W.I. Newsletter April 2026

For regular readers of this newsletter – I do hope there are some of you – you will know that we have various activities throughout the month, in addition to our monthly meeting.  The Book Club meets at Dobbies on the first Wednesday to discuss their latest selection and our popular coffee mornings are currently held in the Sports Pavilion on Bulbery on the second Thursday.  Our walking group meets on the second Saturday this month there were only four of us and despite various weather apps forecasting a cloudy, possibly damp morning we had a very pleasant stroll from Lower Chute down to Chute Forest.   We stopped to watch, with some concern, a lamb that had strayed away from the rest of the flock reunite with its mother. With a sigh of relief, we continued our walk alongside a beautiful display of bluebells.   We were able to walk around Chute Forest admiring the lovely houses and then called in to the Church – this was only built in 1872 and reflects the Victorian Gothic revival style popular at the time.  There were plenty of story boards from which to elicit further information.  We then returned to The Hatchet for a lovely lunch.  It was good to see the pub was full at lunchtime and we didn’t see any rain at all. 

At our meeting on the last day of the month, our President, Lynne reminded members that subs were due and in addition payments were required if members wished to indulge in Fish & Chips next month and attend the Houghton Lodge meeting in June.  Our Treasurer is keen to receive these payments – please!    In addition to our outing to Kew Gardens on 6^th August there was a date of 14 January 2027 to be noted for our “Christmas” lunch at The Grey Hound in Broughton.  Lynne also reminded members that having served as President for four years she would like to step down next month.   Any members interested in taking on the role were invited to contact her.

Lynne then introduced our speaker for the evening Jo Joynes.   Jo started by confessing that when Lynda contacted her some months ago to book the date of 30th April, she said yes as didn’t think she had any other plans that evening.  In fact, it was her 21st Wedding Anniversary.  However, she said it would be fine as she and her husband were going out to lunch the following day.

Knowing nothing about colour, as a young Mum, Jo was invited to a Colour Me Beautiful Party which inspired her to abandon her corporate career and embark on a new enterprise.  She had also been a radiotherapist in the NHS, treating cancer patients.  Once she had learnt all about using colour to enhance your appearance Jo started Colour with Confidence, this is under the umbrella of Colour Me Beautiful but a separate entity.  She has consistently been rated as No. 3 in the organisation.

Using sample swatches of the same colours, but in difference shades and members from her audience, Jo explained the theory behind using colour.  Previously, the seasons were used to categorise people, but now it is whether you would benefit from cool, warm or deep colours.  The colour of eyes, skin and hair are taken into consideration.  It was amazing to see how different colours affected Linda, Sue, Ginny and Trish.  As a personal stylist Jo’s approach is to assist ladies in feeling great in their everyday clothes rather than follow high fashion.  She emphasised she won’t suggest you need to ditch what you already own and buy a whole new wardrobe but learn to enhance what you already wear with a scarf or piece of jewellery perhaps. 

There are some colours that suit everyone, and these tend to be navy blue, teal and purple, the latter not necessarily being a popular colour.  Teal is particularly popular with both men and women and is a good colour choice for branding.  Colour is subjective and as an example Jo displayed one by one multiple colour swatches that had all been described as red in one form or another.

Members obviously enjoyed the evening and made contributions to the talk, and several went up to speak to Jo afterwards.  When thanking her Lynda, our Programme Secretary, said she wished she had known all this 20 years ago!  Watch out Roger, Lynda may feel the need to indulge in some retail therapy soon!

Our next meeting is on Thursday 28 May and in addition to the Fish & Chips, there will be “fizz” and ice cream to follow.  There will be the chance to vote on the Resolutions to be debated at the NFWI AGM in June.  Our Accounts will be presented by our Treasurer, and we will hear from our President and Secretary.   As mentioned above we need a new President and if any member wishes to join our Committee, then please let us know.

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