Author: crowlasludgvanwi

A CFWI Photography Day Out

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Crowlas & Ludgvan WI member Ruth Airey recently attended a CFWI session on ‘Close-Up Photography’ led by photographer David Chapman at Marsh Villas Gardens in Par. She has kindly written about it so she can share her experience of the day. (I have included some samples of the lovely photos Ruth took on the day.)

We set out early wondering quite what was going to happen as the weather wasn’t looking good.  It was raining and very, very, grey indeed with not a glimmer of bright sky anywhere, although it was very hot.

When we arrived at Marsh Villas Gardens in Par, the rain had stopped although the sun had not yet appeared. We were told that conditions were perfect for our photography. We all met in a small building for coffee where we were introduced to David Chapman.

David gave an excellent talk on the general composition of photographs and other techniques, tips and tricks. He also talked about the different styles of cameras – compact, bridge and SLR. Within the group all these were present.

Then the fun started!!!

With cameras (and tripods) at the ready we ventured out to find the weather just kept on improving. We didn’t have to move far to find subjects to practice with either as the gardens are amazing!

After a few teething problems with various different cameras (no two were alike) the gardens were invaded by ladies on a mission. David was available to help with any problems and to advise us on how to improve “that one special” shot.

It was really lovely to have time to look at what we were taking photos of instead of pointing and clicking the camera. Even those with the compact cameras were thinking about how their final photograph would turn out instead of thinking “Oh, that’s nice” I must take a picture!”

Some of us were even to be found sitting or kneeling in the wet grass to get the photograph we wanted. The results were well worth it and we soon dried out!

My husband made friends with a tiny frog (there were literally hundreds hopping across the lawns). Not only that, but the owner of the gardens gave him some mementos of the day: some logs and slices of tree for his woodwork!

Overall it was a fantastic day and one that will be remembered for a long time.

If this has inspired any of you to have a play around with your camera, you may want to join our new Camera Club. See Helen for more information.

Let’s hear it for being ‘deeply subversive’!

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Don’t forget to tune into BBC2 at 9:00pm on Monday night to watch Cake Bakers and Trouble Makers: Lucy Worsley’s 100 Years of the WI. (This might be a bit tricky for Crowlas & Ludgvan ladies as it’s our meeting night, but make sure you catch it on BBC iPlayer later on!)

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The Radio Times says:

To mark the Women’s Institute’s centenary year, historian Lucy Worsley goes beyond the stereotypes of jam and Jerusalem to reveal the surprisingly radical side of this British institution. She reveals that the WI’s humble origins in an Anglesey garden shed in 1915 were no bar to the movement’s grand ambitions to be an organisation engaged in the fight for women’s rights. She explores some of the WI’s most important campaigns, including its 1918 crusade for decent housing and its remarkably radical fight for equal pay in 1943.

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The article goes on to say:

“One hundred years old this September, the WI has managed to be both part of the establishment, and, at the same time, a deeply subversive organisation.

The WI’s long lineage as a radical campaigning body often gets overshadowed by its reputation for chutney-making and other such domestic activities.”

To back up her claims, Ms Worsley points to the motions passed at the WI’s annual general meeting, which she describes as ‘a potted history of what’s been on women’s minds from improvements in rural housing to education about venereal disease.’

Here’s a little preview of Monday evening’s programme:

 

 

Coffee Beans fundraiser at Di’s

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This morning, instead of heading out to a local cafe for our monthly Coffee Beans get-together, we all met at Di’s house to raise a bit of money for ourselves.

There were so many wonderful and delicious cakes!

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The weather couldn’t have been better to enjoy the stunning views of green and pleasant fields, not to mention the Mount, from Di’s house.

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We all had such great fun and we raised just over £100 for our funds at the same time!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support us, to everyone who baked and helped with the raffle and especially to Di for hosting!

Click here to some more photos of the morning.

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A Fabulous Screen-Printing Day

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Last Tuesday, a group of our members spent a day creating some wonderful screen-printed designs at Kiwi Printing Studios in Camborne.

Dena O’Brien of Kiwi was absolutely lovely (as well as patient!) and helped us all along the way. 

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We began by drawing a design, and then cutting it into a stencil. Our designs included everything from sheep to wine bottles to Rennie Mackintosh-inspired graphics. We worked painstakingly at our drawing and cutting, and it took us most of the morning!

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After a fortifying lunch break in the sun overlooking the fields at Dena’s beautiful studio, we were ready to tackle the rest of the job in the afternoon.

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First, we mixed up paint colours to get the shade of our choice.

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And then came the fun part – the actual printing! Using great force, we pulled squeegees along our screens, forcing the paint through and onto our design.

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The moment of truth came when we lifted our screens to reveal our prints underneath!

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In the end, we all wound up with gorgeous bags and prints and everyone was smiling!

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Thank you to Dena for her great tuition and to Val for organising the day (and bringing cake!).

Click here to see more photos of our workshop.

WI Members Speak Up about Climate Change

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Click here to read a nice blog post from NFWI about last month’s climate change lobbying day in Westminster. WI members from all over the country joined with about 9,000 other concerned citizens to share their concerns with their MPs.

The post includes a great quote from Pippa Stilwell of Zennor WI (and a lovely picture of her as well!).

Pippa Stilwell of Zennor WI talks to MP Derek Thomas about the threats posed by global warming.

 

A CFWI Walking Tour and Boat Trip in Fowey

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On Thursday, a group from Crowlas & Ludgvan WI joined in the County Trip to Fowey. The weather was mostly kind so ice creams were enjoyed by those who braved the seagulls!

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The day started with a meander around this ancient town which, thanks to its deep harbour, is still a commercial port as well as a safe mooring for many yachts. Along the way we saw the homes of Daphne Du Maurier (where she wrote Rebecca) and Kenneth Grahame. The Wind in the Willows started as a series of letters sent to his children while he and his wife enjoyed an extended holiday in Fowey.

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The narrow, steep streets wind around the grounds of Place House, home for many centuries to the Treffry family. Although very little of Tudor Fowey survives, there are many old buildings which give the town charm and character. Fishermen’s cottages (well, originally) line the riverbank with their own moorings running down to the water.

After a picnic lunch for some, and a pub lunch for others, off we went on our 45-minute boat trip up the river, down again to its mouth and then back to the harbour. The boatman’s commentary added to our pleasure, reinforcing what we had learned either during our walk or on the trip on the land train.

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A few of us finished the day by having a rollicking good time scoffing scones and cream in a tea garden.

We all had a great day; Fowey has a laid-back atmosphere, lots of cafes and interesting shops, wonderful views and lots of history. Definitely a day out to be recommended, so thank you to Pat Gloyn for arranging this wonderful outing!

Click here to see some more of Ruth’s fantastic photos of the day.

Sainsbury’s Local Charity of the Year

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You may or may not be aware that each year, Sainsbury’s selects a Local Charity of the Year to support through volunteering and fundraising activities.

If you’d like to vote from among the three shortlisted charities this year, you can either do it online or in the Penzance store. If you want to vote next time you’re in Sainsbury’s, the voting boxes are on a stand as you enter the store to the left of the community noticeboards. The online voting is very simple – just pop in your postcode and away you go!

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This year’s shortlisted charities are Cornwall Hospice Care, Cornwall Air Ambulance and Penzance Food Bank, all excellent causes. CFWI Advisor Liz Anderson is Chair of Cornwall Hospice Care and has asked that we put in a plug for her! Cornwall Air Ambulance has been our guest at one of our monthly meetings and we have all heard about the wonderful work they do. And, of course, we all bring donated items to support the Penzance Food Bank at our January meeting each year.

Voting will close at the end of this month and the chosen charity will be announced in July.

Speak Up for the Love of …

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For the love of bees, strawberries, cheese, bluebells and hedgehogs. For the local park and England’s beautiful seasons. For the food on our plates and the tea in our mugs. For the love of all the things that matter most, we’re taking climate change seriously.

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Tomorrow has been designated a day of action and celebration by the Climate Coalition as we Speak Up For The Love Of all we hold dear. People from all across the country will be coming together in our thousands to ask MPs to commit to strong action on climate change to protect all the things we love. It’s our first opportunity after the General Election to tell our newly elected representatives what matters to us in this crucial year for climate action.

The Women’s Institute is a founding member of the Climate Coalition, and WIs from all over the UK have been getting involved.

Many have been making bunting displaying all the things we love which will be affected by climate change:

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… and others will be going to London tomorrow to lobby their MPs.

You can read about one WI member’s reasons for participating here.

Don’t worry if you won’t be there. There’s lots we can all do at home to help fight climate change:

  • Improve the energy efficiency of your home: remove draughts with draft excluders, insulate the loft, hang heavy curtains over doors and windows to keep heat in, and only heat the house when you need to.
  • Reduce food miles: buy local at local farmers markets, use local veg box schemes, and grow the things you like that are a bit pricey; eat seasonally if buying in the supermarket.
  • Reduce water usage/waste and the harmful chemicals you put in it: use eco-friendly detergents for washing clothes, dishes and home, and re-use your washing up water for the garden. Use rainwater to water the garden – this reduces mains consumption and is better for the plants as rainwater is chlorine-free. Having quick showers reduces water and heat needed – win/win.
  • Promote sustainable transport: use public transport for longer journeys if you can and if you’re travelling alone; walk rather than drive to the shop/into town to meet friends; cycle if possible; share lifts if you can.
  • Reduce waste/trash: compost what I can’t eat and try not to waste food; re-usebottles/jars for home-made things and recycle anything else. Try to avoid buying anything wrapped in polystyrene or other non-recyclable packaging.

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May Walking Group

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This month’s walk started from Mylor Bridge – a very pretty village on Mylor Creek. We set off from Mill Quay admiring the lovely gardens and properties along the way.

The woods were looking their best – full of various wild flowers and even a small patch of wild orchids. The path followed the river with lovely views across to Restronguet Point and we eventually arrived at the historic Pandora Inn where we enjoyed a coffee break.

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We returned on the same route to Mill Quay where we ate our picnic and were entertained by a family of swans – two adults and seven cygnets.

Two dogs and 11 ladies were tired but happy. In the car park, a local man asked us if we had enjoyed our walk and told us he had never seen such a fit looking group of ladies! What flattery!

(Thanks for the report, Shirley, and for the photo, Mary! If any of you would like to join Shirley’s group on their June walk, make sure you have a word with her at our next meeting!)