Crowlas & Ludgvan WI

Craftiness on the Moodle

February 7, 2015November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

I wonder if you all know how many wonderful crafty resources are available on the WI Moodle!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the Moodle, let me explain. It stands for Modular Object Orientated Dynamic Learning Environment. That’s quite a mouthful and doesn’t really do the Moodle justice. Really it’s an area of the NFWI website which is restricted to WI members and which enables you to view information, download documents, communicate with other members and learn new skills.

As well as committee training information, the Moodle contains a wealth of information about everything to do with the WI. But I want to talk about crafts here.

There’s a blog written by NFWI’s Craft Adviser and which is full of crafty news. There’s a calendar of craft shows and exhibitions around the country. There’s also a forum where you can chat with other WI members and exchange projects, patterns, etc. Some people are even offering items for sale!

The best bit, however, is the list of projects available. Some are simple, some intermediate and some require more skill – so there’s something for everyone! The projects range from knitted items, like these lovely bunnies:

… to beautiful fabric-covered lampshades like these:

There are instructions for creating birthday cards, making a crochet hat, upcycling old clothing, making a cake topper for Valentine’s Day and beading a necklace.

To access the Moodle, you will need a password. This ensures that it’s a ‘safe’ area and is only for us, the WI members. To get a password, drop Helen a line on crowlasludgvanwi@gmail.com and she’ll request one for you. You’ll have it in 24 hours and will be on your way to crafty fun in no time!

Centenary Baton Watch … Isle of Wight!

February 1, 2015November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

Last week, the Centenary Baton was on the Isle of Wight.

Members held a celebration at Yarmouth Castle:

And members of Rookley WI created a very special Centenary cake!

Our First Walk of the New Year

January 23, 2015November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

Despite the rain, six members completed the five-mile circular walk from Falmouth on Wednesday. The first half took us through quiet streets and lanes to Swanpool. Shortly before Swanpool the rain stopped and we were able to enjoy the wonderful views of the beaches, Pendennis Castle and St Mawes.

Our reward was a big bowl of soup in the cafe at Gyllyngvase Beach! Highly recommended. The rest of the walk followed the coastal path back to our cars.

Our next walk is from St Ives and is on 11th February. If you’d like to join the group, send us an email on crowlasludgvanwi@gmail.com.

Centenary Baton Watch! … Hampshire

January 22, 2015November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

By vintage bus and fire engine, on horseback and by boat – the Centenary Baton continued its journey with a visit to Hampshire last week.

The baton was welcomed to Hampshire with a hand-off from the West Sussex Federation. Click here to listen to a BBC clip of the Mayor of Havant welcoming the baton to Hampshire, and then to Hampshire Federation baton coordinator Ros Cooper who describes the baton as “terribly unexciting, really”!

Staunton WI members dressed as suffragettes for the occasion.

Hampshire_19 Jan_1 — Hampshire WI member Zoe Stanley brings the baton to West Tytherley Primary School on horseback.The baton made its way from Twyford into Winchester city centre on Friday, with a torch-lit procession taking place down to the High Street to the Guildhall.

The baton made its way from Twyford into Winchester city centre on Friday, with a torch-lit procession taking place down to the High Street to the Guildhall.

The Winchester leg started on Thursday with a celebration in Alresford. Branch chairman Gill Graham Maw carried the baton from Basingstoke in a 1979 AA van and was greeted with cheers and clapping.

Alresford WI chairman Gill Graham holds the baton

Copythorne WI held a party at the village hall, with all members suitably costumed.

Feast meeting!

January 21, 2015November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

This year’s Feast meeting was a great success. The Murley Hall was about as full as it’s ever been as members enjoyed a curry supper with the usual splendid array of desserts to follow.

After our meal, we were entertained by stories from Shanty Baba.

To top it all off, we collected boxes and bags full of items to take to the Penzance food bank. Well done, everyone!

Click here to see more photos of the night.

Centenary Baton Watch! … East Sussex and West Sussex

January 15, 2015November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

The baton has been in East Sussex and West Sussex over Christmas.

Baton handover from Kent, East Kent Federation to East Suffolk Federation

Kathryn Hutson, East Sussex County Chairman, accompanied by three members from the Board of Trustees, travelled on a bright but chilly day to New Romney. After a short trip on the steam driven Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway from New Romney to Dungeness and back, the Centenary Baton was handed over to Kathryn by Marion Rose, County Chairman of Kent, East Kent Federation.

Members of the East Sussex Federation pose with the baton,

On 6 January, the baton was passed to West Sussex at Balcombe Victory Hall.

Other West Sussex events included a craft-themed evening and a party held by Renaissance WI.

The ladies of Renaissance WI. — The ladies of Renaissance WI

To top it off, a member of Worthing WI created this incredible Centenary Baton cake. The cake was raffled with the proceeds going to the establishment of a Denman bursary for local members.

Our first Coffee Beans meet-up of 2015

January 10, 2015November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

The poor woman making and serving coffee at Johnny’s in Hayle didn’t know what hit her on Friday when about 20 of us descended on her!

We took over the place and spent a lovely couple of hours catching up on all the holiday news.

If you missed it, stay tuned for an update about February’s Coffee Beans and do try to come along and join in the fun.

Christmas Lunch in St Ives

December 17, 2014November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

On Monday we celebrated Christmas in style with a wonderful lunch at the St Ives Harbour Hotel.

We all arrived by bus or train …

and made ourselves comfortable in the bar before lunch.

At lunch, the usual hilarity ensued and a happy and noisy time was had by all!

We’re very sorry for those of you who weren’t able to be there because of work commitments. But next year our Christmas meal will be in the evening, so you won’t miss out!

Click here to see more photos of our lunch. Thank you to Helen, Joy, Polly, Sue and Wendy for all the photos.

Christmas Book Group meeting

December 17, 2014November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

Our Book Group closed out another successful year with a jolly gathering at Shirley’s house.

If you’re interested in joining the group or popping in to see what their monthly meetings are all about, contact Colleen Lewis on (01736) 363141 or by email on colleen@lewispz.co.uk.

Here’s wishing you all a happy 2015 full of wonderful reading!

Christmas Floral Arts with Shirley!

December 12, 2014November 28, 2015 crowlasludgvanwi

Ten of us had a thoroughly enjoyable day making Christmas decorations led by Shirley Battle.

We each made a ring – some of which will hang outside as wreaths and some which will be table centres. We also made an arrangement incorporating a candle and a third arrangement made over the top of a glass container with decorations inside.

Shirley demonstrated each one and then we were let loose to do our own. At the end of the day we had three tables containing 30 different Christmas decorations!

It was a very relaxing day with the usual chatter and cups of coffee to help us on our way.

Thank you so much to Shirley for providing such good instruction and to Lis for organising the day.