Lockdown thwarted the newly formed Upcycling Group, led by the lovely Sarah, after only one project. But we are WI and will not be kept down. Keeping to the “Group of 6” restriction, the group returned with a project to up-cycle jam jars into candle holders.
Maggie, Sarah, Dinah, and Joyce
Sarah patiently led us through the process and we all got to try a glue gun….the glue is hot. In addition to bringing home some beautifully crafted candle holders it was an opportunity to catch up, chat and have a laugh. Such a tonic for your mental health in these surreal times.
Five of us meet up for our weekly book group in West Meads field. The postman said hello as did a cockerpoo puppy, we’re a bit of a fixture now. The sun kept us warm, but fleeces were needed in the breeze. We are currently reading I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes.
Sage House, one of our charities for 2020, asked for support so that they could be ready to reopen their facilities at Tangmere for people with dementia, and, of course Bognor Regis WI responded! Their request was for face masks as Coronavirus guidelines advise that face masks are worn whenever groups get together indoors. Armed with a large donation of knicker elastic from one of our members, 12 of us raided our fabric boxes. A couple of broken needles later and with some frustration over the multitude of designs out there, we made well over 100 face masks. Well done, Bognor Regis WI.
Easing of coronavirus lock down gave us an opportunity and we made the most of it!
Our WI Walk Group re-started in June, within Covid-19 guidelines, and managed 10 walks before the evening light diminished. Exercise, laughter, Jan’s shortbread, warm sunny evenings and conversation proved a successful formula for over 20 of our WI members.
The walks were arranged in or around Bognor Regis, with the exception of the walk to the WI Federation Centenary Oaks Wood at Slindon. We found pockets of Bognor Regis and its environs, that many of us did not know were there. We increased our knowledge about where we live and some of its history. Karen, Mandy, Frances and Sheila supported Jan is taking on the lead for some of the walks. Here are a few of the special moments:
The cross over with the different walk sub groups on the beach, at low tide, on our first evening walk, with arms stretched out to keep our social distance.
Jan’s regular sugar fix for every member.
Support and kindness, as one walk was a bit further that we were given to believe!
The amazing views across Pagham Harbour with its changed landscape since our last walk there.
Bells, Mandy’s horse, welcoming us to her home.
Local knowledge about the Barnham Canal, Chalcroft Lane airfield, Felpham Nature Reserve, and the Bersted Man.
First Aid Kit used for the first time in 9 nine years – only for a plaster!
A Bognorian, born and bred in Bognor Regis, of which we seemed only to have 1 on the walks, reminiscing about old haunts and homes.
Non-exhaustive chatter as we mixed and matched while walking along.
Sculptures at Bersted Park.
The Walk Group also ventured further afield by Zoom in July. We took ourselves somewhere even more special for 30 minutes! Amazing views of the high Himalayas, insight into family and farming communities, and the role of women there. Thanks to Jane Weston, a friend of Jan’s, for sharing the photographic journey – on paths most of us will not have the opportunity to walk on.
There were so many more special moments during the 2020 Summer of Bognor Regis WI evening walks, but most of all thank you everyone for joining in and making our walks so enjoyable.
I will miss them, and you!
Jan Marsden
Jan’s photos are in our photo album. To view them, please click here.
A July evening saw a social get together in Gina’s garden, backing on to the prom in Felpham. Following in the tradition of previous year’s Gin and Swim and Pimms and Paddle came our Fizz and Float.
11 intrepid women left the safety of Gina’s garden, on to the prom, and into the sea for a swim. After an initial chill when we got in, we had great fun swimming and floating around in the choppy waters.
Then back to Gina’s garden for fizz, nibbles and a long overdue catch up.
The evening not only benefited members but also our two local charities with £80 raised for Sage House, and two boxes of donated food for the Bognor Foodbank.
With lockdown easing, and signs of rustling in the undergrowth from local cinemas, this will be my final ‘films on TV’ posting.
My hope is that I’ll soon be able to resume ‘normal service’ for our Flick Chicks group, with emails about upcoming films at the cinema. If you’d like to be added to the circulation list for trips to the Picturedrome and other local cinemas, please let me know via the comments section here, or by contacting a member of the committee.
Meanwhile, here are the best of this week’s TV screenings:
It seems that the more the lockdown restrictions lift, the fewer good films there are to watch on TV. But I have managed to find a few to recommend this week:
Sunday
The Ipcress File – 3.45pm, BBC2
Monday
Joan of Arc – 2.55pm, BBC2
Macbeth (2015) – 11.10pm, Film4
Tuesday
Coogan’s Bluff – 10pm, ITV4
Wednesday
Crimson Tide – 9pm, ITV4
Dirty Dancing – 9pm, 5Star
Thursday
The Birdman of Alcatraz – 5.55pm, Sony Movies Classic
The First Wives Club – 7pm, 5Star
Friday
An Affair to Remember – 6.40pm, Sony Movies Classic
Good Will Hunting – 9pm, 5Star
Saturday
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) – 2.05pm, BBC2
A Touch of Larceny – 6pm, Talking Pictures TV
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – 9.15pm, Channel 4
Jackie – 11.10pm, Channel 4
In other news, I’m delighted to report that the Picturedrome will be reopening soon. Exact date TBC, but you can find more details here of the new post-lockdown measures they will have in place Picturedrome cinema news
There is some light at the end of the cinema tunnel at last! In Chichester, Cineworld are reopening on July 10th, with new distanced seating and staggered film times planned.
New Park Cinema has been working with the Chichester Festival Theatre to arrange a ‘drive-in’ cinema experience in Northgate Car Park over the August Bank Holiday weekend (with tickets on sale in July).
I can find no news of our lovely local cinema, the Picturedrome – there are no recent updates on their website, facebook page or twitter feed. If anyone has any up-to-date information do please pass it along!
In the meantime, here’s my pick of the films coming up on TV over the next week:
Sunday
The Sting – 11.25am, ITV4
Monday
F/X: Murder by Illusion – 9pm, Paramount
Wednesday
For Your Eyes Only (James Bond) – 8pm, ITV4
Thursday
The Fugitive – 9pm, ITV4
Touching the Void – 10pm, Channel 4
Friday
Frozen II (animation) – 7pm, Sky Premiere
3.10 to Yuma (2007 version) – 10.45pm, BBC1
Borg vs McEnroe – 11.20pm, BBC2
Saturday
The Jungle Book (2016 live action version) – 5pm, BBC1
Destry Rides Again – 5.55pm, TCM Movies
Dr No (the first James Bond film) – 8.30pm, ITV
The Goldfinch – 8pm, Sky Premiere
The Spy Who Came In From the Cold – 9pm, Talking Pictures TV
