News

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)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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.

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.