‘Here Comes Spring 2024’
Members flocked into the Ingestre Suite at the County Showground to have a great day out on April 24th. Gill Thomas, the self-styled ‘One Armed Sewist’ took us on her journey learning to sew. Until then she had never appeared in public without her prosthetic arm. It was an amazing and very poignant story, showing her courage and determination, which was an Inspiration for us all. She talked about her ‘Great British Sewing Bee’ experiences, which brought the whole experience to life. Gill had definitely now fulfilled her goal to show that she could overcome her disability to make her dream come true.
After a lunchtime of shopping and chatting, David Harper burst on to the stage. He was never still as he made us laugh so much about his experiences with antiques and when taking part in Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road trip. There were lots of questions and comments from the audience. David’s description of branding himself to look good on television, with fake tan, shaving his head and his beard, regrowing his beard and finally being allowed on screen, kept everyone in stitches. His underlying passion for and knowledge of art and antiques shone through.
There were 25 stalls in the main room, foyer and the Boden Suite. The stallholders donated some wonderful raffle prizes. Thank you for attending. The events Team really appreciate your support. Please come to ‘It’s Christmas 2024’
SAVE THE DATE: November 19th Will Kirk, the furniture restorer from TV’s ‘The Repair Shop’ will be speaking and Debbie Hill from ‘Perry’s Field to Fork, Eccleshall’ will be demonstrating sausages and pork pie making during the morning. Hope to see you there.
An Historic Event for Staffs WI
History came to life at Whiston Village Hall at the weekend when over 100 members of Staffordshire WIs were treated to a captivating talk by Nell Gwynne aka Lesley Smith, curator of Tutbury Castle.
Mistress Nell Gwynne kept her audience spellbound with a poignant account of her short but interesting life. Having escaped from her drunken mother, Nell sheltered and cared for her younger sister before becoming one of the first actresses allowed on stage in 17th century England to portray a woman.
As ’pretty witty Nell’ her fame as a comic actress led her to become one of the mistresses of Charles II, giving him two sons.
After an enthralling dip into the past, the Events Committee members, with the help of Whiston WI members, served a delicious cream tea.
The hall looked stunning, with tables decorated with fresh flowers. There was a lovely atmosphere as members chatted and the sun shone, despite the terrible flooding the day before.
Verity Conner, Chairman of the Staffordshire Federation Women’s Institutes Events Committee said, ‘What a wonderful afternoon in the company of Nell Gwynne. My thanks go to the workers who decorated the room, made the scones, served tea and washed up all with smiles on their faces in true WI style’.