February 2008

About 20 members and visitors now know a lot more history about Wisborough Green as Richard Bairstow from The History Group came and enlightened us about the Village Hall/Work House. He had some photos of how it looked before all the alterations that have taken place over the years and the members also came up with their memories of ‘old’ Wisborough Green. A knowledgeable evening was had by all. Many thanks Richard.
As the County Darts competition is not taking place due to lack of entries this year we are playing a friendly match with Horsham members in February. We don’t want our honed match standard to slip!
Now I know quite a few of you will be helping/attending/donating to our jumble sale on the 8th March, so just a few details. We will meet at the Hall to sort at 8.45, opening up to the public at 11.00. We hope to be finished by 1.00 p.m. so any help that any one can give will be gratefully accepted. If you need any jumble picked up please contact either me on 700827 or Jane on 700632.
Our next meeting is on the 6th March and is a talk by John Ireland from Bellman’s. Please note that we are meeting at 7.00 p.m. not the usual time of 8.00 p.m. Members are invited to bring small items for Ian to comment upon, any grand pianos should be left at home.

Sue 700827

March 2008

There was almost a full house for the meeting on the 6th March. It was lovely to see so many people plus some visitors. Many members brought small items of interest for John Ireland of Bellmans Auctioneers to cast his expert eye over them and give a brief description, age and value of many. John also gave an over view of the antique trade stating that with all the antique programmes on the television at the moment and E Bay and with general changes in taste then items come in and out of popularity.
Penny had tickets for the Group Meeting in April and we are also going to make up a group to see Calendar Girls at Chichester Festival Theatre in September. Anyone interested please contact me as soon as possible.
Four members went to The Rising Sun in Horsham to play darts against Horsham Holbrook. We won!
Our next meeting is on the 3rd April with a talk by Daniel Turner from the Born Free Foundation. See you there.
Thank you all for your help and donations at our Jumble Sale.

Sue 700827

May 2008

At our meeting on May 1st we discussed the resolutions that have been selected for this years’ Liverpool AGM; namely “Ban on Bottom Trawling” and “Inappropriate Imprisonment of the Severely Mentally Ill”. Judy Moorey and Gill Parish, who had previously attended a workshop, to help with information about the two resolutions ably assisted members with these weighty propositions.
Our next meeting is outdoors. Paul Ullman is taking us around Midhurst. In previous years we have been around Arundel, Petworth and Chichester and have added to our knowledge of West Sussex on the hoof, so as to speak, so we’re going to give Midhurst a go this year. Meet in the Village Hall car park at 6.00 sharp to be in North Street car park at 6.30. Meet outside the Tourist Office please. It takes place whatever the weather!
My apologies to anyone who turned up for the walk at Lavington Common on the 9th May. This actually took place on Thursday 15th May and as I didn’t get any abusive telephone calls re this mess up on the dates I assume that no one turned up anyway; well I hope not!

Sue 700827

June 2008

Our June meeting started in North Street Carp Park, Midhurst where we were met by Paul Ullman, who has guided us through Saxons and Tudors previously, and he took us down the Causeway to Cowdray and guided us around the recently conserved ruins. We toured the Great Hall, Chapel, Kitchens, climbed many stairs to get a glorious view of the surrounding grounds. Cricket was being played below us, we could see the golf course in the distance and no one was playing polo. We also toured the cellars and picked out the musket holes in one of the walls of the ruins. It was a lovely evening and the weather, for once, was gorgeous.
Our next meeting in on July 3rd with Derrik Fulford giving a talk on “Smuggling – As it was, As it is”. So keep your contraband at home and see you at 8.00 in the Village Hall.

Sue 700827

July 2008

Nothing was smuggled into our July meeting on the 3rd as an ex-revenue man himself was giving us a talk. Mr. Derrik Fulford came and told us about smuggling in the past and as it is at present, always having to be one step in front of today’s smugglers. Sometimes it takes as long as six weeks to rummage in the hold of a huge cargo ship and as for ‘white van man/woman’ that’s another story.
Our August outing is to Nutbourne Vineyard on the 7th August. We are meeting in the Village Hall car park at 6.00 for a 6.30 start. The cost to members is £5 but that does include a guided tour of the vineyard and Llamas, a wine tasting and English cheeses and nibbles. If you haven’t put your name on the list please let me know as soon as possible if you want to come as we can only take 20 – 25 people.
I’m off through the green channel now, so see you on the 7th.

Sue 700827

October 2008

October 2nd found the W.I. learning a bit of local history. Caroline Adams from the Chichester Records Office came and talked about Parham and the Pearsons, which is the latest part of Parham’s very long history. Did you know that Parham was one of the first houses to open it’s doors to the public, (me and you), back in 1958 because of the need to revamp the place after the effects of having the Army and evacuees in residence during the war. It would have cost you the princely sum of 2/6 for adults and the cars had to be parked in a nice straight line! It was a very enjoyable evening brought to life by slides and I didn’t see a single eye close!
I expect to see another full house on the 6th November as we’re having a wine tasting so you might like to arrange for ‘drivers’! Oh, and by the way, it’s also the Annual Meeting and our 17th birthday so come prepared.
See you there.

Sue Nicholls 700827