December Meeting - 2018
As the year came to a close, and Christmas was upon us, our December meeting welcomed our new President, Linda Reid. Minutes and business concluded, the celebrations began. A Christmas quiz to set the scene, an indulgent faith supper, concluded with a Panto – “oh yes it was”. The performers practising for a radio show of Cinderella, entertained as Panto’s do, and finally wishing all good cheer, we all departed for another year.
St John’s Christmas Tree Festival – December 2018
Mickleover WI, exhibited their Christmas tree for the festival along with other organisations of the church and hall users. This year our theme was recycled decorations which were produced by members. It looked incredible and certainly unique.
Garden Group Wreath Making - December 2018
With not a great deal to do in the garden at this time of year, the garden group got together and created Christmas wreaths and floral displays. Foraging the hedge row to ensure a plentiful supply of material; utilising Margaret White’s conservatory; and allocating food supplies ensured we had a very productive and enjoyable day. Thank you, Margaret & Alex, for providing the facilities, and lunch, as we do create a bit of a mess, but it was lovely.
Garden Group Annual Meal - November 2018
After battling with the weather over the gardening year, the group enjoyed a meal at the Joiner's Arms
Annual Meeting - November 2018
Mickleover WI, Annual meeting can sometimes be a bit dry after all the entertaining, educational speakers and activates enjoyed through the year. There were lots of minutes to be heard, and elections to get through. The winner of the competition trophy was Margaret Gibbons, who was somewhat surprised. However, this year was a bit special as our President of 5 years, Jill Edwards, had decided to stand down. She said her farewell, spoken, not crooned, to the tune of “My Way” and very fitting it was. The WI adviser, from Derbyshire Federation, oversaw the election of the new president, Linda Reid, who was warmly welcomed.
Representatives from the Hardy Group, (our chosen charity for the centenary year), were presented with a cheque for £600 raised by a number of activities throughout the year.
It wouldn’t be a WI Annual Meeting if we didn’t round off with a bowl of delicious soup (3 choices made by members), a roll, a piece of cake and a cup of tea. A slightly different but enjoyable evening.
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Representatives from the Hardy Group, (our chosen charity for the centenary year), were presented with a cheque for £600 raised by a number of activities throughout the year.
It wouldn’t be a WI Annual Meeting if we didn’t round off with a bowl of delicious soup (3 choices made by members), a roll, a piece of cake and a cup of tea. A slightly different but enjoyable evening.
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Images of Japan - October Meeting 2018
We welcomed Patsy Rayner for her talk on Japan. Patsy had been to Japan many times visiting her son and his Japanese wife. She gave us an insight into modern Japan and the traditions that have been passed down through the ages.
After tea, the craft group had members making origami Christmas trees to mount on cards (some more successful than others!, but nevertheless not just educational but also entertaining.)
After tea, the craft group had members making origami Christmas trees to mount on cards (some more successful than others!, but nevertheless not just educational but also entertaining.)
Garden Group Meeting – September 2018
This was the 3rd year we exhibited what we had produced in our gardens, and although it had been a strange year weather wise and many yields had been and gone, the garden group did its best and the bounty although not as prolific as other years, still looked remarkable. The winner with her terrific display of vegetables was Lucille, well done.
The competition this year was to create a bug house, and there were only four entries, and each and every one was unique in its own way, so we decided that everyone who had taken part was a winner.
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The competition this year was to create a bug house, and there were only four entries, and each and every one was unique in its own way, so we decided that everyone who had taken part was a winner.
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A Journey into Derbyshire – September 2018
As part of our centenary celebrations, members were asked what they would like to do as a special event – that was our Journey into Derbyshire. The coach booked, driver Phil at the helm, and blue badge guide, Keith engaged, we set forth on our day out. President Jill Edwards organised the trip, and supplied us with a drink and a KitKat as we boarded for elevenses. We learnt so much; facts, fiction, occasional funny stories, things even the natives didn’t know, and too many to retell. We saw much of Derbyshire, and the Peak District, notably a stop in Bakewell; many lovely Derbyshire villages; an ice cream shop; Ladybower dam, which revealed the remnants of Derwent village (when the heavens opened), views of the tors before our stop at Sparrowpit WI for afternoon tea. Of course, any event wouldn’t be complete without the delicious ham salad, trifle or fruit salad they provided, before our return to Mickleover. A lovely day out.
Call Me Madam - September Meeting 2018
Lady Fenton (Jean Gemmel) of Kilburn Hall, was our speaker for the September meeting. Jean who had many strings to her bow; physicist, actor, singer, teacher, speaker to many WI’s, entertained us with stories when she was the Head teacher at a Nottingham school. The “actor” was ever present, and the audience was enthralled, and amused by the tales. To coin a phrase, “you could hear a pin drop”. Great evening, thank you Jean (sorry - Madam).
Garden Group - September 2018
Several members of the garden group visited Elvaston Castle Country Park, a venue that is greatly overlooked, and which is just a hop, skip and a jump away. Even though some plants were going over, the Old English Garden had a lovely display of dahlias. Part of the garden is being renovated as the walls are in dire need of attention and volunteers are desperately needed. We perused the Italian garden, and decided it would be a great place for hide and seek, especially as we couldn’t find a way out. To round off the day, we popped along to Collyer’s Nurseries for lunch and a browse around the plant sales – well it wouldn’t be the garden group if they couldn’t purchase one or two items!
Summer Soiree and Charity Event - August Meeting 2018
To help boost funds for this year’s chosen charity, The Hardy Group, Mickleover WI summer Soiree went exceeding well. The president welcomed everyone, cut the ribbon and declared the fête open. There were a variety of stalls, tombola, bring & buy, produce, number of marbles in the jar, weight of the cake, treasure hunt, name the football team, a raffle, and a faith supper. Members were exceedingly generous and raised just over £230. Not bad for a few hours work - thank you everyone.
Garden Group - August 2018
Several members of the garden group went to Tatton Park on Saturday 4th August. We were chauffeured by our trusty drive Steve from Hawkes, thankfully it was an uneventful drive both ways so we had optimum time at Tatton to see the gardens and the Mansion House (although we could have had a little longer to go on the galloping horses!). A lovely day with friends.
Garden Group - July 2018
Meynell Langley Trial Gardens - Although the Trial Gardens are open daily from late June to mid-October, the garden group visited on an NGS open day. It was like walking into a hidden garden. Members had been to the Meynell Langley Garden Centre many times, but only one of our number knew about this hidden gem. The Begonias dominated the hedges and walk-ways and looked fabulous as did most of the vegetables, although some pesky beasties had nibbled some of the cabbages. In the greenhouse the apricots were nearly ripe for picking and very tempting although we refrained from testing them. We rested some while in the summer house before, in true WI style, adjourning to the coffee shop, for tea and the most delicious cakes.
100 Years of Fashion - July Meeting - 2018
Still in celebratory mood for our 100 years, we splashed out and invited Notty Hornblower to entertain us with a 100 Years of Fashion from 1918 to 1970, which isn’t exactly a hundred years; Notty explained that she doesn’t display items after the 1970’s as, in her opinion, fashion rather lost the plot. The three models, Amy, Rebecca and Ellie, did a sterling job of showing us clothes, fabulous shoes, hats and accessories through the decades. What another great evening.
Strawberry Tea at Bonehill Farm - June 23rd 2018
It was a warm, June Saturday, the strawberries were picked, the scones were made, the kettle was on and members and friends started to arrive at Bonehill Farm for our Centenary, Strawberry, afternoon tea.
Everyone was encouraged to take part in the Treasure Hunt around the gardens, buy tickets for the raffle in aid of the Hardy Group and to purchase books to enhance their summer leisure. Some tried their hand at croquet on the lawn with varying success rates.
What more could we have asked for than a pleasant afternoon spent in the company of friends – that’s what the W.I. is all about.
Everyone was encouraged to take part in the Treasure Hunt around the gardens, buy tickets for the raffle in aid of the Hardy Group and to purchase books to enhance their summer leisure. Some tried their hand at croquet on the lawn with varying success rates.
What more could we have asked for than a pleasant afternoon spent in the company of friends – that’s what the W.I. is all about.
Our Fostering Experiences with Norma Stallworthy - June Meeting - 2018
Our speaker for June was Norma Stallworthy relating her, and her husband Andrew’s, fostering experiences over many years. What a range of emotions, from very sad outcomes to happy ones, I think many of us had a lump in our throats by the end of the talk. What a courageous couple, helping children, and families, with so many challenging and differing needs. There is a happy ending though, Norma and Andrew adopted several children and now have grandchildren of their own.
No longer fostering, they are now involved with training “hearing dogs” and brought with them a beautiful puppy called Willow, who received many cuddles from members.
No longer fostering, they are now involved with training “hearing dogs” and brought with them a beautiful puppy called Willow, who received many cuddles from members.
Garden Group - June 2018
The Garden Group and honorary member, David, visited Thornbridge Hall, Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire. It was approximate 33 miles to Ashford with a variety of routes; our three drivers all took different routes and rendezvous at 10.30am for coffee. What a delightful place, the gardens were glorious, the plant sales of exceptional quality, variety and price, and the Carriage House Café provide us with lunch. Afterwards we re-visited the plant sales to take home mementoes of our visit, well it would not be the garden group if we didn’t purchase at least one or perhaps several plants!
Centenary Celebration – May 2018
Mickleover WI was founded on the 1st May 1918 so it seemed appropriate to celebrate our centenary exactly one hundred years to the day. So, on the 1st May 2018 members arrived at Mickleover Golf Club for an evening of food, fun and friendship. An excellent three course meal was followed by after dinner speaker Derek Poulson who left smiles on all our faces.
The food, the company, the venue, the ambience and mood were such that everyone enjoyed the occasion immensely. A pleasant, relaxed evening spent among friends will be remembered by all those who shared in honouring this great achievement.
The food, the company, the venue, the ambience and mood were such that everyone enjoyed the occasion immensely. A pleasant, relaxed evening spent among friends will be remembered by all those who shared in honouring this great achievement.
Garden Group - May 2018
Just three members of the Garden Group visited Hollis Farm Plant Centre, Uppertown, Bonsall, Matlock, Derbyshire on Friday 11th May, and despite the sunshine, there was a bitter wind blowing off the moors. It was, however, well worth the visit as the quality and price was exceptional, and members were soon loaded up with a variety of plants. In true WI style we adjourned to the Mill at Cromford for coffee and cake.
Birthday Meeting - April 2018
One hundred years of Mickleover WI, and a celebration was in order; the cakes were baked, the entertainment arranged, invitations sent out, food prepared, and it turned out to be a “right good evening”. Our President, Jill Edwards compered the fashion show, while willing members paraded up and down the cat-walk modelling clothes through the ten decades. We then enjoyed a cheese and wine supper and a raffle, Chrissy Booth, Derbyshire Federation Chairman, cut the cake and everyone left with a party bag.
Garden Group - April 2018
Easter Monday, 2nd April – the snow had been falling, the wind was howling, the rain was beating down, but did we abandon the trip to Dorothy Clive Plant fair, no, we donned our wet weather gear and set forth, which was all well and good as when we arrived, I cannot say the weather was “grand”, but it didn’t stop us buying plants, drinking coffee, joining a tour of the garden and consuming lunch. It was a really good day out and so glad we hadn’t cancelled.
Demonstration of Tubs & Baskets - March Meeting 2018
Even after extensive forward planning for our 2018 programme, March posed a problem, the search for a speaker drew a blank. The Garden Group volunteered to undertake the meeting with a Demonstration of Tubs & Baskets. It soon became apparent that there didn’t seem to be a great deal of colourful plants around, however, the group produced an array of planters using daffodils, fritillaries, grasses, primroses, violas, ivy, herbs, chillies (and chocolate), in tubs, baskets and even a fireman’s helmet. After tea, (and of course cake), the evening was rounded off with a garden themed quiz involving fruit, vegetables and nuts.
Walking Group – February
It was cold and fresh, the sun was shining, what better day for a walk! The group was raring to go and as continuous rain has made the ground so waterlogged we decided to walk along a disused railway line from Tong to Worthington. A beautiful view of Breedon-on-the-hill with its iconic church, four cheerful WI members and three husbands imitating the characters from Last of the Summer Wine culminating in a meal at the Garden Centre at Breedon-on-the-hill. An enjoyable time was had by all.
Science Fiction vs Science Fact - February Meeting 2018
The president, Jill Edwards, and secretary, Linda Reid, discussed the groups business matters. Our speaker, Dr Catrin Rutland, enthralled us with what was once fiction, is now fact - scientist have DNA which could reproduce that which is extinct, but who want to be around when the dinosaurs walk the earth again!
The History of Mickleover - January Meeting 2018
Peter Brown started Mickleover WI January meeting with a film show on the History of Mickleover; a trip down memory lane. It was equally interesting and informative to both residents and incomers (although most incomers had lived here for years).
The walking group produced a quiz, that tested even the most knowledgeable, cryptic clues representing names of Mickleover streets, roads, avenues etc, but no points were awarded if the names did not include the correct suffixes.
The walking group produced a quiz, that tested even the most knowledgeable, cryptic clues representing names of Mickleover streets, roads, avenues etc, but no points were awarded if the names did not include the correct suffixes.
Click here to see Picture Gallery 2017