Beadnell WI, January meeting

Beadnell WI started the New Year with a Members’ Evening.

President Pat Brand welcomed everyone and handed out notes about future events and activities to expedite the business aspect of the meeting.

Since the last gathering had been the Christmas party in December, Pat thanked all of those involved in decorating the hall, and Nancy and her team for the wonderful food. It was a privilege to eat a tasty meal in festive surroundings in a truly friendly atmosphere.

Thanks also went to Catherine and Jan for organising a successful Christmas shopping evening, and to the many who had sold, or bought tickets for the Christmas raffle.

Pat gave a short summary regarding the evidence gathered about the usefulness of our hall within the village.

Members discussed our way forward to approaching funding sources for the necessary hall rebuild. Following this, members all took part in an enjoyable and absorbing activity organised by Doreen Godfrey and June Scott, who had recently attended a course at Denman College.

Well-prepared with a plethora of interesting ‘bits and bobs’, we were inspired to be creative with the opportunity and encouragement to decorate a headband, make a pompom or a felt flower, or knit with matchsticks. There was also a quiz to keep us going along the way. A lot of fun was had by all.

To round off this special evening, Margaret Shuttleworth read us her thought-provoking short story, ‘Birth-right’. Since its subject was Grace Darling, it seemed an appropriate introduction to next month’s topic about the Seahouses Lifeboat with Ian Clayton.