Framfield & Blackboys WI
Archive from the past Parish Newsletters:
From the Parish Newsletter June/July 2008:
From the Parish Newsletter April/May 2008:
From the Parish Newsletter February/March 2008:
From the Parish Newsletter December 2007/January 2008:
Our September meeting was held in Blackboys Village Hall and our speaker Mr Proctor gave us a most interesting talk with slides on "Camping and Trekking in Nepal". A fascinating country and hard going on the rough terrain, needing the help of Sherpas and donkeys to carry the camping equipment.
We had a Group Show at East Hoathly in August. Several of our members won prizes in the various Craft and Cooking Classes but five members of Framfield and Blackboys won first prize and the cup in the group entry. We depicted a scene from the ballet "The Nutcracker".
Our October meeting at Blackboys Village Hall was a members evening. Individual Members shared memories of family event and a poem about the history of St. Thomas à Becket
Church was read and enjoyed. We also enjoyed
the readings of excerpts of letters sent to the
Ministry of Pensions, an amusing end to a special evening.
At the December Meeting in the Framfield Memorial Hall our speaker Mr Schofield will tell us "The History of Magic"
Why not come and join us? Visitors are always welcome.
Lyn Malyon
From the Parish Newsletter October/November 2007:
August - it should have been a "Garden Meeting" at the home of our Secretary, Margaret Carter, but the heavens opened and the wind blew, so it had to be in the Church Hall.
Buxted members joined us to do battle with the quizzes, one identifying photographs of birds and wildlife, one deciphering phrases depicting pub names. Nobody managed them all but we had some very high scores. Then came tea - a wonderful selection of sandwiches, scones with cream and strawberries, two types of cake and a large strawberry and cream sponge.
The afternoon ended with a raffle, which raised much needed funds for the Institute. Thank you to Margaret for the lovely afternoon which made us forget the inclement weather outside.
Lyn Malyon
From the Parish Newsletter August/September 2007:
From the Parish Newsletter June/July 2007:
From the Parish Newsletter April/May 2007:
From the Parish Newsletter February/March 2007:
From the Parish Newsletter December 2006/January 2007:
From the Parish Newsletter October/November 2006:
From the Parish Newsletter August/September 2006:
From the Parish Newsletter June/July 2006:
Unfortunately I have to start this report by saying that we have to change one of our outings for this year. We will not be going to Hampton Court Flower Show, but are now considering an alternative for our July meeting, possibly Sissinghurst Castle.
Our meeting on 11th April at Blackboys Village Hall was a great success. Mr Roy Skan spoke to us about the meaning and history of 'Surnames' This was most intriguing and held a few surprises for some of us! If you go back far enough it seems that we could all be related - what a thought! 18th April brought our Group Meeting attended by members from Uckfield, Fourways, Buxted and Framfield & Blackboys. Each Group provided entertainment and much to the delight of us all showed how talented our members are. Refreshments were provided by us and, as always, much appreciated.
On 9th May we met at Blackboys Village Hall. Starting with a Ploughman's Supper, we went on to discuss Resolutions. June 13th sees us listening to Mrs Mary Howse talking on "A.C.W.W." If you care to join us at any of our meetings you will be extremely welcome.
It is with sincere sadness that I have to write of the passing of a friend and longstanding member, Netta Whyte, on 28th March. We will all miss her happy smiling face - our thoughts are with her family.
Win Manning
From the Parish Newsletter April/May 2006:
Firstly we would like to thank Frances Brinkhurst for arranging the visit from Janet Canetty-Clarke. Together with visitors from Buxted, East Hoathly, Halland, Fourways and Uckfield Institutes we all enjoyed a fascinating talk by her on the life of Edvard Grieg, the Norwegian composer. I am sure we have all listened to his music without knowing anything about the man himself. The saddest thing is that he lost his only child at one year from meningitis. We listened to some of his music either recorded or played by Janet on the piano. To say that it was enjoyed by all is somewhat of an understatement. Should she wish to visit us again she would be more than welcome. Refreshments were provided by our WI members and as usual much appreciated.
The speaker for our meeting on the 14th March at 7.30pm in Framfield Memorial Hall is Mr Patrick Coulcher on the History of the Cuckmere Valley. On 11* April, again at 7.30 but this time in Blackboys Village Hall, Mr Roy Scan will talk to us about "Our Surnames". Should you wish to join at any time you will be very welcome.
Win Manning
From the Parish Newsletter February/March 2006:
As you will see below, we now have a new Press Officer. We would like to thank Margaret Bennett for the sterling work that she has put in over the years providing you with news of our activities.
Our December party at Blackboys Village Hall was a great success. Entertainment was in the form of competitions and games, all of which provided a lot of fun and laughter. Members brought food and drink which was all much appreciated. Our guests dioroughly enjoyed themselves and expressed the hope that they would be invited next year.
To round off the festive season members met on 20th January at the Buxted Inn for dinner. Both food and service were excellent. What the other customers thought of 15 ladies all talking at once I know not. However, no-one said "please do not come again".
Our next meeting is on 14th February at 7.15pm, this time at Framfield Church Hall. The speaker will be Janet Canetty-Clarke on the subject "Greig Music for Piano". The 14th March sees us back at Framfield Memorial Hall at 7.30pm for a talk on "Natural History of the Cuckmere Valley" by Mr Patrick Coulcher.
Our meetings are never boring, do join us.
Win Manning
From the Parish Newsletter December 2005/January 2006:
Our October 'Belly Dancing' evening was very successful. Patsy Bailey and her friends, Pauline and Joyce, gave us a short history of the art (it is Mid Eastern Folk Dance devised by women for women) and then told us how they themselves had become embroiled in this scene of myth and magic. They gave several demonstrations in their beautiful costumes and then it was time for us to have a go. A really enjoyable evening.
November was our Annual Meeting when we heard that our finances were sound. Rita Redman was re-elected as our President for the coming year.
Margaret Carter gave us a vivid account of the East Sussex Federation of WIs Half Yearly Council Meeting in Eastbourne, including details of the move by the Federation from Lewes to new offices in Hailsham in January.
Betty Davy recalled her experiences in London for the World War II weekend, when accompanied by her son she attended the unveiling of the Memorial for Women in Whitehall in July. (Other details of her life and experiences that weekend were described in the Aug/Sept Parish Newsletter). Betty collected poppies dropped by the Lancaster bomber and gave one to each WI member at our July meeting a few days later. I still have mine. Thank you Betty.
Our December 13th meeting will be held in Blackboys Village Hall, 7.30pm. This will be 'Our Own Party'. Members are invited to bring a 'Homemade Christmas Decoration' for the competition.
Our January meeting will take the form of a New Year Dinner. We hope to go the The Star at Waldron again for this.
Margaret Bennett
From the Parish Newsletter October/November 2005:
In August a number of our members enjoyed a delightful visit to Ightham Mote in Kent. This lovely old house, managed by the National Trust, has been undergoing years of work and it was lovely to see it once more in all its glory without being surrounded by scaffolding.
Our next meeting is on 11 October at 7.30 pm in Framfield Memorial Hall when Mrs Patsy Bailey will give us a history and demonstration of 'Belly Dancing'.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on 8th November, again in Framfield Memorial Hall.
Visitors and new members are always welcome - either come along to one of our meetings, or give me a ring.
Margaret Bennett
From the Parish Newsletter August/September 2005:
The warm summer evening brought out most of our members for a circular walk from The Star Inn at Waldron. Twelve members undertook the 2+ mile walk leaving another four to enjoy an amble around the church and its environs. Afterwards, all sixteen gathered around one table for a refreshing drink and meal in the Inn.
It has been suggested by the National Federation of WIs that members should undertake to walk at least 90 miles during 2005 to celebrate 90 years of the WI in this country. Our Waldron walk was just a small part of each individual effort.
On 9th July members, family and friends spent a day at Parham House and gardens which delighted all who went. Our next outing is to Ightham Mote in August. Mrs Frances Brinkhurst must be thanked for organising both of these visits.
On 13th September, 7.30 pm we meet at Blackboys School for a talk by Marcia Dart - 'The Macmillan Nurses'. Our 11th October meeting is at Framfield Memorial Hall when Mrs Patsy Bailey will give us a history and demonstration of 'Belly Dancing'.
Visitors and new members are always welcome.
Margaret Bennett
From the Parish Newsletter June/July 2005:
The speaker at our April meeting meeting was Mr G Moir, a one-time inhabitant of the Falkland Islands. His talk, illustrated by his own slides was 'Waterways of England'. He and his young nephew had spent several weeks on a narrow boat exploring many of the smaller canals on a round tnp from Stourport on Severn, through Cheshire and back, via Stratford-upon-Avon. His interesting dialogue kept us all amused!
A Ploughman's Supper enlivened the May meeting when two resolutions chosen nationally were discussed prior to our delegate votmg on our behalf at the Albert Hall AGM in June. Milk prices paid to farmers and the reduction of waste are the subjects for debate. Our members voted in favour of both these resolutions. In June we will have a return visit from our delegate with feedback of the whole AGM.
On Tuesday June 14th Mr M Nash is our speaker - the 'Daily Life of a 14th Century Woman'. This meeting will be held at Blackboys School at 7.30 pm.
Margaret Bennett