Author: crowlasludgvanwi

Annual Council Meeting – and accolades for one of our own!

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A veritable herd of Crowlas & Ludgvan members descended on the Hall for Cornwall today for this year’s Annual Council Meeting.

CFWI Chairman Kathy Reed takes the helm at the Hall for Cornwall for the last time
CFWI Chairman Kathy Reed takes the helm at the Hall for Cornwall for the last time

Guest speaker was Mandy Hickson, a former RAF fighter pilot, who gave us a highly entertaining and inspirational talk.

Mandy Hickson
Mandy Hickson

But the highlight for us was seeing Alison Latham receive the West Briton Cup from NFWI Chair Janice Langley! The West Briton Cup is awarded annually to a first-year press officer – we’re all so proud of Alison for getting the recognition she deserves for her hard work and the brilliant press coverage we’ve received!

NFWI President Janice Langley presents Alison Latham with the West Briton Cup
NFWI Chair Janice Langley presents Alison Latham with the West Briton Cup

The winner of the centenary baton cushion competition was announced during the meeting and, sadly, Sue Knights’s cushion didn’t win. However, we all thought it was incredibly clever and we’d have been proud to see it chosen.

Have a look here at some of the cushions created by talented woman from all over Cornwall:

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This was the last meeting led by outgoing CFWI Chair Kathy Reed, and she will be missed! She was given a big bouquet and a giant card signed by everyone at the meeting. It was also the last meeting for Treasurer (and Crowlas & Ludgvan WI member) Beth Marshall. We congratulate Beth on her years of hard work as Treasurer – those will be big shoes to fill!

You’ll be getting a full report about the Annual Council Meeting from delegate Hilary Elliff at our meeting on 20 October, so don’t miss it!

#iamwi

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iamwi_15 iamwi_1 iamwi_11Today, October 1st, was a very special day for the WI in the world of social networking. We set about to dispel all the old stereotypes about WI women and to show the world that we come from all walks of life, are women of all ages and we’re also a little bit nuts.

WI members were asked to take ‘selfies’ of themselves holding signs saying “I am WI” and to post them on Facebook with an #iamwi tag. Women from all over the country joined in!

Here are some of our favourite photos:

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If you haven’t posted your photo yet, it’s not too late! Get that phone or camera out and snap away, then post your picture here.

Nordic walking at Trelissick

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Some of our Crowlas & Ludgvan members recently took part in CFWI’s Nordic Walking day, set in the beautiful Trelissick Estate. It was a lovely day with Shirley, Mary, Val, Julie and Pat all excited about learning to walk in the ‘Nordic Way’.

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Learning the fundamentals of Nordic walking at Trelissick

The event was held in conjunction with Walk Kernow, a local Nordic walking group. The organisers were pleasant and accommodating and the woman who demonstrated the rudiments of Nordic walking was very competent. She explained the importance of the correct use of the sticks, the health benefits and outlined the various walks that Walk Kernow organise throughout Cornwall.

There are various levels of Nordic walking – a 15 mile walk takes place next May. Being Crowlas & Ludgvan WI ladies, we felt we could manage the 15 miles and all five of us are seriously considering signing up for a workshop to get us started. Unfortunately, the session at Trelissick only lasted 30 minutes and we did not in fact do any Nordic walking, but were just given a talk on the techniques.

– Reported by Pat Gloyn

Julie, Mary, Val and Shirley enjoy a coffee at Trelissick
Julie, Mary, Val and Shirley enjoy a coffee at Trelissick

Who fancies a quiz?

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Would anyone like to go to Connor Downs & Gwithian WI’s annual quiz? We can enter a team of four, and so far it’s just Helen and Kathy. If you’d like to join them, please drop us an email on crowlasludgvanwi@gmail.com.

The quiz is on Friday 7 November at 7pm at Connor Downs WI Hall and is always a great night out. The cost to enter is £8 per team (or £2 a person if we can put together a team of four).

We fielded a team last year and came a more than respectable third. But let’s try to improve on it this year!

Artists in the Making

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Today eight of us met at the Murley Hall for a day’s instruction with portraiture artist Tamsin Dearing. Tamsin had promised that she could teach anyone to draw, but I must admit some of us were a bit sceptical!

We started by learning some shading techniques using mechanical pencils, as well as how to use a rubber and other tools of the trade to create different effects.

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After selecting a photograph from Tamsin’s collection from which to draw, we got started. The big tip of the day was to draw upside down! That way we drew what was actually there, rather than what our eyes expected to see.

Alison works on a drawing of Stephen Fry.
Alison works on a drawing of Stephen Fry.
Lis is all smiles while working on her bird drawing.
Lis is all smiles while working on her bird drawing.

The results were remarkable! Tamsin stuck all of our drawings up on the wall so we could admire each others’ work.

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But we all agreed that Val P was the star of the day with her amazing Audrey Hepburn drawing.

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Centenary Baton Watch! … Worcestershire

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The Centenary baton has now made its way to Worcestershire where it travelled from place to place in style!

From Corbett to Droitwich, the baton was given a motorbike ride.

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Later in the week, it travelled from Kidderminster to Wolverley along the Staffordshire & Wocestershire Canal, paddled by Olympic kayak star Lucy Wainwright.

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And if that wasn’t enough excitement, the baton was also abseiled down the Abberley Clocktower by members of Abberley Clockwatchers WI!

Worcestershire is going to be a tough act to follow!

Cumbrian blanket pattern

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Those of you who were inspired by Sarah Chapman’s Cumbrian blanket last night, might be interested in having the pattern and giving it a go yourself.

Shirley was good enough to scan the pattern for us and you can see it here.

If you’ll recall, the blanket is made up of separate knitted triangles with looped edges which, when pulled together, form themselves into those beautiful and distinctive shell shapes.

And if any of you think it’s too difficult, even I was able to do it! I whipped up a triangle today and it was easy!

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