Dovedale Group Outing to Southwell
22nd August 2018
Members of the Dovedale Group and guests toured Southwell Minster. There was time for reflection inspired by the carvings, stained glass and age of the place. As well as exploring the many glories of the building we were treated to rehearsals for the music festival, which added to the enjoyment.
www.southwellminster.org/
After lunch there was a visit to The Workhouse. Not the most uplifting experience, but interesting none the less. Following an introduction to the Poor Law system both from a knowledgeable guide and a film everyone walked though the various rooms at their own place, reflecting on the lives of those who had inhabited them. Many of us had stories of grandparents who lived in fear of ending up in the workhouse.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-workhouse-southwell
To end a perfect day when we were blessed by dry weather and not too much heat we had a further surprise - an aerial display by The Red Arrows.
www.southwellminster.org/
After lunch there was a visit to The Workhouse. Not the most uplifting experience, but interesting none the less. Following an introduction to the Poor Law system both from a knowledgeable guide and a film everyone walked though the various rooms at their own place, reflecting on the lives of those who had inhabited them. Many of us had stories of grandparents who lived in fear of ending up in the workhouse.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/the-workhouse-southwell
To end a perfect day when we were blessed by dry weather and not too much heat we had a further surprise - an aerial display by The Red Arrows.
Ashbourne Show
18th August 2018
Together with neighbouring WIs Ashbourne WI organised The WI Tent at Ashbourne Show. There were contributions to the tombola and cake stall. A craft stall raised funds for Derby Mountain Rescue. A much admired display of archives celebrated 100 years of DFWI. There was a high standard of entries to the competitions. A thoroughly enjoyable day!
Summer Walk
16th July 2018
Members of Ashbourne and Kniveton WIs - part of The Dovedale Group, undertook The Adam Bede Walk in Ellastone. Guided by Ed and Rosemary Barker, they were treated to literature, local history, fine views, sunshine and of course cake. A thoroughly pleasant afternoon, filled with friendship too.
Galaxies and how they work
12th July 2018
The meeting started with a report from the national AGM, from the very moving sound of the whole meeting singing Jerusalem at the start to the discussion of the resolution (which was passed by an overwhelming majority). Our delegate had enjoyed the two main speakers and said how much she had enjoyed being there.
The speaker, Julian Onions, then gave us a fascinating gamble through space explaining how galaxies work, their different shapes and how they are defined. His pictures showed just how colourful galaxies are. But their dimensions are huge - perhaps too big to comprehend easily. He showed the various telescopes used to investigate galaxies, some on earth and some in space.
Our competition was 'a star' with a range of different entries - I'm glad I didn't have to judge it.
The speaker, Julian Onions, then gave us a fascinating gamble through space explaining how galaxies work, their different shapes and how they are defined. His pictures showed just how colourful galaxies are. But their dimensions are huge - perhaps too big to comprehend easily. He showed the various telescopes used to investigate galaxies, some on earth and some in space.
Our competition was 'a star' with a range of different entries - I'm glad I didn't have to judge it.
Garden birds of spring & summer
12th April 2018
We had a full hall for our April meeting when David Tidswell talked about garden birds of spring and summer. This was an open meeting so we welcomed several visitors.
David told us that garden design is important to attract birds to our gardens before describing how to build and install a nesting box, and (most importantly) how not to do it. His slides of a wide range of birds showed their behaviour and his descriptions had everyone laughing.
Our competition, of garden flowers in a jam jar, attracted several entries and gave a beautiful display at the back of the hall.
David told us that garden design is important to attract birds to our gardens before describing how to build and install a nesting box, and (most importantly) how not to do it. His slides of a wide range of birds showed their behaviour and his descriptions had everyone laughing.
Our competition, of garden flowers in a jam jar, attracted several entries and gave a beautiful display at the back of the hall.
Estate Planning - Tax, Care & Toy-Boys
8th March 2018
Our speaker was John Ambrose from Co-op Legal Co-op Estate Planning. His talk covered wills, inheritance tax, care home fees, the use of trusts, and prepaid funeral plans.
DFWI Centenary Council Meeting
6 March 2018
The centenary meeting was celebrated with balloons, flowers and a cake – even the floral displays reflected changes over the 100 years.
The meeting voted in favour of the Federation becoming a Charity Incorporated Organisation, which will provide some protection for trustees.
As well as the guest speakers the meeting heard about the work of Helen’s Trust, supporting terminally ill people and their families.
The morning guest speaker was Steve Cooke from the Eggheads with an entertaining look at how he became a professional quizzer and an Egghead.
The afternoon guest speaker was Joanna Trollope with a fascinating insight into the timelessness of Jane Austen’s work. She had redrafted Sense and Sensibility into modern times and she read an extract from each version for comparison.
The meeting voted in favour of the Federation becoming a Charity Incorporated Organisation, which will provide some protection for trustees.
As well as the guest speakers the meeting heard about the work of Helen’s Trust, supporting terminally ill people and their families.
The morning guest speaker was Steve Cooke from the Eggheads with an entertaining look at how he became a professional quizzer and an Egghead.
The afternoon guest speaker was Joanna Trollope with a fascinating insight into the timelessness of Jane Austen’s work. She had redrafted Sense and Sensibility into modern times and she read an extract from each version for comparison.
Medical Detection Dogs
8th February 2018
We had an interesting talk from David Brocklehurst of the Medical Detection Dogs charity on how the dogs help with medical conditions. A dogs sense of smell is highly developed and they can detect tiny quantities of 'bad' cells in samples.
They started by identifying cancerous cells in small samples of urine but are now also used to alert people with chronic conditions (such as diabetes) to life threatening incidents. For these people, the dog will be their constant companion but the other dogs live with families and are taken to their headquarters when needed to test samples.
Although David was giving the talk, it was his dog Alice who really stole the show!
They started by identifying cancerous cells in small samples of urine but are now also used to alert people with chronic conditions (such as diabetes) to life threatening incidents. For these people, the dog will be their constant companion but the other dogs live with families and are taken to their headquarters when needed to test samples.
Although David was giving the talk, it was his dog Alice who really stole the show!
Cromford Mill and the story of Richard Arkwright
11th January 2018
We had a packed hall to hear the story of Richard Arkwright and his mills in Cromford. Chris Lea took us through his 'rags to riches' story. From working as a barber in Lancashire, he developed his spinning machine which he patented in 1769. By 1788 he had 22 mills in Derbyshire alone and had become a very rich man. Chris went on to explore what happened to his descendants who had expanded into banking and farming and are now spread across England and further afield.
A really interesting evening.
The competition - a photograph of an industrial building was won by the photograph of Brindley Mill.
A really interesting evening.
The competition - a photograph of an industrial building was won by the photograph of Brindley Mill.
Christmas Lunch
19 December 2017
We continued our Christmas celebrations today with a meal at Carsington Water. The food was excellent as was the company. With 33 of us on 3 long tables, the noise of talking could probably be heard across the restaurant, but no-one seemed to mind!
Christmas Party
14 December 2017
We had a lovely evening yesterday at our Christmas party. The tables were beautifully decorated, the buffet delicious and it was all rounded off with a craft session making a mice to decorate our Christmas trees.
Thanks to all who helped with decorations, the buffet, clearing up and our craft session.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all our members.
Thanks to all who helped with decorations, the buffet, clearing up and our craft session.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all our members.
Dovedale Group - Christmas Service
26 November 2017
Ashbourne WI joined with other local WIs and the people of Kniveton in the Angel Festival at the parish church of St Michael and All Angels. The church was beautifully decorated with angel banners complemented by paper, knitted and fabric angels – angels everywhere. It was great to join with others in a packed church to sing carols and hear stories about angels followed by tea and home-made cakes in the village hall. Well done Kniveton.
2017 Annual Meeting
9 November 2017
It was a busy night when we met last week.
Firstly we heard about all the Christmas events that are lined up for us next month before holding our annual meeting. The reports to the meeting reminded us of what a busy and varied year we've had. The institute's cups were presented to the three worthy winners before we elected our new committee and president. Our new president Jill takes over from Stephanie who stepped down after three years.
The meeting ended with tea and a quiz.
Firstly we heard about all the Christmas events that are lined up for us next month before holding our annual meeting. The reports to the meeting reminded us of what a busy and varied year we've had. The institute's cups were presented to the three worthy winners before we elected our new committee and president. Our new president Jill takes over from Stephanie who stepped down after three years.
The meeting ended with tea and a quiz.
Nursery Rhymes
12 October 2017
We all had great fun at the October meeting as Paul Newsham kept us entertained with old nursery rhymes. It might be many years since we last said them but we hadn't forgotten the words. Paul had us all singing along, doing the actions and generally having a great time. The competition this time was for a toy which Paul kindly judged for us.
There was also quite a lot of business to get through with details of many events on the run up to Christmas. These proved popular as members were busy signing up while we had our tea. So our busy autumn continues.
There was also quite a lot of business to get through with details of many events on the run up to Christmas. These proved popular as members were busy signing up while we had our tea. So our busy autumn continues.
Autumn Group Meeting
5 October 2017
Members from all four institutes in the group gathered in St Oswald's church hall for our autumn meeting. Federation trustee Judy Stanhope told us of the federation's plans for celebrating our centenary next year - it will be an action-packed year. This was followed by a number of quizes (some more difficult than others!) and the tasting of lots of delicious puddings brought in by members. A truly successful evening.
DFWI autumn council meeting
3 October 2017
The auditorium was packed with members from all over the county. Our new national chairman, Lynne Stubbings, described her journey from first joining her local WI through roles on the committee to being a federation trustee then a national trustee and finally becoming our chairman. She went on to talk about the plans for the future.
In the afternoon we heard an inspirational talk from Liz Carr star of BBC1's Silent Witness. Her description of her life and her path through kept us laughing and she had standing ovation at the end.
In the afternoon we heard an inspirational talk from Liz Carr star of BBC1's Silent Witness. Her description of her life and her path through kept us laughing and she had standing ovation at the end.
Music Hall - singers and songs
14th September 2017
Ann Featherstone kept us enthralled for an hour last night with her stories of Victorian music hall performers and their songs. She had us all singing along with her to some very familiar verses - little did we think beforehand that we all knew Victorian music hall songs!
It was our first meeting back after the summer break so there was lots of chat, lots to catch up on, and lots to plan for the future. I think we're in for a busy autumn.
It was our first meeting back after the summer break so there was lots of chat, lots to catch up on, and lots to plan for the future. I think we're in for a busy autumn.