There was a lot going on at our meeting this month as it was our Annual Meeting which involves certain formalities. However, we started the evening with a fish and chip supper followed by ice cream which is always popular with our members. Taking a starring role was our lovely God Save the King banner – see more below, so we toasted our newly crowned King Charles III with a glass of prosecco/elderflower together with a lovely cake made by Sarah Kirby in the form of a Union Jack.
Fortunately, for us our President Lynne Lucas and Secretary Aileen Catterson are remaining in office for another year. Both gave their reports for the previous twelve months. Aileen concentrated on our events, meetings and outings, raising a few laughs along the way. Lynne expressed her surprise and shock when Aileen offered her services as Secretary a year ago, which meant she now had to make good on her offer to be our President. Not a role she had ever envisaged taking on. Our Treasurer also stood up to give her report on our finances which had been verified by an Independent Examiner. Our members are very grateful that they were all prepared to take on these roles and are doing a sterling job.
We were also reminded that there is a lot to look forward to in the coming months as Lynda Goldstone our new Programme and Outings co-ordinator has put together a varied programme of speakers, outings and events for the coming year. A draft was available to members, but a printed programme will be provided at the June meeting. Thanks were given to other committee members for their help and support as well as all our members. The committee remains unchanged as unfortunately there were no additional volunteers. However, we were pleased to welcome a new member to our Institute during the evening.
Now for more on our Banner:-
For those of you who attended the Coronation Events on the weekend of May 6th/7th you will have seen taking centre stage was our God Save the King Banner. Having been irrelevant for over 70 years it was only re-discovered by our current Committee when we embarked upon a clear-out and tidy-up of our W.I. cupboard (in the Village Hall) in October last year.
Of course, we were, at that time mourning the loss of our much-missed Queen, Elizabeth II, but the Banner was now able to take on a new life. It needed some tender loving care, but fortunately, for us, Jenny Barlow – a talented needleworker and former member of our Institute – was able to stabilise it for us. It is an impressive 164” wide and 26” deep. She also kindly made a special bag so that it could be stored rolled-up to protect it and prevent the fibres from breaking.
Whilst we were formed in 1917 our Minute books do not start until 1923 and those for the years 1929 – 1942 are lost, so we can only guess that it was used either to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of George V in 1935 or the Coronation of George VI in 1937. However, if anyone in the village (or beyond) has any photographs in their family archives showing it being used we would love to hear from you. Contact information can be found on our pages on this website.
Our next meeting is June 29th and is a Make-up Demonstration for the over 50s given by Belinda Butler. Don’t that put any younger potential visitors off, you will be very welcome as we are all young at heart! As usual our meeting will be in the Village Hall and will start at 7.30 p.m.
DIARY DATES:
June 2023
08 June – Coffee Morning – Sports Pavilion at 10.30 a.m. (£2 to include refreshments) Non-members welcome
10 June – Walking Group
22 June – Guided Walk round Hilliers Arboretum
29 June – Monthly Meeting – Abbotts Ann Village Hall : 7.30 p.m.
