Women's Institute

Meeting Report

February 2011

For the W.I.’s February meeting we were given a most interesting talk by Stuart Cato, ex Royal Engineer, about the history of the Royal Engineers and his part in it from 2000 to 2007 when he left. We were shown slides of the person who can be traced back to have formed the first Engineers, Gundulf, later Bishop of Rochester who came over with William the Conqueror, who is pictured on the Bayeux Tapestry to modern day warfare and Stuart’s part in it.. Bridge building to mine detecting and the finale was a thought provoking film clip from Iraq and Afghanistan. Many thanks Stuart.

Our next meeting will be on the 3rd March when we will all learn what colours and clothes to wear to make us all even more beautiful (if that’s possible!).

Don’t forget the 11th March when we are holding our Fashion Show from Catwalk Connections, by then we will all know what to wear (see paragraph above). Tickets cost £5 and are going very well so you’ll have to be quick if you want one. Please telephone Gaye Harris if you need more information on 01403 820229.

Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Mary Reeves 01403 753604

March 2011

For our meeting on the 3rd March we all learnt what colours suit us and what colours we should avoid. Sylvia Rattenbury from ‘Colour me Beautiful’ came with many colourful swatches and enlightened us all with which famous personality we were associated with (colour wise) and how not to make too many mistakes. This was very helpful for those of us who then went to our major fund raising event this year, the Fashion Show on the 11th March.
We had a full house for this event and a wonderful response from Wisborough Green girls, even some came from as far away as Henfield! Catwalk Connections ran the event and it was very successful in both monetary terms and making new friends. I hope some of the girls who came to this event also consider coming to W.I. sometime.

Our next meeting will be on the 7th April at 8.00 p.m. and Valerie Gunn will show us all how to be better at flower arranging, in my case which jam jar to choose! I look forward to seeing you all there.

Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Mary Reeves 01403 753604

April 2011

Valerie Gunn from East Grinstead came to our April 7th meeting to give us all a bit of a clue about flower arranging. She made some super arrangements and had also brought some already made up to show us. They were all perfect and then she donated them all to our raffle, which was brilliant. I won one and have passed it off as ‘all my own work’ all week!
Our next meeting is on the 5th May when we will be discussing the Resolutions that will be put forward at the National Annual Meeting in Liverpool in June. They are; this meeting urges HM Government to maintain support for local libraries as an essential local educational and information resource. The second one is; this meeting abhors the practice of factory farming particularly large animals such as pigs and cows and urges HM Government to ensure that planning permission is not guaranteed for such projects. Two very worthy resolutions I’m sure you’ll agree.
We will meet in the Sports Pavilion at 8.00 because the Village Hall is being taken over by the local government for some voting (again).
See you all there


Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Mary Reeves 01403 753604


May 2011

At our meeting is on the 5th May we discussed the two resolutions that will be put forward at the National Annual Meeting in Liverpool in June. They were; this meeting urges HM Government to maintain support for local libraries as an essential local educational and information resource. The second one was; this meeting abhors the practice of factory farming particularly large animals such as pigs and cows and urges HM Government to ensure that planning permission is not guaranteed for such projects. At a show of hands, the meeting agreed with both of these; which was not too surprising to anyone. We had our meeting in the Sports Pavilion, thanks to the W.G. Sports Association as the Village Hall was being used for voting purposes.
Our next meeting on the 2nd June is all about Linseed. How it’s grown, what it is good for, how it will improve your life, all sorts of questions will be answered, so see you at the Village Hall at 8.00.
See you all there


Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Mary Reeves 01403 753604

June 2011

We were all back at the Village Hall on the 2nd June when we learned all about the wonderful properties of linseed. Clare Skelton came from Horsham to tell us all about the benefits of linseed and we were given several dips and flaxjacks to try. If all is to be believe then many of our members will have better cardiovascular systems, lower cholesterol, better digestion & hormone balance and the best thing in my case is to have better mental wellbeing!! At least I hope to remember who I am and where I should be! Luckily Clare is selling some of here produce at Kirdford shop so we don’t have far to find it.
After our very successful Fashion Show in March, the WI decided to donated some of our profit to various local groups, namely £100 to each of the following:- Wisborough Green Village Hall, Wisborough Green Church, Wisborough Green Youth Club and The Family Support Work.
For our next meeting on the 7th July, we all need to bring a pinny, sponge and towel. What do we need these for I hear you ask. Well, Wendy Duff is giving us a hands on evening when at least ‘The Boy David,’ will be attempted, either that or an ash tray!! So come prepared.

See you all there
Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Mary Reeves 01403 753604

July 2011

On the 7th July we all donned pinnies and got stuck into making some heirlooms under the tutorage of Wendy Duff, our local Clarice Cliff. For those that are still in the dark, Wendy teaches ceramics, and she tried (against all odds) to instil her knowledge to us so we have all got something to pass onto our descendants. There were some splendid creations amongst us; I even saw a horse’s head on one of the pots, so eat your heart out Tracey Emin!

Seven members went on a guided walk around Steyning on the 11th June where we learnt about the architecture, which was extremely interesting.

Mary Benson was our delegate at the Annual Meeting of the WI in Liverpool. The resolution calling for a campaign against library closures was supported almost unanimously. The resolution on Mega Farms was an interesting one. It was the first time in more than a decade that members had decided to move ‘to next business’ on a resolution tabled at the AGM. Ruth Bond, NFWI Chair, said that ‘While the lack of a vote on this issue is disappointing, it demonstrates a real need for wider discussion of the issues surrounding wide-scale farming enterprises on both sides of the debate.

Our next meeting on the 4th August will be in Jane Zilz’s garden for a BBQ, so bring your umbrellas and puddings, also knife, fork, spoon & plate and any alcohol that you may wish to imbibe, (soft drinks will be provided). If it is very wet it may be cancelled!
See you all there

Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Mary Reeves 01403 753604

August 2011

For our informal August event on the 4th, we had a BBQ at the Scout Hut so that we could all pile in under cover in case of inclement weather. Well, would you believe it, it didn’t rain at all but because we were all programmed into believing that it would we had our food indoors just the same. Still it was a lovely informal evening and a good way of passing away a summer evening.
Three quiz teams went along to Fittleworth Village Hall on the 9th August to show our prowess where at least two teams came joint third (or so they say!).
Our next ‘real’ meeting will be on 1st September at the W.G. Village Hall where we are going to strut our stuff with Lisa. The title of this is ‘Strictly Dancing’ so wear your dancing shoes; get the sequins out and boogy.
See you all there

Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Mary Reeves 01403 753604

September 2011


For the beginning of the ‘New Term’ about two dozen of us learnt the Cha Cha, and by the end of the evening we were almost proficient! Lisa came from sunny Worthing to lead us and we all rose to the occasion. We were all more proficient at the end of the evening than we were at the beginning; well that’s a first!
Our October meeting is on the 6th when we will be learning about the ‘Ghosts of Sussex’, a talk by Rupert Matthews.
(I think I know quite a few!).

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Mary Reeves 01403 753604

October 2011

Did you know that the world of ghosts is made up of Ghosts, Apparitions and Geist’s? Well if you had come to the W.I. meeting on the 6th October you would do. We were told all about the differences in a very animated way by Rupert Matthews who has written about 150, yes 150 books, although not all on the subject of Ghosts. He concentrated on Sussex with his Ghosts/Apparitions & Geists and we left a great deal more knowledgeable than when we arrived!


The next meeting on the 3rd November is the one that you’ve all been waiting for; The Annual Meeting. Thank goodness I can hear you all say, let’s get rid of that boring Committee and start a new one. Well your opportunity has come. New members are always welcome with new ideas and suggestions. It seems to be our 20th Birthday (goodness knows where the time has gone) so I’m sure we will celebrate in Wisborough’s usual fashion; with food and drink! So make sure you put the date in your diary 3rd November at 8.00 in the Village Hall. See you there (otherwise I’ll haunt you!!)

Look forward to seeing you all there.
Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Mary Reeves 01403 753604

November 2011

Our Evening W.I. celebrated its 20th birthday on the 3rd November with many members, some relatively new and some not quite so new, to hear of our exploits during the past year and to elect a new President for the forthcoming year as Mary Reeves has decided to move rather than put her name forward for another year as President!. I’m sure that isn’t the quite the truth but it makes a good story doesn’t it. I am very pleased to tell you that Gaye Harris was elected as our President for 2012 and let’s hope that she doesn’t decide to move as well!! Many thanks to both Mary and Gaye for their commitment to our WI. Brenda Adlam, a WI Advisor came to oversee the election process and also to inform us of the WI Moodle (ask a member!), after which we all enjoyed a lovely birthday cake which was baked and decorated by our local Delia (Mary Benson).

Last year our raffle takings went to the Fountain Centre at Guildford. This coming year it was decided to donate the money to The Chestnut Tree House Hospice for Children in Arundel.
Our next meeting on the 1st December will be the Christmas Party when we all hope to play silly games and partake of seasonal fare. Usual time and usual place.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Gaye Harris 01403 820229

December 2011

The WI Christmas Party on the 1st December saw tables groaning with food and lots of decorated ladies!! Everyone brought a wrapped present which was then put into a luck dip. I did miss out on the diamond bracelet but I hope the person who got it was suitably pleased!! Jane had prepared a Christmas Quiz which was not made any easier after downing a quantity of mulled wine that Jenny made! Jill played some seasonal tunes on the piano and a good time was had by all.

Our first meeting in 2012 will be on the second Thursday in January which is the 12th, please make a note of that in your new diaries. We are returning to our old favourite; a favourite book or music. All members are asked to recommend either a book or a piece of music that you would like to share with a member that has left a mark on you in some way. You have no longer than 5 minutes and it should be either music or book, not both.

I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year and a welcome to any new member who would like to give our W.I. a go!

Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Gaye Harris 01403 820229

January 2012

Our January meeting was designed to catch members out this year. First of all we met on the second Thursday in the month instead of the first; the second was to actually bring either a book or piece of music that we recommend to other members. I am very glad to say that all members rose to occasion and I didn’t hear of anyone who had actually gone to the village hall the week before, so well done girls.

We had the usual wonderful eclectic choices from Norwegian sleuths to Dorset palaeontologists. From Michael Buble to Howard Goodall, which goes to prove what an intelligent lot we really are!!

Our next meeting is back to the first Thursday in February, the 2nd, when we are going to travel to Borneo so make sure you’ve got your mosquito repellent with you. See you there.

Sue Nicholls 01403 700827
Gaye Harris 01403 820229