I have lost track of the number of hot sunny days however, apparently there have now been 27 days in 2026, consecutive and non-consecutive, when 30C has been exceeded somewhere in the UK: seven in May, eight in June and 12 in July. It is also the longest period for central England since a 14-day run of no recorded rainfall in June 1996 yet I remember saying in February that I may have to grow webbed feet and BEWI cancelled some walks due to the rain.  I’ve just crunched across the grass to view too many plants which look like they

‘ve fried in the heat.  Just before 9am last Sunday, a cloud rolled in and it rained for a few minutes and I rushed outside to watch it fall from a large dark cloud.  The next rain cloud, according to the forecast, may arrive on 6th August.  So July has moved on.  Looking back over the month BEWI members enjoyed their summer party; the wine club laughed and laughed whilst testing some delicious new wines (try Zweigelt!) sitting in a delightful garden in the evening; creative members met to work on Rosie’s project; history girls went exploring at St Nicholas’ Church; beautiful items were entered in to the competitions for the New Forest Show by our clever creative members.

BEWI do not meet in August but there are many events in the area during the month (members can check in the website diary) and no doubt we’ll bump into one another.  September’s meeting includes a Sales Table and it will be a time to catch up.  Our speaker is the excellent author Alice May.  If you are interested in joining the WI please contact us via the ‘Join Us’ tab.