Members were pleased to welcome local Wildlife enthusiast and Photographer David Chapman to their August Monthly Meeting. Unable to hold the meeting in The Murley Hall due to current restrictions, the meeting took place on Zoom, where David talked about watching wildlife in Cornwall, delighting members with his knowledge and enthusiasm.
The sun shone beautifully for our Garden Get Togethers this week. Everyone was invited in small groups for a friendly, socially distanced get together in a variety of garden locations across the area, kindly offered by members of the group. Whilst still missing the opportunity to attend a full group meeting, it was lovely to see each other and have a chat!
Our book for July was ‘Once Upon a River’ by Diane Setterfield. The title gave a clue to the fairytale aspects of the story. There was only one truly horrid character, (well, maybe two) who got their just desserts, some greyish individuals but the cast of warm, interesting, weak and strong, human and humane characters was large and outweighed the negative elements in the novel. The strands of the story were woven together at the story’s conclusion, although some of us felt this was rather rushed. However, like all good fairy stories, the ending is satisfactory: happiness tinged with the acceptance of sorrow.
The book was scored 8.4 with everyone enjoying it to some degree. Our next meeting is Friday 28th August when the book to be discussed is ‘The Salt Path’ by Robert Winn. (Many thanks to Kathy for this report)
Book Club have had to find new ways to ‘meet’ during lockdown. Members have persevered with technology and worked out how to take part in monthly Book Club Meetings on Zoom, plus weekly catch up meeting just for a chat. The format of the meetings has stayed the same with a summary of the book, a biography of the author and a good discussion of everyone’s thoughts, before setting the world to rights. The latest book was ‘The Immortalists: If you knew the date of your death, how would you live?’ a thought provoking novel by American Author Chloe Benjamin, that provided lively discussion!
Although we haven’t had our usual Monthly Meetings at The Murley Hall we have been able to get together on Zoom for a different version of our WI. This month saw a ‘live’ speaker, Trevor Wiltshire a horticulturalist from Pencarn Gardens.
Among the things Trevor spoke about was the story of Jeanne Bare, the lover of French botanist Philibert Comercon, who disguised herself as a cabin boy in order to sail on a ship circumnavigating the globe. The captain was Louis Antoine de Bougainville, for whom bougainvillea is named. But it’s possible that Jeanne Bare, a woman, was the first European to see the plants. She is also rumoured to be the first woman to circumnavigate the globe!
It was a very windy day so an easy walk was felt to be the way to go. We walked across Gwithian sands made our way back along the cliff tops to Godrevy Beach with some adventurous ladies climbing to view the seals in Seal Cove – they were not disappointed the cove was full of basking bodies. After all our efforts delicious food was enjoyed at the café in the car park. It was lovely to see some members who have not walked for a few months – it is so good to get out after what feels like a long wet winter. (Pat G)
Folded paper card making with Jackie was just one of the delightful crafts on offer at our Four Corner Craft Day. Ladies came from a number of WI’s in the area to try their hand at something new. Lynne led a jewellery workshop using wire, beads and stones for an unusual effect, Val taught her group how to sew a pin cushiion in the shape of a bonnet and Charlotte showed how gingham and simple cross stitch are used for Chickem Scratch embroidery. With tasty soups and rolls and, of course, a delicious array of cakes it was the most enjoyable of days. Well done to Pat G for organising and to all those who helped.
It was the first meeting of our new Craft Club this week. Members met at Val P’s house and made stylish aprons which they then modelled above Sennen Cove. Well done everyone. We look forward to seeing what they make next month.
Ten of us assembled at the car park beside Hayle Swimming Pool – David Chapman, our guide, then took us along St. George’s Walk . What a variety of birds we saw as we ambled along the waterside! There were as many in the bushes as on the pool flats (the tide being out). Some of the group had very sharp eyes and several unusual birds were noted – the kingfisher being one. After a couple of hours besides Copperhouse Pool we then ventured across to the Hide behind the Causeway. After a short stop for a refreshment break, David took everyone across the road to view the birds just off the Causeway into Hayle. David is so informative he makes it a very enjoyable experience, it’s as if the birds come out to sing for him – cannot recommend enough this bird watching experience. (Pat G)
The birds spotted were: Kingfisher, widgeon, curlew, cormorant ,little egret, black-headed gull, herring gull, mute swan, robin, blackcap, blue tit, wood pigeon, blackbird, firecrest ,bullfinch, chaffinch ,dunnock, oyster catchers, shelduck, tuft, teal, pied wagtail, mallard, bar tailed godwit, red breasted merganser, egret, buzzard, jackdaw, great black-back gull ,Mediterranean gull, lesser black-back gull, redshank, rock pipit, Canada geese, chiffchaff, raven and heron.
What an excellent turnout for the first Coffee Beans of 2020! Members met at The Godolphin in Marazion on a beautifully sunny morning for great coffee and a good catchup after the seasonal festivities.
Crowlas & Ludgvan WI 