A Little of What You Fancy was the theme for the New Forest County Show Women’s Institute section and congratulations to our BEWI stars who all won awards.   Well done ladies

The audience sat in rapt silence as the speaker shared her powerful story.   The audience was Bransgore Evening WI members and the speaker Alice G May who told us of her childhood dream of becoming a writer.  Her story had us enthralled, we lived her hopes, disappointments, challenges and success.  Alice May is a powerful speaker and a perfect example of positivity in difficult times.  Alice’s book “The House That Sat Down” is a true story and yes, the house was on the verge of almost completely falling down.    The devastating collapse of her beautiful home tested this amazing mother of four young children in ways one could only imagine, with all the emotional strain of keeping a happy family functioning. Alice explained what happened next and how she found solace in painting as well as writing (now with a publishing contract)

If you have the opportunity of listening to Alice speak, I would recommend you do or read her books!

Our sincere thanks to Alice for sharing her story.

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.

BEWI members created a Coronation Garden for the village (located in the Village Hall grounds) and it  is looking good.  Our thanks in particular to two members Ruth E and Ann H for looking after it so well.

Did you know the village also has a Community Herb Planter which is full of lovely Mint, Fennel, Chives etc

The NHS website gives the following advice on coping in hot weather:

Keep out of the heat if you can. If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.

Cool yourself down. Have cold food and regular cold drinks. Drink extra fluids but avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.

Keep your living space cool. Close windows, curtains and blinds during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees.

Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep, and make sure to check on anyone who is at higher risk from the heat.

To check the Met forecast for Bransgore I put my trusty old thermometer in the shade at midday.  By 12.30pm it read 33C .

Stay safe and cool.

Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather – NHS

It couldn’t have been more perfect, a quintessential country house hotel, set just off the beaten track in the village of Burley was our destination for lunch today.  Moorhill House impressed, lovely décor, friendly and efficient staff, comfortable bar and an elegant room set for lunch with views of the garden.  Idyllic. The members of BEWI relaxed and enjoyed a delicious summer meal together.  Of course, the only thing we couldn’t arrange was the weather which today was not like summer so the planned wander through the gardens admiring the roses was swapped for a drink in the bar.  As usual when BEWI are together there was plenty of chatter and laughter and plans to have another gathering at this lovely venue.  Our thanks to the committee, in particular secretary Carol for organising an enjoyable day.

I could almost hear the ‘tut’ in my head when it was announced that our speaker wasn’t able to come to the meeting.  Really! I had been looking forward to it. Of course, it is always good to be able to chat to everyone who comes along but the speakers add another dimension.  Our president Wendy then explained we were going to play a game, a Beetle Drive!  Really, a kids game!  I’ve never played but vaguely remember children drawing odd insects, not for me I thought.  Apparently in 2025  the game made a big comeback for PTA events, charity nights, and group parties, interest has spiked again.  Rules were explained, dice handed out, tables had pens and sheets and we were told to start.  Our 6 mildly competitive women on the table decided we’d play fast and try to beat everyone in the room.  Really this could be a bit of fun!  And, to be fair, it was.  It’s noisy, chaotic, and surprisingly addictive.  Did our table win I can hear you asking?  Absolutely, the best player on the evening was Karen.  Really well done!

It is the social event of the 2026 calendar, the Village Fun Day and this May Bank Holiday did not disappoint.  The weather was perfect and the crowds came in to view the stalls, vintage cars, the juggling and many other items of interest!  It was an excellent day organised by volunteers from the local Rotary Club and officially opened by BBC South Today presenter and reporter Edward Sault, who lives locally.  BEWI as always had a tremendous display of delicious cakes for sales in aid of their charity this year, Elsie’s Rose.  A whooping £505 was raised so our thanks a due to everyone who baked cakes and those who purchased one.

So my mission on Monday morning was tick a few things off my To Do list.  Once a month our clever Crafty Girls meet up to learn a new skill and I’m just not good with a needle but I wanted to see what was happening.  It turned out to be ‘Bunnies’!  Pat had carefully provided all the necessary (and probably the most difficult things) heads, ears and orange triangle shapes.  This odd arrangement of pieces was gently sewn together, and bunny shapes began to appear.  Pat is excellent at helping anyone who was struggling and in just over an hour, Easter Bunnies appeared.  They carefully concealed a chocolate egg in the carrot (the orange triangles) and certainly made everyone present smile.  Next month perhaps I’ll have a go too as needle felting is on the agenda, WI is all about learning.

Monday evening my mission was just as enjoyable with the Wine Club.  Celia had been researching paring wine with chocolate which according to my information “can be a delightful experience”.  It requires careful consideration of the flavours, textures, sweetness, and acidity of both wine and chocolate.  Some combinations were more successful than others, Shiraz and a very dark chocolate suited my palate best.  

The start of the week was a success.  What can be better than time spent with friends discussing ideas and generating that feel good factor.