WI PRESS REPORT – “Garden Meeting” 30th June 2011

On a sunny evening, 32 members and guests were welcomed by Co-president June Leach and the village hall rafters rang to the sound of Jerusalem. Business was efficiently concluded, mainly concerning our members’ success at the Cheshire Show. Angela Eccles won first prize and the Jean Platt Trophy for her floral decoration in the “Love Story” category for which she used the recent royal wedding as inspiration. Rosalind Jackson also won a first for making a beautiful metalwork ring. Other members gained prizes & commendations – not bad for a small WI. A visit to the Tatton RHS show is planned for 21^st July. Our guests came from Byley, Boothsmere, Crosstown, Lower Peover and Ollerton & Marthall.

Our speaker could not have been more appropriate for this meeting. Lyn Blackburn spoke to us on “Life as a WI Judge”. An ex-young farmer, she met and married a farmer and was introduced to WI at Dunham Massey by her mother-in-law. Always keen on cookery, she started out by helping the judges at the Cheshire Show. After 6 years of exams and qualifications including City & Guilds she eventually became a preserve and cookery judge. She amused us with a story of how she ended up on a TV show “The Great British Show”. After 6 venues around the country which took all summer, the finals were at Highgrove where she met Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall. She successfully exploded a few myths about WI judges and gave us a warm and friendly talk. Not a broomstick in sight!

The catering committee served members and guests with a light supper which was delicious. We received a vote of thanks from our visitors. The table decorations were given to guests and some were sent to Mary Bowers. Our next meeting will be Thursday 28^th July when Stephen Davies will talk about “The Ascent of Man/Woman”.