The first week of July saw our members, and particularly our committee, recovering from the hard work of our fund-raising event on 30 June in the form of a tea party. As mentioned in last month’s newsletter this proved to be a great success. We were also rewarded financially, which made all that effort worthwhile. Unfortunately, our Institute’s share of our membership fees doesn’t match our outgoings on speakers (fees and travel), hall hire and other running costs. We now have some breathing space.
Our book club met to discuss The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. At the heart of the book is The Pack Horse Library Project which was a programme that delivered books to remote regions in the Appalachian Mountains between 1935 and 1943. Not a project that was known to some of our readers before they read this fictional story set around Book Women delivering books to homes and schoolhouses. One of the joys of reading is learning about things you never knew about. We are so lucky to live in a time where there are so many ways of obtaining books
Due to other commitments, we only had three walkers set out from the Chalk Hill Blue, strolling through the business park, across Red Post Lane, over a railway line through fields and then coming out into Monxton. The weather was just right for walking – no rain and not too warm. It was then time to lunch when we were joined by a member who had been unable to walk on this occasion.
Our coffee morning was well attended, and we were able to offer cake, left over from the tea party and taken out of the freezer, as part of the refreshments. There is always much chatter on these mornings. Members seem to enjoy the opportunity to catch up with others. Non-members are welcome to join us, this is an opportunity to meet us in an informal setting. Our next one is on the 12 September. Please put that date in your diary if you would like to come and see what we are like!
Our meeting was also very informal. Members had brought along offerings from their gardens to swap or sell to others. There was a great variety laid along the edge of the stage and once allowed to take a look our members were quickly out of their seats to see what they could take home to add to their gardens.
Before this, however, our President, Lynne, conveyed the sad news that former member Judy Wickham had died recently. We held a minute’s silence to remember her. She had been a very enthusiastic member during her time and was herself a keen gardener. She had hosted at least one garden meeting at her home, although a memory of that evening was that it was rather wet and we were huddled in her conservatory, which fortunately was large enough to house us all, to shelter from the rain.
There was various information available on upcoming events etc. Everything available in August seems to be happening in a period of four days. Please see below.
There is no meeting this month, but our members are gearing up to offer refreshments at the Village Fete on 07 September. As you can imagine this takes a lot of planning. However, we will be delighted to accept any offers of cake if you wish to make one. Please deliver to the village hall during the morning.
DIARY DATES:
07 August – Book Club : Dobbies Garden Centre 10.30 a.m.
08 August – Summer Outing : Tower of London
10 August – Walking Group
