Milford-on-Sea W.I.

Welcome to Milford on Sea WI. Visitors are welcome to come to our meetings which are held at All Saints Church Hall on the 3RD TUESDAY of each month at 7 p.m. and meeting finish at 9.30 p.m. (approx)

We have a wide range of speakers and members may also take part in a variety of activities Its not all Jam and Jerusalem. We offer - Darts, Skittles, Produce, Walks, Drama, Line Dancing, Play reading, as well as various Craft based skills - try them all. We also have an excellent representation at the New Forest Show where we show off our traditional and much valued skills.

THE BAZAAR WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE.120.00 - NOON PLEASE BRING ALL YOUR BRIC A BRAC, BOOKS, CRAFT ETC. TO THE NEXT MEETING. CAKES AND PRODUCE - PLEASE BRING TO THE COMMUNITY CENTRE 9 A.M. ON THE DAY.

THIS IS THE FINAL FUND RAISING ACTIVITY FOR THE AIR AMBULANCE THIS YEAR. PLEASE BRING FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS AND SUPPORT THE W.I. DONATE TO THEIR THEIR NOMINATED 2008 CHARITY
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STOP PRESS... STOP PRESS.... STOP PRESS.... STOP PRESS....

SPELLBINDING!!!!!!

WI IS WICKED - ITS OFFICIAL! Milford on Sea W.I. paraded through the streets of Milford this afternoon, August 23rd, in full Wicked Witch regalia. As part of Milford's famous August holiday carnival procession, they took no chances and aimed their magic wands at the judges as they flew in to take first prize in the decorated float category.

The Carnival theme was the magic of Disney, and our Witches came from all the fairy stories in the magic kingdom. ( One unkind loser muttered that they did not really need to dress up, but he was swiftly turned into a frog and there were no more doubters.)

Many congratulations to everyone who organized the float and took part making sure our WIcked WI stays a force to be reckoned with.

NEW FOREST SHOW SUCCESSES -

1st prize in the Photographic Competition -'Signs' was won by CHRIS MAWER with her stunning image of 'Red Sky at Night, Shepherds' Delight' One of Milford's magnificent sunsets taken from the clifftop.

JULIA THOMAS also scored a 1st prize with her luscious 'Melting Moments', and MARCIA BAKER, true to her name produced tempting Bread Rolls to gain a 2nd place.

Many other members achieved a commendable number of stars and the standard of entries continuedto be very high.
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Our monthly meetings so far included ----

MAGNIFICENT MILFORD’S MAGIGAL MUSIC HALL

FEBRUARY19TH was a red letter day for Milford on Sea WI, we reached our 90th Birthday, and members turned out in force to celebrate ..Our hall was laid up with splendid 90th Birthday Balloons and colourful napkins, scented candles, and chilled pink wine, ready to welcome members - our Committee behatted in startling style set the tone as members arrived ready and willing to make merry.

Eighty seven members and guests., were served a fish and chip supper, with lubricating sips of wine, before we were treated to and evening of joyous entertainment by the Old Tyme Music Hall Players., whose infectious energy wept us away on our Birthday evening.

From the minute the dashing Master of Ceremonies took the stage, wonderful acts followed in glittering succession. Champagne Charlie set the scene, then we wandered down the river on a Sunday afternoon, before an outraged and fiercely vengeful signorina, with a full armoury of pizza weapons of mass destruction, left us in no doubt of the fate of the faithless Antonio.

One of our members was greatly favoured by a handsome Gallic strongman and she (very) enthusiastically revived his strength in time honoured way. (She was also rather fancied for more rural pursuits by Dobbin, the horse of the gallant Galloping Major , who reminded him that there were ladies present.

Rob Wilton reminisced on his amorous activities on the Day War Broke Out, and the glorious political incorrectness of Max Miller with stories as colourful as his suit was received with delight.

We all turned up the volume to Pack up our Troubles and Roll out the Barrel , finishing our wonderful show with an invitation to the Old Bull and Bush which nearly took the roof off/

Our beautiful birthday cake, made by May Patrick and decorated by Frances Humphreys, was cut by Joan Janaway, whose age is a secret, .but we hear that she will shortly be having a similar celebration herself .

Nearly every member had managed an evocative music hall style hat, and after much difficult decision making by our own WIA, Sue Attrill, Joan Gilchrist was pronounced winner for her stunning confection of flowers and tulle. Pat Gallagher held the lucky number ticket.

Members once again broke into song to sing Happy Birthday to Us with considerable gusto considering the amount of singing we had already done. ( indeed there was rather a lot of impromptu chorusing coming from the car park as well)

The Committee cleared the debris and went out into the peaceful night reflecting that in the stark days of 1918, another group of ladies had done the same, and without them our splendid evening would never have taken place. We hope we did you proud girls. Ten years to go to the ton.

Telephone 01590 641820 for information.

JANUARY 15TH :Mabel Lucy Attwell - Mrs Jenny Rose A truly fascinating look at the life of this famous illustrator whose drawings have delighted so many.

FEBRUARY 19TH :OLD TYME MUSIC HAL: see above

MARCH 18TH : "Anything Goes" 1920s Fashions

ANYTHING GOES MARCH MEETING 2008

Our March meeting took us on a social and sartorial journey from the laced up Edwardian days to the 1930s . Patricia Godwin, artistic director of the renowned Palm Court Orchestra, explained how she and her musician husband who, with other members of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra , first set up the Palm Court Orchestra and how it developed to include social snippets and costumes .

A generous and far sighted lady, with an attic full of family clothes from several generations, enabled Patricia to acquire a treasure trove of clothes, all of which had been worn in everyday life. Day dresses, evening wear, underclothes, beautiful bags and elegant shoes and hats, plus one or two extraordinary garments whose purpose defeated us all, were poured over and admired by members.

With extracts from contemporary publications and letters, Patricia showed her enthralled audience, the vast number of undergarments and suffocating corsets necessary to be worn before the Edwardian lady eventually put on her dress, a dress which might well be changed for morning, luncheon, afternoon, and evening engagements.. Some of the undergarments, were apparently a source of great delight to gentlemen celebrating the Entente Cordiale when visiting the Moulin Rouge , where frilly and revealing unmentionables were top of the bill.

The massive social changes brought about by the first world war, heartily disapproved of by some redoubtable old school ladies, gave freedom from the fearsome corsets. The tragic loss of so many young men caused women to try harder to attract attention. Drink, drugs and dancing were taken up by bright young things living for the moment.. ,An outbreak of coloured stockings and dazzling beaded evening wear, the rage for fancy dress, together with the new sporty image of tennis wear and motoring outfits, all topped off with matching cloche, heralded the age of the flappers. The Charleston ruled from Mayfair misses to Manchester mill girls New materials, developed for war, but adapted for peace, like Celanese, brought luxury to many. . Some of the swimming costumes may even have seen service at Milford on Sea - possibly not leading to so many giggles in those days. Some doubts were also raised over the ravishing bridal negligee when it was shown to include a massive pair of bloomers surely guaranteed to kill the wildest passion.

The 30’s swept the world into darker days , as first the economy and then unrest in Europe, threatened the syncopated world of the jazz babies. Skirts lengthened and music calmed into romantic dances, as exemplified by Ginger Rogers in swirling bias glamour. and elegant day dresses

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And few there were of us who did not wish for just a touch more glamour and elegance in our own wardrobes,

MARCH 28TH The Lymington Group Spring Meeting :at

Pennington - : Speaker from Marks and Spencer

APRIL 2ND HAMPSHIRE FEDERATION MEETING AT PORTSMOUTH

SPEAKER Terry Waite

APRIL 15TH Hanging Baskets - Mrs Walker Fabulous flowers and very practical advice . Most inspiring to the beginners and the experienced. We cant wait to get planting.

MAY 20TH RESOLUTIONS MEETING The meeting voted upon the two resolutions put forward. Support was given to the proposal to ban bottom trawling.

JUNE 19TH Hearing Dogs for the Deaf - Mrs Collet A fascinating insight into the world of these magnificent helpers to the hard of hearing. Size does not matter, good hearing and the ability to learn does. Since the owner does not need to hold the dog at a certain height, unlike the dogs who assist the blind, quite small dogs are equally good at this job. Quite a help to those who live in restricted space. From fetching the paper and post to alerting telephone, oven, and other alarm signals, these furry aids cover a wide range of skills, and give warning to owners if anything unusual is occuring in the house. They transform the lives of those they live with. In many cases completely reversing the isolation of the deaf who suffer from an unseen disability often treated with complete lack of sympathy by the public.

JUNE 25TH STRAWBERRY TEA IN AID OF THE AIR AMBULANCE The Village Community Centre from 2.30pm

with raffle prizes donated by the Village Shops, and local organizations, beauty treatments, dinner, fruit and flowers, toiletries, local painting, lots and lots. HELPED US TO RAISE OVER £500 TO ASSIST IN KEEPING THE AMUBLANCE FLYING OVER HAMPSHIRE.

JULY 16TH GARDEN MEETING AT 2.30 Picnic tea

JULY 29-31 NEW FOREST SHOW AT BROCKENHURST

LOTS OF PRIZES for Milford W.I. members, including First prizes for the photographic competion, full details to follow, Watch this space. Many thanks to Valerie for persuading so many people to take part.

AUGUST - NO MEETING

SEPTEMBER 16TH "Life as a Beefeater" Tony Strafford ALL WELCOME 7 P.M. A captivating talk by a splendidly costumed Yeoman Warder of the Tower, Mr STrafford led us through the often violent and murky history of the Tower, scene of so much of our most memorable historical events, and source of many ghostly legends - Anne Bolyn's head was in fact tucked under her arm (no room in the coffin), Lady Jane Grey's tragic 9 days were, brought vividly to life before her brutal execution. Sir Walter Raleigh on the other hand was allowed to marry his true love at the Tower and both were released - he did come back and lose his head later, but thats life, or not.

Many of of us have memories of Tower visits, and are inspired to go again.

THE LYMINGTON GROUP MEETING hosted by Milford on SEa WI, was held at the Church Hall on Friday Ocobder 10th. Our speaker Mrs Tricia Lewis ' dressed in 1950's full skirt, wide belt, and cardi, and of course high heels, kept us laughing at the lengths we were ecouraged to go, in order to 'keep our man happy' in the 1950s. By the time the pounds of lard, woolly socks, and chin straps were in place, most men would haved run screaming into the night. (however, the baby boom proved a different outcome, so perhaps they just thought of England and got on with the job). The League of Health and Beauty did its best -not unlike modern Pilates -but with rather fetching black drawers. A hint of the earth changing 1960s was hinted at with rather sad references by our housewife to the shape and attitude of hubby's new secretary, but she nevertheless got a grip, and went on with keeping young and beautiful - howevever difficult it was.

A substantial tea ensured that the ladies of the new milleniuym were liberated enough to dismiss the need to whittle down their waists with waspies or other horrors of discomfort as we all got on with keeping anorexia at bay.

OCTOBER 21ST "The Left Bank - Paris" Mr G Massie One of our favourite haunts, its long history and evocative atmosphere make it a favourite destination. Wonderful evocative slides showed the beauty of Paris from the awe inspiring stained glass of St. Chapelle to the huge momumental tributes to Napoleon and other heroes of France, some of the tranquil gardens which lie in the city centre showed why Paris is on everyone's list of places to go again and again.

Nominations for the committee to take over for the coming year were put forward.. We really do need active members to help arrange our events. The programme for next year is already fixed, and the current committee members will be only too pleased to offer any information or advice. Its not too arduous and quite fun. PLEASE VOLUNTEER, OR AT LEAST DONT RUN AWAY IF APPROACHED FOR THIS QUITE NICE JOB.

NOVEMBER 18TH A.G.M. Support our W.I. ITS PART OF VILLAGE LIFE, LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY.

.stop press: We have received some splendid nominations so please turn up and vote them all in!!!

NOVEMBER 22ND BAZAAR - to be held in the Village Community Centre , again in aid our Charities for this coming year 2008/09 NAOMI HOUSE and an amount also to be donated to the Milford Guide Hut for refurbishment. Bric a brac, Cakes and Produce - MUCH APPRECIATED, Craft, books, Tombola, Raffle, A chance to have a fantastic clear out and raise funds for these good causes as well.ALL WELCOME 10.30 - noon just £1 for coffee and a mince pie,before you browse round.

DECEMBER 16TH Christmas Meeting - Entertainment

by the Drama Group (one of our highlights)plus a chance to socialize with other members while enjoying snacks and a glass of wine or juice. IF YOU ARE NEW, THIS IS GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO MEET OTHER MEMBERS.

JANUARY 2009 How to get started in Genealogy Are you descended from Vikings, Romans, Saxons, Normans? Or just the mixed up ruff and scuff like most of us whose ancestors may, or may not, have collaborated with the invaders. Find out - boast (or keep quiet).

THE NEXT EVENT WILL BE THE BIRTHDAY PARTY - KEEP THE DATE FREE, THIRD TUESDAY OF FEBRUARY.