Brockenhurst WI’s 2024 Round-Up

Well what a year! Brockenhurst WI have had a busy year.

We’ve had great speakers, raffles, and competitions of the month at our monthly meetings.

Our Craft Group have had a productive year.

Rita and her team of bandage makers have continued to make bandages that are sent to Ukraine and sadly, these are still needed.

Janette and the Darts team have continued to practise on Thursday mornings.

Christine K has arranged lunch club sessions.

Kim has continued to teach members how to quilt and do applique.

Julie has led walks in the beautiful New Forest.

We have run workshops including flower arranging. Dorset Apple Cake making, making decorations and for our Christmas tree, apron making, biscuit making.

In February we had a team take part in the Brockenhurst Pancake race.

We also celebrated our 106^th Birthday at our February meeting with a fish and chip supper and quizzes.

In March we took part in a joint village litter pick.

In April, we ran the refreshment kitchen at the popular Needelwork Fiesta at Brockenhurst Village Hall, thanks to Janette, Elaine and team.

We took part in the Brockenhurst D-Day event with our stall focusing on the role of women in WW2.

In June, we took part in a Croquet evening organised by Issy,

In July, our members took part at the New Forest Show. Christine K won first prize in the photo competition.

Two of our members celebrated their 90th Birthdays and we celebrated with cake at our July meeting.

In August, we had a trip to Wilton House.

We have focused on the ‘Clean Rivers’ with an awareness walk held in September along with a litter pick and water quality testing.

We had a skittles evening in September organised by Karen. Julie was the winner.

We were invited to display craft items at Woodpeckers alongside their fantastic craft items. This was in aid of Macmillan.

In November, our members took part in a ‘March for Clean Water’ organised with Greener Brockenhurst.

We also supported the WI campaign to ‘Stop Violance against Women and Children’ and wore white ribbons for the 16 days of activism.

Taking part in the village Christmas Tree Festival where we came 5th

November also saw a Theatre Trip to the Mayflower to see Chicago, organised by Christine.

November ended with the Brockenhurst Group Show where we were the overall winners, the WI having the highest percentage of members entering to the proportion of their membership, with 32 members of our 62 members entering. the winners of the most individual points and Kim got first prize for her great Snowman apron and was awarded The Craft Cup.