Beachamwell Women`s Institute
Meetings
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month in Beachamwell Memorial Hall at 7.30 pm. (Unless otherwise stated in the programme)
Visitors are always welcome
A Committee meeting is held on the last Thursday of each month
Subscription £30.00
Further Enquiries Please contact Jenny Gabrielsen: 01366 328297
Meeting - April 2012
Jenny, President, had lots of messages to give the Members, our Birthday Supper on
June 7th will be at the George and Dragon, Newton by Castle Acre this year. The
Garden Meeting is to be held at The Old Rectory, a Workshop on Quilting is being
organised by Vesna, and at the next meeting there will be an auction and members were
asked to find things they no longer require to be auctioned.
The speaker was Ann Etheridge from Diss who came with her husband and was entitled "A Passion for Plants". Ann certainly did have a passion for plants and her talk was most interesting and
informative. She showed us a selection of the plants she had brought with her and
described the care and attention needed. We were able to purchase our favourites too.
It was a most enjoyable talk. Competition was won by Heidi, Raffle by Jill and Flower of
the month by Val. Margaret Brookes had a birthday this month.
Carole Wilson
Meeting - March 2012
The speaker for the evening was Leah Spencer with her
talk on ‘Books and Book Groups’. Leah led us through
her life in books from an early age up to the present
day. She involved everyone asking us all to think back
to books we had read as children, our favourite over the
years and what kind of books we were interested in
now. It was a very enjoyable evening with Leah making
it fun for everyone.
The raffle was won by Pat and the Flower of the month
by Maureen
Thought for the Month
Each new day is full of promise,
Each dawn is filled with hope,
So if today you find life weary
And feel you cannot cope,
Remember that tomorrow may
Turn out to be a happier day
Jenny Gabrielsen
Meeting - February 2012
Sian Hogarth from Swaffham Museum was the speaker for the evening. She brought
along a fascinating display. Her talk was very
informative and amusing. In addition to telling
us the history and work of the Museum we were
told about the current oral history project
‘Swaffham within Living Memory. She was
delighted to hear that Brenda Branch will be able
to help her, what an amazing memory the latter
has…… If you haven’t been to the Museum
recently, it is well worth a visit.
Maureen Buck gave an update on the outings
which are proposed for the current year.
Everyone was pleased to learn that Vesna Hudson has been co-opted onto the
Committee. Flower of the month was won by Vesna, competition by Marie and raffle by
Pat.
Eileen Powell
Meeting - January 2012
It made a real change to go to the January Meeting in a light weight jacket and
not a thick anorak and boots because of the snow. There were 14 members present and the President accepted 3 apologies for absence.
Janet Walker, Community Librarian at Downham Market, gave a most interesting talk on the library and all the courses that were on offer absolutely free. There were also courses for children. Janet encouraged us to use the library and what was on offer.
The Speaker for the evening was Bryan Reynolds who gave us a most humorous and interesting talk on "A Career in
Farming". He spent some of his time at Barton Bendish. Brenda Branch and Margaret Brookes were hostesses for the
evening, flower was won by Jackie, raffle by Val and the competition by Brenda. Members were reminded to return
their Resolution Slips to Jenny.
Carole Wilson & photographs by Eileen Powell
Meeting - December 2011
At our December Meeting there were 19 members present including two new members who have joined us from Foulden. We welcome them. Members brought and received a Christmas gift from the bran tub and we all enjoyed a delicious buffet to get us thinking of Christmas. The Speaker for the evening was Trevor Burlingham a professional wedding photographer from Thetford. His hobby is wildlife and he enjoys taking photographs of wildlife in Thetford. His talk was called ‘A Walk through Thetford forest with a Camera’.
It was so interesting, he told us that 1.5million visitors arrive in Thetford forest each year, it covers 20,000acres and there are of course many deer including 18,000 muntjac (not so good for the gardens) His coloured slides included many visitors attractions in the forest, trees, wildflowers, butterflies and insects. High Lodge is certainly a good place to visit with the family for the day, cycles can be hired too.
The raffle was won by Margaret Brookes, flower of the month by Val Sidey and the competition by Betty Phillpot who also gave the Vote of Thanks.
Carole Wilson & photographs by Eileen Powell
Meeting - November 2011
The November meeting is traditionally the A.G.M. Before the meeting the Committee
kindly provided the food and served the annual Halloween Supper which was delicious.
The Committee have all agreed to stay on and the President/Secretary remains as Jenny
Gabrielsen with help from Sheila Smith and Eileen Powell, Treasurer Eileen Powell and
Committee Marie Rich, Maureen Buck and Pat Ensor. The members thank them for all
the hard work they do during the year.
Awards were presented to:-
Maureen Buck received the Ann Berchem vase for Flowers and the Full Attendance
Award.
Joan Forster won the Competition Plate.
Brenda Branch won the Accumulated Points.
A new award will be created for next year. John Rix has very kindly donated an award in
memory of his mother Ruth. Members have yet to decide how the award will be set up
so watch this space. I was on holiday for the October meeting and I understand from
members that they all really enjoyed the Christmas Card Workshop taken by Sheila
Smith. Sheila provided the materials and showed everybody what to do. It turned into
quite a hilarious evening as some got very stuck up and made a few mistakes. However
everybody went home with a Christmas card or two that they could proudly send. Thank
you Sheila for your patience and for providing a really enjoyable and productive evening.
Carole Wilson
Meeting - September 2011
September is the month when Members take charge giving the Committee a well earned
rest. This time the meeting was held at Barton Bendish allowing the bric a brac ladies to
get ready for the Fete. Brenda Branch was President and Carole Wilson was Secretary.
We celebrated a special birthday for Betty Phillpot and a birthday for Joan Forster. Our
Speaker for the evening was the famous Peter Carter -
The Eelman - he has been on TV many times, the
most recent on Michael Portillo's train journeys. He is
a real Character and gave us a most interesting and
amusing insight into his work with eels in the Fens. He
showed us many slides and talked about his family
going back many generations. We laughed a lot that
night at his tales. It looks as if the ladies from Foulden
who came as visitors last month will be joining us
which is good.
The October meeting will be a Craft Evening and
Sheila will be showing us how to make Christmas
Cards, please bring scissors, prit-stick and £1.00.
Maureen Buck thanked the Committee for the evening
and Brenda Branch gave the thought for the month. "Our world is full of wonder, there is
beauty everywhere, if only we would take the time to stop and stand and stare."
Carole Wilson
Meeting - August 2011
The August Garden Meeting ended in the same way RAIN but the big marquee
in Ann’s garden saved the day. We descended to Eastmoor and really enjoyed
being in the marquee. Sixteen members and one visitor attended along with two
prospective members who live in Foulden. Jenny dealt with the business side of
things, Carole talked about the September Meeting which is the Members’
Meeting and reminded members there will be a trading stall and that the meeting
will take place at Barton Bendish. Maureen gave information about the outing to
Bure Valley Railway and Wroxham. Jenny talked about the produce required for
the Village Country Fair on September 4th. Betty won flower of the month with
her beautiful rose, Maureen the competition for her delicious individual fruit tarts
and Carol won the raffle. Refreshments were supplied by the Committee. It was
too wet to enjoy Ann’s garden but we enjoyed the mardle and the quiz.
Carole Wilson
Meeting - July 2011
Sixteen Members and a visitor attended the July Meeting. Jenny gave notices and the
usual information and then asked Michelle Tucker-Lowe from Fincham W.I. (our representative) to talk about the AGM she had attended in Liverpool. Michelle was very informative and told us that there were now 209,033members of the W.I. with 102 new Institutes. The speaker for the evening was Lou Brundell who had come from Diss to talk to us
about Hearing Dogs for the Deaf
It was a most interesting talk with slides and everybody enjoyed listening to Lou and learning
more about this Charity. She told us the best dogs to be trained to help deaf people were Labradors,
Spaniels, Poodles and Yorkies. Sheila won the raffle, Betty the competition. Next meeting is our
Garden Meeting and will be held at Ann Lewings, Raven House, Eastmoor.
Sheila read the Thought for the Month.
If you would plant for days, plant flowers.
If you would plant for years, plant trees.
If you would plant for eternity, plant ideas
Carole Wilson
Meeting - June 2011
June is the month when we have our Birthday Supper. This time we decided to
dine at The Berney Arms. Members had a good time together. We toasted
‘Absent Friends’ and remembered our dear member Ruth, who recently died.
Next Meeting is July 7th and the topic is ‘Talking Dogs for the Deaf’.
Carole Wilson
Meeting - May 2011
The May meeting was held at Barton Bendish with 15 members and 1 visitor
attending. Sheila acted as President in Jennie’s absence. Members were informed about various outings that were being organised and a reminder tha the Birthday Supper this year will be held at The Berney Arms. May isResolution month and Sue Overton our Advisor talked us through the ‘for and against’ of the two Resolutions and we
made our decision on which way to vote. The Speaker for the evening was Vanessa Scott of Strattons Hotel who
described how her husband Les and their two children had 29 years ago purchased the Palladian Villa in Swaffham and
transformed it into an award winning Green Hotel. The Hotel uses environmentally friendly products and is the only
Hotel in the Country to weigh waste. It was a most informative and thought provoking talk and very enjoyable too.
Betty won the Raffle, Maureen submitted the most beautiful Peony and Joan won the competition - A Norfolk Recipe.
The ‘Thought for the Month’ was given by Eileen:
Grumbling gets you nowhere
It makes other people mad
So think before you grumble
Is your life so very bad?
Remember there is always
Someone who endures
Troubles which are often
Twice as bad as yours
Carole Wilson
Meeting - April 2011
17 Members attended the April meeting with one visitor. Marija gave the thought
of the month and Jenny dealt with the correspondence. An
evening has been arranged with Waitrose, who will discuss, wine, beer and cider
and bring along cheese to match. September 7th is the date so watch out for
further details. Members should be congratulated for the many wonderful pairs
of slippers that have been knitted for funds, some of the slippers are on their
way to Swaffham Hospital. The Birthday supper will be held at The Berney
Arms, Barton Bendish this year. A gift from the Birthday Basket went to
Margaret and Marija. Speaker for the evening was Prue Kahn, landscape gardener, from
Gooderstone who won a silver medal for her garden at Hampton Court Palace Flower
Show in 2010.
She showed us slides from start to finish of her work which was outstanding. It was
most interesting. Prue also works at Gooderstone Water Gardens.
Maureen won the flower of the month and the competition ‘An Easter Bonnet’, and Carole won the
raffle.
Carole Wilson
Meeting - March 2011
The speaker for the evening was Sharon Hayns who gave a most enjoyable and
informative talk on skin care and makeup.
Maureen was happy to be the model and thoroughly
enjoyed the experience.
The new ‘Birthday Basket’ instead of Posies was
introduced and was well received.
As always, the evening was very sociable and
enjoyable.
We were delighted to welcome new member, Vesna
Hudson, who joined that evening.
Thought for the Month (Quote from Benjamin Franklin provided by Sheila
Smith)
Be civil to all
Sociable to many
Familiar with few
Friend to one
Enemy to none
Eileen Powell
Meeting - February 2011
Mervyn Gribbon gave a very entertaining and informative talk on the work of Heygate Farm, a family run
business. He happily answered the many questions which were put to him. Brenda Branch gave the vote of thanks.
Flower of the Month: Brenda Branch.
Competition:1st Joan Foster, 2nd Mary Cross, 3rd Maureen Buck. We were delighted to welcome new member, Marija Njegomir, who joined that evening.
Thought for the Month was given by Jill Mason
The past is history, the future is a mystery, Today is a gift which is why it is called the present.
Eileen Powell
Meeting - December 2010
What a fun evening the December Meeting was. Meg Browne, our Speaker, found her way here despite the terrible weather, lots of snow and ice around. Unfortunately only
ten members managed to get to the meeting which as a shame as Meg showed us many brilliant waistcoats she had made all beautifully worked and with a different theme. She
also showed us some patchwork wall hangings. Afterwards we all enjoyed some delicious refreshments, especially Brenda's
delicious sponges and scones. Jill received a lovely plant for her birthday and we all had a small gift from the bran tub. To round off a splendid
evening Brenda showed us some amazing articles that she had found in her loft. They were garments her aunt had used whilst in service.
The pantaloons would have been useful during the recent cold spell but they were certainly not very fashionable.
At the end of the meeting Jenny, our new President, welcomed Janet as Minute Secretary onto the Committee also Pat.
The January Meeting was held in the afternoon and was a Workshop on Blackwork Tapestry. The meeting was "open" and was very well
attended by villagers and visitors. All Saints Way was very well attended with residents Jane, Vera, Verina and Alma as well as members,
Eileen, Jenny, Heidi and Marie. Visitors were from Barton Bendish, Swaffham and a friend of Ann's from Sussex. After an
introduction from tutor Gilly Spencer, everybody decided on their design and tried the new skill of Blackwork, at times
there was silence in the village hall as everybody concentrated on their work (very unusual at W.I. events) Margaret gave the vote of thanks and described the
afternoon as most challenging and enjoyable, everybody agreed with this comment.
The raffle and the competition was won by Pat and the flower of the month by Marie.
Heidi and Betty produced delicious refreshments.
Carole Wilson
Jerusalem
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic mills?
Bring me my bow of burning gold:
Bring me my arrows of desire:
Bring me my spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire.
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.
The Alberta Creed (Mary Stewart)
Keep us, O Lord, from pettiness
Let us be large in thought, word and deed
Let us be done with fault finding & leave off self seeking
May we put aside all pretence and meet each other face to face, without self pity and without prejudice
May we never be hasty in judgment and always generous in thought
Teach us to put into action our better impulses straightforward and unafraid
Let us take time for all things, make us grow calm, serene, gentle
Grant that we may realise that it is the little things that create differences; that in the big things in life we are one
May we strive to touch and know the great woman’s heart common to us all;
Oh Lord God, let us not forget to be kind
