Budding Ballerinas

Bransgore Evening WI were delighted to invite Stephanie Constantine-Smith of Silver Swans to our July meeting. She wrote “I wanted to express my sincere thanks to you all, for inviting me to your group to run a Silver Swans ballet session recently. I had a super evening. I was very impressed with the quality of dancing on show from everyone – there are certainly some budding ballerinas in amongst you!  I hope everyone who participated enjoyed it, and it was fabulous to see the two ladies who were seated at the front, joining in.”

Silver Swans is an initiative by the Royal Academy of Dance, to include the over 55’s in ballet. Whether you are an experienced dancer, have briefly dabbled, or a complete novice, all are welcome. Queen Camilla is a Silver Swan and Angela Rippon is the Ambassador of Silver Swans.  I know many of us enjoyed this evening’s  experience and hope the possibility of a class in  Bransgore is achieved.

Note from website editor: BEWI members have you seen the video clip? Great fun!

Camera Club Workshop

It was a gloriously sunny day at Blackwater car park, just off Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.  Christine, Pat , Wendy and Sandie met with Keith Thompson to take part in an onsite Flowing Water workshop. Wearing wellies, (to get in the water if needed) they set off to find some flowing water – rather difficult with the dry weather experienced during the June, however, luck was on their side and  some moving water was found.

Keith explained how to set up the cameras on tripods followed by individual coaching to programme each cameras. What was needed was a small aperture of F25, a slow shutter speed 1/6 of a second and an ISO of 100.

After taking photographs, the group went to the Rhinefield Hotel to photograph their fountains. Once again Keith helped with setting up tripods and cameras.  After all the hard work in the heat, a cuppa and cold drinks were well deserved. Unfortunately, Keith had to leave but not before the group presented him with a small gift as a thank you for giving up his valuable time to give the workshop.

report by Sandie

Impressive

With 19,000 miles of coast to monitor and operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the RNLI’s statistics are impressive.  23,204 people were aided by lifeguards in 2022 alone with the RNLI saving 142,700 lives since 1824.  Needless to say BEWI were thrilled to meet Robin, Nick and Dom at the monthly meeting.  They assured us that they would not be called out on a shout nor was the Mudeford Lifeboat Station short of staff because they were speaking to us.   We were impressed by our visitors, all volunteers with very specific roles and there to keep us safe.  Nick is shore crew and drives the tractor down the slipway with the lifeboat attached.  Sounds easy until you realise the boat is only inches narrower than the slipway and the tractor drives not only down but into the sea and along the bottom (it’s tidal and we’ve all seen the mud when the sea is at low tide).  Dom is boat crew, countless tasks to complete before the launch including an incredibly quick change into uniform, yellow boots included.  Robin is a Visitor Guide at Mudeford, a man who can tell you all about the RNLI and promote this wonderful organisation. 

They are a team and it shows.

Their lifesaving work is essential, often difficult and sometimes dangerous.  BEWI thanked our brave speakers and a donation was given to the charity.

 

 

Magical garden

It was a joy to explore Irene’s magical garden this morning.  The weekend’s rain enhanced the green shrubs to a luscious colour with pops of brilliant blooms catching the eye as we wandered around.  Not only did the garden look pretty, as we approached the rose bed a delicious scent flooded the air.  Irene obviously adores gardening and her hard work pays dividends.  Thank goodness there were some weeds (popular items these days) or most of us would have felt a garden like Irene’s would be unachievable.  As always, members were happy to share their tips, experience and expertise.  A happy day, we were all inspired.

What do you do?

Cover of Bonus Print WI album 2022

I was chatting to someone the other day who said they wouldn’t join a WI because it was all about crafts.  OK, I said, many of our members are brilliant at creating things but there is more to the WI.  This week, for example, you can visit a member’s garden and discuss planting (or weeds!); attend the regular monthly meeting where we have a speaker from RNLI; join a trip to Sculptures on the Lake; help with the Village Fun Run and then next week, there’s another range of opportunities.  On top of all these local events, WI campaigns.  A WI member has a unique opportunity to turn a concern into a national campaign every year, backed by the whole of the WI.  You only need to look at the national website to see that  we campaign on a huge range of issues – from promoting women’s rights and fostering health awareness, to encouraging sustainable development and building a fairer society.

WI current campaigns include:

  • Thinking Differently: Autistic and ADHS Women and Girls
  • See the Sighs
  • Make a Match
  • Stop Modern Salvery
  • Climate Chante
  • End Plastic Soup
  • No more Violence Against Women

Ask our BEWI members and they say it’s all about friendship (survey 2023).  Want to find out more, you are always welcome to contact us.

Coronation memories

Just before Coronation Day the BEWI Local History Group enjoyed showing each other their treasures and memorabilia from previous royal celebrations. There were newspapers and a plate and spoon from Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953, the plate given to its owner when she was born later that year.

A Fortnum & Mason caddy of Golden Jubilee Tea was kept from 2012, together with a commemorative coin and two mugs from Queen Elizabeth’s  Diamond Jubilee.
The 1930’s events were represented by the gold, red and blue front cover of an official souvenir programme (price one shilling) announcing the coronation of King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth in 1937. This detailed book gives abundant detail of the procession and guests and official photographs as well as the descent of the Crown going back to William the Conqueror.  A souvenir matchbox was from the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary of 1935.
Two very delicate coronation serviettes of tissue paper were from King Edward V11 ‘s coronation in 1902, and featured the Canadian Arch which was erected on the ceremonial route advertising Canada as an attractive emigration opportunity.
Last but by no means least  was a magnificent Britain’s model of the Golden Coach, horses and postillions made for 1953, much admired but never taken
out of the box.

 

The real Golden Coronation Coach  was built in 1762 for George 111 but was not ready in time for the coronation, so he and Queen Charlotte had to be carried to the Abbey on sedan chairs!
We were delighted to see what each other had stashed away in drawers and cupboards and would love to see what other members may have.
Note: the photo at the start of this article was taken the day before the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Bransgore Fun Day Thank you

A big thank you to everyone in Bransgore who bought one of our fabulous cakes or colourful bunting, we hope you enjoy them.  Also a big thank you to BEWI members who baked the cakes, donating not only the ingredients but their time.  This morning was a busy time for the BEWI volunteer helpers, setting up the stall with tables groaning with cakes and making sure it all looked amazing.  Our thanks to the Scouts for their assistance and to several husbands who helped ferry items.  What would we do without all the willing hands?  At the end of the day we may have been tired but we had fun, chatted to lots of people, enjoyed time with friends and raised some money for charity.

Lumberjills

Joanna Foat arrived looking like she’s stepped out of a recent episode of ‘Allo, Allo’.  Swiftly she had us enthralled with a talk about the Women’s Timber Corps especially as some of these trail blazing women operated in the New Forest.  Their  lumberjill history began with the Government’s realisation, at the start of WW2, that the country did not have a  sufficient supply of timber nor strong men to cut down trees.  In stepped thousands of women who proved they could fell and crosscut trees by hand, operate sawmills and run forestry sites as well as the men.  Unlike today, no protective gear or risk assessments but a uniform was created for these strong minded women and modelled by Joanna.

Joanna has written two books on the subject and interviewed many of the WW2 lumberjills about their exciting life in the forest.  BEWI had organised this event for the Ringwood Group of WIs.  As well as the fascinating talk, excellent cakes and coffee were served.  Ann Hayden, BEWI president thanked everyone for their help in making the afternoon a success.

 

Message from Hampshire County Federation Chair Helen

Many groups including councils, Women’s Institutes, community organisations and Britain In Bloom are planning floral decorations and celebrations for the Coronation of the King.  The King has asked people to plant trees, shrubs and flowers rather than purchase memorabilia.  The King’s favourite flower is the delphinium, “For me, the magnificent gloriously apparelled delphinium with its impeccable bearing and massed in platoons, holds pride of place in my botanical affections”.  They are regal in appearance and perennial delphiniums are easy to grow.  Flowering in early summer they grow well in planters as well as in beds and borders. They bloom in different shades of blue, purple, red, white and dusky pink so they could be used to create a display theme of the colours of the Union Jack flag.  King Charles is also a fan of wild meadow flowers and was instrumental in launching the coronation meadows project led by plant life in partnership with the wildlife trusts and the rare breeds of survival trust. The project came about as a way of promoting and preserving disappearing wildflower meadows in the UK. It was launched in 2013 to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.  Lily of the Valley also blooms in May and is another suitable choice with the late Queen’s favourite flower helping to symbolically unite the last monarchy with a new one. Tree planting is often used to mark important royal occasions. Last century a significant planting programme was carried out across the UK and in some Commonwealth countries. This celebrated the Coronation of King George VI in 1937. Similar schemes were launched during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign to mark her Coronation in 1953 and her Diamond Jubilee in 2012. The most recent scheme was the Queen’s Green Canopy which encouraged people to plant a tree for the Platinum Jubilee. I took part in planting one of these trees in Andover’s Harmony Wood, I know some WIs locally have as well. My WI is celebrating the coronation by encouraging our ladies to plant flowers that attract bees and butterflies in their gardens and in pots. We may be able to brighten up part of the village that needs a gardening makeover. I know many of you are planning street parties, get togethers to watch the Coronation or maybe just a cup of tea with a neighbour. Whatever you do think about planting a few bulbs, seeds, plug plants or even a tree or two. Do share with us your pictures and your celebrations we look forward to seeing them all. We may have them as part of our Spring Council meeting presentations. Whatever you do, I wish you joyous celebrations over the Coronation weekend.

Helen. County Chair

 

Fortune Centre visit

A small group of BEWI members attended the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy yesterday morning where we were treated to some rather delicious pastries, tea and  coffee on arrival.  The principal and assistant principal gave us a brief outline of the college and how it operates and this was followed by a tour of the premises with a chance to meet some of the horses, watch the students grooming the horses, preparing their feed and we also observed a session in the indoor school where the horse was on a lunge rein and the students  had to walk or run alongside the horse keeping in step – this was a called a Rhythm Lesson. Fortune College is a specialist college for young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities aged 16-25.  There are three sites – two residential in Burley and Tiptoe, then the centre where the majority of the horses are kept on the outskirts of Bransgore.  Before the visit the majority of us were under the impression that it was a centre where students with learning disabilities were taught to ride.  We were wrong, it is so much more than that and the horses are used to teach the students everything from life skills to complementing their academic lessons.  

If anybody gets the opportunity to visit the College then take it up – it was a really informative and enjoyable visit.