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Living with the Samburu Tribe, 13th July African music, outfits and beads, beautiful hand-made artefacts, and an elephant foot drum set the scene for an evening of African tales at Farmborough on 13th July. Roger Stoakley recounted his visits to the Samburu Tribe (cousins of the Masai), where he stayed in their animal skin huts and dresses and ate as they do. A very tall handsome people, they still live a nomadic lifestyle and carry on their ancient traditions. Roger’s interest grew when he sponsored a young boy who had lost most of one foot when aged only one year old, he ad stood in a fire. Years later the boy is a teacher and Roger continues to support others in many practical ways. Our thanks to Farmborough WI, who organised a delicious supper, and thanks to everyone who supported the ACWW CfF collection. Hopefully, one day, we will hear Roger’s talk on the ‘Samburu Wedding’! Bletchley Park Outing, 9th June. The trip to Bletchley Park by 49 members was a great success. We were told a brief history of the buildings by Peter our guide whilst having a very needed cup of coffee. Peter then took us on a tour of the old huts and told us about the ground breaking work done in World War 2. Peter tried to explain how the 'Enigma' code breaking machine worked, but a lot of us found it difficult to follow. A good job England was not depending on us 70 years ago! We were shown exhibitions on what life was like on the site in the war and how everyone was billeted out in nearby villages. After a nice lunch of sandwiches and squash Peter showed us a mock up of both the 'Bombe' and 'Colossus' ( what a great amount of heat was generated by all the valves!). The Winston Churchill exhibition was fascinating and could have taken a whole day to look at the exhibits. After tea and cake we journeyed home with very tired legs and brains! On the coach some of us watched the 'Enigma' film. Bletchley Park is well worth a visit, but you need more than one day to view everything. The staff are all volunteers and the entrance fee is needed to maintain the exhibitions. Click on photo to enlarge
Federation Lunch, Thursday 20th May Over 80 members attended Bristol Golf Club on a lovely summer day to hear Bob Harding-Jones talk 'Laughter in the Village'. There was plenty of laughter and members could relate to his country tales before enjoying their 3 course lunch Click on photo to enlarge
Historic Walk to Keynsham and visit to Saltford Brass Mill, 10th May On a fine sunny morning on 10th May, 40 members, accompanied by guides from the Keynsham and Saltford Local History Society, set out on a conducted walk around Keynsham, including St John’s Church, the Keynsham Abbey Site and Keynsham Memorial Park. Keynsham Abbey was founded by William, 2nd Earl of Gloucester, about 1167 and was given to the Canons of the Augustinian Order of St Victor of Paris. However, in 1539 (the time of the Dissolution of the Monastries) it was stripped of all its valuables, including lead from the roof. Open to the elements, it was finally destroyed in 1776. Remains of the Abbey can be found just inside the entrance to the Memorial Park from the Station Road entrance. After a break for lunch, we gathered for a guided tour of Saltford Brass Mill which is an 18th Century Brass Mill on the site of a mill mentioned in the Domesday Book. In 1985 the site was declared an Ancient Monument and the mill a Listed Building. Saltford Brass Mill is a unique survivor of a group of 18th century mills involved in the manufacture of brass and copper goods in the Avon Valley, being the only one which retains an annealing furnace and working water wheel. The mill is now cared for by the Saltford Brassmill Project , members of which open the mill to the public and maintain and prepare displays within the mill. At the end of the afternoon members made their own way home, having spent an enjoyable and interesting day with fellow members on a beautiful sunny day, learning about some local history from the experts. History Outing to Roman Dorchester, 5th and 12th May Members thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Dorchester with lecturer Garry Gowans. The first stop was to walk in the Roman Amphitheatre and listen to it's history. Garry took us to 'The Roman Town House' which was very impressive and first discovered in 1937. We were told that children under the age of 4 were not recognised in Roman Times and so were usually buried under the houses. The ruins were very impressive with several mosaics. Free time was used for lunch in Dorchester High Street and then it was time to visit The Museum. Garry took time to explain how the mosaics were made and we were allowed to stand on four Roman Mosaics and have a close look ourselves. Time for a wander around the artefacts, have a cup of tea and some cake. The journey home was nice and fast with lots of chattering on the coach after a super day. Click on photo to enlarge
Bath Flower Show, May 1-3rd 2010 Results of the WI Competition. Thanks to the members for all the lovely teddy bears donated for the Weston Super Mare Childrens Hospital - over 200 were displayed and made a wonderful sight. Unfortunately the weather played a part and so due to the cold and rain the show was not so well supported as in previous years. Click on photo to enlarge
COUNTRY MARKETS There are 15 markets in the Avon area, they all vary. Most are weekly, opening for one and two hours, others are monthly, usually within a farmers market, or a village market. Due to their success we are being asked more and more to place markets in other venues and with other organisations. This is putting a great strain on the existing cooks. So, there is an appeal for more cooks. Marketing is good fun otherwise we would not do it! This is not ‘special cooking’, just ordinary basic home cooking. Click here for further details Avon Federation can take no responsibility for the contents of external sites. YOUR FEDERATION NEEDS YOU! To organise the events that members like to attend and enjoy so much. We need Sub Committees and those committees cannot function without members! Do you have a particular interest or skill or just like being part of things – if so the federation needs you! Please give it some serious thought – we cannot organise events without a full quota of sub committee members. Telephone WI House for more information. |
