Get Out! Get Active! Get Involved!

We are always looking for interesting articles for the “Around the County” column, but please be aware that if we get a flood, yours may not go in immediately, and some might never make it. Also, the more unusual it is, the more chance it has of being published. So, don’t be shy, put pen to paper and let us know what’s happening around the county.

FLADBURY AND MOOR WI - UP THE CREEK WITHOUT A PADDLE

Fladbury and Lower Moor Branch took part in the Fladbury Paddle Club Regatta. We had a couple of evening practices in the Bell Boats under instruction from some young Olympic hopefuls. Then when the day came members set off to compete against other local teams. We wore our green shirts and life jackets and paddled the Bell Boats to a fast count. There was much cheering from the crowded banks of the river Avon, Alas we didn’t get Gold or Silver or even Bronze, but we did have fun and it was the taking part that counted. We have vowed to practice harder and do better next year.

TENBURY WI

Tenbury WI recently hosted a group meeting with Bockleton, Menith wood, Mamble and St. Michael's WI. The Annual report was read by the out going President/Secretary Mrs Jones. The speaker for the evening was Mr David Chatterley whose talk was on the” History of the Teddy Bear.” Mr Chatterley showed members his priceless collection of teddies during his talk. The competition was, “A Teddy Bears Picnic” with members bringing their favourite teddies.

EARLS CROOME WI

At the October meeting of Earls Croome WI, congratulations were in order regarding a sporting achievement by one of the members. Barbara Gibson had recently taken part in the World Senior Badminton Championships at the Olympic Arena in Vancouver, an event that drew 600 competitors from 39 countries. In the over 65 section, she reached the quarter finals of the ladies singles and won bronze medals in both the ladies doubles and mixed doubles.

Barbara only started playing badminton at the age of 35, playing mainly abroad whilst her husband was serving in the army. She started playing on the masters scene at 45, firstly for Hampshire and more recently for Worcestershire over 60s, being a member of Malvern Hills Badminton Club. She has been selected to play for England four times; this year being her most successful. Her next goal is to qualify for the European Championships to be held in the Czech Republic in 2012.

It is certainly the first time that Earls Croome WI has had such a prestigious sportswoman among its membership, and we were all handling Barbara’s medals with great admiration.

TRIMPLEY GREEN WI

One fine summer evening, 19 ladies from Trimpley Green WI met for a tour of Bishops Wood. Over coffee and biscuits, we were introduced to the ‘eco-friendly and sustainable’ principles behind the project.
The centre is used by children of all ages to teach them about matters environmental, and they obviously have a wonderful time learning! Did YOUR school ever take you out into the woods to build a fire and cook for yourself? Or to make a shelter out of poles and branches and bracken? Or take your favourite cuddly toy to a Teddy Bears’ Picnic? No, neither did mine! Did you ever learn to whittle designs in wood, or use a pole lathe? Or carve splendid pieces of wood sculpture that were dotted around? No? Aren’t these youngsters fortunate!
As we went round the grounds, we saw the recyclable water system, and several very innovative buildings .The first was a house built of straw bales – excellent insulation – eat your heart out, British Gas! Another was what I can only describe as a ‘blow–up’ house. They bring a roughly igloo-shaped mould and inflate it to size. It’s then covered with a gunge of fibreglass and other unspecified contents, left to set for two or three days, mould deflated and removed and – HEY PRESTO – a house. Add windows and doors to taste and move in. (Could be very useful in refugee camp situations) We also saw the remains of a fire-damaged Saxon Hall, and the more recently constructed hall that replaces it, built to the same design. Our tour ended with a stroll through the woodland, and a glorious sunset as a backdrop. What a lovely way to spend an evening – many thanks to the staff of Bishops Wood and to our organising committee. It was great.

ALVECHURCH WI

TREE HUGGERS OF THE WORLD UNITE- 25 members from Alvechurch WI visited Westonbirt Arboretum on Tuesday 11 October. Our coach dropped us off in Tetbury for morning coffee, after browsing the shops, we decided on a pub lunch before our walk around the arboretum. Our guide was most knowledgeable about these magnificent trees and the autumn colours were magical.

FOLEY PARK WI

Foley Park WI has been involved with a Bulb Planting Scheme in Brinton’s Park, Kidderminster (their local park) and after raising £130 at a Tea Party and Bring & Buy; our money was matched by Wyre Forest DC. They had their “big planting” on November 2011.
Cllr Tracey Onslow said, “Thanks to Foley Park WI we are able to plant a Daffodil drift in Brinton Park. We are very grateful for the donation and also their help with planting. This is another great example of the community getting involved and helping us improve the area for everyone. I am looking forward to see the display in the spring.”
The Daffodil drift is the first stage of a new spring area in the park where the Council plan to plant more spring flowering bulbs and trees.

....AND MORE

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