On a damp and gloomy Saturday the Murley Hall provided the setting for our first Dabble Day. Members and friends were able to try a variety of crafts in ‘Have a go’ sessions throughout the day, plus enjoy warming soups and delightful cakes in good company. Well done to Sylvia for organising everything and to all those who helped make it such a success.
Trevena Cross Garden Centre was the venue for the November Meeting of Camera Club. With so much to photograph by way of plants, pots and ornaments everyone got going on their own collection. Some chose to capture the plants, Helen concentrated on the colony of gnomes who dwell there, while Sue and Lisa caught reflections in garden mirrors. With a visit to the café to round off the trip it was a very pleasant afternoon.
A group of members plus some friends and partners had an extremely enjoyable trip to The Manor House Hotel in Devon earlier this month. They had a great time enjoying all the craft activities plus fantastic food, the spa and everything else that the hotel had to offer. 
The Murley Hall was Buzzing on Monday evening as members were joined by Charlotte Goodship from the Wheal Buzzy Project. Charlotte is Project Officer for the scheme, run by the Cornwall AONB, which aims to promote awareness and create space for solitary bees in Cornwall, particularly Cornish Mining Bees.
Members were astounded to hear that Cornwall is host to more than 190 species of bee, some of which feed on a single plant variety. Charlotte encouraged everyone to provide the three simple things that the bees need; shelter, food and water.
If you would like to know more, click to see their website HERE
From Powderham we headed to Exeter for individuals to enjoy the city. Some visited the cathedral, some the museum and lots enjoyed the opportunity for some retail therapy. With a sweet based quiz on the bus all agreed this was a great trip and we are looking forward to next year’s.
There was initial disappointment when the services of the Cornwall Air Ambulance were called upon ahead of our visit for a talk and the opportunity to meet the crew at their base at Newquay Airport, but as if on schedule, the helicopter returned just as the presentation got underway and members and accompanying friends and family were able to meet some of the crew and get up close to the second helicopter in the hangar. Donations for a delicious cream tea with home baked items, proceeds from a raffle and a donation from Crowlas and Ludgvan WI realised a total of approximately £160 to go towards this very worthy cause.
Members met at Kathy’s house to discuss their latest read: 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff.
After discussing the book, a collection of letters spanning twenty years between an American book lover and a London Bookseller, they watched the 1987 film adaptation. To everyone’s delight Kathy had prepared food from the picnic detailed in the book, Turkey sandwiches, devilled eggs and a pineapple upside down cake.
When Ludgvan School needed some help in upgrading 60 pupil chairs they knew who to turn to and contacted their local WI . President Alison Latham and committee member Val Puddiphatt went along to the school during the summer holiday to meet the Headmaster Adam Anderson and take a look at what might be involved. Always keen to take on a project, they were more than happy to help and a plea was sent out to members for their time and assistance in renovating the chairs. With a few husbands coming along too, the work took place in sessions over the holidays, stripping down the old fabric and padding and replacing it with new vibrant blue. The staff and children were delighted with the result and thanked Crowlas and Ludgvan WI with lovely letters saying how comfortable they are and how they will help them concentrate in class.
Mary, Gail and Sue model their crowns made as part of the Cakes, Craft and Camping Weekend organised by CFWI. Joining members from 16 other WI’s in decorated tents, everyone was able to choose from a fantastic variety of activities including archery, knitting, scone-making, zipwiring, pedal carting, making paper flower crowns; making stencilled bags, bushcraft, and much more. See here for more photos of the weekend.
Crowlas & Ludgvan WI 