Women’s Institute
https://austwickwi.wixsite.com/austwick-wi
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
Web site: https://austwickwi.wixsite.com/austwick-wi
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.
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 journey from school to her ambition of owning a book shop.
Alison Webb was the guest speaker at the February meeting. Alison spent 3 years as a social worker on the Falkland Islands where she took some stunning photographs of the landscape and wildlife which accompanied her fascinating talk.
Les Chandler made a very welcome return to the March meeting. Despite the weather conditions, several members were entertained with his remarkable story of Sir Peter Scott. His interesting, illustrated talk highlighted the magnitude of Sir Peter’s life.
John Reid was the guest speaker at our April meeting. He spoke about Settle shops in the past and present and concentrated his talk on the Station Road area. This evoked many memories for several members.
Also in May Ribchester WI were welcomed to Austwick with a walk around Oxenber Woods to see the wild flowers followed by afternoon tea in the Parish Hall.
Sarah Lister made a welcome return to the June meeting. Her talk included an entertaining celebration of the ups and downs of the lives of the navvies and their families while the Settle to Carlisle Railway was being built, inevitably including numerous antics, scandals and the occasional tragedy.
In July members enjoyed ‘A Summer Evening Buffet’ at Beck House, Austwick courtesy of Gwen and Graham Cleverly. Luckily the weather stayed fine and guests were able to wander around the beautiful garden and eat outside.
Brian Topping entertained members at the August meeting with his tales of a Customs officer. He provided an interesting and informative journey through the many situations that he had come across when dealing with passengers travelling through Heathrow airport. He also enlightened us on his involvement in apprehending and investigating smugglers.
The President welcomed members, friends and neighbouring WIs to the September meeting where Hilary McCumiskey was the guest speaker. Hilary described her very varied and interesting life but in particular her time spent in the costume department at the Northern Ballet. Her skills in dressmaking, her meeting and working with Rudolf Nureyev and the day to day running of the ballet was described in an interesting, informative and entertaining manner with lots of visual props.
2023 PROGRAMME
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.
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