Activities
2025
February 2025
We enjoyed a fabulous day at Chippenham Park Gardens to view the snowdrops. It was a very cold morning but the sun was shining and the sky was blue. We enjoyed strolling around the winter garden admiring the colour and structure at this time of the year. We then headed out into the grounds and amongst the trees where we were in a carpet of white snowdrops. It was a magnificent sight and a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. We called in at the on site cafe for a very welcome cup of coffee and lunch.
March 2025
Two of our members took part in the "Lets Dance" event put on by Federation as part of the campaign led by Angela Rippon. Under the tuition of Paige our very patient tutor we managed to put together a routine to Abba's Dancing Queen. Lots of fun and enjoyed by everyone who attended.
March 2025
Our speaker this month was Jason Kermeen. He started his collection about 15 years ago as an investment for his retirement (better return than pension). He had brought along a vast array of musical boxes, automatons and faberge eggs. He had an in depth knowledge of all the items and was able to give us their background, history and many other facts. He had obviously researched them fully and presented the talk brilliantly. He was happy to answer questions both during his presentation and afterwards. The faberge eggs were fantastic and each one hid a surprise item inside - usually precious gems or intricate gold carving. Amazingly he encouraged us to handle the items - not something we expected from such high value goods. The talk was enjoyed by all our members.
Our competition for decorated egg was won by Linda Crighton.
April 2025
This month we celebrated our 104th birthday. Our ladies were all offered a glass of fizz at the start of our meeting to toast our acheivement.
Our speaker was Amanda Richmond with her talk entitled Climbing Everest. It was obvious that she loved outdoor and extreme sports from an early age taking part in D of E award challenges from her teens and going on to lead many expeditions herself. In 2003 a flippant remark from a colleague started Amanda and her husband thinking about taking on the challenge. For the next six years they spent all their free time preparing for the expedition. This involved climbing hills (not mountains in her language) both in this country and in many far flung countries across the world. In 2009 they were offered a place on an expedition for March and the adventure started. She supported her talk with slides which helped us to understand the terrain and conditions they were undertaking. It took weeks to reach the summit and to date she is the oldest (at 54) British women to have reached the peak of Everest. Amanda was a brilliant speaker and kept our ladies captivated throughout her presentation. She had brought along her personal clothing from the expedition (ie coat, salopettes, boots, crampons, gloves, ice pick) and encouraged us to try them on. The boots were extremely heavy and she is not a big lady but obviously very fit.
Federation Annual Meeting - 10th April 2025
A small number of ladies from Chevington attended the annual meeting which was held at Thurston Community College. With speakers Chantel Dawson from Grow my Wellbeing, Julie Stokes from Active Lives, Chris Whiley from Bury in Bloom our morning was buzzing. Lunch boxes were available to those who pre-booked and enjoyed by all. There was a fabulous raffle with some amazing prizes including Spa Day at Ballantynes and Afternoon Tea at Ickworth Hotel. A new addition this year was stands from outside companies including Rougham Hall Nurseries, Beta Bee, Grow my Wellbeing, Heart of Suffolk Distillery and much more. After our lunch break we returned to the auditorium for our principle speaker - Adam Frost. His presentation giving his story from a young lad from East London, moving to Harlow for his schooling and then moving on to North Devon. Starting work as an apprentice for Parks Division he was spotted by Geoff Hamilton and went to work with him. The rest as he said was history. He was very open about his life and his presentation had a few slides but he was a very accomplished and interesting speaker which was enjoyed by all. Some very funny moments - many of these from Q&A time at the end of his talk. He helped Maggie to draw the raffle which again had a lot of humorous moments. Afterwards he stayed behind and signed copies of his book for anyone wishing to purchase one. He had time for everyone and was happy to have a chat with us all. We all headed home having had a fabulous day and looking forward to seeing Adam on Gardeners World the following day.
April 2025
9 ladies enjoyed a walk and and talk around Larkwood Lakes. Tony our guide and the owner of the complex is very passionate about "all things nature". Over the past five years since purchasing the site he has made a lot of improvements but has vast plans for the future. He is very pro ECO and uses no pesticides etc and repurposes any thing found on the site. We had a lovely time exploring and learning - even found otter prints and more importantly otter poo! The morning was finished off with coffee and biscuits on the terrace overlooking one of the lakes. A lovely morning out.
May 2025
Our May meeting covered discussion and voting on the Resolution for this year along with our AGM.
We had a lively discussion on the Resolution for this year "Bystanders can be Lifesavers". Our link delegate was present at the meeting and took our vote which was unanimous for the resolution but we did give Amanda discretion to vote if any changes happen on the day. It was agreed that we should secure a speaker to take us through CPR and use of the defibrillator and this will be looked into asap. We also discussed the proposed changes to the WI Constitution and again this was unanimously voted for as we felt this was simplifying the way the WI operates and hopefully making it more appealing.
Finally we had our AGM with positive reports from the Treasurer, Secretary and President. Our President Shirley was standing down after three years in post and was presented with a lovely rose bush for her new garden. The Committee were voted en bloc and Linda Crighton was elected President.
Plant & Cake Sale - 17th May 2025
Another very successful event. Ladies had produced a plethora of plants - large and small and the tables were heaving with pots. There was a queue forming at 9.50am and by 10.15am the hall was extremely busy. Everyone leaving with bags and trays of purchases. There was a good response to the cake stall and lots of people used the event as the chance to have a coffee and chat with neighbours. The event raised over £300.
22nd May 2025
A group of ladies went to Haverhil Arts Centre to watch a production of Calendar Girls - The Musical. A delightful theatre with good views of the stage from all seats which were tiered. We were excited to see a live orchestra sitting in the orchestra pit - this is very rare these days.
Calendar Girls is a heart-warming, emotional musical, based on the true story of the Knapely Women’s Institute who raised money for a new settee in their local hospital relatives’ room by producing a nude calendar. It was brilliantly acted and the singing was amazing - some fantastic voices. It featured artists of all ages from late teen upwards and they worked very well together in what appeared to be a very tight knit group. It was a very smooth performance which ran over two halves - time for a nice G&T at interval and yes the bar prices were very reasonable. At the end of the evening we left full of praise for what we had just experienced and it was a timely reminder of what the WI can do if they pull together.
June 2025
Our Speaker this month was Tony Diamond with his talk entitled “The Highjacking of Edith Cavell”. This was a fascinating insight into the execution of the Norwich nurse by a German firing squad in the First World War. Since her execution in 1915 the image and message of Edith Cavell has been perverted and hijacked by many to service their own agendas. Tony was an excellent speaker and his talk was accompanied by slides many of which were of paintings by Brian Whelan, specially commissioned in 2015 which now form part of an exhibition in Norwich Cathedral where she was buried. May be worthy of a visit sometime?
June 2025
Fifteen ladies enjoyed a wonderful evening visit to Depden Care Farm. It was a glorious evening and after a brief welcome and introduction by Tim we were taken through to the amazing gardens he and his partner Mark have created from a blank canvas. Each area carefully crafted with colour palette and plants of all shapes and sizes. There was so much to see. A magnificent pond was the centrepiece to the garden and a soothing waterfall. Lots of inspiration for us all to take away. Leaving the garden we progressed to the farm where we were introduced to donkeys, sheep, alpacas, ponies, goats, rabbits, hens, doves and so much more. Finally the vegetable plot and orchard.
The Care Farm is a safe haven and offers therapeutic placements to adults with learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries and those recovering their mental health.
Our evening ended with tea/coffee and delicious cake made by Mark. A wonderful trip enjoyed by us all.
July 2025
On a gorgeous bright, warm evening ladies from Chevington met at Jacquie C's house for our annual garden party. We were welcomed with a refreshing glass of PIMMS or Prosecco. After a brief run through of WI business we were then invited to go to the buffet table where we had a lovely supper of quiche and salads followed by delicious desserts. Lots of opportunities to chat and enjoy some social time with our WI friends. Our competition for a flower arrangement in a teacup was well represented and the winner (voted by members) was Veronica Prior and she was awarded our Competition cup by Linda our President. A very enjoyable evening .
