To all members of Bransgore Evening WI plus our families, friends and neighbours.

The committee hopes 2023 brings you peace, love, laughter and joy.

a happy, healthy, peaceful New Year.

The Wine Club celebrated in style last night with a range of wines for the Christmas meal.  Everyone agreed it was a really fun evening and a treat to sample so many different wines.  Our thanks go to Celia for the delicious nibbles to compliment each bottle and for the excellent research, we are all wiser.

Best wishes to you all from BEWI Wine Club – Cheers!

Oh yes it is!  And it certainly was, yes it is, when we talk about the BEWI December meeting.  The atmosphere was full of fun especially when members of the newly formed Drama Crew put on not just one but two pantos under the able leadership of Sara.  Lines were learnt (well almost) at at series of intense rehearsals with instructions about timing, handling props and trying not to laugh – all a bit of a tall order.  The performances were magical and set the scene for a fun filled evening with quizzes, a poetry challenge and a table laden with delicious things to eat.  One of our members wrote “what a brilliant evening it was yesterday. So much fun with great activities and a wonderful, funny production lead by Sara. Thank you so much for all the effort that went in to this, right down to the little touches of bringing orange segments to the tables for the delicious mulled wine and the warm welcome given to all the guests.”

Thank you, it was our pleasure – oh yes it was!

According to the National Candle Association, candles have been used to illuminate celebrations for over 5,000 years and several BEWI members now have beautiful candle table decorations for their Christmas table.  A workshop, led by Ann and Celia, showed members what can be achieved with a selection of flowers, leaves, a candle and a touch of imagination.  Some members decided on colours to match their décor whilst others used bows and cones.  What ever the choices, the results were amazing.  Well done to all who attended and thanks to Ann and Celia for sharing their expertise.

Sixteen ladies came along to a chilly Crowe WI hut for a fun evening playing skittles.  Experience ranged from absolute beginners to a few surprisingly determined players, with a few people struggling to understand Pat’s instructions that the ball had to hit the floor before the line – a few balls were launched down the alley but hit the floor after the line!  As usual our members excelled themselves with the buffet and we all enjoyed a tasty interlude before playing the final game.  The overall winner was Michelle and somehow it was Jacqui who received the wooden spoon [or wooden spatula in this case].  Thanks must to go to Pat for scoring and acting as umpire and also to Glynis and Wendy who helped with the running of the event on the night.

Note from Web editor:  thanks must also go to Carol H who arranged the evening and to Glynis, for once again, providing all the photos.  What a team!

………………………..was frightful
But the fire was so delightful
And since we’ve a place to go
Have a drink, have a drink, have a drink! – with apologies to Carleen Anderson

The Wine Club met on a particularly wet and very windy Monday evening but their spirits rose with a popping of corks and a chance to sample some excellent sparkling wine known as Crémant.  There is a strict specification governing Crémant de Loire production and wines are at their best during this first year, or for the following 2 or 3 years.  With the Wine Club testing 5 different varieties including Crémant d’Jura,  Alsace, Bourgogne, Limoux there was one for everyone to enjoy.

Well done to our team who entered the Hampshire Federation WI Jigsaw Race.  Teams of four had to complete a 500 piece jigsaw as fast as they could.  Glynis said “ Jigsaw One was completed in one hour fifteen minutes.  BEWI team did so well we then had to swap with winners and complete a second 500 Jigsaw”.  It seems they all had a great time and came second overall, congratulations.

If you are interested in joining the WI, have a look at our website and see what may interest you.

With the wind howling on Monday evening and the weather forecast warning of continuing high-speed winds, no one was quite sure if we would be walking along the coast on Tuesday morning.  When we woke the sky was blue and dog owners are hardy people so off we set from Cliffhanger.  Hamish, Honey, Brian and their four-legged friends headed off with noses into the wind.  Hamish’s hair swirled, Honey headed for the water and the others dashed happily along.  We chatted with our words being caught by the breeze, as well as a hat and a bank card!  Sitting later with a large coffee we agreed that it was a beautiful November day and we were glad we decided to brave the weather which was much better than the forecast.

If you wanted to buy a few Christmas gifts or another ‘must have’ decoration for your Christmas Tree, Greyfriars in Ringwood was the place to be on Friday last week.  For a £3 entry fee you received a drink and a delicious slice of cake and a chance to chat to lots of WI members.  The main hall was filled with delightful items from delicate jewellery encasing real flowers; colourful leaded glass stars; hand painted bone china; cosy knitted blankets and pretty, hand-crafted tree decs.  There was so much to see.  BEWI had their stall filled with ideas for Christmas gifts and adorable gonks!  Gonks are the sought-after Christmas item this year and members can make their own at our next Crafty Girls workshop.

As a Remembrance display Greyfriars was covered in knitted and crocheted Poppies created by Ringwood Afternoon WI.  The building looked stunning, congratulations to Ringwood WI.

When WI friends locally heard that Ukranian children had moved to Ringwood they bought some wool in blue and yellow, sat round a kitchen table and knitted teddies.  We received a note of thanks recently stating “Thank you so much to you and your friends for the lovely teddy bears you have been knitting for the Ukrainian children arriving here. The most recent two went to a little girl and boy who have recently arrived in Ringwood. They are such a kind way to welcome young children here, all of whom have been through upheaval and are missing home.”

It’s our pleasure Owen.

More information from:

Owen Griffith

Love Ukraine Ringwood

www.loveukraineringwood.co.uk