2017 Other Activities
Donkeys and Scones - Thursday August 10th 2017
7 members plus 2 husbands visited the Harlestone home of Margaret and Andrew and their delightful friends George, Annie and Bridget - their donkeys. Margaret has worked for the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary as a foster carer for donkeys for many years as well as a welfare officer and special needs teacher. Their love for the donkeys is obvious and they open their home and garden to groups like ours to share their knowledge and let us find out for ourselves about the donkeys' characters. We were able to pet them, groom them and feed them and these photos show how we all got up close and personal with each one.
Andrew also works with disabled adults locally and encourages them to visit and work with the donkeys, helping them to overcome shyness and encourage them to be hands-on with the donkeys.
The donkeys are well looked after, with gleaming coats - must be all that grooming! They are friendly and love being groomed and petted.
We completed our visit with tea and scones in the lounge whilst looking at photos and listening to more stories about their passion for their four legged friends.
Paula, Lorraine, Alexandra, Brenda and Irene listen to Margaret talk about George
George, Annie and Bridget
Sheila and Lorraine discuss grooming
Susan feeds Annie
Trip on Mountbatten - Crusader Community Boating - Saturday July 29th
Following the success of last year's private charter trip along the Grand Union Canal, we have booked another trip for this year, maybe taking a slightly different route.
The vessel is a wide beam charity boat operated by Crusader Community Boating with room for 20 passengers comfortably.
The boat can be boarded at Gayton Wharf, Blisworth Arm from 9.45am on Saturday July 29th and will return for 3pm. The plan this year is to take a picnic, with everyone being asked to bring a plate of food to share. The boat will moor in a picturesque part of the canal to enable everyone to join in.
The cost will be £10 per head with the money going to the charity's funds.
Names to be added to list at a WI meeting or phone Paula on 01604 510656
www.crusadercommunityboating.org.uk
Review of the trip
Friends from Blisworth, Towcester and Hardingstone joined members of our WI to enjoy a day out in very pleasant weather on the canal. Wine and Fizz were supplied by Claudine and Mike which helped the day to go with a swing. There was plenty of chatter and happy faces so we can assume that everyone enjoyed the experience once again. A picnic lunch was taken and we stopped near Heyford Fields Marina to partake of the goodies.
We began our trip by going to Blisworth. Many had not seen the village from the canal before - even those who lived there so it was an interesting visit for them. We then turned at the Mill and continued our journey to Heyford Fields where we turned around and headed home.
Trip to Henley on Thames - Saturday June 10th
A Coach will leave Milton Malsor at 8.00am and Collingtree crossroads at 8.05am to travel to Henley on Thames. On arrival in Henley we will make our way to Hobbs landing stage to board a boat which will take us on a trip along the Regatta course for approximately an hour.
The rest of the day will be free for passengers to visit the town, pubs, restaurants, shops, River and Rowing Museum and riverside.
The planned return time to the coach will be 4.30pm.
Cost will be £18 per head including the coach and the boat trip. A non refundable deposit of £5 per head is required at the time of booking with the balance payable by the May 11th meeting. If you book a place and cannot take it up but find a replacement, your deposit will be refunded.
** Please note change of time for leaving in the morning.**
This trip is now full but we have a waiting list in case anyone drops out.
Names added to list at a WI meeting or phone Sheila on 01604 859133.
The weather was beautiful as you can see in the following photographs. The river trip was interesting with narrowboats, wide beams, large passenger vessels and rowing boats all vying for position along this most famous of waterways in Britain.
Walking around the town after pub lunches was delightful with bunting fluttering overhead, presumably ready for the Regatta, a small market in the centre of the main street and interesting shops to wander around - sales in Henley shops are not quite the bargains you get anywhere else though! The riverside was busy but not overwhelming and happy voices and faces shone around taking in the scenery, buildings, wedding guests walking to nearby vessel to take them to the reception and wildlife on the river.
A delightful day out and thanks to non WI members who came to support the trip.
Bluebell Walk - Thursday 27th April
As in previous years we will meet at Paula's house in Pyghtle Way, East Hunsbury at 9.30am. The walk takes approximately an hour but we stop off for refreshments at The Drovers Return cafe near the Ironstone Railway at West Hunsbury. It is a very pleasant walk, uphill for the first 5-10 minutes then more or less on the level or downhill for the rest of the way. Most of the walk is parkland with a path around Ladybridge Lake and a few minor roads to cross.
If you don't want to walk but would like to join us for coffee, we will be at the cafe at approximately 10am. Hope you can join us. All welcome - husbands, dogs....
The day dawned bright and sunny and 7 members, 2 husbands and Evan gathered together to do the now familiar walk from East to West Hunsbury through the pocket parks. The bluebells looked gorgeous and were well admired by the party. Refreshments were taken at the Drovers' Return and a happy band of walkers returned to East Hunsbury via Ladybridge Lake.
Epiphany - January 6-8th
Although we are a non-religious organisation, we decided to join with the local church in Milton Malsor by constructing a display for the weekend. Paula suggested a Triptych design so a poster and Christmas cards were collected from a few members depicting the arrival of the Three Kings. Paula, Sheila and Susan constructed the display from sheets of plastic boarding, card and crepe paper - a la Blue Peter! The cards were placed on the boarding which was supported by a 3 panelled clothes airer and a gold cloth lay at the feet to represent the desert. It was placed at the top of the steps leading to the altar so in full view of everyone.