DFWI afternoon - The History Wardrobe
9th July 2019
Members from Ashbourne WI joined WI members from around Derbyshire for a fascinating talk by "The History Wardrobe". We heard the history of women's lives in the 1970s told through the music and clothes of the time - for many of us it brought back our own memories of that decade !! The talk was followed by a sumptuous afternoon tea prepared by WI members. A fantastic afternoon.
Dovedale Group Outing - Cromford Canal
4th July 2019
Ashbourne WI joined other local WIs for a trip along the Cromford canal. We progressed at a stately pace spotting flowers, birds and even the odd dinosaur! We stopped at High Peak Junction where we all got off to explore and to have an ice-cream. It was a lovely day out.
Carsington Water - Past, Present & Future
13th June 2019
We had a fascinating evening with Dave Drury, a ranger from Carsington Water, who told us all about "Carsington Water - Past Present & Future". Dave explained the purpose of the reservoir; it is simply to store water which is then fed to neighbouring reservoirs when needed. We heard about events during construction, including the dramatic events when the dam slipped - interestingly one of our members was camping nearby at the time and slept through it! However the reservoir opened successfully a few years later and has proved a great attraction for outdoor activity of all kinds. Indeed it now attracts 4 times the number of visitors than it anticipated.
The competition was for a crafted bird and the array of entries showed the skill and imagination of our members. They were also generous with their donations for the tombola at the Ashbourne Show and the jewellery collection raising money for cancer research.
The competition was for a crafted bird and the array of entries showed the skill and imagination of our members. They were also generous with their donations for the tombola at the Ashbourne Show and the jewellery collection raising money for cancer research.
Resolutions Meeting
9th May 2019
A lively meeting with good discussion about the two resolutions. Afterwards members enjoyed a bring and buy and plant sale, with very few items left unsold. We also collected more bags of jewellery for donation to Heart Research UK and a "carpet" of flowers (and a bee) for decorating The Methodist Church railings during Ashbourne Arts Festival.
Update on ACWW Projects
11th April 2019
It was yet another busy evening at Ashbourne WI this week. Although we have contributed to ACWW (associated country women of the world) over the years, many of us did not know how it operated. Sam Hall gave us a fascinating insight into how our regular collections of 'pennies for friendship', used stamps and old coins helped fund projects around the world. The projects are all small scale, such as providing buckets to start a community growing mushrooms or providing water pumps in villages. The projects come out of the communities and all money raised goes direct to the community. All projects have to be self sustaining and provide real benefit.
Our competition was for a flower arrangement in a jug. The entries were stunning and filled the hall with a delightful scent - I'm glad I didn't have to judge them.
We are also collecting old jewellery for cancer research, gifts for young carers, and crafted flowers for the Ashbourne Arts yarn bombing this summer.
Our competition was for a flower arrangement in a jug. The entries were stunning and filled the hall with a delightful scent - I'm glad I didn't have to judge them.
We are also collecting old jewellery for cancer research, gifts for young carers, and crafted flowers for the Ashbourne Arts yarn bombing this summer.
Annual Litter Pick
March 2019
Ashbourne WI joined the annual litter pick again this year. In one morning we collected 6 bags of rubbish, 1 battered traffic cone, 1 street light cover, quite a few vodka bottles and dozens and dozens of undelivered charity collection bags.
The WI started campaigning to keep our streets rubbish free back in the 1950s and the idea was taken up by the Tidy Britain Group. We still do our bit to help.
The WI started campaigning to keep our streets rubbish free back in the 1950s and the idea was taken up by the Tidy Britain Group. We still do our bit to help.
An armchair tour of Ashbourne
14th March 2019
Geof Cole took us on a whistle-stop tour around Ashbourne last night (fortunately watching from our chairs in the hall!) as we discovered there is more to Ashbourne than meets the eye. We time-travelled from Ashbourne's early days through its entry in the Domesday Book to the present day, discovering how little the layout has changed as we travelled from St Oswald's to the Memorial Gardens. It is fascinating how the buildings have been modernised and developed over the years and how much there is to be found looking behind the frontages.
Our competition was "a souvenir" which attracted a wide range of entries - well done to all who took part.
Our competition was "a souvenir" which attracted a wide range of entries - well done to all who took part.
Tips from a Top Judge
14th February 2019
Members were joined by ladies from neighbouring institutes for an informative and amusing talk by Nancy Hawksworth. Nancy, a national WI judge and trainer of other national judges is well known to us. She brought along various preserves and cookery items which she used to demonstrate some of the pitfalls to avoid and important points to remember when entering shows. Members had gamely submitted items of their own for Nancy's scrutiny. In her own inimitable way she offered explanations, encouragement and tips. Even if we may not enter competitions there was much we could learn to improve our cooking. As Nancy had already cut into everything and opened jars, members were compelled to taste what was displayed on the table with their cups of tea. A satisfying end to a most enjoyable evening.
Lives and Crimes of Local Women Transported to Australia
10th January 2019
We had a fascinating talk from John Barnett on the lives of some local women who were transported to Australia. He stared with the history of transportation. Who knew that originally people were transported to America (I didn't) and this only stopped due to the American War of Independence. Then transportation (for what now seem to be very minor offences) to Australia started. John then followed the lives of some local women, their crimes, their experiences on the long voyage to Australia and what happened to them there.
Our competition for a limerick beginning "there once was a lady from …" attracted lots of entries - all very good and I'm glad I didn't have to judge them.
Also during the meeting, the President presented Maureen with the Thorley Cup, awarded for her outstanding contribution to the Institute.
Our competition for a limerick beginning "there once was a lady from …" attracted lots of entries - all very good and I'm glad I didn't have to judge them.
Also during the meeting, the President presented Maureen with the Thorley Cup, awarded for her outstanding contribution to the Institute.
Christmas Party
13th December 2018
The tables were laid out with crackers and sparkles for our Christmas party this week when lots of chatter was accompanied by a buffet supper. Afterwards we all made gingerbread men to take home for our Christmas trees.
A good time was had by all.
This was our last meeting of the year so Ashbourne WI wishes you all a Happy Christmas and we'll look forward to seeing you at a meeting in the new year.
A good time was had by all.
This was our last meeting of the year so Ashbourne WI wishes you all a Happy Christmas and we'll look forward to seeing you at a meeting in the new year.
Annual Meeting
8th November 2018
It was our annual meeting on Thursday. The secretary and president's reports reminded us of just what a busy and varied year we'd had. How did we fit it all in? We gained a new volunteer for the committee and re-elected Jill as our president. At the end of the formal meeting, the Institute's cups were presented and it was a clean sweep for Laura who won both of our competition cups - the Dorothy Kitchen cup for the most points at the Ashbourne Show and the Kitchen cup for the most points in Institute competitions. Well done Laura. Then it was back to the Bring & Buy stall and the chance to chat over a cup of tea.
Another successful year for Ashbourne WI. Here's to the next 12 months which I'm sure will be just as action packed and fun.
Another successful year for Ashbourne WI. Here's to the next 12 months which I'm sure will be just as action packed and fun.
A Fine Romance
11th October 2018
Beginning with a quiz on book openers; author and academic Julia Ibbotson took us through the concept of the romantic novel which in some instances was not quite what we'd expected. Romance occurs in many genres other than the familiar "boy meets girl and lives happy ever after" and our traditional view of certain romantic "heroes" was challenged. We were treated to a history of "romantic novels" from Medieval Times to the present day with many examples. Julia introduced us to her own work which combines her interest in literature especially romance and history. We were certainly inspired to read and reread many familiar titles.
Members collected patterns to participate in Ashbourne Churches Together's angel event as well as the display in St Oswald's Church. They also signed up for forthcoming events which include an Autumn Group Meeting hosted by Ashbourne, a visit to Arighi Bianchi and our Christmas lunch which will again be at Carsington.
Life and Work in Nepal
13th September 2018
We had a fascinating evening with Joyce and Richard Odell, who stepped in at the last moment when our booked speaker couldn't come. They gave us a gave a riveting, illustrated talk on their life in Nepal. Starting with the context of the country through its politics, economics, religion, and medicine they moved on to tell us about working and bringing up a family in Nepal. T hey showed us an example of the woven wool and of the baskets which are used to carry everything and showed how they are worn across the forehead. Some of their stories made us very grateful for life here in England.
Our competition was a piece of jewellery made from recycled materials and this brought out the creative inventiveness in our members.
Our competition was a piece of jewellery made from recycled materials and this brought out the creative inventiveness in our members.