Lucy Barker’s forthcoming 90th Birthday

May 15, 2019 Richard Dance

Before the meeting of High Levels started, 15/5/2019, members had decorated the room with bunting and balloons to celebrate Lucy Barker’s forthcoming 90th Birthday. All members were offered a drink of fizz or orange upon arrival and when Lucy entered the room she was given a big welcome – total surprise to her!

Jayne welcomed everyone, we sang Happy Birthday and then Catherine gave a resume of Lucy’s WI life, three cheers followed. Jayne welcomed our speaker, Andy Wilson who gave a most educational and thought-provoking talk about the history and current working of the Yorkshire Cancer Trust. Becky Taylor gave the vote of thanks.

Sandie Andrew had made a cake for Lucy for us all to enjoy. It had a picture of Lucy on it and was greatly admired. The firework candle was lit and we sang Happy Birthday again – the cake tasted delicious too, our thanks to Sandie.

After fabulous party-style canapé refreshments, along with the birthday cake, the business meeting followed.

Mexican Evening 2019

February 20, 2019 Richard Dance

The February meeting for 2019 was our themed evening, this year the committee chose 'Mexico'. As usual fancy dress was optional.
A sub-committee was formed to organise the evening
After we had sang Jerusalem the evening got underway with the starters of cheesy nachos and dips. Barbara then gave a very interesting talk on the history of Mexico and what items and sayings we owe to their people.
A brief business meeting followed before Lorraine and Gilly served the main course of tachos with chilli and Mexican chicken. with this being followed dessert was a fabulous choice of fruit salad and yogurts produced by the hostesses for the evening Philippa, Tammy and Nancy.
Gilly and Catherine gave a Mexican singing turn, Becky did a recital, with Vicky telling a ‘Mexican’ Joke!
Sandie Andrew gave a vote of thanks on behalf of everyone present to the Sub-Committee (Lorraine, Jayne D, Jane G, Gilly and Karen) and the hostesses for the evening.

Summer Supper Party 2018

June 19, 2018 Jayne Dance

On the evening of Tuesday 16th June 2018, High Levels held a Midsummer Party in a fabulous marque at one of our members farm. We were joined by WI ladies from Barnby Dun, Crowle, Dunsville, Fishlake and Haxey. 70 ladies enjoyed a delicious supper that had been prepared by the members of High Levels. Followed by entertainment provided by the Bowkers, one of Yorkshires leading vocal family groups, their music genre for the evening ranged from classic crooner, rock and roll and modern hits for us to dance the night away. Needless to say a delightful evening was had by all.

Resolutions - Making Marzipan fruits

May 16, 2018 Jayne Dance

The resolutions meeting was held in May, along with an interactive evening of making 8 MarzipanFruits, our craft workshop leader Julie Mellows, brought all of the tools and materials we required. Even the presentation boxes!

ACWW Indian Evening

February 21, 2018 Jayne Dance

SOUTH YORKSHIRE FEDERATION ACWW PROJECT No 1004

In the Tamil Nadu Region of India

On the 21 February High Levels WI held a fund raising Indian Evening for the above project. Members were invited to dress accordingly for the evening and all members present wore outfits which represented the women of India in one way or another, many colourful and elegant.

The Supper for the evening started with poppadoms with fruity and spicy dips, followed by a variety of curries from the Curry Leaf Restaurant in Epworth, ranging from mild to quite hot, accompanied by rice. High Levels President, Jayne Dance had been to discuss the evening with the proprietor of the Curry Leaf, who had been extremely helpful and supportive of the philosophy behind the event. The meal finished with the most beautifully arranged bowls of mixed fruits with three different types of yogurt.

President Jayne gave a short talk about the project’s function and Lucy Barker gave a short talk about India.

Members were invited to give a donation to the project and by the end of the evening £300 had been raised. The donation was topped up to £540, by the most generous donations from the proprietor of the Curry Leaf Restaurant, a customer who had been in the restaurant at the same time as Jayne had been explaining the purpose of the evening to the owner and a friend of a High Levels member from Crowle.

A most enjoyable evening for everyone and a joyful thought that another group of women in the very poor parts of India will be able to improve their lives and the lives of their families by the gift of a cow.

The Vermuyden Group Carol Service 2018

December 4, 2017 Richard Dance

The Vermuyden Group Carol Service for 2018 was organised by High Levels WI, at Hatfield Church, Monday 4th December. Hatfield Church was decorated with 27 different Christmas trees with the theme of the musicals, some examples were Hairspray, Phantom and Moulin Rouge, all looked very splendid indeed.

The service started with a wonderful rendition of Jerusalem, followed by a selection of carols and readings by a member of each institute. The service included an address by Jackie Cousins, the South Yorkshire representative for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). A very enjoyable evening concluded with, a delicious festive supper served with mulled wine or a warming drink of spiced black current juice. The money raised from the evening was shared between Hatfield Church and the charity CRY, each receiving £200. Our special thanks go to the High Levels WI ladies for not only organising the evening, but for producing and serving a wonderful supper, much appreciated by all the congregation.

70th Anniversary Celebrations

September 20, 2017 Richard Dance

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

February 20, 2017 Richard Dance

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

November 23, 2016 Richard Dance

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

November 16, 2016 Richard Dance

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

October 19, 2016 Richard Dance

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

September 15, 2016 Richard Dance

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

February 17, 2016 Richard Dance

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

January 20, 2016 Richard Dance

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

November 12, 2015 Richard Dance

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

August 19, 2015 Richard Dance

This year High Levels WI were entertained by the Haxey Hand Bell ringers at their annual BBQ.

Interactive craft evening

April 15, 2015 Jayne Dance

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

March 14, 2015 Jayne Dance

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

February 18, 2015 Jayne Dance

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

February 17, 2015 Richard Dance

The workers before the event!