September has been a busy month for Brockenhurst WI!

At the start of the month, the Craft Group met and planned out activities for the rest of the year. They immediately started work on Craftivism for our ‘Week of River Action’, working on a knitted banner and some bunting to be displayed around the village. Work has also started on decorations for Brockenhurst WI’s Christmas Tree at St Saviour’s Church Christmas Tree festival at the end of November. Planning is also underway for our Groups Show entries and our stall at the Christmas Fun Evening on 6th December.

There is a theme as our September meeting was busy! Our speaker was our very own member, Diana Fletcher, who gave a very interesting and informative talk entitled ‘Brockenhurst – a World War I Hospital Village‘. We also had the judging of our 2024 Growing Competition and our beetroot was judged by last year’s winner, Britta, and assisted by Evelyn. The winner was Julie. We also had LOTS of sign-up sheets for all our forthcoming activities.

The week of 16th to 22nd was the ‘WI Week of River Action’ and Brockenhurst WI has been made waves by holding a litter pick, a community awareness walk and being ‘citizen scientists’ by monitoring pollution and chemicals in our local rivers and watercourses.They also made and displayed bunting and a knitted banner to bring awareness to our campaign. A Litter Pick was carried out to prevent litter being washed into the Lymington River and causing further pollution.The Awareness Walk was attended by members of Brockenhurst WI and representatives from Bramshaw WI and Hampshire WI. They were also joined by local groups and organisations.During the walk along Ober Water in Brockenhurst, talks were held by the local groups and organisations to get different perspectives of what having clean rivers means and what we can all do to help the situation.

Brockenhurst Village Hall hosted Hampshire WI’s Speaker Selection Day and Brockenhurst WI were asked to serve refreshments. It also gave us an opportunity to display our Clean Rivers information, bunting and banner!

The Lunch Club went to the Wallhampton Arms. Nine ladies enjoyed lunch is the quiet restaurant. The service was attentive and it was nice get together again after the summer break. 

Woodpeckers invited Brockenhurst WI to display craft items and attend their Macmillan event. We were stunned by the amazing craft work of the Woodpeckers residents. It was a lovely opportunity to talk to the residents about their craft work, enjoy a cuppa and cake and raise money for Macmillan at the same time.

Karen organised a Skittles evening at The Huntsman. Skittles used to be a regular WI event and Karen has resurrected this tradition. There was even an cup and a mascot! Sixteen ladies and Teddy the dog turned out on a rainy evening for a fun evening. As well as the skittles, we had a fish supper. The overall winner and recipient of the cup and mascot was Julie. Zena came second after a play-off with Karen and Sue won the boobie prize! Zena was the only one of us to get a strike and she did this with just 2 balls! Thanks got the Karen for organising a fun evening. We look forward to the next one!

The Darts team have continued to practice at The Foresters on Thursday mornings.

Rita and her bandage makers are continuing to make bandage for Ukraine on Wednesday mornings.. Sadly, there is still a need for bandages. Rita welcomes help from those who can help, whether on a Wednesday mornings, or in these own home/time.

We have a busy rest of the year, including the following forthcoming events:

Tuesday 1st October 2024 at 2pm and 7pm Christmas Tree Decorations Icicle Workshop for the Christmas Tree at St Saviours Church. All materials will be provided. Please contact us for more details and location.

Wednesday 2nd October at 7pm Christmas Tree Decorations Star Workshop for the Christmas Tree at St Saviours Church. All materials will be provided. Please contact us for more details and location.

Monday October 14^th 2024 Monthly Meeting with speaker Jane Glennie -“The Experimental Housekeeping of  Jane Austen’s good friend Martha Lloyd”. At Brockenhurst Village Hall – arrival from 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Wednesday 16th October2024 Bandage Making for Ukraine 10am-12 noon at Rita’s house. Please contact us for more details and location.

Monday 21st October at either 2pm or 7.30pm Christmas Tree Decorations Droplet Workshop for the Christmas Tree at St Saviour’s Church. All materials will be provided. Please contact us for more details and location.

Saturday 2nd November 2024 World Textile Day at Brockenhurst Village Hall. Brockenhurst WI are running the refreshments stall at this event.

Saturday 23rd – 30th November 2024 Christmas Tree Festival at St Saviour’s Church – more details to follow. Brockenhurst WI will be displaying a tree.

Friday 29th November 2024 -Group Show Entries must be taken to St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, New Milton for judging by 09.30am.

Saturday 30th November 2024 Group Show at St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, New Milton. Come and have a look at all the entries from 10.30am. The awards will take place at 3pm. Refreshments are available. There will also be things to buy and a raffle, so bring your purse!

Friday 6th December 2024 Brockenhurst Group Carol Service at St Saviours Church, Brockenhurst.

Friday 6th December 2024 Brockenhurst Village Christmas Fun Evening 6-8pm. Brockenhurst WI will be having a stall. More details to follow.