Prize Winning Pompom Tree – Pauline Walker
St Columba’s Church in Wideopen held their second Christmas Tree Festival in December 2023 which we, Whey Aye WI, entered. We decided to create a pompom tree with the theme of Diversity.
The festival was held over the weekend of 9/10 December with donations going to the Great North Children’s Hospital and St Oswald’s Hospice. Trees remained in the church over the Christmas period. We are very pleased to announce that we won 1st prize for our Message and 2nd prize for Creativity.
Clean Rivers at Christmas – Janice Graham
Members of Hexham Town WI celebrated Christmas 2023 by participating in Corbridge’s Christmas Tree Festival. And the theme we chose was the WI’s Clean Rivers campaign. The River Tyne runs through the very heart of our region and has seen substantial changes from being blighted by industrial pollution to now being one of England’s finest salmon rivers. We decorated our Tree with blue fairy-lit gauze to represent the Tyne meandering down from its source to the sea. Aspects of our natural, cultural and industrial heritage were displayed by an eclectic range of imaginative hanging pendants, colourful painted baubles and hand-crafted sculptures, with an emphasis on water quality. All our members had the opportunity to contribute a decoration, artistic or otherwise!
Dementia Friends – Karen Overbury
The Committee members of Ponteland Village WI recently took part in a dementia training course, given by member Rachel Bowey Bland, who is
a Dementia Friend ambassador and a WI member. Rachel’s excellent training is aimed at making people aware of possible signs and stages of dementia, how to support people with the disease and their families and friends.
All members received a Dementia Friends badge they now wear at meetings to show members who they could approach for support or information and to remind committee members that anyone of us could be affected.
It is hoped that Rachel or another Dementia Friend will be able to roll out the training to all Ponteland Village WI members in the future. For more information, visit http://www.dementiafriends.org.uk
2025 Diaries!
I know we haven’t even had Easter yet and we are already talking about next year, but the 2025 diary order form is now with your Secretary. Next the colour is purple! Closing date: 22 July 2024.
Speaker’s Corner
Ginny Davis: is a public speaker giving talks to WIs, Probus Clubs, U3As, Rotary Clubs and other community groups. She offers 4 talks using her experience as a former practising barrister turned writer and performer for theatre and now author.
To The Fringe & Beyond – A motivational talk about her career path from practice at the criminal Bar to performance at the Edinburgh Fringe. Includes performance comedy sketches. From the Pillory to the Prison Cell – A fascinating history of criminal punishment including the stocks, the pillory, transportation, hanging and imprisonment. What Lies Beneath the Surface – This talk answers many questions that are often raised about the criminal law. What is a high court judge? where do they live? are barristers glorified actors? can a barrister defend someone they know to be guilty? and where is the Regents’ Canal? The talk provides the backdrop to Ginny’s book ‘What Lies Beneath the Surface’, available on Amazon or a signed copy may be purchased after the talk.
Mad Englishwoman, Three Dogs and the Midday Sun. – Not just for dog lovers! When and where did dogs first become pets? How many English breeds are there? How did an English tourist rescue a Greek barrel dog and guess what the dog did next? Rates are negotiable and may include additional travel costs.
M: 07889 216474 E: ginnydavis2860@gmail.com W: www.ginnydavis.com/public-speaker
Gordon Norrie – Gives talks on the charity Dogs Trust Past, Present & Future in the Northumberland area. He is available at short notice if necessary and the talks are free, last for around 1 hour (but can be adjusted) and bring along his own Dogs Trust dog, Bronte, if members wish.
T: 01325 335 952 E: gordon.norrie@dogstrust.org.uk
Pat and Val Johnston – will give a programme of short audio-visual photographic presentations on many varied subjects from A journey in the Alps, Isle of Man Heritage to much closer to home, Allendale chimneys and various gardens. Timings to suit your group. Cost – donation up to £50 T: 01434 600 068 M: 07376 138 047 E: val.burdis@yahoo.co.uk
Please note: If you choose to book any of the above, they are only suggestions not recommendations.
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