​LATEST NEWS

Teacakes and Table Games
Tuesday May 9th 2023

We had a lovely relaxed meeting this morning.

Jo Parris read the WI resolution about clean rivers for people and wildlife and a vote was taken.

Everyone enjoyed playing games, there was lots of chatting and thinking going on!

An Evening with Lady Denman
Thursday 27th April 2023

We began our meeting with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem, although we were told we could have done better!

We had a fascinating evening with Lady Denman as she told us all about her life....

We perhaps at times learnt a little more than we expected and I think it is fairly clear who is th eboss in her household!

But who knew she had "named" Canberrra and was more comfortable on a horse in her flannel shirt and britches that in formal attire. She certainly led an interesting life.

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Learning the benefits of Chair yoga...
Tuesday 11th April 2023

So a slight change to our programme we had a session of Chair Yoga as oppossed to Chair Pilates. Led by our own Caroline we heard about the different forms of yoga and how it is more than just exercise, where as pilates is simply a form of exercise.

We were led through a number of breathing techniques and various exercises based around a chair for support.

It was a fun and very interesting morning and got us all moving and stretching. Thank you Caroline for stepping in at the last moment and guiding us.

Line Dancing Fun
Thursday 23rd March 2023

What a fun evening, we didn't always go in the same direction but we laughed our way through it. We had the benefit of excellent instructions from Lynne Barnard.

With a lot of help from a friend...
Tuesday 14th March 2023

We were delighted to welcome David Newsham and his current guide dog Bridie. David has visited us in the past but this was a first time for Bridie.

David told us about the training and all the fabulous things Bridie can do, from finding the exact milk or bread in the supermarket, to being able ro guide him back to a car in a car park or amazingly a department in Queens Medical Centre!!! We could all do with a guide dog for the latter! 

He talked about living with finding yourself suddenly blind and how having a guide dog gave him back his independence.

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His wife Frances also talked about fostering a dog that is in the advanced stages of training, which was of interest to one or two members.

The training and breeding of guide dogs was seriously affected by Covid but is gradually getting back to normal. We heard how Dogs are matched to individuals to suit their lifestyle and there is about a two year waiting period but this can depend on the individual and the dogs available.

Members asked lots of questions and it was a really enjoyable and interesting talk and we all fell a little bit in love with Bridie.

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How to make a drippy cake!
Thursday 23rd February

Sweet Success, a Nottingham cake and accessories business based on Radford Road, entertained the ladies with a demonstration and a little history about the firm.
This year the family run business will be celebrating 30 years, having started in 1993, providing ready baked cakes, fruit cakes and cupcakes, as well as all types of icings, cake bases and cake accessories to cake business and home bakers.
The demonstration showed the ladies how to ice and decorate a drip cake for whatever the occasion. The challenge came with an opportunity to make a rabbit topper out of sugar paste and to complete a cake quiz.
Sweet Success has moved with the demands of the times and now provides vegan cakes and fillings too, giving the ladies an opportunity to taste a vegan cake.

A Valentines Seranade
Tuesday 14th Feruary 2023

What a wonderful way to spend Valentine's Day, with music and entertainment from the 60's and 70's provided by the talented Martin Perry and his guitar.

There were lots of entertaining anecdotes and quips and we all finally got to have a sing song - after being banned from singing to one number!

All the more reason to visit Beauvale Priory on a Friday morning so you can listen to Martin all over again.

Moving some to tears and yet so enjoyable!
Thursday 25th January 2023

What a delightful performance by the one and only  'Our Dementia Choir' of TV and international  fame. They entertained the 96 (was this a record!) Lapwings WI ladies with songs, music and dance. 
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Karen Bonser, the Secretary for the Dementia Choir, spoke of how the group was formed. Her own husband, Mick, a member of the choir, suffers from Alzheimer's - he is only 54. But he is not the youngest member of the choir. It's a condition which unfortunately, can affect those much younger.

The choir performed lively songs, under the direction of Daniela, to which we were invited to clap,        sing-a-long and even dance. George had a solo spot and played the harmonica, as did Mick who sang and danced, supported by his wife Karen and the choir. 
Then there were the comic interludes provided by Julie, who was determined to get us going and enjoying ourselves too. 
It was all amazing, entertaining and moving!  The standing ovation was well deserved.

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Hear Together
Tuesday 10th January 2023

We welcomed Diana Harbor from the charity Hear Together to talk about hearing loss and it was surprising how much we learnt from her.

We had the chance to reflect on how a loss of hearing would impact  on us personally and learnt how statistics show that 1 in 6 people are affected by hearing loss. This statistic bore out in our own group, as of the 41 members in attendance, 6 were aware of a hearing issue.

It can take up to 10 years from becoming aware of a potential problem to accepting and wearing hearing aids! It is thought that up to 6 million people in the UK would benefit from wearing hearing aids, but only £2 million do.

What was perhaps the most surprising information was the impact hearing loss has on your general health with a far greater risk of Dementia, Cardio Vascular disease and Diabetes, if it remains untreated.

Further information can be found at www.heartogether.org.uk/

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A Star is Born...
Tuesday December 13th 2022

We were in our "new temporary" home as our nornal Tuesday morning hall is having repair work undertaken.
Under Jo's expert tutelage we made paper stars to decorate our homes. It was  reminiscent of school days and great fun, along with festive refreshments of mince pies and mulled wine.

If you wish to make these here are a couple of tutorial links to watch:

www.instagram.com/reel/CkbzJ_bJySf/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D
www.instagram.com/reel/ClvI2tJug9v/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY%3D

We then enjoyed a few games of Sticky 13s to finish the final meeting of the year.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and all good wishes for the New Year.

Christmas Party
Friday 2nd December 2022

You know that saying 'every picture tells a story'...

What a great night we had - live music, a dance, a quiz, games, good food and as always great company.
It was a great evening and a lovely way to get the Christmas festivities started.

A Nottinghamshire Pitman's Story
November 24th 2022

David Coleman was a moving, informative and funny speaker.
He entertained us with his very poignant poetry and true stories of his time down the pit. Some of the facts and figures he gave us were mind boggling, from 1850 -1913 there over 90,000 deaths in the Uk mining industry!

The worst mining disaster in the UK was in Senghenydd, Wales in 1913 and it took the lives of over 400 men in an explosion, 60 of them were under 20 and 8 were only 14 years old! The worst disaster locally was the loss of 80 lives at Thoresby Colliery in 1950.

In 1920 alone, 216 million tons of coal were mined in the UK. Often fathers and sons worked down the pit. David's father went down the pit at 13; he looked after a pony called Sunshine and would take him a handful of fresh grass every day. Ponies were last used down the mines in the 1980s.

We were all moved by the stories David told us of the life of the miners who  were such an important part of our local history.

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Bess of Hardwick
November 8th 2022

We welcomed back Maureen Taylor as Bess of Hardwick this morning and learnt so much about this amazing, strong woman.

She talked through her 4 marriages, one as a very young girl, being widowed 4 times and having to fight for her rights, taking her case to court on two occasions and winning.

She certainly mixed in elevated circles and was even with Princess/ Queen Elizabeth 1 when she ascended the throne.

She lived a long life, as the nobility often did (they were well fed) and was a very successful business women, amassing a fortune in land, property and industries at a time when it was frowned upon for women to be so driven.

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'Bygones' days of Nottinghamshire
27th October 2022

Andrew Smart entertained the ladies with many stories from his 40 year career in journalism.
He based his memories and photos on the 'Bygones' supplement, part of  Nottingham Evening Post  and told many stories and anecdotes on those memories from past years - Black Boy Hotel, flooding of the Nottingham Forest pitch in the awful winter of 1947, where it just snowed and snowed but did not deter
some thirsty men  from visiting their local pub! The snow was then followed by the floods.
Andy has  written a book - 'Their Names Will Live On', about unsung heroes from WW1 to the more recent Afghanistan conflict and donates the proceeds to the Royal British Legion. 
His Powerpoint photos brought memories of 'olde' Nottingham back to many of the ladies.

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A Chocolate Delight...
11th October 2022

Wow, what a morning!

Cathy Wright demonstrated how to make chocolate truffles (she made it look really easy) and boy did they taste delicious!

It was a simple process of melting the chocolate in a plastic bowl in a mircowave, adding 20% of the weight again in whipping cream and stiring and you have a piping consistency. Flavouring such as oils or alcohol can be used as flavouring, this mixture once piped, is then set in a fridge and each truffle individually dipped in melted chocolate to create your own delicious truffle.

She also told us about her annus horribulus and how she came into the world of chocolate making and how she came to be a supplier to Sat Bains. We even got to taste the chocalate that is especially made for his restaurant.
www.cathyschocolatesandcakes.co.uk/www

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New Patterns

There are new links available in our patterns section for the Premature baby jackets, as well as the childrens toys and lots of other ideas.

Also our new evening craft group had fun making some easy fabric pumpkins and the link to this is below.

As always please remember our patterns are for your own personal use, not for resale and for charity makes only.

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwizm5S4rtj6AhURlFwKHX1aCuAQFnoECAwQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D9ls9wYb-B7Q&usg=AOvVaw0FEB10FP-q3Vzh4eH76_bT

Just watch what you do!
22nd September 2022

Now we all know what gestures with hands and feet mean, we have to watch out!
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John Smith gave a very informative and amusing talk about 'Body Language' - the meaning of gestures in other cultures, the way non- verbal actions through our hands and feet can tell how a person feels, their objective and if they are lying!

He began with showing us pictures of certain facial gestures which are common, even in the remotest of places in the world, for example a smile, fear, anger, surprise, etc. He went onto hand gestures which can often hide stress or  a feeling of discomfort. Feet, too, play a part in communicating how a person feels - are they ready for 'flight', or is a person comfortable and accepting of the other person to whom they are talking?  So now we are all going to be looking at not only our own feet but how a person we are talking to is standing...
Certain gestures or bodily reactions (ears going red, blushing) can tell you if a person is lying.

A very interesting point was that gestures/actions are often associated with 'gravity'. Gestures which are upward movements often denote happiness, feelings of content. When you smile the corners of your mouth go 'up', when you are sad they go 'down'. Another example - when athletes win their arms go up in the air, when they loose their shoulders go down as do their arms and often their heads hang downwards.

He was asked how he became interested in this subject and said that it stemmed from his childhood days of watching people and being aware how people reacted to each other. He was also asked if he is constantly observing people or can he switch off when in company - he said he does switch off.

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Time for you...
13th September 2022

Our meeting started with a minutes silence for her Majesty, as we had our own private reflection on her life of service to our nation and as a fellow WI member.

We then had a wonderful morning led by Emma Mills who led us through a meditation and breathing session.

Emma also talked us through a number of journeying techniques, which covered;-
- brain dumps - which can be cathartic and help you let go
- reflective writing - more about how you feel and what great things you have achieved
                                     - the big "I" - letting the good things be more powerful than the bad things

Emma works with Adam and they run various classes in the Southwell area, below is a couple of websites where details can be found on yoga and meditation;-
emmamillslondon.com
onewithnature.co.uk
We  had the bursary draw and 5 lucky members won £50 to spend on something educational i.e. a course or a subscription.
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It was a thoughtful and reflective morning.

Below is the link to the condolence book which has been set up on the NFWI website. All comments will be collated into a formal book at the end of the period of mourning and sent to the Palace. The link is: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/oraXSYiu

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Perfect Picnic...
1st September 2022

The photos say it all, what a great evening we had once again enjoying Ann's hospitality and the amazing surroundings of Beauvale Priory. Thank you, Jan, and the rest of the committee for all their hard work in arranging the evening, from games to quizzes and pass the parcel.

It was an evening filled with a lot of chatter and laughter.

Food! Games! Laughter!
28th July 2022

Unfortunately, the proposed speaker was unable to attend due to personal reasons - so thanks to our ever imaginative Committee who came up with a substitute for the evening.

First the welcome sight of snacks on the table meant this was serious - some healthy (strawberries and grapes); some to give us energy (sweets) and some to just keep us snacking!

Then in groups of 4 a quiz with answers based on colours. Easy you might think - err... NO!  Krypton is not a green gas - answer due to Superman influences.
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This was followed by  a Lapwings version of Tenable. You'd think it was easy to think of 10 things on a given theme - well try thinking of 10 cities in the UK with a 'W' in them!

Finally a game of Sticky 13 - loads of excitement so we had another game - more excitement so we had yet another. Could have gone on all night with this game.

In the end a very enjoyable, entertaining evening.

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Be Safe and Aware
July 12th 2022

Phil James who runs the charity Drone to Home gave us a really interesting and helpful talk about how to protect yourself from criminals:

Just some very simple tips can have a huge impact on your safety and boost your confidence whilst out, as the fear of crime is often the biggest issue:

 - Stay off your phone, enjoy your surroundings and be aware of what is happening near you.
- Walk your dog on the non-road side, with the lead in the non-dominant hand.
- A torch is useful to dazzle someone’s eyes.
- Always reverse park so you can leave quickly.
- Lock your car door as soon as you get in.
- Carry an extra lead when walking your dog, it could be used for protection (including fending off aggressive dogs).
- Carry a Criminal Identifier spray as a distraction tool. The spray on a face can be detected for up to 72 hours. However you must ring the police and report that you have used it, it is non-toxic and non-irritant.
- Trust your gut, if something doesn't feel right do something about it.

Phil also told us how he uses thermal drones in his search for dogs. They have been involved in 343 searches in the last 12 months. He also told us that a dog in 90% of cases will return to the car as they will follow the scent trail they have laid - although this can take between 2 - 5 hours.

However, if a dog goes missing from home (they have been involved in 43 cases in the past 7 weeks) it can take between 2-9 hours for them to return home.

For more information please look at their Facebook page www.facebook.com/dronetohome
You may also wish to support them by voting for them in a charity funding bid, details of which are on their Facebook page.

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Annual meeting and Curling!
June 23rd 2022

What a lot going on..

We had a really lovely evening. Our Annual Meeting was great and we said thank you to our “retiring” president Joanna Parris and welcomed our new President Joanne Oldham who will be fabulous.

​This was followed by a delicious fuddle and then the competitiveness came out...
when we had a series of hilarious curling matches.
What a great evening was enjoyed by everyone and the hall was filled with lots of laughter.

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2022 Annual Meeting Information

To ensure everyone had all the information required this was sent out via an e-mail, as always the Secretary's Report and President's Report are worth another read...

Annual Report by Secretary, Janet Stevenson
Lapwings WI Report 2021 – 2022
The year got off to a very slow start
As we were still having to stay apart,
We kept in touch with emails and zoom
As no friends were allowed in the room.
 
Garden chats were a welcome break
When steps outside we were allowed to take.
We began again with strolls and walks
And garden swaps were a chance for talks.
 
Over the year, there was much to learn and see
Like cocktails, DNA, Burlesque and Tai chi.
The flying housewife and wardrobe fairy flew over
And we learned tea etiquette from Baroness Bolsover.
 

We’ve looked after our gut, had a beauty talk,
And been on a virtual canal basin walk.
Foods were taste tested and rag wreaths made
And how we partied while Rocks ’n’ frocks played!
 
Christmas decorations were made for the table,
And we heard how charities support where able.
Families are helped by Homestart volunteers;
At Brinsley they’ve rescued animals for years.
 
Ladies who lunch have enjoyed a few,
Some old favourites and some pastures new.
Our artists are learning different techniques
And our walking netballers have fun each week.
 

When we were allowed to visit places,
Especially those in wide open spaces,
Carnfield, Renishaw and Chatsworth too
Were all enjoyed by quite a few.
 
Beauvale Priory was the perfect place
For us all to gather to picnic and race.
And a walk with clues would lead us all
To fish and chips at the village hall.
 
We have been busy with needles and wool
So baby hat stocks are always full.
We’ve made heart cushions by the score
Teddies, blankets, and so much more

Our tree at Christmas was a delight.
The twiddlemuffs made a wonderful sight.
And after the festival they all went where
Those living with dementia receive their care.
 
We had great success at our latest Craft Fair
With a variety of stalls and good food to share.
The Women’s Centre was our charity this year –
They educate women and help those in fear.
 
We continue to support the foodbank here
With donations made throughout the year
And with hundreds of tins and packets too
We hope we have helped quite a few.

Blister packs, cartridges and milk bottle tops –
Our collecting and recycling never stops.
We planted a tree for the Queen’s Canopy
To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee.
 
Twenty new members have joined us this year
For activities, visits and speakers to hear.
We can all look forward to exciting things
And enjoying life with the other Lapwings

President's address: Joanna Parris 
Hello Lapwings Ladies ,
Once again another year has passed by, our 8th year as Lapwings WI, but again we got to last June with very restricted rules on how we could or could not meet up! We started with outside meetups, in the Garden of Reflection, the summer BBQ at Beauvale Priory and a visit to Chatsworth. Then when September arrived we were able to hold meetings indoors and it was lovely to be able to see everyone again. I hope you have all enjoyed coming back together, and we look forward to welcoming back those that still haven’t managed to get to a meeting since September and our new members that joined us in April.
As you are all probably aware, I will be stepping down as President this year, having now done 4 years, partly due to the pandemic and keeping things consistent when we could not meet up. It is now time to let someone else take the reins. Within Lapwings the role of President is a very easy affair, as having such a fantastic Committee means you are just the figurehead for the whole group.
This brings me on to those I must thank for making this year and every year so memorable for us as a WI. The Committee, consisting of:
- Janet Stevenson our beloved secretary, who keeps us all up to date, coordinates all the speakers and activities, as well as writing all the minutes from the monthly and Committee meetings, plus so much more!
- Teresa Hogg our Treasurer, who keeps the books balanced and a careful hold of the purse strings which allows us to book such fantastic talks and treats.
- Jan Carrier, Kath Howard, Sue Arnold, Maggie Huckerby, Jo Oldham, Janet Tilford and Ann Whyte, without them there would be no Visits, Lunch Clubs, Walking Netball, Art classes, Birthday and occasion cards, craft coordination of Hearts, Twiddlemuffs, blankets etc and the yearly Christmas tree, Ancestry, Walking and Strollers groups as well as arriving early each meeting to set up the rooms and welcome the speakers.
Besides the Committee, there are others that help to make this WI what we are: - Rita Pickering, Gill Strickland, Helen Cable and Katie Hunt who help Kath with the walking netball and plan each session into a wonderful mix of fun and exercise .
- Julie Chambers and Rita Pickering for the great work they do on the Lapwings WI website. I do hope you all have a regular look at it, as it is interesting to look back at what we have done over the years, as well as see the photos, recipes, knitting and crochet patterns that can be found there.
It can be viewed at lapwingswi.weebly.com
- Shirley Coleman who inputs all of our details into the MCS website, so we are registered at WI headquarters .
- Margaret Januszczyk who collects all the recycling items and takes them to the various collection points.
And lastly I must thank all of you, for the work that you all do to make everything run smoothly at meetings, helping with refreshments, stacking chairs and tables, contributing to the food bank, and making things for the various places we support. Also the help which is given at our yearly craft fair, our only generated income over the year, and is very successful but would not be possible without you all giving your time and baking skills.
And lastly, I would like to welcome and to give my best wishes to the incoming President, I am sure everything will run just as smoothly and efficiently as it has for the past 8 years.
Thank you all once again and here’s hoping the next year is a great one, full of learning, friendship and fun .

Joanna Parris
Outgoing President

Crafts
14th June 2022

We had a quiet day today at our meeting as many people were on holiday, but it was lovely to chat while making flowers and painting pebbles.

Everyone enjoyed looking through the photo books too. These form part of our archives as they are a record of all our activities since we began in 2014. They will be at future meetings so other members can enjoy a look through.

The pebbles have since been placed around Titchfield Park as part of the parks centenary celebrations.

Brinsley Animal Rescue
May 26th 2022

At tonights meeting we welcomed Brinsley Animal Resue to hear about their work and how their aim is to give animals a second chance.

They told us about some of the rescues they had been involved in May alone...

22nd May - As well as several birds being admitted, we went out to rescue a fox cub, trapped in garden plastic clutter. The cub had got his head well and truly stuck inside a plastic globe in a garden.Thankfully we had volunteers at hand to collect the cub, then with some delicate sawing, we managed to remove the globe without injuring or stressing him out too much.

21st May - Another accident caused by sheer carelessness in fishing! A swan had a 3 pronged hook deeply embedded into the muscle of her wing. There was no way we could safely remove it without ripping her muscle. So we ended up rushing her to the vets. This beautiful swan not only had the hook embedded into her but had also wedged herself between a canal barge and the mooring and caused even more injuries to herself. Thanks to a major team effort from our volunteers and our vet Eastwood Vets4Pets dropping everything to help us we have been able to now start the process of helping this lady back to full health. She’s now on a drip, antibiotics and pain relief as well as needing twice daily dressings in the injuries she has sustained due to this carelessness.

19th of May - Talk about all creatures great and small, yesterday we were shearing sheep, today we took in five voles after their nest was accidentally disturbed by a digger and unfortunately their mother was killed. It is very hands-on feeding them every hour for the next few weeks, thankfully we have a volunteer step forward, we wish her good luck.

18th of May - We were contacted by a company that had repossessed a house and evicted the owners, who had left thier pets behind. There were hens, a pet pig and 6 pygmy goats all living in a building that can only be described as a building site. They are all with us now and well, following a period of quarantine, they are all now outside and enjoying the lovely weather. We are now seeking lifelong homes for them.

16th of May - This is the time of year when we have lots of wildlife especially young birds, fox cubs, hedgehogs etc.
We had a two goslings brought in, having been observed for some time is was confirmed that they have become seperated from their parents. This pair are very messy, they love splashing around and keeping us busy cleaning them out, they are both doing really well.

Unfortunately with good intentions, lots of people pick up wildlife thinking they need rescuing, wildlife that should be left well alone. Top of the list is fledglings. Birds do not fly from the nest, they fledge and the fledgling live on the ground for a while until they can fly. They should not be taken away from thier natural habitat and thier parents, they should be left. The best help you can provide for fledglings is bushes and shrubs, not picking them up.

Unless you can see physical signs of injury or illness, never interfere with wildlife unless you are sure that they need rescuing and you have somewhere for the animal to go. At this time of year most wildlife rescues are full to capacity and so have to prioritise.

It was a really interesting evening hearing about the valuable work this charity do, and the efforts they go to release or rehome all the rescued animals.

Self Care with Arena Beauty
May 10th 2022

This morning Alex, Bec and Eleanor from Arena Beauty took us through our own skin care routine and Jo volunteered to be in the hot seat.

Bex explained the whole routine:
- cleanse (exfoliate - but only twice a week), tone, apply serum and moisturise. The products used were all from the Eve Taylor aromatherapy range, a UK company that plants a tree for every product sold.

Then Julie had a light natural make up applied and again we were taken through all the stages and given ideas of what products to use.

We were all  given a goody bag with wax melts, a sample of the C+ brightening moisturiser and other little treats. Both our 'models' enjoyed the experience.

Further details can be found on the web site or Facebook page; www.facebook.com/arenabeauty.co.uk  arenabeauty.co.uk/

After the demo Jo  took us through the proposed annual resolution which were supported unanimously.

Looking after your gut.....
April 28th 2022

Our evening started with our President, Jo handing over a cheque to June McCombie accepting our donation for the Nottingham Women’s Centre. June explained what was the function of the Women's Centre and how it had developed.
This was followed by a really informative talk from Linda Booth on how to look after our gut.

Linda is a leading 'naturopath and colonic hydrotherapist' digestive health expert, and has over 30 years’ experience running a busy natural health clinic, with over 100,000 consultations and treatments, specialising in solutions to resolve common digestive and gut disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), painful bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, heartburn and indigestion, to mention just a few.
She has gone on to develop Just For Tummies supplements.
Further details of Linda's work can be found on her website and Facebook page, details below;
www.facebook.com/justfortummies/
justfortummies.co.uk/

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Giving people a hand...
April 12th 2022

We were lucky enough to have two different speakers this morning.

The first was  Lynne who told us about the Owen Towle Foundation. Owen is Lynne's son who suffers from Prader Willi Syndrome. But that hasn’t stopped him as he loves to help people and fundraise for others.

It was lovely to hear how successful their Christmas Grotto had been. Lapwings have benefitted from this as Owen's foundation generously donated money to Lapwings to allow us to continue to make Tweedlemuffs and heart cushions for breast cancer patients.

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Our second speaker was Jo Hallam from Homestart.

This is a charity started in 1973 helping parents supporting other parents.
There are over 170 schemes across the country and the Nottingham one was set up in 1978 and provide support for families with children under 8.

The support comes in the form of someone who helps in a variety of ways. It is not a "child sitting" service, but more about supporting the parents, which can simply be someone to talk to, or someone to occupy the children whist an important meeting is taking place (i.e. hospital or solicitor office).

Families can be referred by a variety of means and can also self-refer. They are 'matched' to a volunteer.  and these matches can last anything from 3 months to a year, coming to a natural end when they no longer feel they need help.

It was great to hear from Steph, one of our members, about the sort of things she has done over the many years that she has volunteered with them.

Further information about this valuable work can be found at www.home-start.org.uk/about-us

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Rag Wreaths
24th March 2022

What could be better than getting together with friends and being creative?

A very productive evening ensued with some beautiful wreaths being made and a few heart cushions cut out and sewn.

It was lovely to see so many of you enjoying a great evening together.

From Revolutionising Transport to Leisure
8th March 2022

Felicity Whittle, a Blue Badge tourist guide, took us on a fascinating visual tour of the Nottingham Canal Basin from its early days to its current day use.

We learnt the Nottingham Canal originally proceeded from the Trent at Nottingham via Wollaton and Cossall to Langley Mill, and from there it joined the Cromford Canal. The Act of Parliament to build the canal was obtained in 1792, and the canal completed in 1802. The man who designed and built the canal was William Jessop, who previously had success designing and building the Cromford Canal.

It was quite a feat of engineering when you consider it was all built by hand, as canal building pre-date any mechanical digging machines. The builders were called Navigators, which was shortened to "Navvies". In the early days the canal was very profitable as there were tolls for its use, dependant on the size of the boat and the cargo it carried.

Perhaps the most exciting incident from the Nottingham Canal’s history came in 1818, as it was the first great British canal explosion which occurred in a canal warehouse in Nottingham. A boat was laden with a mixed cargo including 21 barrels of gunpowder. During the unloading there was a catastrophic explosion which instantly killed 10 people and 6 died later from their injuries. A man in the Meadows described how “the whole warehouse appeared to lift up several yards into the air and then burst asunder into innumerable fragments.” There is a plaque to mark this on the canal side walk.

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Unfortunately, with the Industrial Revolution came the birth of the Railway, which overtook the canal as a viable economic transport route into Nottingham. As a result  the canal quickly declined in use and became neglected. Since the 1970s, the canal has enjoyed a ‘re-birth’ as a nature reserve and walking trail. The stretch of the canal within the City has especially enjoyed a new ‘rebirth’ with the area being well served by a number of pubs, restaurants, cafés, gyms and luxury apartments.

There is still a lot or architectural history from the early days of the canals to be seen in this area along with a number of plaques pointing out events of interest or important people, which include three influential women magistrates and early hot air balloonists!

Hey Big Spender!
24th February 2022

Spent a little time with us  -  as the Lapwings ladies learnt a Burlesque dance to the very famous tune. Berni, from the Nottingham Dance and Fitness studio, taught the ladies a simple routine culminating in a fantastic performance at the end.
So what do you need for an impressionable performance...  let's start with the opening... an arm to the right then to the left and a lot of wiggles of the bottom.  Gloves flying off fingers and busts! Hats raised and flung. Walking sticks twisted and turned. Feather boas weaved and waved. Sexy poses. And not forgetting the naughty bustles thrown in the air.  Loads of laughter, fun, enjoyment ending with a remarkably smooth performance.

​To finish the evening Berni was asked to tell us how Burlesque started - amazingly as a comic mockery. It  developed into a more shady strip tease act, moving away from its origins. It no doubt has 'sexy' overtones but it should also keep a comedic side to it.
The great Lapwings WI performance can be seen on the Lapwings Facebook page courtesy of Janet.

What is going to give you away...
8th February 2022

It was great to see so many of our members this morning, enjoying a fresh cup of tea (thanks to Ann).

We enjoyed a fascinating talk from Paul Newsham on Biometrics. "There will never be a another you!"

It sounds a bit dry, but it was fascinating talk, which we heard from Paul, a retired Forensic Expert Witness. He explained about the uniqueness of the Human Being and how this is being used in today's modern society and world environs.  
 
From fingerprints (and the minute detail) to ear prints and footprints, he demonstrated where to look for such evidence and how it is collected at the crime scene.

Not only did we learn a lot, we also laughed a lot, as Paul's delivery was humorous, getting us all involved leaving us with a lot to think about.

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A room full of sweeping Wild Geese...
27th January 2022

Under the guidance of David Asheby, the Tai Chi instructor, the Lapwing ladies swooped and gracefully performed the Tai Chi movements, especially wonderful when we all seemed in unison and harmony.

David talked about the origins of Tai Chi which seemed to be formed from legends rather than a definitive source, however this adds to the magic of its existence. Tai Chi is a 'movement and exercise system'  which can be followed at one's own pace. It does have elements of martial arts but that is not its main function. It's based on challenges which involve  physical, mental and relaxing benefits.

We got a bit worried when the sword was produced and David started to make very sweeping movements with it - but he was on the stage and the ladies were a distance away.
​
​Altogether a very informative and enjoyable evening.

The Etiquette of Afternoon Tea...
Tuesday 11th January

Baroness Bolsover entertained us again this morning, this time in person, with fascinating facts about Victorian afternoon tea etiquette.

Who knew how important it was to have the correct posture at the table, or how to hold cups daintily, along with the importance of napkin etiquette. We also learnt how to stir tea to help the chards of chiselled sugar lumps get dissolved and how to daintily sip (no slurping) our tea.

Then it was onto the food… finger sandwiches, without crusts, Victoria cake, Garibaldi biscuits, scones and Battenburg cake... were some of the treats to accompany a typical Victorian afternoon tea, all in the tiniest of morsels.

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The Baroness's outfit was stunning, she wore a peplum dress with leg of mutton style sleeves, a tightly corseted waist along with a flowerpot hat.

Thank you Baroness Bolsover, for an enlightening and amusing morning and your special blend of tea is just lovely.

For earlier activities please refer to the archive pages

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GENERAL INFO

MEMBERSHIP
Current membership - 150
​Please contact us to enquire about our waiting list.

OFFICIALS 
President    - Joanna Oldham 
Secretary    - Janet Stevenson
Treasurer    - Teresa Hogg
​Welfare       - Ann Whyte
Committee  - Sue Arnold
                   - Jan Carrier
                   - Kath Howard
                   - Maggie Huckerby
                   - Joanna Parris
                   - Janet Tilford

NATIONAL LINKS

The WI web site
(which now has a search facility for your local WI group based on your postcode
The MOODLE

NOTTS FEDERATION LINKS

COUNTY HOUSE
The federation office:
Trent Bridge House,
Beastmarket Hill,
Newark,
Nottinghamshire.
NG24 1BN
Opening times are:
Mon–Wed only 9am – 3pm
Email : secretary@nottswi.org.uk
Tel: 01636 67 3550
The Nottinghamshire Federation web pages are here:- Nottinghamshire Federation
You can download documents & booking forms.

WI ADVISERS
These ladies are on hand to give help and advise to you about all aspects of the WI.
They can attend the annual meeting or   committee meetings or just offer help on the end of a phone or email.
To get in touch on any WI matters :-
wiadviser.notts@yahoo.com
or check out their phone numbers in the year book.

GROUP'S CO-ORDINATOR
Michelle Jafaar is the Group's co-ordinator.
If you have any questions about any matters concerning your WI group you should direct them to Michelle using this email address:-
wiadviser.notts@yahoo.com

NOTTS WI WEBSITES

Abbey Gates WI
Arnold WI
Averham Kelham & Staythorpe WI
Bestwood Village WI
Bingham Belles WI
Birds of a Feather Wi (Arnold)
Bleasby
Bramcote
Burton Joyce & Bulcote WI
Chilwell WI
(Nottingham) City WI
Coddington WI
Collingham
​Cropwell Bishop
Dorewood WI (Balderton)
East Bridgford WI
East Stoke WI
Egmanton
Elston​
Gedling WI
Granby & Sutton WI
Gringley on the Hill WI
Keyworth
​Lindhurst
​Morton, Fiskerton and Rolleston
Newstead WI
Newark Palace WI
Normanton on Soar
Ollerton WI
Plumtree WI
​Radcliffe on Trent
Ravenshead WI
Ruddington WI
​Shelford
Southwell WI
Trowell
Vale inspirations
Watnall WI
West Bridgford
Weston
​Willoughby on the Wolds
Woodborough WI
Worksop Wonders
​
​There are other WI groups who do not yet have their own websites. Details of these can be found via the Nottinghamshire Federation link above.