Tuesday 13th December 2022:

WI Christmas Party

On Tuesday December 13th we held our Annual Christmas party, 54 members enjoyed a three course meal provided by outside caterers. After dinner Holly Reynolds, a vintage vocalist entertained us. Holly has a love of all things 50’s and 60’s which started at an early age. She began performing her own gigs from the age of 13. Having graduated from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts she can be found performing in theatres across the country. All these experiences have led Holly to where she is now, wowing audiences with her tribute to the wonderful music of the 1950’s and 1960’s. She certainly wowed us with her beautiful voice and amusing anecdotes, before long we were all singing along!

Report by Judy Blamey

Tuesday 14th June 2022: Kevin Reynolds 'The Evolution of Birds'

A warm welcome was given to our speaker for the evening, Kevin Reynolds. The talk was the Evolution of Birds- well you might be forgiven to think this could be quite hard going… but it was one of the most interesting talks we have had the pleasure to listen to. Kevin started by admitting that he does not have formal qualifications on the subject but wild life and conservation are his passion. He explained how our relationship with birds started to develop over a century ago.

Of course we didn’t have garden birds as we know them now, as many people didn’t have a garden. Also people used to eat and capture birds ( many countries still do this). The Dickey Bird Society was the first conservation society for birds. This came about from the Humane Movement Laws to protect wildlife in 1822. We began to see a cultural change and one was to care and protect birds. In 1889 the RSPB was formed. It was 1945 before the first book was written about Garden Birds. Kevin’s talk was very informative and he engaged his audience throughout.

Pat Howitt proposed the vote thanks.

We then had a break for tea and lovely cakes and much chatter. It is still somewhat a novelty to be meeting and chatting without masks and not having to keeping our distance !

Beryl Swash received her prize for best crown from our Jubilee Picnic Party in May. Beryl wore her crown with pride for evening looking very regal.

 Report by Gill Monk

Wednesday 1st June 2022: Jubilee Party at the Scout Hut

On June 1st Jodrell Side were back at the Scout Hut for a Jubilee Picnic (last year we had our 50th year Anniversary picnic). This was such a lovely occasion. The committee prepared afternoon tea with a glass of Prosecco for all members to enjoy. President Pat offered a warm welcome and we all sang God Save The Queen. For me and I hope for many members it was such a heart warming and patriotic moment to feel a small part of The Jubilee Celebrations to Celebrate our amazing Queen of 70 years. Many members had made crowns to wear and all looked very regal with my own very different crown which had been left to the imagination of my 5 and 10 year old Granddaughters. A good time was had by all with suggestions that we should have a picnic every year.  

Report by Gill Monk

Tuesday 10th May 2022: Rosie Lee ‘The Reluctant Shepherdess’

We had a very innovative speaker Rosie Lee ‘The Reluctant Shepherdess’. Rosie explained her 10 year journey at Dairyhouse Farm, Winsford. Although from a farming family she originally worked for Barclays Bank before taking on the farm. Rosie had so many funny anecdotes from the days when she started to build her herd of sheep and change the farm. Sheep balance the land and she started off with what she called her shearlings - in other words teenage girls! ( the sheep that is). At first she did not know which breed to choose as there are hundreds of breeds of sheep. When she purchased her first ram she had had us in fits of laughter - what do you look for in a ram?”. The advice was “bowler hat between his thighs and his swagger!” Her Mum was her mentor - Rosie went on to College to study Environmental and Conservation and also completed a degree course. Rosie has worked tirelessly to improve her land also to be a conservationist and an educator to many young people including young people with special needs. Her quotes were for when things are difficult ‘pick yourself up - tomorrow is another day’ and ‘ not all days are good but most are’! Rosie is definitely a very inspirational lady who has made a huge impact on how to sustain her farm, land and to move with the times. It is her passion
President Pat thanked Rosie for such an interesting and amusing talk. We are hopefully going to arrange a visit to Rosie’s farm in the near future.

 Report by Gill Monk

Jodrell Side WI meeting 12th April 2022 President Pat Alston opened the meeting welcoming four new visitors. We hope they enjoyed their evening especially our rendition of Jerusalem ! ( one day we will surprise ourselves and sound great) The singing of Jerusalem is a WI tradition to start the meeting. It was composed by Hubert Parry in 1916 as an anthem ‘ to brace the spirit of the nation’ in the depths of the First World War. Millicent Fawcett of the women’s suffrage movement asked if they might use it - Parry agreed and it was first sung at a suffrage rally at the Royal Albert Hall in 1918. A founder member of the Women's Institute Grace Hadow ( also a suffragist and keen musician ) held a nationwide competition in 1921 for a WI anthem. Jerusalem was transferred from the suffrage movement to another great movement, the Women’s Institute. So from 1924 Jerusalem and the WI became inextricably linked. So whether you can sing or not, just enjoy the spirit of the hymn and feel proud to be part of a great Women’s movement.

Tuesday 12th April 2022: 1940's Fashion - Hen Johnson

The speaker for the evening was Hen Johnson, who gave an interesting and enjoyable talk about 1940’s fashion. Hen came dressed for the part in full 1940’s outfit, makeup and hair, she was passionate about her subject explaining how the 1940’s fashion evolved and shaped women and style today. It was a thoroughly well thought out talk with attention to detail. I think all members would agree she was very unique and inspirational. Refreshments were served with lots of our usual tasty bakes and the evening continued with information about Jodrell Side groups and outings to come. We will be having a stall at Goostrey Rose Queen festival and also JS will be providing the Rose Queen tea. We have a very successful walking group. In April a group of us walked in Styal country park and finished with coffee and scrumptious cake at the Styal Community Cafe. It is so good for everyone’s mental and physical wellbeing to be outside and to enjoy being part of an interested and caring group of people. There is a walk planned for May please come along. The Book Club continues to thrive as does Craft and Chat. The Crown pub has opened its doors in the conservatory to Craft and Chat and this proved really enjoyable. All members welcome for just a chat or bring any crafting you may be doing or wish to start. There are ladies who are expert crafters and are happy to help or share their skills. Members were also asked to please put any ideas for new groups or outings that may be of interest to them in the suggestion box. President Pat attended the annual WI Cheshire Federation Council meeting at Woodford Village Hall. The speaker for the evening was Professor Teresa Anderson who is director of the UNESCO Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre. The Professor spoke about World War Two beginnings of Jodrell Bank and the process from there to attaining World Heritage status also the new Planetarium due to be opened at Jodrell Bank in July 2022. The meeting ended with our monthly raffle and competition winner (1940’s photo).

Report by Gill Monk

Jodrell Side WI had a full turnout of members and a couple of new members at our March meeting. It seems we are all trying to put Covid in perspective and live our lives like we did pre- pandemic. It was good to see so many ladies laughing, chattering and enjoying the evening.
President Pat warmly welcomed our new members and Jean the Treasurer gave an overview of Jodrell Side Finances.There was an overwhelming vote in favour of an increase from £1.00 to £2.00 for our entry fee. We all agreed there are not many places you can go to for a cup of tea/coffee and cake for £2.00.  

The walking group will be walking at Styal Country Park, The Book club will be meeting to discuss their latest book An Ordinary Grace. There is also a trip to York planned to visit Fairfax House. Volunteers were asked to help on a stall for Goostrey Rose Day and also help is needed for the WI tent at the Cheshire Show. 

The Scout Hut is booked for our celebrations of The Queens Platinum Jubilee and we will all be wearing crowns ! A sight to behold no doubt !

Tuesday 8th March 2022 - The Perfume Collection - Angela Oldman

Our speaker for the evening was Angela Oldham and her talk was all about Perfume.

Angela was a fragrance consultant and had worked with many perfume companies, starting originally with Avon and Coty before moving on to the more luxury perfume houses such as Estée Lauder. Angela had been a consultant at Rackhams and Kendals in days when the perfume industry was very competitive. It still is - there were 300 new fragrances in 2019 ! We heard many funny stories of how men ( sometimes on a regular basis) visited the perfume department to buy perfume and who it might be for! Angela also enlightened us on the first origins of perfume. It was through smoke when fires were lit for the Gods. Once the embers were left people would adorn their bodies and send prayers to the Gods. When the Egyptians were buried their tombs would also hold their perfumes. Fragrances of oils in vats were found in Tutankhamen's burial tomb. Cleopatra was also a queen of perfumes and she had her own unique fragrance.

Roman centurions also loved their perfumes and would spray themselves and their horses. Audiences in the Roman arenas were also sprayed with perfume.

Moving forward Chanel No 5 is now 100 years old and is still the number one fragrance in many countries. We were able to sample many perfumes that Angela had brought with her.

We had our tea break with the smell of perfume in the air and of course the obligatory scrumptious cake.

Report by Gill Monk