We have another busy month ahead with activities to suit all.

Monthly Meeting Monday 13th March

This month we have the return of speaker Jane Glennie. This time, she will talk to us about ‘Violet’s Britannic Escape’. Nursing experiences during WW1 and Escape from the Titanic’s sister ship, Britannic. Brockenhurst Village Hall 7pm arrival from 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Guests welcome. 

There will be a raffle. The Competition of the Month is to bring a spring flower. We vote for our favourite by putting a silver coin by your chosen flower. These donations go to ACWW.

There will also be a short talk by Greener Brockenhurst.

On 22nd March 2023 it is the Spring Council at The Guildhall, Portsmouth, PO1 2AB 10:30am – 3:30pm Speaker Eddie ”the Eagle” Edwards. Tickets – £20 Click here for more details.

On Monday 27th March 2023 we have our trip toTrip Wealden Down. Please contact us for more information.

On Wednesday 29 March 2023 6pm until 8pm there is a Shopping Event at John Lewis i Southampton . Click here for more details.

Group Show

Saturday 25th March sees the 73rd Brockenhurst Group Craft Show. We are asking our members to consider taking part in this event. You don’t need to be a member of the craft group to take part and we know that many of you do a variety of crafts and cooking at home and have many talents that you hide under a bushel!

Please do have a look here at the categories that you can enter here and do ask Evelyn, Carole or any member of the Craft Group if you have any questions.

You will need to let Evelyn know what categories you would like to enter. It cost £1 and this covers you for multiple entries. Entries need to be taken to Evelyn’s house on Thursday 23rd March and she will take them to the show on Friday so they are ready for judging.

It is not about entering a prize-winning entry, although this would be a piece of (Simnel) cake for many of you! It is about taking part. Each entry gets points towards the overall cups. Last year we came second overall, lets see if we can get the top spot this year!

The event itself is well worth a visit on Saturday 25th March from 10.30am. As well as viewing all the entries, you can buy a cuppa and cakes and there is also a raffle with great prize hampers. The event will be held at Mary Magdalene Church Hall. Church Lane, New Milton BH25 6QL

We hope to see you and your entries there!

Craft Group

With the Group Show approaching the craft group have meeting on Friday 10th March 2023 2pm Craft Group Session at Julie’s house. All welcome. Please contact us for more information and for the location.

Friday 10th February 2023 2pm Craft Group Session at Ann H’s house. All welcome. Please contact us for more information and for the location. Please bring an egg (either hard boiled or wooden/polystyrene.

Friday 17th March 2023 1pm Beginners and Intermediate Quilting Session at Kim’s. Please contact us for more information and for the location.

Friday 31st March2023 2pm Beginners and Intermediate Quilting Session at Kim’s. Please contact us for more information and for the location.

Contact us for more information and for the locations.

Walk

Julie has arranged a walk on Wednesday 15th February at 11am from Beechern Woods car park off the Rhinefield Road in Brockenhurst. We will walk for one to two mile miles and will walk at gentle pace to suit all. The paths can be wet or muddy, so please wear appropriate footwear for all eventualities. Please sign up at Monday’s meeting or contact us with any questions or if you sign up but then can’t make it on the day.

Lunch Club

Christine K has organised a lunch at on Monday 20th March at 12.30pm at Steff’s Kitchen, Fairweathers Garden Centre, Beaulieu. Please contact us for more information. There will be sign-up sheets at our monthly meeting on 13th March. Please see Christine K is you have any questions.

Darts

The Darts team practice at The Foresters most Thursday mornings at 11am. There may not be a session on Thursday 9th, but there should be sessions on forthcoming Thursday mornings.Why not try something new, un and social! Our darts sessions are also an opportunity to make friends, have a drink and enjoy a laugh. New members welcome! Contact us for more details.

Ukraine

On Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th March Rita is opening her garden from 1pm-5pm Open Garden in Aid of New Forest for Ukraine at 7 Chestnut Road, Brockenhurst SO42 7RF. Please do support this event and tell all your friends about it.

Rita is running bandage making sessions on Wednesday mornings from 10am-12 noon. Rita would welcome your help and donations of cotton or polycotton sheets. Please bring them to the meeting or contact us.

Janice is continuing with her “Hats off for Ukraine” campaign , so please bring any warm socks, hats, gloves and scarfs to our meetings.

You can donate other items. Because of the lack of power in Ukraine, torches are especially needed. A list can be found at https://www.newforestforukraine.co.uk/requireddonations

Or you can read about the generator appeal to buy and send generators to Ukraine. Read about this here and donate at here.

Forthcoming News and Events

 In April the Competition of the month at our monthly meeting will be to bring along a photo celebrating “what makes you happy”. A photo taken within the last year. No larger than 7 x 5 “ ( 13 x 18 cm) black and white or colour but what makes you happy. This is from an entry in The New Forest Show schedule. We thought advance warning was a good idea!

The Needlework Fiesta is on the weekend of April 22nd and 23rd 2023 at the Village Hall. There are two boards , one for cake makers and the other for helpers. This is a major money earner for us and means we do not have to raise funds by other means. So a dry warm hall, lovely stalls to visit and buy items plus a fun hour working in the kitchen, apron provided.

WI Quiz-It would be great to have some more quiz participants. Please check the two dates though on the board – we went through last year to the final – so it would be good if the ladies in the first round went through to the final round. The team is of 5 ladies, we can enter several teams and the first round is in Sway, the final in Eastleigh but I am sure lift share is possible. So have a go.

Our AGM is May 15th at the Village Hall 7pm. Our adviser, Janet Reid, will be present so if you have any questions about WI please ask her.

Please keep the date of October 4th 7pm free to come to the Group Social Brockenhurst WI are organising at the Village Hall. We have a chocolatier coming. As we are the hosts for this event I hope you will be able to come. It would be great to have a few members to help with planning and organise this. Please let me know if you would like to be involved.