year with a Luncheon Party that would give us all the opportunity to get to mingle & mix. With a good number of new members we hoped this would be a chance to  make new friends.
At a community hall we were able to have a sit down meal at but also play                     some organised games that got us all laughing and talking,                                     some even won a  chocolate Santa.

We all went home with a small Christmas gift.

Ute documented the event and the committee were gratified to receive several letters & emails thanking them for an enjoyable afternoon.

The Federation Carol Service was held this year at St Mary’s Parish Church, Horsham, attended by over 300 WI members. The Federation Choir, under the direction of Aedan Kearney, performed a wide range of carols, accompanied by harpist Heather Wrighton and pianist Liz Burtenshaw. Readings were given by members of Mannings Heath WI, with members of the Federation Board and our own President, Linda Mapp. Vocal soloist was choir member Sidonie Winter, who also accompanied Heather in a harp duet. Rousing carols from the entire congregation made this another successful Christmas service.

This report was supplied by Diana H. who is a member of the Federation Choir.

This week Linda & I paid our fourth visit to East Surrey Hospital to deliver items to the Neonatal Unit and Brockham Ward. There were so many bags we had to make a double journey from the carpark to distribute all these items.

Firstly, to the Neonatal Unit, where the knitted items and incubator mats were greeted with much appreciation. It is clear that this act of generosity is as much a show of support to the staff as well as a gift to the babies and their parents. The staff were anticipating that there will a few babies in over the Christmas period when they create and give a stocking to each baby. One of your knitted items will be in those stockings.

You amazing ladies have produced approx. 500 items for this unit this year, so our thanks to you and the Tanbridge House School Community Support funding that has made this possible.

And then we went onto Brockham Ward where we delivered the Emergency wash kits and the dementia cuffs. Here the very real need for these kits was illustrated by the 3 women waiting to see a specialist having just been re-directed there from A & E. Their days were not going as planned and there was a real possibility that someone would be staying in overnight. They would be benefiting from the kindness of strangers with one of our wash kits. Kath has designed a label that is put onto the bags to explain that it is donated by us.

40 kits were delivered on this occasion which brings our total to approx. 120 since this project was instigated at the start of the year.

All of these efforts make a very real difference to women in our area when a little extra assistance is required. Thank you all.