ARFORD WI

Return to Index of Hampshire WI Homepages

Homepage hosted by Hampshire County Federation of Women's Institutes

ARFORD WI

Arford is a very active institute and it is the committee's aim to encourage the interests of all our members.

President: Sue Barrett

Vice Presidents: Kath Walder & Carolyn Cromwell

Hon. Secretary : Sue Gamble

As well as the programme of monthly meetings we hold a fortnightly craft group where we chat and share ideas.
There is a walking group, a monthly lunch club (recent visits have been to the Grayshott Post Office, the Anchor at Liphook, the Links and Old Thorns was the venue for our enjoyable Christmas lunch).
We also have annual social skittles evenings with other local groups, annual garden parties and several scrabble meetings throughout the year.

There are various outings on offer: last year's included theatre trips.
We take part in the Federation quiz, scrabble and skittles competitions.
We have several members who get involved on an individual basis with other Federation
and Group competitions such as producing a lantern and entering photos for the Hampshire WI calendar.

Members have the opportunity to attend two local group meetings a year which are always most enjoyable.
There are also the two Federation Council Meetings and the National AGM on offer to members should they wish to get more involved in the WI.

There are workshops run by the Federation at WI House in Winchester and at Denman Collegenear Oxford, one has
the opportunity to increase skills and learn new ones in a helpful and very friendly atmosphere.

The president and all the committee members cordially invite possible new members to join us at our next meeting.

We are open to everyone, meeting at the Headley Church Centre at 8pm on the 4th Thursday each month, and would love to see you.

2010
DATE TOPIC SPEAKER
January 25th Colman's Mustard Mr. Steve Harris
February 25th English lavender Mr. Tim Butler
March 25th Toute Sweet, flower arranging with sweets. Demo and workshop. Mrs Liz Glover
April 22nd Open Wide - from the dental chair Mr. Wally Happy
May 27th Resolutions Meeting
June 24th Life's Like That - a look at notices that do not mean what they say. Mr. H. Paxton
July 22nd Garden Party
August 26th As Good As It Gets - How to grow old disgracefully Mrs. Gwen Appleton
September 23rd Insects and the Countryside Mr. Stephen Myles
October 28th A Talk on Books - Book Collection Mr. Paul Robinson
November 25th Annual Meeting
December 16th Christmas Party
OTHER MEETINGS THROUGH THE YEAR
Date Topic
March 24th The Spring Council Meeting at Portsmouth with Sir Bernard Ingham as the keynote speaker
April 29th Rudyard Kipling - his life and works. The Spring Group Meeting at Headley Church Centre, 7:30pm
June 2nd The AGM at Cardiff
October 20th The Autumn Council Meeting at Basingstoke
October 26th The Autumn Group meeting at Greatham Village Hall, 7:30pm
January Report
At the January meeting Arford W.I members were saddened to hear of the death of Helen Binns. She was one of the founder members and had always been actively involved throughout the years. Due to progressive ill health she had been unable to attend meetings for some time, but was still supportive. Helen was very knowledgeable, well travelled and talented, with many craft skills at her finger tips. A very caring, unassuming lady but with positive ideas, she was always willing to give advice and help. She will be greatly missed by all her many friends and sincere condolences have been sent to her family.
Mr. Steve Harris was our speaker that night and spoke of the history of Colman’s mustard. Formed in the 1800’s by the firm of Keen - hence the saying “Keen as mustard” - Jeremiah Colman bought him out and proceeded to enlarge this company. He was an excellent employer with the welfare of his workers very much at heart. He set up schools for members of his workforce charging 1d for the first child and ½d for all others. Colman's employed the first Occupational Health Nurse and made hostels available to women workers so that they did not have to make the long trek to work - the men often rose at 4:30 to leave their homes to walk to work and, after a 12 hour day, had to do the same to get home. The talk was excellent and gave a fascinating insight into the social history of the time and it also showed how clever advertising strategies and adapting to meet circumstances in a changing world can keep a product line to the fore even in modern times.
February Report
Lavender blue dilly, dilly came to mind when Mr. Tim Butler outlined the growth of the lavender farm at Hartley Park Farm nr Alton, to members of Arford W.I. at their February meeting.Using a power point presentation he explained that lavender had existed since Roman times and had been commercially grown in England since the 1700’s. He showed some of the varieties that are grown on the farm and described their many uses, which included relief of insomnia, insect bites and smelly feet! After this interesting and informative talk members were able to purchase lavender products which Mr. Butler had brought along.
On Thursday 22nd April Mr. Wally Happy will be telling us to “Open Wide” from the dental chair. Just what this will entail is open to speculation!! Do come along and find out!
Don't forget the table top sale at Headley Church Hall at 9:30 on the 27th March. Do come along, meet the members and enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat. For further details contact her on 01428 713444.

Welcome Visitor Number

2010
DATE	TOPIC	SPEAKER
January 25th	Colman's Mustard	Mr. Steve Harris
February 25th	English lavender	Mr. Tim Butler
March 25th	Toute Sweet, flower arranging with sweets. Demo and workshop.	Mrs Liz Glover
April 22nd	Open Wide - from the dental chair	Mr. Wally Happy
May 27th	Resolutions Meeting
June 24th	Life's Like That - a look at notices that do not mean what they say.	Mr. H. Paxton
July 22nd	Garden Party
August 26th	As Good As It Gets - How to grow old disgracefully	Mrs. Gwen Appleton
September 23rd	Insects and the Countryside	Mr. Stephen Myles
October 28th	A Talk on Books - Book Collection	Mr. Paul Robinson
November 25th	Annual Meeting
December 16th	Christmas Party
	OTHER MEETINGS THROUGH THE YEAR
Date	Topic
March 24th	The Spring Council Meeting at Portsmouth with Sir Bernard Ingham as the keynote speaker
April 29th	Rudyard Kipling - his life and works. The Spring Group Meeting at Headley Church Centre, 7:30pm
June 2nd	The AGM at Cardiff
October 20th	The Autumn Council Meeting at Basingstoke
October 26th	The Autumn Group meeting at Greatham Village Hall, 7:30pm
January Report
	At the January meeting Arford W.I members were saddened to hear of the death of Helen Binns. She was one of the founder members and had always been actively involved throughout the years. Due to progressive ill health she had been unable to attend meetings for some time, but was still supportive. Helen was very knowledgeable, well travelled and talented, with many craft skills at her finger tips. A very caring, unassuming lady but with positive ideas, she was always willing to give advice and help. She will be greatly missed by all her many friends and sincere condolences have been sent to her family.
	Mr. Steve Harris was our speaker that night and spoke of the history of Colman’s mustard. Formed in the 1800’s by the firm of Keen - hence the saying “Keen as mustard” - Jeremiah Colman bought him out and proceeded to enlarge this company. He was an excellent employer with the welfare of his workers very much at heart. He set up schools for members of his workforce charging 1d for the first child and ½d for all others. Colman's employed the first Occupational Health Nurse and made hostels available to women workers so that they did not have to make the long trek to work - the men often rose at 4:30 to leave their homes to walk to work and, after a 12 hour day, had to do the same to get home. The talk was excellent and gave a fascinating insight into the social history of the time and it also showed how clever advertising strategies and adapting to meet circumstances in a changing world can keep a product line to the fore even in modern times.
February Report
	Lavender blue dilly, dilly came to mind when Mr. Tim Butler outlined the growth of the lavender farm at Hartley Park Farm nr Alton, to members of Arford W.I. at their February meeting.Using a power point presentation he explained that lavender had existed since Roman times and had been commercially grown in England since the 1700’s. He showed some of the varieties that are grown on the farm and described their many uses, which included relief of insomnia, insect bites and smelly feet! After this interesting and informative talk members were able to purchase lavender products which Mr. Butler had brought along.
	On Thursday 22nd April Mr. Wally Happy will be telling us to “Open Wide” from the dental chair. Just what this will entail is open to speculation!! Do come along and find out!
	Don't forget the table top sale at Headley Church Hall at 9:30 on the 27th March. Do come along, meet the members and enjoy a cup of coffee and a chat. For further details contact her on 01428 713444.