St Johns WI

JANUARY

Stuart Flitton who gave a fascinating and entertaining talk on "The Press: How it has changed and how it is changing".  He explained he started his career as a journalist 40 years ago in South Africa but then returned to the UK where he has worked for a variety of newspapers both nationals and local press and is now a freelance journalist working at Woking News & Mail.  Stuart explained the different roles within the newspaper industry of all the various editors, sub editors and journalists and also the effects that modern technology has had on newspapers.  

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FEBRUARY

Hector Gilchrist who gave a brief talk on the history of "Folk Songs of the British Isles" together with how he was introduced to folk music as a young child in Scotland.  He said there were various folk groups around Surrey. He then performed a series of songs from around the British Isles telling members the stories behind the songs before he performed them. 

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MARCH - LinkAble "Supporting people with learning disabilities" (practical).

Members spent time enjoying different activities set up by LinkAble which gave them an insight to the various disabilities both physical and learning, as well as autism, that members of LinkAble might experience.  

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APRIL

Paul Patton gave a presentation ‘Show Time’ – behind the scenes build up to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. A flower show has been held in London since 1862 at various sites and has been held at Chelsea since 1913. Paul explained that the show gardens contain nothing artificial and are a mixture of traditional, contemporary and extreme. Paul presented many slides including some of the show gardens from early stages of the hard landscaping to the finished garden with all the planting.

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MAY - Resolution Meeting 

Following a lively discussion about the two Resolutions for 2019 members agreed to support both 'Decline in local bus services' and 'Don't fear the smear'. During the refreshment break members enjoyed the tasty cheese straws made by members as entries in the Eileen Service Memorial Plate competition. Julie was the 2019 winner of this award. Members were then challenged to identify photographs of celebrities with the team of Cecile, Brenda and Marie naming most.

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JUNE

Claire Fecher gave us a fascinating talk/demonstration on Decorative Ribbons. She told us that what she was about to show us required very little equipment. A cake board, some towelling, needle and cotton and iron on interfacing, together with scraps of ribbons would suffice. She demonstrated weaving satin ribbons to make cushion covers, bags, waistcoats, and then went on to demonstrate using wired ribbon to make flowers and bows.

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JULY

Judy Nicholson came along to show members how to do Line Dancing. The line dancing was a lot of fun with members who joined in showing skill in mastering the steps with a lot of concentration and laughter and providing entertainment to those who preferred to watch!

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AUGUST - Birthday Meeting

Billy provided great entertainment with a good range of songs interspersed with anecdotes. Members were also provided with various rattles and even a plastic chicken to squeeze to play along with the music.  Everyone joined in with some singing and plenty getting up and dancing.

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SEPTEMBER   

Dinah Warnick spoke about every decade from the 1900s up to the 1980s showing illustrations. Her presentation certainly confirmed how the role of women changed during the course of the twentieth century and how this was reflected in what they wore.

OCTOBER 

Julie Paice led a craft activity making tissue paper flowers that could be used as part of an arrangement or as a present topper.

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NOVEMBER   

Annual meeting, Games. President's Rose Bowl Competition (a Christmas tree decoration).

Two members joined the Committee at the AGM, bringing the total to ten and the President was re-elected. A member of staff and children from The Hermitage School, plus a parent who is behind their new recycling scheme informed members about products that could be recycled and what happens to them.

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DECEMBER 

The Melody Gal entertained everyone with a selection of songs, including festive songs with many members enjoying dancing.   

At the end of the entertainment refreshments of mulled wine and mince pies were served and Secret Santa gifts were given out. An enjoyable Christmas celebration and a fitting end to a successful year at St Johns WI.

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