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.

2024

4th July 2024 - Annual Garden Party

Paying careful attention to the weather following a week of cold,wet weather the forecast for today was to stay dry albeit not very warm.  However dressed appropriately a large number of our ladies attended this event which this year was hosted by member Jacqui Crossman.  We were greeted with a glass of PIMMS and once seated a lot of chatter ensued.  After a brief business presention members were invited to make their way to the laden buffet table for a delicious quiche and salad supper.  Once this had been devoured it was time for desserts which again were very well received.  All the food had been prepared by the Committee and was delicious.  The evening passed very quickly and soon it was 8pm and yes we were still sitting outside.  After the drawing of the raffle it was time to make our way home.  A very enjoyable evening for everyone.

August 2024

Our speaker this month was Tim Foreman from SERV (Bloodrunners).  A very interesting talk giving us details of the vital role this  volunteer organisation plays in our Health Service.  They are not funded by the Government  and rely solely on donations and fundraising.  Most of their operations are carried out via motorbike but some cars are used especially during very cold or icy weather.  They have a limited number of sponsored motorbikes but many of their volunteers use their own vehicles and cover the cost of fuel and maintenance etc.  They deliver blood, blood products, donated human breast milk along with medication and essential equipment to all our local hospitals and also to patients at home.  They also make daily trips to our East Anglia Air Ambulance base to deliver fresh supplies of blood.  Tim had arrived on his motorbike and at the end of the talk we had the opportunity to go outside and have a close look at the machine.  Some of our ladies took the opportunity of climbing aboard.  A very interesting talk.

Friday 13th September 2024

Trip on River Stour and lunch at Henney Swan

15 ladies enjoyed a lovely day out.  At 11am we boarded our boats and headed off down the River Stour.  It had been a very cold night but the sun broke through as we boarded and it stayed dry, sunny and warm for the entire day.  Our Skipper and his crew member were very helpful and knowledgeable about everything on and around the river making the day even more interesting.  It was so peaceful and relaxing – just the sound of birds and occasional rustle of leaves on the vast array of trees along the way.  We were fascinated by the section containing cricket bat willow, most of which is exported to India and Pakistan now.  We also experienced going through the lock at Cornard – it was just possible to get both our boats in together.  We arrived at The Henney Swan at 12 noon where we enjoyed a lovely leisurely lunch.  The food was superb with excellent service.  At 2pm we headed back to the river to re-board our boats for the return trip to The Granary in Sudbury.

September 2024

Meet Vera

Using a two part course and pattern from The Learning Hub, Ann Mapperley (a very talented craft lady from Chevington WI) produced Vera to be used as part of of 1920's display for the Group Meeting to be held at the end of the month.  Well done Ann.

Gallops Group Meeting - Wickhambrook.  Monday  30th  September

A number of our ladies attended the Group Meeting which this year was hosted by Wickhambrook.

September 2024

Over the past few months a small team of our ladies have been working on a new banner.  Our old one made in 1939 had sadly deteriorated beyond repair and we felt that we should have a more manageable one which reflected the WI as it is now and to take us forward for the next 100 years.  Well done to the team led by Linda Crighton.

Saturday 16th November - Christmas Craft Workshop

Ladies enjoyed a very pleasant Saturday in the village hall constructing fabric stars for Christmas.  Arline again very kindly led the workshop and provided us with all the templates etc ready to start our construction - lots of glueing and stitching.  Lots of opportunity to chat along the way and during our lunch break.  We were all delighted with our finished item/s and headed home eager to make more.

Christmas Lunch at Edmunds Restaurant (West Suffolk College) - Tuesday 3rd December

21 Ladies enjoyed a fantastic lunch at the college.  The food was delicious and worthy of a high star rating.  The students worked very hard front of house dealing with multiple tables under the ever watchful eye of their tutor Claire.  A very enjoyable afternoon and finished off nicely with the opening of our Secret Santa gifts.

December 2024

For our December meeting our entertainment was provided by The Scottish Reel Club from Bury St Edmunds.  6 of their members came along and gave us some background information for the history of the dancing and showing us some examples. This was finished with us being invited to join them for what they classes as a "simple" routine.  We did our best and it was great fun for those of us taking part and those who sat back and watched.

The evening was finished with mince pies and mulled punch which on a cold, wet and windy evening was very well received.