December 9
Christmas Party with songs from Rock Choir
We were delighted to welcome our local Rock Choir to the last WI meeting of the year and the last one at The White Church. What an absolute delight they choir were and the members sang along and some danced (we missed you Geraldine). There were mince pies and mulled wine to help us along the way bring the spirit of Christmas to our meeting.
November 8
GET YOUR CRAFT ON by our very own member LINDA COLCLOUGH
Our very own member and Treasurer, Linda, introduced us all to her world of Embroidery and Quilting. Linda started her talk by introducing us to the history of these crafts. Quilting is a method that involves stitching together layers of fabric to make clothing and bedding for protection and warmth. Similar to most ancient crafts, quilting began as a way to reuse old materials purposefully. Embroidery is the craft of decorating fabric or other materials using a needle to apply thread or yarn. The world embroidery comes from the French word broderie, meaning embellishment. In various forms, embroidery has existed since the production of fabric.
Linda continued to tell us about her journey over three decades of learning each craft and its intracacies. She had bought a number of items which she had made over the years, both for herself and for her family and friends. A fabulous insight into a two beautiful crafts, Linda's talk was well received by fellow members. (Picture showing Linda and her gold work) |
October 11
RAF Search and Rescue by Alan Pook
Alan Pook, who had served in the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force, explained this was the Royal Air Force organisation which provided around-the-clock aeronautical search and rescue cover in the United Kingdom, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands, from 1986 until 2016.
The Search and Rescue Force was established in 1986 from the helicopter elements of the RAF Marine Branch which was disbanded that year. The Force supported search and rescue over the United Kingdom until 4 October 2015 when the role was handed over to civilian contractor Bristow Helicopters. On 18 February 2016, the force's disbandment was officially marked with a parade in front of The Duke of Cambridge, who was a former SAR pilot.
Alan continued his talk by highlighting interesting tales of escapades in the helicopter, some daring life saving events plus stories of those whose lives had been saved by this service.
The Search and Rescue Force was established in 1986 from the helicopter elements of the RAF Marine Branch which was disbanded that year. The Force supported search and rescue over the United Kingdom until 4 October 2015 when the role was handed over to civilian contractor Bristow Helicopters. On 18 February 2016, the force's disbandment was officially marked with a parade in front of The Duke of Cambridge, who was a former SAR pilot.
Alan continued his talk by highlighting interesting tales of escapades in the helicopter, some daring life saving events plus stories of those whose lives had been saved by this service.
September 13
Autumn Gardening by Greg Anderton
Greg Anderton joined us for a talk on his background and how he eventually opened his nursery garden at Lytham Hall in 2018 which continues to go from strength to strength. Greg told us that his first garden design project came in the form of a telephone call on his graduation day. He had had several people asking for his help and had kept saying no. Having had such a wonderful graduation day, he was on a bit of a high and just said yes. His first garden project was on South Park and he says "for literally the nicest couple" which was was one of our WI members, who has been delighted with the garden.
July 12
My journey to Liberty's by Brian Baker
Our Speaker, Brian Baker, took us all on a wonderful journey from childhood memories of his father, a cabinet maker, through his years with the BBC and designing costumes for an array of programmes, to his final destination working at Liberty of London.
Brian explained that the company used timber recycled from the ships HMS Hindustan and HMS Impregnable. The frontage has the same length as the Hindustan. The weathervane on top of the store bears a model of the Mayflower, the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America. The building spans from Carnaby Street on the East to Kingly Street on the West, where it forms a three storey archway over the Northern entrance to the Kingly Street mall that houses the Liberty Clock in its centre. Liberty is known around the world for its close connection to art and culture, it is most famous for its bold and floral print fabrics. The vast mock-Tudor store also sells men's, women's and children's fashion, beauty and homewares from a mix of high-end and emerging brands and labels.
Brian explained that the company used timber recycled from the ships HMS Hindustan and HMS Impregnable. The frontage has the same length as the Hindustan. The weathervane on top of the store bears a model of the Mayflower, the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America. The building spans from Carnaby Street on the East to Kingly Street on the West, where it forms a three storey archway over the Northern entrance to the Kingly Street mall that houses the Liberty Clock in its centre. Liberty is known around the world for its close connection to art and culture, it is most famous for its bold and floral print fabrics. The vast mock-Tudor store also sells men's, women's and children's fashion, beauty and homewares from a mix of high-end and emerging brands and labels.
June 14
Platinum Jubliee "Street Party"
What a wonderful evening celebrating the Queens Jubilee albeit a little late. The Committee worked miracles with the layout of the hall, the ice cold prosecco, delicious mini delights on beautiful cake stands, stirring music and entertaining quizzes about the Royals.
The new bunting for our W.I. was displayed and Her Majesty was present although very quiet.
A cheque was presented to the Trinity Hospice on behalf of our W.I. in memory of a cherished member, Glenis Taylor.
The new bunting for our W.I. was displayed and Her Majesty was present although very quiet.
A cheque was presented to the Trinity Hospice on behalf of our W.I. in memory of a cherished member, Glenis Taylor.
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May 10
Boisterous Echoes of the Sea
Lytham St. Annes Shanty Crew
Fundraising Activities
The Lytham St Annes Shanty Crew contributed over £10,000 to the £275,000 appeal, which helped to bring the latest Shannon class lifeboat and Shannon Launch and Recovery System (SLARS) to RNLI Lytham St Annes. They continue to support Lytham St Annes Lifeboat via 'RNLI Busking Buckets' which are much in evidence during the 'Summer Open Rehearsals' which they present every Monday at the Mussel Tank, Central Beech, Lytham from 19:30 to 21:00 hrs between May and August Bank Holidays. They are also proud to support not only the other local RNLI lifeboat stations at Blackpool and Fleetwood, but others further afield. The Lytham St Annes Shanty Crew are also regular supporters of the Breast Cancer Unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. |
The Lytham St Annes Shanty Crew are a group of singers of shanties and sea songs happy to raise money for charities especially the RNLI.
Although they perform mostly in the north-west, they are happy to appear further afield.They sing traditional working shanties and songs of the sea, mixed effortlessly with self-penned original material. They have a unique style, with many of their songs being boisterous or thought-provoking. But the humour, camaraderie and harmonies are never far away. What makes them particularly special is that they don't have one lead singer. In fact each takes a turn to lead a song. This means that there is always plenty of variety, but this is underpinned with strong tight harmonious and powerful choruses for which the Lytham St Annes Shanty Crew are renowned! |
April 12
Midwifery through the Ages
Linda Sawley
At our April meeting, Linda Sawley, a qualified midwife, senior lecturer at UCLAN and tireless fundraiser for children’s charities gave us a fascinating and moving talk on “Midwifery through the Ages”. Her depth of knowledge and thorough research was very much in evidence as she led us through the practice of midwifery from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. She enthralled us with facts such as the safest and most hazardous countries in which to give birth- Italy and Eritrea respectively. She gave us a full picture of the extent of professionalism and expertise that midwives have to measure up to- even the ability to perform baptism.
We giggled at the hilarious anecdotes of practices around the world- such as the tribe in which the man took to bed in post-natal exhaustion to be waited on for weeks by his poor wife! We didn’t know that the origin of the word “gossiping” came from the tradition of gathering local women together to be present at a birth. We marvelled that the first recorded Caesarean section in 1793 was a success. However, the sad tale of Princess Charlotte who lost both baby and her life in an horrific mismanagement of labour made us shudder and grieve. Linda’s passion for her subject and profession was evident. This is a talk which will stay in our hearts and memories for a long time. Thank you Jackie Ramage for the update |
March 8
A Glimpse Beneath the Celebrity Chef Apron
Caroline James
Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that features in her best-selling novels. For many years she ran a business that represented celebrity chefs,
a job that she loved and some of her hilarious experiences are included in her talks. Caroline takes you on a magical culinary journey through the eyes of a celebrity chef and inspires you to write your very own novel. A public speaker, consultant and food writer, Caroline is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. She also writes articles and short stories and contributes to many publications. In her spare time, Caroline can be found trekking up a mountain or relaxing with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates. |