Women’s Institute
Contact Details
Secretary:
Pam Smith
Telephone: 015242 51318
E-mail: pamsmithataustwick@gmx.com
President:
Angela Rogers
Telephone: 01729 823218
E-mail: angela_john@ringmat.com
Austwick W I hold their meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. We have some very interesting speakers, enjoy exploring the area on foot and entertaining in members gardens as well as helping at the Street Market and joining in the group Carol Service. we hope to resume our outings later this year.
To begin the new year we had Les Chandler who gave an excellent talk on garden wildlife. His beautifully illustrated slides gave us an insight into what we can find in our garden and he gave us some interesting and amazing facts about each one.
Clare Douglas was the guest speaker at the June meeting. Her talk on essential oils was thought provoking and fascinating. Members were invited to test some of her products during her demonstration. Colleagues were thanked for their participation in the Street Market which raised a substantial amount towards the Parish Hall and Playing Fields funds.
In July we all enjoyed ‘A Summer Evening Buffet’ in the Parish Hall, courtesy of the committee. We were entertained by Denise Lewis from Barnsdale who sang songs from Barbra Streisand and musicals.
Margaret Watkins joined us for our August meeting. After a brief introduction to her varied life, particularly that in the Salvation Army, she went on to describe how she had become in possession of ‘Aunt Edna’s’ hats. Members demonstrated the wide array of types, styles and sizes of hats that she had brought along and great fun was had by all.
Representatives from the Cave Rescue Organisation, based in Clapham, gave an illustrated talk about their work at the September meeting. All the work carried out is on a voluntary basis but it costs approximately £50000 a year just to ensure that vehicles and equipment are maintained and are ready to respond to a call out. As a charity they are funded through donations which they are extemely grateful for no matter the size of the gift.
Avelina Wright sang Christmas Carols, with members joining in, at the December meeting as a prelude to a varied finger buffet accompanied by mulled wine.
We are still keeping in touch via our monthly newsletter, as well as via our WhatsApp group, where members are sharing photos and their news with each other.
2023
Tanya Carter from Limestone Books was the guest speaker at the first meeting of the year. Her talk entitled ‘My Desert Island books’ discussed the books that had influenced her throughout her life and she described her interesting journey from school to her ambition of owning a book shop. The next meeting on Thursday Feb 9th at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall is a talk entitled ‘The Falkland Islands’ by Alison Webb.
2023 PROGRAMME
Feb 9th The Falkland Islands Alison Webb
Mar 9th Sir Peter Scott Les Chandler
Apr 13th Settle Shops, Past and Present John Reid
May 11th Members Night
Jun 8th Victorian Childhood Marriage Loretta Dolan
Jul 13th Summer Social at Beck House
Aug 10th Tales of a Customs Officer Brian Topping
Sept 14th Backstage at the Ballet Hilary McCumiskey
Oct 12th AGM
Nov 9th Butterflies of the Northwest Chris Winnick
Dec 14th Festive Sketches The Three Peaks Players
Dates of outings, workshops and walks will be announced throughout the year.
Sue Dewhirst ( press secretary)
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