Our diary of events for 2022 to March 2023
Our programme this time is a little longer than usual. During the Pandemic, the National Federation of Women's Institutes gave members an extra three month's membership after the end of 2020 so our annual membership now runs from April 2022 to March 2023. We usually provide a programme card for the year when members renew, so thought it made sense to synchronise the programme with the new timings. As in 2021, despite the best efforts of Covid-19, we are offering a full programme of events. Enjoy!
January 5th 2022 - West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner
PCC John Campion explains his role in West Mercia
Please note: this meeting may be held on Zoom. Cathy will confirm nearer the time.
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are the voice of the public, responsible for keeping communities safe. They lead policing and criminal justice in their police force area. John has been the commissioner for West Mercia since 2016 and is working hard to repay the trust that our community has given him to be our Commissioner.
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are the voice of the public, responsible for keeping communities safe. They lead policing and criminal justice in their police force area. John has been the commissioner for West Mercia since 2016 and is working hard to repay the trust that our community has given him to be our Commissioner.
What an interesting speaker! Good to hear his personal views of recent events in policing - Cathy
28th January 2022 - New Year Party
In Bicton Village Hall
7.30pm for members and partners. We have musical entertainment from Ray and Bev Langton, and the bar will be available. Please bring your own food which you can share with those on the same table. As usual, bring all your own cutlery and crockery, including a mug, and we will provide tea & coffee.
Masks will of course be mandatory unless sitting down to eat or drink.
Masks will of course be mandatory unless sitting down to eat or drink.
Good food, good company, good entertainment - Carol
2nd February 2022 - Textile Eco Printing
A demonstration and activity with Jane Hunter
Textile designer Jane will demonstrate how she uses foliage and flowers from her garden and the surrounding landscape to create beautiful dyes and prints.
Thank you for inviting me last night. It was a new experience for me and I was made so welcome. I was thrilled at the interest in my work. Please thank everyone for making me feel at ease and welcome - Jane Hunter
It was a really inspiring evening and I came home with a beautiful silk scarf, too! - Gillian
It was a really inspiring evening and I came home with a beautiful silk scarf, too! - Gillian
2nd March 2022 - POSTPONED - Lasting Powers of Attorney -
Speaker: Graham Fuller, fbc manby bowdler solicitors
None of us knows when an accident or illness could leave us incapable of managing our own affairs. Graham will guide us through the process of setting up LPAs and explain how they are used in relation to the care system.
2nd March 2022 - Members' Evening
Members' Lockdown projects
Tonight's speaker is unfortunately indisposed so we have decided to hold a Members' Evening.
Members will be invited to speak about their Lockdown projects, whether it be starting a new one or dusting off an old, forgotten one.
What did you do???
Members will be invited to speak about their Lockdown projects, whether it be starting a new one or dusting off an old, forgotten one.
What did you do???
Absolutely loved last night - in awe of all the talent - Sara
Amazing creations by very talented ladies - Tanya
Amazing creations by very talented ladies - Tanya
6th April 2022 - Becoming a Justice of the Peace
Speaker: Helen Thompson
JP Helen Thompson will talk about what it takes and what is involved in becoming a magistrate, or Justice of the Peace.
It was really interesting and a great insight to the important role they play in the community. - Kandis
We learned a lot about becoming a magistrate (even those of us who thought we'd know it all!) with lots of laughter. - Cathy
We learned a lot about becoming a magistrate (even those of us who thought we'd know it all!) with lots of laughter. - Cathy
4th May 2022 - The Life of Caravaggio
Speaker: Keith Bonser
Born in 1571, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio developed a considerable reputation as both an artist and as a violent, touchy and provocative man, whose short life ended in mysterious circumstances.
Not sure if I was going to enjoy but I did. I shall take more interest in paintings from now on!!!! - Shirley
I didn't expect it to be so interesting.. - Gilli
I didn't expect it to be so interesting.. - Gilli
1st June 2022 - Waggons to Wheelbiers
Speaker: Alf Jenkins
Alf Jenkins, MBE, is a Shropshire 'Lad', born at the Dhu Stone Inn, Clee Hill, in the 1930s. Alf's father was an undertaker, wheelwright, smallholder and publican. The area of Titterstone Clee Hills of South Shropshire. At one thousand feet above the town of Ludlow it was a remote hive of industry with its own brand of farming and dialect.
What a fascinating speaker! Alf Jenkins entertained us with his tales of growing up on the Clee Hills in the 1930's onwards - times have changed such a lot! - Cathy
6th July 2022 - Summer Outing
A visit to Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre
Carol has booked us a trip to see this shire horse stud farm. It is the only shire horse stud farm in the UK open to the public, with up to 30 shires to see during the stud season. Details of the day, cost, transport, etc. will be provided later.
A wonderful day out at such an amazing and educational place - Sue R
A fantastic day out - Kandis
A fantastic day out - Kandis
3rd August 2022 - Garden Meeting
Christine will host our meeting in her garden - with BBQ
Every year - Covid permitting - we gather at a member's garden to enjoy each other's company and good food in lovely surroundings. This year we will visit Christine's garden in Bicton and her husband will do us a barbecue!.
A fab evening and amazing bbq - Shirley
Thank you for a lovely evening. The food was great and the garden wonderful - Rachel
What a wonderful evening. Thank you so much for all your hard work - Margaret
Thank you for a lovely evening. The food was great and the garden wonderful - Rachel
What a wonderful evening. Thank you so much for all your hard work - Margaret
7th September 2022 - The Royal Yacht Britannia
...and her predecessors. Speaker: John Peter Hooley
When the Royal Yacht Britannia was decommissioned in 1997, it marked the end of a long tradition of British Royal Yachts, dating back to 1660 and the reign of Charles II.
We were so saddened to hear of the Queen's death the following day. How appropriate that at our meeting we saw so many beautiful photos of the Queen and Prince Philip. We couldn't have planned it better. - Cathy
5th October 2022 - Annual Meeting
and British Native Owls (speaker cancelled due to illness)
Gillian Hales, from the Chelmarsh Owl Sanctuary, will be bringing live owls with her this evening to show us and talk about
2nd November 2022 - Travels with a Penguin...
...to the Antarctic. Speaker: Pen Turner
Pen makes a return trip to talk about her travels, this time to the Antarctic to see real penguins... and do a bit of exploring, of course.
Great evening, fascinating talk with lots of chat afterwards - Gillian
What a great speaker, so interesting to hear about all her travels - Sara
What a great speaker, so interesting to hear about all her travels - Sara
24th November 2022 - Christmas Meal
For members and partners
Last year's Christmas meal at The Croft (see picture) was a great success and we will return this year.
A lovely evening of good food and good company - Martha
7th December 2022 - Shropshire Folk Songs
Music and history from John Kirkpatrick
Back in 2016, songs dating back to the 17th century were collected as part of a major heritage project. John Kirkpatrick, a former BBC2 Folk Award Winner, has collated 20 songs for the Shropshire Tune Archive and will perform some of them tonight.
Great evening with a lovely atmosphere - Carol
Lovely evening and a great turn out for some festive cheer. Lots of delicious treats - Kandis
Lovely evening and a great turn out for some festive cheer. Lots of delicious treats - Kandis
4th January 2023 - Shrewsbury Ghost Talk
Speaker: Nigel Hinton
Nigel J Hinton M.A. F.C.A FRHistS is a retired chartered accountant with a passion for local history. He and his wife Bridget are both qualified guides in Shrewsbury and their family is based in Shropshire. Nigel is a past master of the Shrewsbury Drapers Company and a trustee of VCH Shropshire. When time allows Nigel plays golf and the saxophone, but not at the same time.
27th January 2023 - New Year Party
Bring and share in Bicton Village Hall
We are not quite completely back to pre-Pandemic conditions, so our New Year bring-and-share celebrations will be for members and partners only. Let's hope that we will be able to invite the wider community in 2024.
1st February 2023 - Cuan Wildlife Rescue
Speaker: Founder, Megan Morris-Jones
Cuan Wildlife Rescue is dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of sick, injured and orphaned wild animals and birds. They are the only wildlife rescue centre in Shropshire and offer a round-the-clock service.
If you have any old towels or pillowcases you no longer need, please bring them along to this meeting as Cuan Wildlife Rescue use them at their sanctuary.
An excellent speaker, the sort you could recommend to others - Tricia
1st March - Muckleton Meats
and Nanny Janny's Jersey Ice Cream
Owner Jan Morgan-Birtles will be telling us how and why her business was set up. There may just be some samples to try and goodies to buy, too.
So much fun! Great speaker, delicious ice cream and good company with laughter and chat. A perfect WI evening! - Carol