My Sister’s House Pop-Up shop
Many will remember that Our Sister’s House was one of our chosen charities last year. If you don’t know about it, click here for more information.
Submitted by our member, Lorraine, who is a volunteer at My Sister’s House.
Wartime Remembrance
crocheted poppies
poppies made from plastic bottle bottoms
At our September meeting we made poppies – lots of them – out of different materials – silk, felt, the bottoms of plastic bottles, and wool (knitted and crocheted). These will be used to build a wreath, that we will carry in the Centennial Remembrance Day procession in Bognor Regis in November. It was great to have a creative evening … and lots of chat!
To see all photos, please click here.
Many thanks to Katie for her imaginative felt, silk and plastic ideas, to Celia for finding the knitting patterns, and to Lesley G for designing an original crochet pattern.
The winner – by Dinah
joint second – by Jack
The competition this month was to bake a wartime recipe. There were 8 entries, both baked goods and some interesting history too. The baked items were tasted and judged by members during refreshments. The winner was Dinah with joint seconds Jack, Annie and Kathryn, and Karen, Lesley G and Trish will receive one point towards their totals for the annual cup. (There was also a recipe for potato scones but, as a naff competition organiser, I didn’t get a name for those, so if someone would like to come forward they will also get a point!)
For all competition entries (photos and recipes) please click here.
Sue organised a very attractive raffle with all prizes in red and including a packet of poppy seeds.
Words and Photos: Kate
Organ Donation Week 2018
This week (w/c 3rd September 2018) is Organ Donation week. This is the week when we remind everyone about how important organ donation is. 3 patients a week die while on the organ donation waiting list.
In the near future it is likely that the organ donation register in England will become an opt-out system, so we will all be automatically signed up to it with the option to sign out. However, even after this happens, the following will still be true …
Even if you have signed the register, after your death your family could override your decision and refuse permission for your organs to be used for a transplant – so it is very important that you have a conversation with your loved ones so they know your wishes.
Besides organs (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, pancreas and small bowel), tissue such as corneas, skin, bone, heart valves can be used to help others.
I have changed the page banner on the site to remind everyone how important this is. This shows Lesley, Jane and I helping to raise awareness about ODT by decorating St Richard’s Hospital on Sunday. By the end of the day, Lesley and I had renamed Jane as ‘Mrs Bunting’ – if there was a likely place to put it … she did! Even statues weren’t safe …
If you are not registered and would like to … click here.
Kate Claisse
Back to School Summer social
It’s mid August and nearly 30 women dressed in school uniform have gathered at Rowland Rank hall – it can only be the Bognor Regis WI Summer Social.
After a welcome drink in the courtyard members were seated at school lunch tables in 2 houses – Pankhurst and Denman. Headmistress Dinah took the register with apologies from, among others, Theresa May who had to stay home in case Boris moved in.
Singing Jerusalem was tunefully led by Sue Austin, and packed lunches in an amazing array of crafted lunch boxes were eaten. Much reminiscing took place over lunch and there was nervous anticipation of the English, Maths and Art lessons that were to follow (the ‘Art’ work will be on display at our next meeting).
Games took place outside with hopscotch, skipping and relay races. Throughout the afternoon points were being accumulated for the Houses. Denman showed their prowess for physical activity, and Pankhurst won the academic prize.
The lunch box competition was won by Flo Page with her inventive ‘TV’ lunchbox. Whilst we enjoyed tea and biscuits, prefect Barbara rounded off the afternoon with story time and a rather racy tale…….
An Ode to Fifty Shades of Grey
The missus bought a Paperback
down Shepton, Saturday,
I had a look in her bag;
…T’was “Fifty Shades of Grey”.Well I just left her to it,
…At ten I went to bed.
An hour later she appeared;
The sight filled me with dread…In her left hand she held a rope;
And in her right a whip!
She threw them down on the floor,
And then began to strip.Well fifty years or so ago;
I might have had a peek;
But Mabel hasn’t weathered well;
She’s eighty four next week.Watching Mabel bump and grind;
Could not have been much grimmer.
Things then went from bad to worse;
She toppled off her Zimmer!She struggled up upon her feet;
A couple minutes later;
She put her teeth back in and said…
I must dominate her!!Now if you knew our Mabel,
You’d see just why I spluttered,
I’d spent two months in traction
For the last complaint I’d muttered.She stood there nude, naked like;
Bent forward just a bit ….
I thought oh well, what the hell,
and stood on her left tit!Mabel screamed, her teeth shot out;
My god what had I done!?
She moaned and groaned then shouted out:
“Step on the other one!”Well readers, I can’t tell no more;
About what occurred that day.
Suffice to say my jet black hair,
Turned fifty shades of Grey.by John Summers
To see more photos click here
Words & Photos: Dinah Barrand
Hotham Park Country Fair
Saturday August 4th dawned bright and sunny for the Hotham Park Country Fair and for the BRWI stall and, as the temperature continued to climb to dizzy heights during the day, there was much relief that the allocated site was a shady one.
Under the gazebo stood a mountain of home-made cakes and lashings of chutneys, pickles, jams and marmalade. In addition there was a wide range of beautiful crafted goods from bags and mobiles to child knits and gloves.
The fine weather and the Fair’s many attractions ensured a constant stream of customers and before the end of the day the cakes (who can resist a WI cake!) had all been sold and there were very few preserves or hand-made items remaining.
It was a super day that was much enjoyed by the WI volunteers and those who came to support; many thanks to everyone who made it such a success. And the icing on the cake was the raising of £371.80, out of which we’ll make a donation to Friends of Bognor Hospitals, one of our selected charities this year.
For all the photos please click here.
Words: Gina Fitch-Roy
Photos: Dinah Barrand & Kate Claisse
Cheers to Karen
Lovely afternoon for some of our ladies celebrating Karen having her wonderful novel released to the big wide world. Our very own celebrity author.
Good luck to her, well deserved.
Annie Smith
