After a busy March and the successes at the Group Show, it was mostly back to our ‘normal’ activities for April, with a few added extras!

At our monthly meeting, meeting Brockenhurst WI members and guests had an informative I.T. talk from Graham Thompson from Click and Connect New Forest. 

Graham showed us the great resources that Brockenhurst WI members can access, including this website, our Facebook page, our learning platform VIA and MY WI members portal. You can read more here.

Rita has led her team in making bandages for Ukraine on Wednesday mornings.

Janette and the Darts team have continued to practice on Thursday mornings at The Foresters Arms.

The Craft and Cross Stitch groups took an Easter break, but the Quilting group have continued to meet and are working their brain cells hard making a quilted rucksack!

Several members from Brockenhurst WI attending a BookFest, a great event organised by Barton Bees WI for the Brockenhurst Group. A packed itinerary, starting with a game of pass the parcel to aptly themed music. We were all winners getting a cute handmade corner bookmark.

Then the invited author Candida Meyrick spoke movingly about her first non-fiction book #BeMoreBird: life lessons from a Hawk. The story of her adopting a Harris Hawk in 2016.

Nick & his colleagues from Read Easy Southampton & IOW then talked about the wonderful service they provide, helping adult non-readers join a whole new ‘reading world. Volunteers are always welcome.

Handmade cakes & a cuppa were enjoyed.

We were then treated to the story of Anara and how she became the owner of Westbourne Bookshop. Dreams really can come true. A worthwhile visit when next in the Westbourne area.

Finally Lisa & Teresa from New Milton Library spoke about the modern library and all the services it provides, a real community hub.

We ended with a raffle, the top prize being a copy of #Bemorebird. Everyone was able to take home a wrapped book, with a note from the donor. Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make this event a success.

April Lunch Club was at the Huntsman and was enjoyed by all. We were in the private dining room, which was nice. Everyone seemed pleased with their platefuls and we had generous portions. There was plenty of chat from paying to park in the forest to keeping dogs and how enriched your life! A good time was had by all.

The last weekend of the month was the Brockenhurst Needlework Fiesta. Members of Brockenhurst WI were busy baking cakes for this event. Elaine, Janette, Christine and Liz ran the kitchen like clockwork with the help of many members who made drinks and served sandwiches and cake. There was also a rota of people taking the money. Grateful thanks to everyone who baked and helped with this event and to The Needlework Fiesta team for inviting us to serve the refreshments at this great event.

We look forward to May and our Annual Meeting.