“Welcome to November, the season of mellow fruitfulness, and a whole host of forthcoming WI events and activities from now until Christmas. Before we go forward, though, lets raise a hearty vote of thanks to all those members who have worked so hard to provide all those enjoyable events in October in which we have participated – countless workshops, walks, darts, bandage making for Ukraine, and lunch at the Hare and Hounds to name but a few.
So, on to November! Another busy month started on 2nd November with providing and serving refreshments at the World Textiles Day. As usual, there were generous donations of cakes from members for which, heartfelt thanks. I promise that the plea for cakes is not the only reason why we need so many members! Elaine, Janette, and their volunteer team delivered a superb service as always. It is rather sad that the event proved to be a bit of a damp squid – only about 5 trade stands in the hall and the number of people attending was way down on previous years. Consequently, we found ourselves over-stocked with all food items which could have gone to waste if items had not been sold off at the end of the day, or taken to various freezers, and store cupboards for use in forthcoming events. The financial results will be shared with you in due course.
You have risen admirably to the challenge of the Brockenhurst Group Show. Members have signed up to 78 entries to the show which will take place on 30th November at St Mary Magdalene Church, New Milton. Your entries will need to be delivered to the venue on Friday 29th November. Julie and Kim will provide more information about the delivery service shortly. Several members have already signed up to help with serving refreshments on both days and committee members will be making cakes. There will be more information about the need for volunteers on the Sign-Up table at next Monday’s meeting. During Evelyn’s absence, the organisational load has been shouldered by Julie and Kim, for which I am so grateful.
Good luck to all those who will be entering their skills! Please do go along to view the wonderful entries.from 10am -3pm on Saturday 30th November at St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, New Milton. There will be items for sale and refreshments. Prix=ze giving will be at 3pm.
Christine has arranged another Lunch Club meeting at the Filly Inn on Tuesday, 26th November at 12.30. There will be a sign-up sheet and menus available at Monday’s meeting.
Much of the out-put of the various craft groups and workshops throughout October has been for the Christmas Tree Festival taking place at St Saviour’s Church during the last week in November. Having seen most of the decorations for the tree that we will be contributing, I can assure you that it will be beautiful! A few of us have already had a practice run putting up the tree, testing the lights and placing the decorations for maximum effect in preparation for the actual tree-dressing day scheduled for 23rd November. At 4pm on 23rd, there will be a Service of Celebration Then from 24th -30th November, all the trees will be on display in the church for people to admire and choose the tree they like best by donating cash. The monies raised will be donated to 4 organisations: New Forest for Ukraine, Brockenhurst Village Trust, Brockenhurst and Sway Day Centre and the Mothers Union. Please do come along to enjoy the trees and appreciate all the hard work that has gone into them for very worthy causes.
After the Festival, all of the decorations made for our tree will be on sale at our stall during the Christmas Fun Evening taking place along Brookley Road on 6th December. Once again, our stall will have a Human Fruit Machine as a principal attraction with “GOs” charged at £1.00. Caroline has made some super animals as the “fruits”, which will not be sold at this event. There will be various levels of prize. Bags of sweets and home-made gingerbread men will be available to buy. If you would like to contribute some gingerbread men, please see Karen Welch or any other committee member!
WI Campaigns: Julie is doing a brilliant job keeping us on board with action for the Clean Rivers/ Water campaign. The latest event took place Last Sunday afternoon, when a group walked around the village with posters and banners in support of the larger event which took place in central London. Feedback received is excellent. You can read about it here.
This month we will be focussing on the No More Violence Against Women campaign.
November Meeting
Competition of the Month for November is a berry-laden stem in a vase. Your chance to glean berries from your gardens or hedgerows instead of the usual flowers. The proceeds of the vote will go to the ACWW charity.
November’s Speaker is Alistair Brien telling us all about “What They Don’t Tell You About Being a Head”. The talk will start at 7.30pm promptly. The business element will follow and then refreshments will be served, and the raffle will take place.
November Birthday – Many Happy Returns, Lizzie! Hope you have a lovely day!
December Meeting – Christmas Party: An early start!
6.45 – 7.00pm Members arrive. Welcome Mulled Wine (or non-alcoholic version) on offer
6.45 Sway Handbell Ringers arrive to set up.
7.00 Jerusalem & business
7.15 – 8.00pm Handbell Ringers / Vote of Thanks.
8.15 A Christmas Cracker Killing
9.00 The Reveal
9.15 – 9.30pm Carriages
To really keep abreast of what is going on, The Brockenhurst WI Website, the NFWI Website, MyWi and The WI learning Hub are all available for you!
That’s all for now folks.
With love.
Liz x”
Diary Dates and Forthcoming Events
Thursday 7th November 2024 Darts practice 11am at Foresters Arms, Brookley Road, Brockenhurst. All welcome to join in. Please contact us for more details.
Thursday 7th November 2024, Brockenhurst Group Social Event in Sway: On Sway WI will be screening the film “Calendar Girls” in Sway Village Hall starting at 6.45 and the film starting at 7.15. Each WI in the group is offered 25 tickets costing £5 each for their members. Refreshments available during the intermission. Anyone attending is encouraged to dress in “twin set and pearls” or fuddy-duddy tweeds! Contact us for more information.
Friday 8th November 2024 Craft Group 2-4pm. Please contact us for more details and location.
Monday November 11th 2024 Monthly Meeting with speaker Alistair Brien -“What they don’t tell you about being a head!”. At Brockenhurst Village Hall – arrival from 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
Wednesday 13th November 2024 Bandage Making for Ukraine 10am-12 noon at Rita’s house. Please contact us for more details and location.
Thursday 14th November from 10.00 – 16.00 -Kim will be running a ‘Scandi Gnome’ workshop on Thursday 14th November. Please contact us for more details and location.
Thursday 14th November 2024 Darts practice 11am at Foresters Arms, Brookley Road, Brockenhurst. All welcome to join in. Please contact us for more details.
Wednesday 20th November 2024 at 7.00pm Murder Mystery Rehearsal . Please contact us for more details and location.
Thursday 21st November 2024 Darts practice 11am at Foresters Arms, Brookley Road, Brockenhurst. All welcome to join in. Please contact us for more details.
Thursday 21st November 2024 -Theatre trip to The Mayflower.
Friday 22nd November 2024 Craft Group 2-4pm. Please contact us for more details and location.
Saturday 23 November 2024 10am – 2pm Hampshire WI event -Christmas Coffee Morning and Craft Sale. WI House22–24 Station Hill, Southampton Rd, Eastleigh SO50 9XB Free Admission Coffee/Tea + Cake/Biscuits £2.50 Click here for further information.
Saturday 23rd – 30th November 2024 Christmas Tree Festival at St Saviour’s Church – more details to follow. Brockenhurst WI will be displaying a tree.
Saturday 23rd November 2024 4pm Christmas Tree Celebration Service at St Saviour’s Church.
Tuesday 26th November 2024 at 12.30. Lunch Club meeting at the Filly Inn on There will be a sign-up sheet and menus available at Monday’s meeting. Or contact us for more details.
Wednesday 27th November 2024 Bandage Making for Ukraine 10am-12 noon at Jan’s house. Please contact us for more details and location.
Wednesday 27th November 2024 at 7.00pm Murder Mystery Rehearsal . Please contact us for more details and location.
Thursday 28th November 2024 Darts practice 11am at Foresters Arms, Brookley Road, Brockenhurst. All welcome to join in. Please contact us for more details.
Thursday 28th November 2024 Hampshire WI Event 7.30pm Update and discussion on this years shortlisted NFWI Resolutions. Online event only. Tickets £5 Book and pay here.
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!
Saturday 30 November 2024, 10am-4pm Hampshire WI Event- Christmas Gift Sale at St Maurice’s Covert, Winchester. Click here fore more information.
Saturday 30 November 10am – 12.30pm Hampshire WI Event – Risotto and Tiramisu Demonstration and Tasting £20 Click here for more information. Click here to book.
Brockenhurst Women's Institute 