Reports of meetings in 2021
15th December 2021
We did not anticipate that we would ever have to resort to using Zoom again, but that’s exactly what happened this month. After meeting face to face since July everyone thought it was a given that we would be having our customary Christmas party, albeit making it a little more Covid secure by not having a bring & share buffet. However, we hadn’t allowed for the stealth of the omicron variant and so a plan B had to be thought up, with less than 48 hours to go!
It was just as well we hadn’t made grand plans for refreshments, so our cancelled meet up didn’t cause too much hassle in that department, but it was a shame not to be able to participate in a Secret Santa and the thought we might have to abandon the traditional table decoration competition and collective Christmas card was disappointing – so we didn’t!
Everyone who had made a table decoration managed to present their creations, which were very diverse indeed - in fact there was a small break in proceedings while Jai gave an impromptu tutorial on book folding – but the entry finally judged to be the winner was festive arrangement Sheila had made, all the foliage used taken from her garden. She will now be the holder of the Rose Bowl for the next 12 months.
It was a real shame was that the 2021 collective Christmas card could only be viewed virtually too this year because Mel G., had been asked to produce it. Mel is one of our own, but also a member of the GSA (Gloucestershire Society of Artists) and had created a small masterpiece, featuring our planter on the High Street. A really lovely, personalised work of art as you can see from the image.
The collective Christmas card is a something we adopted a few years ago. It stops members having to give each other individual cards, thus avoiding waste, all the while benefiting a good cause. Members make a small donation to sign it and nominate their favourite charity to be the beneficiary of all the money collected. This year, because of the circumstances, it was decided to go ahead with a draw and make the card itself a prize for one lucky member. Katie was fortunate in having her name picked out to receive the card and the Alzheimer’s Society was the charity selected to receive a donation from us all.
Katie being the winner did seem appropriate because she had prepared a quiz for the evening, which from past experience was known to work well on Zoom. Also, several members had accepted the invitation to read a Christmas poem so we enjoyed a few of these too, including the Gloucestershire version of “The Night Before Christmas”.
All in all, we adapted very well to the unexpected obstacle thrown in front of us and managed to meet for a Christmas social, despite it being a short notice change of plan. We continue to stay positive and look forward to all coming together again in 2022.
It was just as well we hadn’t made grand plans for refreshments, so our cancelled meet up didn’t cause too much hassle in that department, but it was a shame not to be able to participate in a Secret Santa and the thought we might have to abandon the traditional table decoration competition and collective Christmas card was disappointing – so we didn’t!
Everyone who had made a table decoration managed to present their creations, which were very diverse indeed - in fact there was a small break in proceedings while Jai gave an impromptu tutorial on book folding – but the entry finally judged to be the winner was festive arrangement Sheila had made, all the foliage used taken from her garden. She will now be the holder of the Rose Bowl for the next 12 months.
It was a real shame was that the 2021 collective Christmas card could only be viewed virtually too this year because Mel G., had been asked to produce it. Mel is one of our own, but also a member of the GSA (Gloucestershire Society of Artists) and had created a small masterpiece, featuring our planter on the High Street. A really lovely, personalised work of art as you can see from the image.
The collective Christmas card is a something we adopted a few years ago. It stops members having to give each other individual cards, thus avoiding waste, all the while benefiting a good cause. Members make a small donation to sign it and nominate their favourite charity to be the beneficiary of all the money collected. This year, because of the circumstances, it was decided to go ahead with a draw and make the card itself a prize for one lucky member. Katie was fortunate in having her name picked out to receive the card and the Alzheimer’s Society was the charity selected to receive a donation from us all.
Katie being the winner did seem appropriate because she had prepared a quiz for the evening, which from past experience was known to work well on Zoom. Also, several members had accepted the invitation to read a Christmas poem so we enjoyed a few of these too, including the Gloucestershire version of “The Night Before Christmas”.
All in all, we adapted very well to the unexpected obstacle thrown in front of us and managed to meet for a Christmas social, despite it being a short notice change of plan. We continue to stay positive and look forward to all coming together again in 2022.
17th November 2021
After the business of our AGM was completed, we welcomed Claudi Williams from Stroud District Action on Plastic to talk to us about the origins of this group and to offer advice as to how we can reduce our reliance on plastic in our everyday lives.
Claudi became very aware of plastic pollution during a family holiday several years ago. She was visiting a beach in the Mediterranean which looked beautiful and pristine but as soon as she entered the sea for a swim, she discovered a hidden horror lurking beneath the surface and found herself surrounded in plastic waste. Claudi was repulsed by the experience that on her return home she started to investigate the impact of plastic waste on the environment in more detail.
The facts she uncovered were shocking and gave her the motivation to take the decision to live plastic free for a year. Although her family were in complete agreement, they soon discovered this was not an easy task. However, they rose to the challenge and completed it and, along the way, managed to find alternatives that were not only comparable but, in some instances more favourable.
|The experience gave Claudi the incentive to form the volunteer group that is now known as Stroud District Action on Plastic (SDAP), a community group run by volunteers who strive to give individuals, communities and businesses guidance on how to reduce their dependence on single use plastic and to reduce their plastic footprint. They have an excellent website that is designed to help anyone who is interested in their aims and objectives. Visit https://www.actiononplastic.org to source all sorts of information and more on the subject.
The Women’s Institute has itself campaigned on such issues and it is good to have had another opportunity to raise our awareness on how plastic – especially single use plastics – can have such a bad, long-lasting effect on the environment.
Claudi became very aware of plastic pollution during a family holiday several years ago. She was visiting a beach in the Mediterranean which looked beautiful and pristine but as soon as she entered the sea for a swim, she discovered a hidden horror lurking beneath the surface and found herself surrounded in plastic waste. Claudi was repulsed by the experience that on her return home she started to investigate the impact of plastic waste on the environment in more detail.
The facts she uncovered were shocking and gave her the motivation to take the decision to live plastic free for a year. Although her family were in complete agreement, they soon discovered this was not an easy task. However, they rose to the challenge and completed it and, along the way, managed to find alternatives that were not only comparable but, in some instances more favourable.
|The experience gave Claudi the incentive to form the volunteer group that is now known as Stroud District Action on Plastic (SDAP), a community group run by volunteers who strive to give individuals, communities and businesses guidance on how to reduce their dependence on single use plastic and to reduce their plastic footprint. They have an excellent website that is designed to help anyone who is interested in their aims and objectives. Visit https://www.actiononplastic.org to source all sorts of information and more on the subject.
The Women’s Institute has itself campaigned on such issues and it is good to have had another opportunity to raise our awareness on how plastic – especially single use plastics – can have such a bad, long-lasting effect on the environment.
20th October 2021
Our speaker this evening had been booked to visit us pre-Covid 19 in October 2020, so it gave us great pleasure to be able to greet Malcolm Watkins in person one year on. Malcolm, a former Strategic Cultural Manager for Gloucester City Council, gave us a talk on a small, curious object that had been buried 30 feet deep in the ground for hundreds of years, until digging the foundations to an extension of Gloucester Shire Hall in the 1960s brought it to the surface. This tiny pottery doll captured Malcolm’s attention and imagination and his research has taken him to Belgium; Germany and The Netherlands in the pursuit to broaden his knowledge on where, how and why it was made.
His research has revealed it to be utterly unique, being the only one having been found completely intact. His visits to Europe have pinned down the date it was produced, back to Tudor times when of Henry VIII was on the English throne. However, its purpose does remain a bit of a mystery. Malcolm is convinced that it is a doll after studying continental drawings including references to the sale of similar objects on toy stalls and seeing paintings of that period showing children holding dolls – not dolls as we know them now, but obviously a representation of a toy figurine.
Malcolm hinted that because this particular model was so well made it might have been made for the children of royalty and it was tempting to believe that it might have been the play thing of the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth during a visit to Gloucester. Maybe, or maybe not but, whatever, we loved that theory.
Malcolm had a replica available to us to see and handle and there were mixed feelings on its appearance but it cannot be denied that the find was truly remarkable. The original remains in the collection within the Gloucester City Museum.
His research has revealed it to be utterly unique, being the only one having been found completely intact. His visits to Europe have pinned down the date it was produced, back to Tudor times when of Henry VIII was on the English throne. However, its purpose does remain a bit of a mystery. Malcolm is convinced that it is a doll after studying continental drawings including references to the sale of similar objects on toy stalls and seeing paintings of that period showing children holding dolls – not dolls as we know them now, but obviously a representation of a toy figurine.
Malcolm hinted that because this particular model was so well made it might have been made for the children of royalty and it was tempting to believe that it might have been the play thing of the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth during a visit to Gloucester. Maybe, or maybe not but, whatever, we loved that theory.
Malcolm had a replica available to us to see and handle and there were mixed feelings on its appearance but it cannot be denied that the find was truly remarkable. The original remains in the collection within the Gloucester City Museum.
16th September 2021
It was wonderful to be back together in our old home, Stonehouse Community Centre, for our September meeting. We had 20 members including 2 new ones and 3 visitors, also it was so good to welcome back Veronica and Carolyn.
We were greatly entertained with warmth and humour by Margaret Daniels, The Bard of Barnwood, very much in the style of Pam Ayres.
There were tales about her 2 children, first days at school, scraped knees, and nativity play disasters, then poignant ones about growing up and going off to university, and the feeling of loss, and fun ones about shopping, driving and of course her dear husband. One particular one called 'choices' about the daunting array of drinks on offer in supermarkets was very popular.
She ended with a lovely tribute to her beloved Gloucestershire and Cotswolds, which she was proud to say had been spoken at several funerals and once she was asked to read it.
All through her readings there was a general feeling of happiness and enjoyment rippling around the room, a really happy evening, thank you Margaret.
We were greatly entertained with warmth and humour by Margaret Daniels, The Bard of Barnwood, very much in the style of Pam Ayres.
There were tales about her 2 children, first days at school, scraped knees, and nativity play disasters, then poignant ones about growing up and going off to university, and the feeling of loss, and fun ones about shopping, driving and of course her dear husband. One particular one called 'choices' about the daunting array of drinks on offer in supermarkets was very popular.
She ended with a lovely tribute to her beloved Gloucestershire and Cotswolds, which she was proud to say had been spoken at several funerals and once she was asked to read it.
All through her readings there was a general feeling of happiness and enjoyment rippling around the room, a really happy evening, thank you Margaret.
21st July 2021
Our speaker this evening was Alma Hageman, the Prisoner Support Project Manager of the Rubies-wellbeing group, based in HMP Eastwood Park, Falfield. This group consists of ladies aged 50 years old and older. They make up a small proportion of the population of the prison and because in general people of this age tend to be less able bodied, or suffer from medical complications/mental health issues, these ladies are in need of more specialist support than others. They are also in the main less vocal than the younger generation, so Alma can be their voice when otherwise they would be unheard.
HMP Eastwood Park is a female, closed prison and despite it being classed as local, in fact the catchment area is huge; women are transferred there as far afield as the tip of Cornwall; the west coast of South Wales and up into the Midlands. This in itself presents a major obstacle for families wanting to visit relatives and so a feeling of isolation is very common within the detainees. Of course, it goes without saying that this is just one problem alongside many, many others they encounter causing low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, which presents itself in many forms including, sadly, self-harm and suicide attempts.
Alma’s talk was very emotive and she herself confessed to at times being able to offer very little help to her “Rubies”, as she called them and sometimes ends her day just being content with having being able to make someone smile. However, there is no doubting her passion and commitment to try and make a difference to her group of ladies and their welfare.
Listening to Alma on this challenging subject was difficult and yet it was compelling to hear. It is sometimes good to reflect on such grim issues and Alma’s mission was to convey how harsh the prison system is for these women and how it needs “fixing”. She also shared some poems and articles composed by her group members so that we could appreciate there is always a different side to every story and, rather viewing these unfortunate women with scorn, we should emphasize and view them with compassion and as individuals needing understanding and our help. A very well received talk, despite the thorny content.
HMP Eastwood Park is a female, closed prison and despite it being classed as local, in fact the catchment area is huge; women are transferred there as far afield as the tip of Cornwall; the west coast of South Wales and up into the Midlands. This in itself presents a major obstacle for families wanting to visit relatives and so a feeling of isolation is very common within the detainees. Of course, it goes without saying that this is just one problem alongside many, many others they encounter causing low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, which presents itself in many forms including, sadly, self-harm and suicide attempts.
Alma’s talk was very emotive and she herself confessed to at times being able to offer very little help to her “Rubies”, as she called them and sometimes ends her day just being content with having being able to make someone smile. However, there is no doubting her passion and commitment to try and make a difference to her group of ladies and their welfare.
Listening to Alma on this challenging subject was difficult and yet it was compelling to hear. It is sometimes good to reflect on such grim issues and Alma’s mission was to convey how harsh the prison system is for these women and how it needs “fixing”. She also shared some poems and articles composed by her group members so that we could appreciate there is always a different side to every story and, rather viewing these unfortunate women with scorn, we should emphasize and view them with compassion and as individuals needing understanding and our help. A very well received talk, despite the thorny content.
16th June 2021
e are still relying on Zoom to hold our meetings, but we took it as an opportunity to share some of the vintage photographs that we own and treasure. Nowadays the majority of us have a mobile phone in our pocket, or purse and an image can be captured in an instant but of course, back in the day, this was a very unlikely occurrence. To take a photograph meant that you had to have a camera and each shot was considered and mainly taken on special occasions – especially when the costs involved weren’t cheap.
In the main it was these types of photos that members revealed to each other. There was a assortment of pictures to view, mostly in traditional form, all black & white images, although every one of them had a lovely, colourful story to go with it.
The selection was varied, ranging from retro family portraits; seaside and childhood scenes and buildings from an age gone by. All evoked special memories plus there were some very interesting historical connections too.
However, one member did point us in the direction of the internet, to a site her brother had created where he stored all his memorable items in a very innovative way. He had photographed all the physical things that had been special to him during his lifetime and displayed them in a virtual gallery on a blog. The way forward maybe?
It was once again a very sociable and enjoyable evening. We think this might be our last virtual meeting and in July we can meet again face to face in the Community Centre which will be lovely, but we have to admit that the Zoom meetings we’ve shared during our time apart have, in a strange way, brought us closer together because it has given us opportunities to share more personal stories - a big positive during the uncertainty of the consequences of Covid-19.
In the main it was these types of photos that members revealed to each other. There was a assortment of pictures to view, mostly in traditional form, all black & white images, although every one of them had a lovely, colourful story to go with it.
The selection was varied, ranging from retro family portraits; seaside and childhood scenes and buildings from an age gone by. All evoked special memories plus there were some very interesting historical connections too.
However, one member did point us in the direction of the internet, to a site her brother had created where he stored all his memorable items in a very innovative way. He had photographed all the physical things that had been special to him during his lifetime and displayed them in a virtual gallery on a blog. The way forward maybe?
It was once again a very sociable and enjoyable evening. We think this might be our last virtual meeting and in July we can meet again face to face in the Community Centre which will be lovely, but we have to admit that the Zoom meetings we’ve shared during our time apart have, in a strange way, brought us closer together because it has given us opportunities to share more personal stories - a big positive during the uncertainty of the consequences of Covid-19.
19th May 2021
This month was significantly different to any of our previous Zoom meetings because it was hands on with Angie Spring who joined in to tutor us in the art of felt making. Angie had made up individual packs containing all the materials needed to get us going. These had been distributed earlier in the month with the monthly newsletter so that on the night we were good to go. They contained a bath sponge; a (very sharp) felting needle; a piece of backing material and small samples of merino wool in a variety of bright colours.
Angie was very patient and gave us all plenty of time and advice to enable us to create a small panel featuring a felt design. All in all, even if the end products could not be classed as fine art, the process was very enjoyable. It is absorbing and yet you can still chat while you work - so appropriate for our membership. Some of our ladies were already proficient in this craft and had the ability to produce some 3D work (something which the majority of us aspire too). Take a look at the gallery below to see the results of this very enjoyable evening.
Angie was very patient and gave us all plenty of time and advice to enable us to create a small panel featuring a felt design. All in all, even if the end products could not be classed as fine art, the process was very enjoyable. It is absorbing and yet you can still chat while you work - so appropriate for our membership. Some of our ladies were already proficient in this craft and had the ability to produce some 3D work (something which the majority of us aspire too). Take a look at the gallery below to see the results of this very enjoyable evening.
21 April 2021
April has a significance for us as a group because it is the month that Stonehouse WI was formed in 1968 – yes, we have been sharing, caring and doing amazing things together for 53 years now and, although this is the second lockdown birthday we’ve had to celebrate, we it was not going to pass without a proper acknowledgement. We’ll just have to look ahead to when we can enjoy some of Wendy’s cake and tea in 2022.
Members had been asked to create a birthday card, with the Bud Vase as a reward, but the decision couldn’t be made if either Jackie or Judith should be awarded the honour, so a compromise was reached and they will be sharing the title between them and be keeper of the Bud Vase for six months each.
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Members had been asked to create a birthday card, with the Bud Vase as a reward, but the decision couldn’t be made if either Jackie or Judith should be awarded the honour, so acompromise was reached and they will be sharing the title between them and be keeper of the Bud Vase for six months each.
April is now the new normal for subscription renewal for the WI and it is wonderful to be able to report that our membership remains at 25 despite the difficulties of holding everything together over the last year - a fantastic sign of the loyalty of our members.
As we are still holding virtual meetings on Zoom it was decided to have another of Katie’s quizzes. She did a marvellous job of generating bespoke questions and this time was no exception. For instance, this time she included sets of questions covering local knowledge; the year 1968 and birthdays. Also, she manages to make them quite quirky which allows for everyone to score even if there are gaps in their knowledge, so it’s quite possible for a good guesser can do well. However, the winner on this occasion was somebody who did have excellent knowledge, especially on world landmarks it seems – Liza was our victor on this occasion. No prize could be awarded of course, but just taking part, for the fun of it, was reward in itself.
April is now the new normal for subscription renewal for the WI and it is wonderful to be able to report that our membership remains at 25 despite the difficulties of holding everything together over the last year - a fantastic sign of the loyalty of our members.
As we are still holding virtual meetings on Zoom it was decided to have another of Katie’s quizzes. She did a marvellous job of generating bespoke questions and this time was no exception. For instance, this time she included sets of questions covering local knowledge; the year 1968 and birthdays. Also, she manages to make them quite quirky which allows for everyone to score even if there are gaps in their knowledge, so it’s quite possible for a good guesser can do well. However, the winner on this occasion was somebody who did have excellent knowledge, especially on world landmarks it seems – Liza was our victor on this occasion. No prize could be awarded of course, but just taking part, for the fun of it, was reward in itself.
17th March 2021
Lockdown Bingo seemed the ideal game to bring to our group while we were still hunkered down in our homes so it was “eyes down” for all of us this month. There were some token prizes on offer but, as they say, it was not about the winning it was taking part that was the focus.
Bingo cards had been distributed in the previous month so everyone was equipped and ready to play at the given time. Marlene was the caller and there was much mirth at the phrases she used when presenting the numbers – she had obviously done her research.
We managed to play five games in total, but it has to be said that the big Bingo halls have nothing to worry about the competition when they are able to re-open as the speed of our games were closer to the tortoise than the hare!
What the heck, to be truthful this was just an excuse to meet up and socialise which we always do well and this evening was no exception. In between games we caught up with the chat and shared tips on how to find the best viewings on You Tube. It was also a great opportunity to promote the County Annual Meeting this year taking place on March 24th (virtually of course) because this will be a first for Janice our member, who just happens to be County Chair as well. Good luck with that Janice!
We are still in the grip of the Government’s restrictions but there is a glimmer of hope in the distance that keeps us all determined to Keep Calm and Carry on.
Bingo cards had been distributed in the previous month so everyone was equipped and ready to play at the given time. Marlene was the caller and there was much mirth at the phrases she used when presenting the numbers – she had obviously done her research.
We managed to play five games in total, but it has to be said that the big Bingo halls have nothing to worry about the competition when they are able to re-open as the speed of our games were closer to the tortoise than the hare!
What the heck, to be truthful this was just an excuse to meet up and socialise which we always do well and this evening was no exception. In between games we caught up with the chat and shared tips on how to find the best viewings on You Tube. It was also a great opportunity to promote the County Annual Meeting this year taking place on March 24th (virtually of course) because this will be a first for Janice our member, who just happens to be County Chair as well. Good luck with that Janice!
We are still in the grip of the Government’s restrictions but there is a glimmer of hope in the distance that keeps us all determined to Keep Calm and Carry on.
17th February 2021
If ever there is a gap in our programme, we have always found room for a “Show & Tell” evening. There is a tendency amongst adults to link this to child’s play, but we have found over the years that holding one makes for a very enjoyable, sociable evening – and this year we have discovered how well it fits into lockdown restrictions too!
Our Zoom meeting for February was really good, on so many levels. Five of the 18 ladies that joined in the group chat presented their mystery items, among which were some vintage books; a shell covered bowl; an invitation from HRH Prince Charles at Highgrove; a handmade thank you card from Chernobyl and a box of heirloom treasures.
There is always an extremely fascinating, personal story attached to any of the things that appear on the night but, not only that, the item usually sparks a discussion among others that is very interesting to hear. Sometimes it might be that someone remembers owning a similar thing; or somebody recalls a time when a certain event happened, whatever, the conversation inevitably opens up and more than just the history of the object is revealed. This evening was certainly no exception. For instance, who knew that so many of our members had met royalty along their way?
All in all, we discovered that every member in Stonehouse WI is remarkable (although we knew that already really). They each have a back story that make others marvel – it just takes the right place and the right time for it to surface and this type of evening is perfect for such an occasion.
Long live “Show & Tell”
Our Zoom meeting for February was really good, on so many levels. Five of the 18 ladies that joined in the group chat presented their mystery items, among which were some vintage books; a shell covered bowl; an invitation from HRH Prince Charles at Highgrove; a handmade thank you card from Chernobyl and a box of heirloom treasures.
There is always an extremely fascinating, personal story attached to any of the things that appear on the night but, not only that, the item usually sparks a discussion among others that is very interesting to hear. Sometimes it might be that someone remembers owning a similar thing; or somebody recalls a time when a certain event happened, whatever, the conversation inevitably opens up and more than just the history of the object is revealed. This evening was certainly no exception. For instance, who knew that so many of our members had met royalty along their way?
All in all, we discovered that every member in Stonehouse WI is remarkable (although we knew that already really). They each have a back story that make others marvel – it just takes the right place and the right time for it to surface and this type of evening is perfect for such an occasion.
Long live “Show & Tell”
2oth JANUARY 2021
2021 is starting pretty much how 2020 finished and we find ourselves in a third lockdown and, of course, the “stay at home” restrictions means that we have no other option than to conduct both our committee and monthly meetings virtually (thank goodness for Zoom).
Luckily, our committee members have active imaginations and planned a virtual Scavenger Hunt for January. Sheila took on the task to compile a few lists of objects that could be found around the home – some quite easy to find, others needing a bit more head scratching.
The evening can only be described delightfully disorderly. It was a fun time with everyone managing to find something to fit the brief but excitement did run over a little and Sheila had to reign everyone in a few times. Anyway, the end result was that everyone had the chance to natter and have a bit of merriment on a dark, wet night – without leaving the comfort of their own home. Result!
Luckily, our committee members have active imaginations and planned a virtual Scavenger Hunt for January. Sheila took on the task to compile a few lists of objects that could be found around the home – some quite easy to find, others needing a bit more head scratching.
The evening can only be described delightfully disorderly. It was a fun time with everyone managing to find something to fit the brief but excitement did run over a little and Sheila had to reign everyone in a few times. Anyway, the end result was that everyone had the chance to natter and have a bit of merriment on a dark, wet night – without leaving the comfort of their own home. Result!