BEWI History Group visits Christchurch

Wendy, Vivienne, Sue, Sara, Glynis and Pat enjoyed their first meet-up on 17th June. This newly formed group of 6 makes visits to places of historical interest, each member taking responsibility for planning an expedition on a monthly basis.  Our first outing in beautiful warm summer sunshine was planned by Glynis and followed the Millennium Trail of Blue Plaques through the oldest part of Christchurch.  Setting off from Place Mill at the Quay, we followed Convent Walk through the gardens along the Mill Stream, past the Priory and Castle then paused at ‘Ye Olde George’ an original coaching inn for coffee. Next month Sue has booked the visit to Stonehenge, followed in August, arranged by Wendy, a guided tour of historical areas in Lymington..

Blooms for BEWI

June’s Zoom demonstration was by the marvellous Angela Turner who showed us how to create a hand-tied bouquet using a spiral technique.  Angela made it look simple and used magenta peonies with yellow centres, tight yellow roses, snapdragons and a range of foliage.  The result was amazing, perhaps not surprising as she is a NAFAS National Demonstrator.  Angela produced two other arrangements, one with delicate flowers in white and yellow which looked like summer in a vase.  If you’ve been inspired and tried the spiral technique for a jam-jar creation, please send us a photo to share.

Walk & Talk June

The sunniest and warmest day this year found 5 of us in Taddiford Gap car park.  Vivienne set off and we followed leaving tarmac behind and entering a different world where the grass was as high as an elephant’s eye.  I’m not sure if the countryside looks like Oklahoma but it certainly was beautiful.  We wandered across the landscape and a golf course (on a footpath) and arrived on the coast to stunning views. It was slightly alarming to see the landslides and talked about coastal erosion. 

As usual, all of us discussed a myriad of subjects and before we knew it, we were back on the tarmac.  Why not join us for the next Walk and Talk in July?

 

Kim shows us how to……

You take a sheet of newspaper (The Sun is better for this than The Telegraph), curl the corner and roll on the diagonal up to the opposite corner.  Kim Searle had us intrigued from the start.  She made it look easy – ‘here are some I made earlier!’  Take 4 long, strong rolls and place north to south and then another 4 placed across and weave.  Kim’s nibble fingers soon had the making of a bowl – who would think newspaper and a little glue along with patience would result in a useful, unique (everyone is different) item.  Want to see more, check out Kim’s You Tube

BEWI Photo competition

Every month a new photo competition theme is announced.  Members can send in two photographs and whether it’s using a mobile phone, a Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera or your Box Brownie all pictures are welcome.  A professional photographer, Jonathan, judges the entries every month and is generous with his praise.  Of the winning entry in March he said “This is just such a beautiful picture. The sun has a lovely bokeh created by simply focusing on the tree branches in the foreground. The colours are rich. Excellent use of silhouette.”

Scones, cream and coffee in the garden

BEWI members were delighted to be invited, in groups of 6, to enjoy a morning get together in 7 members’ gardens.  It was the first face face to face meeting for over a year and whilst Zoom has been a great way of keeping in touch, being sat around a table, socially distanced of course, was wonderful.  Delicious scones and clotted cream served with tea or coffee on a perfect Spring morning was appreciated by everyone.  Thank you to all the members who volunteered to host.

Our first walk and talk for a year

The sky was a perfect blue and the sun was shining, what better way to start the day than meet for a walk in the Forest.

Risk Assessment and map in hand, 10 of us headed for Wilverley and divided into two
smaller groups and wandered happily chatting through the tall trees.

Thank you to Vivienne for organising our first outing.

Look out for details for the next Walk and Talk in May.

WI walk at Wilverley Enclosure

Collecting items for the Trussel Trust Ringwood

WI members collecting items for the Trussel Trust

We are collecting for the Ringwood Trussell again. Starting Monday 26th April for 2 weeks please donate what you can from the list below. Boxes will be outside the member’s homes (see email for details or contact Ruth).

As a member of BEWI please champion our collection and tell friends, neighbours and families of our efforts and encourage them to donate too.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Requested Items:

Household Goods

  • Toilet and Kitchen Rolls
  • Bin Liners
  • Washing Up Liquid
  • Washing Powder or Tablets
  • Disinfectants for Work surfaces
  • Floor Cleaning Product
  • Toilet Cleaner

Personal Goods

  • Roll on deodorants
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Shower Gel
  • Hand Wash
  • Tooth Paste and Tooth Brushes
  • Anti Bacterial Gels
  • Sanitary products

More information about The Trussel Trust:

Start The Week ‘Zoom’

BEWI zoom screenshot

BEWI zoom screenshot

No, nothing to do with the popular Radio 4 programme but for the past few Mondays, those of us lucky enough not to dash off to work, have put on the kettle and settled down in front of our computer screens. What a good way to start the week, a chance to catch up with members of BEWI.

Zoom is helping us keep in touch with one another and with Ruth occasionally testing out the program’s options, we are “popped into breakout rooms” randomly chosen by the computer. This means we meet 3 or 4 other members and have the opportunity to talk about all sorts of things. The other benefit is that we can talk to someone we may not have chatted to before (no need to worry about names either as it’s shown on the screen).

The committee have helped anyone who has concerns about Zoom, it’s not difficult. So, what are you doing next Monday at 10.30am? Why not join us – see you then.

Fantastic food with top chef – BEWI first Zoom demonstration

Deepak Malaya, Sous Chef at The Ritz London

27 year old Deepak Malaya, Sous Chef at The Ritz London had members salivating over Zoom as he gave a live demonstration which saw him prepare seasonal ingredients.

Giving lots of wonderful tips and answering culinary questions whilst he effortlessly prepped, this inspiring young chef (who has personally cooked for HM The Queen) showed us a delicious dish comprising; pan fried cod with Jersey Royals, Asparagus, Wild Garlic and Mushrooms with beurre noisette. And how to perfect poach an egg! Egg-cellent!