W.I. Newsletter November 2025

Before the start of this month’s meeting our President Lynne paid tribute to a valued member, Elizabeth Howard, whose recent death had come as a great shock.  She will be missed enormously as she was very much involved in the life of Abbotts Ann and the wider community.  For many years she had been preparing the posies presented to our members in the month of their birthday.  In addition, utilising her floral art talent, she had also given us demonstrations in the creation of Christmas wreaths and door hangings as well as supplying flower arrangements for various special events.  A minute’s silence was held in memory of Elizabeth.

Lynne reminded members there was just time to sign up for the Christmas Lunch on the 04 December and that payment should be made to our Treasurer and that we usually have a collection, in lieu of sending each other Christmas cards, at our December meeting.  This year members were asked to choose between three very worthy local charities.  The Countess of Brecknock Hospice in Andover was chosen.  

Four of our members had attended the Fete Committee AGM the previous evening and were delighted to tell our members that we had been awarded a total of £950.  This is very much appreciated and will be used towards the costs of our speakers.  This is far and away our largest expense and our Treasurer has assured us we don’t now need to organise another fund-raiser for the time being.  That is a relief.

Pauline Foster was then introduced to our members; she is a retailer – Busy Hands – up at the nearby Weyhill Fairground and had been asked to bring along materials so we could have a go at creating our own Christmas Cards.  There was choice between a kit comprising all that was necessary for a floral themed card in varying colours as well as the opportunity to go freestyle.  Who knew there could be so many different creations from similar materials which included cut-outs of trees, deer, penguins and jewels etc. in many colourways and textures as well as the option of using double-sided tape or glue. Disappointingly, it was a low turn-out this month, but those present enjoyed themselves.  We had the chance to make two cards, so now the difficult decision of who to send them to has to be made. 

As well as our usual events during the month we had enjoyed an outing to Bletchley Park organised again by Lynda Goldstone.  Once again, we relied on the support of family and friends as well as others from the village and the wider area.  Without you these outings would not be viable so thank you for supporting us.

On arrival everyone had the chance to do whatever they wished.  Some booked themselves on an hour-long guided talk and others enjoyed a self-guided tour with their multimedia guides.  Bletchley Park has many short films, interactive displays and museum collections explaining the work of the codebreakers during World War II and without their extraordinary achievements the outcome of that conflict could have been so different.  Of course, we now know those working on the site were told not to talk to anyone about their work and for so many years the site was a secret known to very few.  The work at Bletchley Park was first revealed to the public in 1974 with the publication of the book The Ultra Secret by F.W. Winterbotham. The site was protected and opened to the public as a museum in 1993 after the Bletchley Park Trust was formed in 1992.   It is almost impossible to absorb everything in one visit, thankfully the entry ticket is valid for a year.  

Our meeting this month is on 11 December, and it will have a festive atmosphere with buffet supper and a Christmas themed quiz devised by Lynda & Roger Goldstone.   Christmas wear is to be encouraged.  Earlier in the evening members were asked to choose whether to bring a sweet or savoury offering.  7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall as usual.

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