Our September meeting was once again a busy one! We had a full hall, including seven visitors who we hope will join us again. There were 3 Birthday girls who received a Birthday gift.

The tables flowers were arranged by Caroline.

The judging of our growing competition this year was chillies, with the winner producing an amazing 53 fruits, or are they vegetables?

Information was given on events being organised by Hants WI, as well as local events in which we will be involved.  These include the World Textile Day on the 30^th September, a nationally organised event at the Village Hall which is great source of unusual fabrics.  Brockenhurst WI will again be providing refreshments.

We also had a raffle, organised by Maureen.

An appeal was given out for knitters, both for hats for the Samaritans Christmas appeal, and for clothes for premature babies in Ukraine.  This will no doubt have the normal huge response from our kind members.

Rita put a plea out for sheets for bandage making for Ukraine. Rita also showed a certificate of appreciate that she had received from New Forest for Ukraine for the bandages made.

Our speaker for evening was Helen McGinn, who many of us had seen on Saturday Kitchen and Mastermind, giving a talk on “My Life in Wine”.  This was a very entertaining account of her career as a wine expert/buyer and latterly a novelist, from Helen who is a local girl from Beaulieu.

Helen talked about the enjoyment gained from putting a bottle of wine on a table and enjoying it with friends. She told us that she feels very lucky to do a job that she loves.

Our competition of the month was a singe flower in a vase.

This was won by Issy with this beautiful Magnolia flower.

We also displayed information on the Clean Rivers campaign, one of the WI’s annual resolutions, which has rightly been seriously taken up by several members. 

One member gave a heartfelt appeal for participation in this very important issue, which as we live on a river and near the sea, both of which are constantly being used for disposal of waste, we should care about.  Several members swim in the sea, and we all walk along the banks of the river, and are dismayed at the level and frequency of pollution allowed in it.

Issy had the idea of holding up posters to promote the Clean River campaign, which looks really good!

We also attempted a Mexican Wave under the tutelage of Jayne. We needed several rehearsals!!

We have put up a display about local river pollution and how you can join us in our campaign in the old phone box on Meerut Road and we recommend that you go and have a look at the information.

We are asking for WI members, members of the local community and campaigning groups to take a photo of themselves outside the phone box and give us a sentence about why this campaign is important to you. You can send a video if you prefer.

There will be daily posts on the website about the Clean Rivers campaign and how you can get involved.

Please contact us for further details or if you have any comments about our campaign or if you can help in any way.

Our monthly walk  on the 18^th September will incorporate publicising this problem and how we can help.  Please contact us for further details.

Our next meeting will be the 9th October, when we will have a craft evening on the theme of card making.

We meet at Brockenhurst Village Hall at 7pm for 7.30 on the second Monday of the month.  Visitors are very welcome.  If you would like further information please email our President Evelyn.

Thanks got to Jayne J and Christine K for your photos.