February is the month that Brockenhurst WI came into existence back in 1918. So we considered 108 years of Brockenhurst WI worth celebrating!

The National Federation of WI’s is also celebrating it’s 110th year, so a double celebration was called for!

An Evening of ‘Fun and Friendships was organised and members were encouraged to invite a guest to join in the celebrations and see what we get up to!

Julie welcomed our members and guests on a wet evening. She gave a brief history of the WI and Brockenhurst WI. Julie included the part Brockenhurst WI played in the Hampshire County Pie Scheme thought out by the late Lord Woolton, which became known as the Rural Pie Scheme. Our archives show that there was still money in a bank account from this in the early 1980’s!

Long service Certificates were awarded to:

Pam McKinlay 46 years, Ann Hessey 42, Anne Nolan 38, Jan Viner 37, Jackie Eley 17 Rita Elson 15 years, Carole Blaylock 10 and Evelyn Bartlett 10 years of membership.

Fizz was passed round.

Issy produced 4 great table quizzes for each table to partake in.

Kim lead us in Beetle Drive.

Pam gave us information about the start of Brockenhurst WI way back in 1918. She raised a toast to Brockenhurst WI.

We had cake and a cuppa.

The raffle was drawn.

We had 2 competitions of the Month. The winner of the Snowdrop was Tricia and Gina won the tea cosy (knitted, crochet to improvised) competition. Donations from this go to ACWW 

Julie read out this poem which perfectly encapsulates female relationships and how we support each other:

Marriage of Friends by Hannah Rosenberg

My life is filled with the souls of women I love. 

The ones who make my belly ache from laughter, 

Who catch my tears. 

Who show up on my doorstep to celebrate and grieve, who defend me when I’m unkind to myself. 

These women will love my children, dance as we age, protect my secrets, share in my joy, sing even when we’re sinking in sorrow. 

They walk close, 

Promising their lives to me—a marriage without a wedding; 

A commitment without a ring. 

If you have these women too, remember: the soulmate is a wonderful thought but look how beautiful these love stories are. 

Look how they make you full. 

Julie ended the evening by thanking everyone for coming out on a wet night.

She also thanked:

Janice and Elaine for running the reception desk, Maureen & April for running the raffle, Catharine, Zena and Sandy–refreshments for organising the refreshments, Karen, Ros, Sue and all who helped to serve the fizz and cakes, Evelyn for table flowers & Elaine for organising the rota, Issy for organising the quizzes, Kim for organising the Beetle Drive, and the committee for all their hard work, setting up, cake making and their support tonight and throughout the year.

Thanks go to Suzanne A and Christine K for taking the photographs.