Ashbourne Show
Saturday 19th August 2023
Osmaston Polo Ground
Dovedale Group
Visit to RHS Bridgewater
9th August 2023
We had an excellent day out. Blessed with dry weather, some sunshine and a gentle breeze there was a colourful walled garden and a prolific vegetable garden to view. There were lakes and wooded areas to explore as well as other garden plots. As always there was time for cups of tea and lunch with friends, plus of course a little bit of shopping. This is definitely a place worth coming back to.
www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater
www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater
Dry Stone Walling
13th July 2023
We had an entertaining evening at our July meeting with Emma Yates who talked about following her dream and becoming a Dry Stone Waller. Her enthusiasm was catching as she described how Derbyshire walls are constructed and explained how, because there is no mortar, the wall can resist small movements in the ground.
She told of one wall that she repaired where she found an old shoe placed in the wall by its earlier builder, perhaps for good luck. She continued that tradition by placing a child’s shoe (given by the owner) within the new section of wall.
Our competition was a picture of a wall and attracted several entries.
She told of one wall that she repaired where she found an old shoe placed in the wall by its earlier builder, perhaps for good luck. She continued that tradition by placing a child’s shoe (given by the owner) within the new section of wall.
Our competition was a picture of a wall and attracted several entries.
Knitter, Nailers and Traitors
8th June 2023
The speaker at our June meeting was David Skillen with his insight into life in Belper with its industries of knitting and nail making.
The competition was a limerick beginning "There once was a worker from Belper ..."
The competition was a limerick beginning "There once was a worker from Belper ..."
Resolutions and Coronation Celebration
11th May 2023
We celebrated King Charles coronation in style at our meeting with sandwiches, cake and a loyal toast. The coronation quiz devised by our secretary had us scratching our heads at times, but all groups managed a creditable score. Our celebration followed a detailed discussion of the resolution going to the AGM next month as we decided if we felt we should support it.
Members had been busy knitting for the latest Ashbourne Arts Festival Fringe event at the Methodist church and our ‘bring & buy’ did a lively trade raising money for the Ashbourne food bank. A busy and enjoyable meeting.
Members had been busy knitting for the latest Ashbourne Arts Festival Fringe event at the Methodist church and our ‘bring & buy’ did a lively trade raising money for the Ashbourne food bank. A busy and enjoyable meeting.
County Quiz
27th April 2023
Ashbourne's team won first place at the Mickleover venue with 80 out of a possible 90 points. Playing their joker on the last ‘miscellany’ round proved to be the right decision as it played to their varied strengths and ended up with them getting 20 points.
It was a very enjoyable evening with lots of fun.
It was a very enjoyable evening with lots of fun.
What did Jane Austen stitch?
13th April 2023
Unfortunately the speaker for our April meeting was taken ill, necessitating a change of plan. Secretary Lois Wilkes delivered an illustrated talk on the life and times of Jane Austen with special mention of fashion and embroidery. Perhaps members will be rereading Jane's novels with fresh eyes.
Our new Adviser attended the meeting, introduced herself and explained a little about the process of training to be a WI Adviser. There were two competitions for her to judge - last month's a recipe using potatoes and for April an arrangement of flowers in a jar. Members had some very creative uses for potatoes and a beautiful array of spring flowers.
Our new Adviser attended the meeting, introduced herself and explained a little about the process of training to be a WI Adviser. There were two competitions for her to judge - last month's a recipe using potatoes and for April an arrangement of flowers in a jar. Members had some very creative uses for potatoes and a beautiful array of spring flowers.
Mashed Potato Sandwiches
9 March 2023
Snow continuing to fall on the blanket of snow covering Ashbourne meant we had to move the meeting on-line. It was well attended - perhaps one of the few benefits of the recent lockdowns is that members were happy to zoom rather than battle through snow.
We had a very entertaining talk by Ann Featherstone on "Mashed Potato Sandwiches". She talked about the wartime book she'd found on her mother bookshelves and explored life at home in the war and post war years. Many members could clearly recall many of these experiences but some of our younger members admitted that they'd had to google some of the things she talked about! Her talk really brought home how much life has changed since those days.
As for the mashed potato sandwiches, there was a recipe in the book for using up leftover mashed potatoes and sprouts. The sprouts were chopped up, mixed with the mashed potatoes and a spoonful of marmalade added before the mixture was spread on buttered bread. Ann did admit that, although she'd made the sandwich, she hadn't tried it.
Curiously, the recipe in the book called it a marmalade sandwich - do you think this is what Paddington kept in his hat? We decided Paddington probably just had marmalade in his sandwiches.
We had a very entertaining talk by Ann Featherstone on "Mashed Potato Sandwiches". She talked about the wartime book she'd found on her mother bookshelves and explored life at home in the war and post war years. Many members could clearly recall many of these experiences but some of our younger members admitted that they'd had to google some of the things she talked about! Her talk really brought home how much life has changed since those days.
As for the mashed potato sandwiches, there was a recipe in the book for using up leftover mashed potatoes and sprouts. The sprouts were chopped up, mixed with the mashed potatoes and a spoonful of marmalade added before the mixture was spread on buttered bread. Ann did admit that, although she'd made the sandwich, she hadn't tried it.
Curiously, the recipe in the book called it a marmalade sandwich - do you think this is what Paddington kept in his hat? We decided Paddington probably just had marmalade in his sandwiches.
Royal Crown Derby
9 February 2023
We learnt a lot at our February meeting when the speaker from Royal Crown Derby explained how the company and its products have evolved. Elizabeth Woledge’s talk started from the cottage industry which produced simple white ornaments to the complex products of today. On the way through history she described how the company gained its ‘Royal’ name (from George III) and its Crown (from Victoria). She brought examples of their work which she passed round for us to examine. A really fascinating evening.
Our competition, ‘a piece of china’ attracted a lot of entries several pieces of which caught the eye of our speaker!
Our competition, ‘a piece of china’ attracted a lot of entries several pieces of which caught the eye of our speaker!
Snippets from Stuart Textiles
12 January 2023
We had a great time at our January meeting. Our speaker, Lois, gave us a fascinating gamble through royal Stuart fashions illustrating how they changed over time. She also talked about the fabrics and techniques they used in the historical context of the time. After her talk we were able to admire a beautifully embroidered old textile brought in by one of our members and collect the jumpers we had made in November that were used to decorate our Christmas tree in St Oswalds church. All this accompanied by a cup of tea and a chance to chat with other members.
Christmas 2022
Christmas Party
8th December 2022
Our Christmas celebrations continued as we partied with our ‘bring & share’ supper followed by Christmas Tree beetle. We all had fun, despite the number 6 being very elusive at times!
8th December 2022
Our Christmas celebrations continued as we partied with our ‘bring & share’ supper followed by Christmas Tree beetle. We all had fun, despite the number 6 being very elusive at times!
Dovedale Group Afternoon Tea
Tuesday 6th December 2022
Some of our members joined with others from The Dovedale Group for an afternoon tea and a cake decorating demonstration at Betty's Vintage Tea Room, Ashbourne. Julie showed us how to create a cake topper of Christmas baubles. Then under her patient tuition we learned how to create our own Santa, elf and gonk.
Tuesday 6th December 2022
Some of our members joined with others from The Dovedale Group for an afternoon tea and a cake decorating demonstration at Betty's Vintage Tea Room, Ashbourne. Julie showed us how to create a cake topper of Christmas baubles. Then under her patient tuition we learned how to create our own Santa, elf and gonk.
Christmas Tree in St Oswald's Church
This year's theme is mini Christmas jumpers, sometimes called ugly sweaters, created by members by knitting or stitching felt.
This year's theme is mini Christmas jumpers, sometimes called ugly sweaters, created by members by knitting or stitching felt.
Christmas Lunch
Wednesday 23 November 2022
We started our Christmas celebrations today with lunch at Carsington Water. Most of our members joined us for an excellent lunch, the chance to have a chat and to share some of the cracker jokes on the table (which were as good as ever!).
Wednesday 23 November 2022
We started our Christmas celebrations today with lunch at Carsington Water. Most of our members joined us for an excellent lunch, the chance to have a chat and to share some of the cracker jokes on the table (which were as good as ever!).
Annual Meeting
10 November 2022
It was our annual meeting last night. The reports show the institute is in a healthy state and gave an overview of our activities during the year. Even though we'd joined in with the activities, we were still amazed at just how much we had done. Our competition cups and a cup for outstanding contribution to the Institute were awarded, and the committee and president for the next year elected. After refreshments, we concluded the meeting making decorations for our Christmas tree in St Oswald's church.
The Life of Joseph Paxton
13th October 2022
At our October meeting Danny Wells delivered an interesting and beautifully illustrated talk about the life of Joseph Paxton. Members heard about his work for the Duke of Devonshire as well as his design to house The Great Exhibition of 1851. There were many more aspects to Paxton's career. He had published a magazine, Botany and one of our members had brought along copies of that very same magazine.
There was a report from The Federation Meeting In Buxton where the speakers Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason and Tracy Daszkiewicz had explained about their respective lives and careers. In addition there were reports from Trustees about the work of the DFWI Teams.
There was a report from The Federation Meeting In Buxton where the speakers Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason and Tracy Daszkiewicz had explained about their respective lives and careers. In addition there were reports from Trustees about the work of the DFWI Teams.
Dovedale Group Meeting
Monday 24th October
Members of Ashbourne, Kniveton and Tissington WIs met in St Oswald's Church Hall to hear Ann Pocklington talk about her Great-aunt Amy. Using a variety of documents, including a very precious diary, Ann had manged to trace Amy's life from wretched beginnings in the slums of Hull, via nurse training in Whitechapel to visits at Sandringham. The illustrated talk was aptly titled "From Rags to Royalty. Skeletons in cupboards were unearthed along the way adding some humour amongst the inevitable hardships of life for the poor in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There was ample time for questions and discussion over refreshments.
It was certainly good to be resuming the pattern of group activities after Covid.
To see Ann's work and the variety of other talks she offers go to www.driventostitch.co.uk
It was certainly good to be resuming the pattern of group activities after Covid.
To see Ann's work and the variety of other talks she offers go to www.driventostitch.co.uk
Monthly Meeting
8 September 2022
The hall was packed as we had our first meeting after the summer. The meeting started with a minute's silence in memory of the Queen.
Unfortunately, our speaker was unable to join us due to ill health so Pat Hall, one of our members, took up the challenge with a light-hearted look at old newspaper cuttings and advertisements.
Toiletries were collected to be taken to The Federation Meeting in Buxton. these will be donated to a women's centre.
Our competition was an autumn collage and attracted some quite varied entries.
Unfortunately, our speaker was unable to join us due to ill health so Pat Hall, one of our members, took up the challenge with a light-hearted look at old newspaper cuttings and advertisements.
Toiletries were collected to be taken to The Federation Meeting in Buxton. these will be donated to a women's centre.
Our competition was an autumn collage and attracted some quite varied entries.