Tag: wi

Posted on

Warm Welcoming Space for Winter Returns

Warm Welcoming Space is Back

AI Generated Image representing a warm welcoming space with tea coffee & biscuits

The Care Network working with the WI and with support from the Parish Council is planning, once again, to provide a free warm welcoming space this winter. As previously, this will be in the Social Club Meeting Room at the Orpen Hall.

They will take place on Mondays & Fridays between 10 am and 12 noon starting on Friday 27th October.

Tea, coffee and biscuits and free Wi-Fi will be available. In fact, everything is free of charge, no membership or booking and all age groups are welcome. Meet others, come with friends or enjoy a little time alone – the warm space can be whatever you want it to be.

Continue reading “Warm Welcoming Space for Winter Returns”
Posted on

Les Mis to Lion King

Les Mis to Lion King

Les Mis to Lion KingLes Mis to Lion King

Les Mis to Lion King is the topic of the next WI presentation on Wednesday 1st February at the Orpen Hall at 7:15pm.  A lot of new members joined West Bergholt WI in 2016 – why don’t you come along and try the W.I. on Feb 1st for FREE?

Martyn Harrison

The presenter of this talk, Martyn Harrison, worked for 40 years as  a  professional Opera Singer.  His career has now diversified, with time, into several associated areas of the Performing Arts.
Martyn Harrison

  • Stage Director,
  • Guest Speaker, and
  • Vocal Coach.

As a Tenor he has worked with Major Opera Companies including ROH [Garden Venture], Glyndebourne [8 years], New Sadler’s Wells and New D’Oyly Carte plus English National Opera, Kent Opera, Pimlico Opera, Opera at Holland Park, Cambridge Opera, Opera Restor’d and guesting with numerous other festival and regional groups.

As a Stage Director he has directed over 180 shows ranging from Pantomime to Grand Opera.  He tours extensively as a Guest Speaker on Music Theatre, Operetta & Opera in the UK, Germany & Australia.

Posted on

Women’s Institute August 2016 Update

WI-logoWomen’s Institute August 2016 Update

Recent activity in West Bergholt WI

Joint Presidents 2016
Joint Presidents Sheila Boxshall and Manya Barrow

Newly elected joint Presidents are Sheila Boxshall and Manya Barrow. West Bergholt W.I. Membership now stands at 55.

In June, members brought cakes, which they donate once a year to St Helena Hospice, for visitors and patients afternoon teas.  The speaker that month was Sheila Gunson with her talk entitled Continue reading “Women’s Institute August 2016 Update”

Posted on

Women’s Institute March 2015 Update

WI-logoWI – March 2015 Meeting

Pots, Wellbeing & Gemstones

The president welcomed two visitors and following the business, Susan Leng, handed over the meeting to Roberta Bown who chaired the ‘Member’s Meeting’.  This gave the committee an opportunity to sit back and relax.   Potted plants were presented to them with grateful thanks for all their hard work.

Heather Payne was the speaker, her subject entitled ‘Well Being’.  She also brought along many crystals and explained how they may help people.  Members enjoyed hot cross buns with their tea/coffee.

Social time involved members splitting into groups to make up a verse with a card relating to a gemstone.  The competition was an egg cup with a large variety of styles ranging from china to wood.  A grand raffle followed.

Susan thanked Roberta and her committee for an enjoyable evening.

Posted on

Women’s Institute January Update

WI meeting December 2014 with flower arrangements

WI Craft with Flowers

The December meeting took on a craft theme. Members were advised by the Colne Valley Flower Club president, Pat Sharman, and with the aid of greenery, decorations and candles, individual Christmas Rings were made.  It was a great success and even the less ‘green fingered’ ladies were pleased with their results.

Members provided savouries for the supper which followed and the evening concluded with a grand raffle so large that everyone received a prize. A fitting end to another enjoyable year.

St PetersburgSt Petersburg

The president welcomed members and a visitor to the January meeting. Following the business, Susan Leng gave a talk on St Petersburg with slides.

The competition was My New Year’s Resolution, which were read out to great amusement and members voted with coins. These were collected for ACWW.  The evening concluded with slides covering our many WI activities during 2014.

More details about the West Bergholt WI are on our webpage.

Posted on

Women’s Institute November 2014 – January 2015

The WI - Inspiring WomenFrom the Sea to St Petersburgh & back home again

Meeting, as ever, on the first Wednesday of each month (7:15 in the Orpen Hall), the West Bergholt WI welcomes guests many of whom choose to join – indeed a number have joined recently boosting numbership to over 50!  The next two ‘open meetings’ are:

  • November 2014 – “Sea, Songs and Stories” by Jim Lawrence,
  • January 2015 – we will have 2 film shows:
    • “St Petersburgh and its Treasures” and
    • “West Bergholt WI in 2014”.

As well as the regular meetings, every month the WI have a Coffee Morning at the Treble Tile and there is a Play Reading Group, and there’s a Scrabble and Rummikub session every fortnight.

Posted on

Women’s Institute October 2014 Update

The WI - Inspiring Women

October Fashion Show Attracts over 90

October's meeting was with Edinburgh Woollen Mill fashion showOctober’s WI meeting was an ‘Open Evening’ with the president, Susan Leng, welcoming numerous Womens’ Institutes from the surrounding area.

Many visitors attended forming an audience with our WI of just over ninety ladies.  The fashion show was from Colchester’s Edinburgh Woollen Mill with ten West Bergholt members modelling the Autumn collection which included the makes of Honor Milburn, Country Rose, Isle and EWM.

Each model wore three different sets of garments from skirts and jumpers to jackets and gilets. Our secretary gave the commentary detailing which collection and prices.

Following the show two large rails were wheeled out so everyone could have a closer look.  The guests enjoyed home made refreshments and the evening ended with a grand raffle.  A very successful event.

Posted on

Women’s Institute February 2014 Update

The WI - Inspiring Women

Magic, Desert Islands & London Guides

December – Magic Marvo

December saw the Women’s Institute’s Christmas meeting.  The president, Susan Leng,   presented a voucher to Marie Louise Fuell who was the 2013 winner of our monthly competition, Hillary Nugent and Manya Barrow were runners up.

The evening continued with a supper provided by the members.   Magic Marvo, a magician, entertained with everyone puzzled  by his clever tricks. The grand raffle enabled everyone to receive a prize.

Later in the month member, Manya Barrow, invited the W I to her house for mulled wine and mince pies with entertainment and Christmas carols which everyone joined in. A convivial afternoon to end the W I year.

January  – Desert Island Discs

In January the vice-president,  Bea Girkin,  welcomed several new members and a guest.  There was no speaker so members brought C D’s to play for  ‘Desert Island Discs’ and talked about the reason for their choice. The competition was a luxury item to take to the Desert Island.  The winner was Mary Brent with her suggestion – a pillow.  Social Time was enjoyed by all with a team word game.

February – Blue Badge London Guide

The president was back in the chair and pleased to see so many new members.  Gary Egerton a blue badge London Guide made a welcome return visit with his talk on Strange and Unknown Facts about London.  Our social time was enjoyed by everyone with slides by the president showing all our varied activities during 2013.

We celebrated our 93rd Birthday Lunch at the Cricketers on 19th February.

The monthly coffee morning at the Treble Tile was well supported with 19 members in attendance.  Play reading afternoons are still flourishing.

Upcoming

Our Open Evening on 2nd April sees the return of Brian Carline, speaker, author and broadcaster.  His talk is entitled ‘An Amusing Account of Life in our Schools’.  Posters with more information will be put up around the village.

Posted on

Women’s Institute April 2013 Update

Edinburgh Woollen Mill logoThe president Susan Leng  welcomed 8 invited local Women’s Institutes and many visitors to their annual fashion show.  Eight members  from the West Bergholt WI modelled four chosen garments each from casual to smart wear from the Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop in Colchester.   The secretary gave a commentary.  The staff from the shop were each presented with a pot of daffodils.

A bring and buy plus large raffle made for a successful fund raising evening.  In October 2014 the shop will present their autumn/winter collection.

May is the annual meeting and the committee is looking for more members to join them.

Skip to content