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.

 

If you haven’t yet discovered Via (WI’s digital home for learning) it may just be an idea to have a look at what’s on offer.  It’s been a strange weather week with hints of Spring on one day and hail stones, mists, and chill winds on others.  So, not wanting to be in the garden,  I signed up for a lecture lead by consultant cardiologist Dr Sonya Babu-Narayam.  She’s an expert who wants us to take care of our hearts, in particular women’s hearts.  Cardiovascular disease is the world’s biggest killer of women.  Working with the British Heart Foundation she is determined to improve outcomes for women and this lecture she explained symptoms linked to heart disease.  It’s vital not to ignore signs, check with this link Women and heart disease – BHF  Not only should we be celebrating women’s achievements and cherishing mothers, we should be kind to ourselves and taking care of our health.

Via gives you access to many lectures and courses.  Have a look, I certainly learnt new facts from the lecture I listened to this week, thank you Dr Babu-Narayam.

Several members of the BEWI Camera Club joined The New Milton Arts Society for one of their regular monthly meetings in February.  The talk was about Lee Miller’s extraordinary career.  Born in 1907 she said “[I was] practically born and brought up in a dark room” and exposed to a camera by working in front of it, Miller was one of the most sought-after models of the late 1920s. She quickly stepped behind the lens, becoming a leading figure in the avant-garde scenes in New York, Paris, London and Cairo. Famously charismatic and sharply intelligent, having travelled, modelled, created art, experimented, Miller became an accredited war correspondent with the US Army in late 1940s.  The visions captured in her imagery, especially her pictures of the war, haunted her for the rest of her life.  The lecture was spell-binding. A major exhibition of the trailblazing surrealist photographer Lee Miller has just finished at the Tate Britain.

This was most definitely an inspirational talk for the Camera Club.

The WI has a long and successful campaign history.  Each year every member of WI has the opportunity to cast their individual selection on the resolution they support the most.  WIs are encouraged to hold meetings to provide members with the opportunity to discuss and learn more about each resolution and BEWI takes this seriously every January meeting.  This year a few eyebrows were raised when looking at the selection and as usual with BEWI lively discussion took place.  The great advantage of talking about the resolutions is that invariably you learn something new.  What was evident was that the majority of us did not know anything about vulval cancer (it is a rare cancer). It is suspected that most women are unaware that they should be regularly checking
their vulvas. Research by The Eve Appeal found that 4 in 5 women have never checked their vulva and less than 1 in 3 people have heard of vulval cancer.  BEWI agreed that raising awareness is important and felt, as a WI, this is a resolution we should and could support.

 

Resolution: Love Your Vulva – Self checking is your best defence against vulval cancer

Self-checking your vulva is important in ensuring the earlier detection of vulval cancer and to enhance survival chances. We call upon WI members to work together to raise awareness of the importance of self-checking and seeking medical advice as early as possible, and, to help highlight this rare cancer to GPs to promote prompt referrals to medical specialists when needed.

A sunny, blue skied, crisp Winter’s day and some brave BEWI members donned layers of warm clothes and set off over the countryside in temperatures of around 3 degrees.  Well done everyone for showing those of us who stayed in the warm what fun you had.  A resolution?  Why not join in on a walk on the first Monday of the month?  Of course, it’s not just about the exercise, it’s an opportunity to get together, have a chat and swap ideas. See you next month!

For info:  The Met Office stated Blizzard conditions are set to hit parts of the UK as numerous amber and yellow winter weather warnings for snow and ice remain in place across the country.  Luckily not in Bransgore.

As we approach the end of 2025, BEWI committee would like to thank all the members for their continued support.  We wish you all a joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.  As a committee we are often told it is the friendships that are made when joining that make a difference.  We hope you will be able to gather together with friends and family over this festive season and celebrate, whether with a cup of tea or a walk in the fresh air, the importance of friendship.

BEWI wishes everyone the very best for 2026.

 

web editor: 2026 image by FloraLunaSeven

Bransgore Evening WI Wine Club tested recommended wines for Christmas.  On the menu was everything from a lively, sparkling Cava from Spain made in the champenoise method, two Chateau Neuf du Pape wines, two good value white wines and, of course, delicious dessert wines.  Along with the excellent wine selection, BEWI’s very own wine connoisseur provided suitable morsels to enhance our experience. A magical evening was had as we enjoyed the festive atmosphere and the company of good friends.

BEWI Wine Club wish you a Merry Christmas.