Nelson Hand bell Ringers - December 2012
The Nelson Handbell Ringers, provided seasonal entertainment for the Mickleover WI. With a member down due to sickness, (that's two bells missing), nobody would have known, the ladies played wonderfully. The repertoire didn't include just carols and festive bells, we were also entertained with music featured for the Olympics, and a very patriotic Land of Hope and Glory, some feat for handbell ringers. An excellent evening.
Skittles at Ockbrook - August 2012
On Friday 3rd August seven members of the Mickleover WI joined the Morleston group for a game of skittles at the Royal Oak in Ockbrook. The skittle alley was down the centre of the room and consisted of nine pins and three balls, the idea being to knock down the skittles by rolling the ball at them. Sounds easy but proved to be quite tricky. A nice young man told us the rules and scoring, which he would do. We got into teams of four and then had to come up with with team names. Our teams were the "Golden Girls" (Lucille, Pam, Marilyn and Jane), and "Mixed Bunch" (Linda, Judy, Angela and a lady from another WI). Once our teams were sorted and named the judicator took them down on his score sheet and then came round with two Joker cards for each team. These could be played at any time by an individual member and her score would be doubled. We were ready to start, there were four rounds before the buffet and four after. At half time "Mixed Bunch and the "Golden Girls" were in 1st and 2nd place. While other teams wre bowling we were watching the large screen TV as the Olymics were on. We watched Rebecca Adlington with her first Bronze medal; we tried not to shout her on too much, so as not put the other bowlers off. After the buffet, play re-commenced with Jokers coming think and fast! At the end of the evening the scores were given out in reverse order. It came to the last tow and the Mickleover teams hadn't been named, the tension mounted, then he said the half time order was reversed the "Golden Girls" had won! Des thanked the Judicator for his help in making this a very enjoyable evening, hopefully to be repeated next year.
Consall Hall Gardens - August 2012
On a cold wet summer's day, members of the gardening club visited Consall Hall, Coachmans Halt, Consall, Stoke on Trent, ST9 0AG.
Despite the weather, this hidden gem of both formal and conservation areas, brightened up even the most miserable of days. We took the guided buggy tour and the history of the house and gardens unfolded, told by the knowledgeable volunteer drivers, who it seemed were on nodding terms with the owner Mr William Podmore. William as he was known to his friends, had developed the gardens over 50 years and was busy planning the next 50. There was such variety, visiting the gardens at different times of year is a must, unfortunately next year they will only be open on special days, we will be watching the web page closely for news of those dates.
Olympic Promenade - August 2012
The Olympic Games were in full swing, team GP was bringing home gold, silver and bronze and were 3rd in the medal table behind USA and China. To bolster our target for the Big Walk Little Splash the mood of the Olympic spurred us on, and all members present at the August meeting, walked several circuits of St John's church hall totalling 9.75 miles. The walk set forth to Vangelis' Chariots of Fire, followed by the Radetsky March, accompanied by The Normandy Band of The Royal Green Jackets, and in true WI spirit, Jerusalem and the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus brought the walk to its conclusion. We may not have won any medals, but we did take part.
Culland Hall - June 2012
Sunday 10th June, that was the day the sun came out! CULLAND’S DARLING BLOOMS OF JUNE, Specialist Plant Fair & Open Gardens shows Blooms at their best.
Jubilee Jog and Lunch - June 2012
Tuesday 5th June Mickleover WI celebrated the Queens Diamond Jubilee in style, the theme was Red, White and Blue and members dressed accordingly. Lunch was the next priority of the day; an assortment of coronation chicken dishes, a large selection of salads, rice, cold meats, delicious quiches, French sticks with butter, and the crowning glory to the mains were the absolutely fabulous hot new potatoes. Desert was just as tasty, scrummy trifle, cheese cake, lemon meringue pie, fresh fruit salad and not forgetting the calorie free dark chocolate mousse (according to Kath). This was rounded off with fresh coffee and tea.
To encompass the spirit of the Olympic games, the NFWI has invited WIs to take part in the competition Big Walk, Little Splash! Walk, or swim, 209 miles - the equivalent of the distance between Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogovh to the Olympic Stadium, London (as the crow flies), which can be undertaken between 1st April and 16 September 2012. Mickleover WI had decided to take up the baton, so after lunch everyone took several turns round the hall accompanied by the Grenadiers Guards Quick March, the Central Band of The Royal Air Force Dam Busters and the Scottish Pipe band Quicksteps. Members took their final bow, walking and singing to Jerusalem accompanied by the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus. The cumulative walking total was just over 5 miles. The President, Isobel Williamson, thanked everyone for making it an enjoyable and memorable day, with special thanks to Kath Charlesworth who undoubtedly was responsible for the lion's share of the arrangements.
To encompass the spirit of the Olympic games, the NFWI has invited WIs to take part in the competition Big Walk, Little Splash! Walk, or swim, 209 miles - the equivalent of the distance between Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogovh to the Olympic Stadium, London (as the crow flies), which can be undertaken between 1st April and 16 September 2012. Mickleover WI had decided to take up the baton, so after lunch everyone took several turns round the hall accompanied by the Grenadiers Guards Quick March, the Central Band of The Royal Air Force Dam Busters and the Scottish Pipe band Quicksteps. Members took their final bow, walking and singing to Jerusalem accompanied by the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus. The cumulative walking total was just over 5 miles. The President, Isobel Williamson, thanked everyone for making it an enjoyable and memorable day, with special thanks to Kath Charlesworth who undoubtedly was responsible for the lion's share of the arrangements.