Eaton Bray WI - January 2017

Posted on January 10, 2017

Our first meeting of the New Year 2017 in January, held in Eaton Bray Methodist Hall, was well attended.

During the report of our December meeting, members were thanked for their donation of toys to the Salvation Army; a letter of thanks had been received. The vote for WI Resolutions were taken. The majority agreement was for Alleviating Loneliness and it was agreed this should go forward to the main meeting to be held in Liverpool.

Our speaker for the evening was Victoria Poulton from Woburn Abbey. This was her second visit and her talk on the history of Woburn was delightful. During the winter months, restoration work is carried out, during the Abbey's closure. Tours for schools, give the children an opportunity to act as curators. There is a great effort being made to increase the interest of tours at Woburn to encourage visits.

The evening culminated in social time and refreshments.

Two new members attended our February meeting. Our speaker Colin Oakes was welcomed. It was a fitting evening for his talk on 'Coronations through the Ages' given the day was the 65th anniversary of our Queen's Ascension to the Throne. Since William the Conqueror, he reminded us that funny things can happen at Coronations. His talk was both informative and amusing.

Colin explained that at their Coronation, the Sovereign is first presented to the people in simple dress. After swearing an oath to uphold the law and the Church, the monarch is anointed with holy oil or chism, and invested with regalia, (riches) and then crowned. Mary Tudor was the first woman to be crowned in her own right in 1553, followed in 1559 by Queen Elizabeth I.

Many coronations have been very elaborate and were not always held at Westminster Abbey. Colin explained the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny or the Coronation Stone, was used for centuries in the coronation of the monarchs of Scotland and later the monarchs of England. We enjoyed hearing about the sandwiches that some of the Peers would keep hidden in their coronets, and even bats flying around at one Coronation. Vast sums of money were expended by some of the Kings for their Coronations. Colin was thanked for a very entertaining evening.

A letter of thanks had been received from Emmaus with regard to the recent Rucksack Project. Our W.I.s contribution had helped to fill 36 rucksacks with items that were kindly donated from other customers and supporters of Emmaus. Items that went into the rucksacks were warm clothes, hats, scarves, gloves and socks. A range of toiletries from toothpaste to wipes to deodorant. Sleeping bags were also included.

A WI coffee morning will be held at the Methodist Hall on 6th April. During the meeting in March requests will be made for cakes, and help on stalls.

Our President reminded members that the AGM would be held on 3rd April. She requested offers for help on the committee, and whether members would be willing to continue with their present support.

A questionnaire was distributed requesting feedback about speakers etc to help in planning the programme for 2017:

Dates for our diaries:

• 3rd March - World Day of Prayer at Edlesborough Methodist Church
• 3rd April - AGM Eaton Bray WI
• 6th April - WI Coffee Morning at Eaton Bray Methodist Hall

The March meeting of Eaton Bray WI will be held on Monday 6th March, when the talk will be: Collective Legal Solutions; Tax, Care and Toy Boys.

The enjoyable evening was followed by social time and refreshment.

Meetings are always the first Monday of the month (except Bank Holiday when it is the second Monday). The Meetings commence at 7.30 pm and are held in Eaton Bray Methodist Hall. The contact for Eaton Bray WI is: Margaret Jones.

A warm and friendly welcome awaits new members. At each meeting there is an interesting speaker or demonstration, followed by social time and refreshments.