Author: crowlasludgvanwi

Have you ever wondered what happens to those black bags of waste you put out for collection?

Well, on a very wet and windy day in April members of Crowlas and Ludgvan WI (and some husbands) went up to St Austell to find out at the Suez Waste Processing Plant. After receiving a friendly welcome and a play on the interactive display, the group listened carefully to the safety briefing. Half the group were then provided with fluorescent jackets, helmets with visors, gloves and earphones (necessary to hear the guide as it was sometimes a bit noisy around the plant) Once kitted out this group went on the tour, up flights of stairs, along metal walkways, into control rooms. They marvelled at huge grabbers, furnaces ,conveyor belts, generators and saw a lot of pipe work! Meanwhile the other half of the group watched a video about the plant and had the opportunity to ask questions on everything waste related. The groups then swapped over. A very interesting and educational trip!

The website below contains lots of information about what goes on at the site.

Energy recovery

Following on from our recent monthly meeting where we welcomed Eloise and Ellen to the Murley Hall, last Wednesday a group of Crowlas and Ludgvan WI members visited Leach Pottery in St Ives. Ellen Love, the Learning and Participation Manager gave us a guided tour of the museum,  work rooms, and kilns, giving us a fascinating insight into the Leach family history.

In the workshop Lily Parkinson, a potter, demonstrated how to make a pinch pot and several ways to decorate it using tools,  a shell and ‘slip’.

From  balls of clay we created our own pinch pots and decorated them.  Our pots will be fired and collected at a later date.

Thank you Ellen and Lily for a very interesting and inspiring afternoon.

Members of Crowlas and Ludgvan WI are fond of this local community spot located behind the Church in Ludgvan. Over the past few years they have helped with clearing and tidying of the space, and planted native bulbs resulting in a beautiful display each spring. The rose pictured below was planted by the bench in memory of past President Alison Latham, and is looking strong and healthy. If you are in the village, please go and spend a while in the tranquility of the garden, and enjoy the views across the valley.

Our Annual Meeting report highlighted what a packed, varied and interesting year our members have had, with fun, education and food for thought on all fronts, and a fantastic array of subgroups too. Outgoing President Wendie Leo gave her report and was thanked for all she had done over a difficult period, and was presented with a Gardening voucher. County Advisor, Liz Anderson, presented The President’s Cup for the Most Inspiring Member to Wendie, and The Competition’s Cup to Di Curnow. Jackie Gotch was elected as President for the year ahead and Wendie passed on the President’s badge, wishing her well for her new role.

Despite the weather, 13 members of our Walking Group, two dogs and a husband, enjoyed a very wet and  muddy walk along the Hayle River. 

It’s a lovely, easy, quiet flat walk at any time of the year, from St Erth with views across the countryside.

On Wednesday March 8th WI members from all over Cornwall met at the Penventon Hotel to celebrate International Womens Day

The afternoon started with tasty sandwiches and delicious scones with generous amounts of clotted cream.T his was followed by Ther sweet treats.

After tea members enjoyed a talk given by Dr Lesley Trotter about the contribution made by women living in or from Cornwall. It was fascinating to hear their stories and learn of their many achievements.

If members would like to know more, Lesley has written two books that may be of interest based on her research.

One of our most popular sub-groups, Meet and Eat, had a lovely lunch at the 18th Century Watermill pub and restaurant at Lelant Downs. Next month they are off to the Fire Engine Inn in Marazion. See Karen if you would like to join them.

These pretty matching sets of paper and envelope were the latest creative crafts made at Gail’s Craft Club. This sub group meets monthly at the Sainsbury’s Community Room to try out a variety of crafting activities, some familiar and some new. The next project that the group will be trying is Tunisian Crochet. Contact Gail or the committee if you would like to come along.

Despite the weather there was a good turnout for the second walk around Penzance led by Mary.  

We saw areas of historical interest and visited vantage points to see the wonderful views across Penzance and Mounts Bay.  As usual we  had a beak for lunch and sampled the local food  before continuing the tour.

Mary’s research and knowledge of the changes in the area made this a very enjoyable and interesting walk.  Thank you Mary. (Shirley)

Our members were enthralled by this month’s speaker, Richard Cockram, from Newlyn Tidal Observatory. Richard explained the history of the Observatory and measuring ‘sea level’. He was also able to show the significance of this in our understanding of the effects of climate change, and how this has been demonstrated by rising sea levels over the last 20 years.