The celebratory meeting of High Levels WI was held at The Old School Inn, Epworth, 20th September 2017, starting at 7.30pm. Our Green Hearts bunting made in February adorned the balcony. 37 members attended.
Jayne welcomed everyone and after singing Jerusalem, Grace was said and our 70 th Anniversary meal was duly served and enjoyed by everyone.
Towards the end of the meal, before coffee and tea were served, Lucy Barker stood and read the poem she wrote for the 40th anniversary. This was followed by the delicious cake that our President Jayne had made, being brought round and a toast was made.
Our Secretary Helen, made a few brief announcements regarding forthcoming events, including being invited to Haxey WI’s Harvest meeting for which numbers were required that evening.
A group photograph was taken by a member of staff, ensuring everyone was in it.
Members were free to socialise and most had left by 10.30pm.
Green Hearts Climate Change
Lorraine Brooke introduced the members to the creative evening making and decorating felt hearts. This was to celebrate the green hearts for climate change recognition week. Jane Gilliat had helped Lorraine to make some hearts to show what was possible and give ideas. The members had brought their own sewing kit and decorations and the next hour and half was spent being creative. The hearts are to be made into bunting for the meeting room. Heart shapes refreshments followed - thankfully not green.
Flower Arrangement Workshop
14 members enjoyed a flower workshop held in the meeting room at Charity Farm. An afternoon of fun and laughter as we proudly created a Christmas decoration ably assisted by Toni Gravel who has a Florists in Epworth Town Centre.
AGM 2016
After the meeting had closed, our visitors for the evening were introduced, Pam Ward and June Bishop. These ladies now run the South Yorkshire WI shop. Meg Sewell MBE had started the shop at the age of 80 and handed over the running of the shop two years ago when Meg had reached the age of 92! The items were sourced from around the world as well as locally. Many of the items were sold for under £5. Our members enjoyed the opportunity to browse, shop, chat and enjoy supper before heading home.
Harvest Auction
Jayne Dance welcomed everyone and after singing We Plough the Fields and Scatter, the meeting continued with Lucy Barker conducting our annual Harvest Auction of all the produce that the members had brought.
Sports Week
High Levels WI, South Yorkshire Federation joined forces with our neighbouring WI, Crowle and District of the Lincolnshire Humber Federation to participate in the National Federation WI Sports Week. Members enjoyed a rather energetic Zumba class on Wednesday evening 14th September. Rae Cowling, the instructor for the evening, gave a brief explanation to the benefits of exercise, encouraging the members to continue with a fitness class especially having such fun this evening. Rae gave out a time table of the fitness classes she runs which suits all ages.
Interactive Pottery Evening
Our February meeting was a creative one! Karen Raithby of Pentangle Pottery brought a selection of her handcrafted pottery with a touch of magic.... And a bag of red clay. Karen demonstrated how to shape a ball of this clay into a hedgehog. Each member was given a ball of red clay and then the fun began as we created our hedgehogs.
Kamal Landa
High Levels started the New Year with an informal talk on Indian Culture and costumes by a delightful Indian lady called Kamal Landa. Kamal dressed one of our members Becky Taylor in a sari, demonstrating how to wear them and Barbara Brooke held a sari against her to show all the different colours, patterns and jewels that it was decorated with. Costume jewellery was passed around for all to see. We were amazed at the cost of some of the saris, £1200 to £2500 + each was not uncommon. Kamal also touched on the cast system in India and how it affected everyone every day. Barbara Brooke gave the vote of thanks.
High Levels 'Changing Lives Charity' box
Ruth Stubly, High Levels Treasurer put together the charity box with all the gifts that members had donated. Ruth put a message in the box which said 'To a woman in need from women who care'.
Annual BBQ
This year High Levels WI were entertained by the Haxey Hand Bell ringers at their annual BBQ.
Interactive craft evening
A very enjoyable evening where 28 of our members made a 3D cup card and envelope. We cut, glued and glittered to make our own decorative version of the card. The speaker and materials were supplied by Michelle, who is the proprietor of the latest business to open its doors onto Epworth High Street 'Snowdrop Crafts'.
Spring Council meeting 2015
The South Yorkshire WI Spring Council was attended by four representatives from High Levels WI, Sandie Andrews, Jayne Dance, Helen Mayfield-Ella and Catherine Watson. It was held on 14th March at the Cutlers Halls, Sheffield. Set in the heart of the city centre this Grade 2 listed building was a most prestigious venue for such an occasion. The meeting opened with a spectacular rendition of Jerusalem. Janice Langley, NFWI Chair since 2013 was the first guest speaker. She spoke about her role as the NFWI Chair, comparing how the first time she had to stand up and speak was as nerve wrecking as her first day at school. She stands on many committees and has met people as diverse as the Wombles to the Prime Minister. After lunch David Gray, the Master Cutler welcomed us to his Halls. A short presentation was given about the Cutlers Company which was established in 1624. The afternoon guest speaker was Harry Gration MBE, a journalist and broadcaster in Leeds, a. very entertaining character mentioning some of the programmes he had covered and stories relating to the money he had raised for charity with Amy Garcia, Amy shares the sofa with Harry when presenting the BBC Yorkshire regional magazine programme Look North. The final speakers were Lucy Addlington and Meredith Towne, they a fascinating historical presentation of women during World War One by showcasing their stories..... And their clothes.
Excellent speakers for the Centenary Year. The National Anthem brought the meeting to a close.
Jayne Dance, High Levels WI President. 2015.
1920's EVENING
The annual themed evening for our meeting in February was ‘The 1920’s’. On arrival in the meeting room everyone was given either a cocktail, Prosecco or non-alcoholic drink before finding a seat at the tables. Most of the Committee had been earlier in the day and decorated the room with posters, record covers, violin cases and decorated the tables in red, white and black, with candles in the centre.The evening was opened by Lucy as Al Capone’s Moll, followed by some songs from a song sheet instead of Jerusalem. The canapés were placed on each table and the evening’s entertainment began with Barbara Askew giving the meeting her usual very informative educational take on the theme, including the Suffragettes, Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovering Tutankhamen’s tomb and prohibition. After that the entertainment by the duo ‘Change for Two Tenners’ began. Alan and Barry, one at the keyboard and one singing, were excellent company and we enjoyed their music for over an hour. The dessert canapés were served, along with tea, coffee and chocolates. After dessert, for those who felt the need, no doubt with a little help from the Prosecco and cocktails previously consumed, carried on the evening by dancing to the CD music from the era, put on after the singing duo had left. Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening, the question is, what do we do next year? A selection of the minutes read by Helen Mayfield-Ella. High Levels secretary. 18/03/2015
1920's Behind the Scenes
The workers before the event!
