Over to You

Over to You

POPPY DAY TRIBUTE FROM BLACKFORDBY WI

Taking inspiration from the famous ceramic poppies art installation at the Tower of London, the ladies of Blackfordby Women's Institute have been busy making their own version as a tribute to Britain's war heroes.

This time around they have knitted, crocheted and embroidered hundreds of poppies.

It was an idea which stemmed from our craft group, and it just took off from there. More than 30 of our members contributed - some of them with huge numbers of poppies - and we are thrilled with the final installation."

One of our ladies also knitted purple poppies to make a special wreath to go alongside the installation. The purple poppy is a symbol of remembrance in the United Kingdom for animals that served during wartime .

Bags of poppies have kept arriving and as a result we have made this lovely poppy installation."

The main wreath has been made up from one poppy from each member and one of our talented ladies embroidered the centre panel.

BROUGHTON ASTLEY WI - REMEMBRANCE NEWS

In remembrance of all who were killed or injured in war, Broughton Astley WI laid their poppy wreath at their village war memorial on Remembrance Sunday.  Made in 2018 when members were knitting poppies for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal to celebrate 100 years since the end of WW1, we knitted a few more to make our own personal remembrance wreath.

Leicester Ladies WI on a lovely Saturday in September a small but select group  ventured out into the County and had a relaxing walk around Thornton Reservoir.

We thoroughly enjoyed the setting, oodles of birdlife and the flat even path. The only downside was, no tea shop!. We do like a post walk coffee and cake.

Broughton Astley WI

Broughton Astley members continued to meet at our local park during August and enjoyed a last outdoor meeting at the beginning of September before the Rule of Six was introduced, which again put our regular meetings on hold. Our Committee have met and has plans in place to restart our monthly meetings as soon as circumstances allow. We have all kept in touch and in good spirits and hope to meet up in groups of six at our homes or a local cafe, just to keep up our exchange of news. Our member Pat Deacon celebrated a special birthday in August and we sent her our good wishes with a floral bouquet. Her family arranged for her to be serenaded by “Saxy Steve” who plays for the Lutterworth Food Bank, which she really enjoyed!

Broughton Astley WI

Members prefer to keep in touch by  phone or email and our committee has been contact regularly to make sure everyone is well and has everythign they nee.  We all seem to be very fortunate in receiving help from family, friends and neighours. We continue to keep  occupied in our homes and gardens and enjoying the weather when applicable!

One members has been busily knitting scarves for homeless people and another has made sleeve covers and toilet bags for NHM staff. Most members have been able to keep in touch with family members who are not local with video and zoom calls.  Some have enjoyed watching live recordings of musicals and theatre productions on line and another has done virtual tours of some of the places they were due to visit this year, now sadly cancelled.  Modern technology has cetainly helped to keep us in touch with the outside world, but we can't wait to rejoin as soon as we are allowed!

Just a few things WI members have been involved with during lockdown

The Leisure committee had their monthly meeting via Zoom, Maxilyn welcomed Rita, Ruth and Alma. They plan to have their next meeting on 17th June again via Zoom.
As we know all events are cancelled however the walks arranged in October are still planned to go ahead, details will be avaialable after our next meeting. Behind the Seams 30th September is pending and Christmas at Belvoir Castle is pending.
Darts and Skittles have been cancelled for 2020, they will resume in 2021.

Scrubs for Rainbows

Scrubs made from 2000 material donation to the BIrstall Community,	volunteers needed to make them up. Another 2500 meters has now been donated by Chris Evans.

Knitted and Crocheted sun hats for after lockdown	Made by Beverly Blackburn and Maxilyn Geary Birstall & Wanlip

Bridgette Bell- Head Bands

Broughton Astley lady- face masks

Anne Baracle - Scrub Bags

Beverly Blackburn and Maxilyn Geary knitted blankets	and then knitted and crocheted hearts for the hospital

Thurnby & Bushby WI got involved with buying travel sized shower gel/shampoo for NNHS nurses to use as they now have to shower before they go home to their families due to the COVID-19 crisis. Several members contributed cash and Andrea purchased the items from Sainsbury’s. Sainsbury’s doubled what she bought so we now have a sizeable contribution.

Mary Hobbs Long Whatton WI	Heather Roythorne-Finch from Stathern WI has made some oat fruit & almond biscuits. Its her first bake of Lockdown,

Patrica Baker Quorn WI	Crocheted in Window by Maxilyn Geary

This web page is to allow WI's to see what other institutes are reporting on.  The reports will be available after the publicised dates on this page by visiting Find a WI and clicking on to individual WI pages where all reports by institute can be seen.
At the moment you are unable to access the individual WI pages hope this will soon be rectified.  As there will not be monthly meetings for a month or two will leave the content  here until we are back up and running, hope this will not be to long.  Take Care everyone.

May 2020

Like all WIs Broughton Astley was very disappointed to have to cancel all our current guest speakers, outings and activities from the end of March but we know that when restrictions are lifted we will be able to rearrange most for future dates and we have a lot to look forward to.

Our committee has been keeping in touch regularly with all our members by phone and email and newsletters through doors and it has been good to hear that everyone has been virus free.

Some of our members have made Headbands for Nurses for a local group and another made a variety of items, all of which were delivered to our Leicester hospitals.

Many of us have appreciated on-line deliveries and the kind help of family, friends, neighbours and our local Volunteer Group to keep us supplied with all our needs. We have been keeping busy and as active as possible and all our houses and gardens are super clean and tidy!  But like everyone we can't wait to get back to our usual sociable lives.