At our February meeting, we welcomed Jo-Ann Gloger, a curator from the Forge Mill Museum, Redditch. Her talk was an informative and illustrated insight into the industrial history of needle manufacture. Who knew Redditch was the centre of the global needle manufacturing; it was a fascinating talk and included examples of the hazardous nature of the manufacture - so dangerous in fact that the workers earned a premium wage for Victorian times. We plan to do a follow up visit to the Museum later in the year. 

......a nice relaxing evening of decorating glass bottles, with a decoupage design, and finishing off with lights. With a cup of tea and a slice of homemade cake, good company, it was another successful WITCH night. 

Gosh our members do get around and have had very interesting lives. One of our members who was going to lead us in Tai Chi this meeting, had a last minute invitation to Canada and so off she went - who can blame her! So instead, we had another of our globe-trotting members talk about her life in New Zealand. As a young qualified medical  professional in the late 1950s, she went on her own to take a job in New Zealand. 4 weeks to get there by ship, thrust into a culture she knew little of, she took it all in her stride and remained there till the 1980s. Along the way, living in basic tin huts, tramping up hills & mountains, getting married, having children and living a lifestyle that was very hard work but also seems to have been tremendous fun. Another truly fascinating insight into our members' personal history and an inspiring story to start our year. 

What a way to finish our year! Yes that favourite occupation of ours ......eating. Just one week after our 7 pudding marathon, it was time to get together for our Christmas Lunch. Following last year's successful visit, we returned to Revills. 21 of us enjoyed a superb Christmas Lunch, well presented and much enjoyed; puddings were on the menu but only one this time! Pictures below of 2 of the starters and a dessert:-

Our last WI Meeting for the year was a Pudding Night. Suitably dressed in Christmas jumpers, hats and accessories, members enjoyed a taste of seven puddings (yes - seven) plus cheese & crackers. The Hall and tables were decorated, music was playing; we had sale tables, secret Santa socks, a free raffle and a table decoration competition. Lots going on so much so that we didn’t have time for our entertainment but we did finish the evening with some carol singing. A lovely night to finish the year on .... and photos? Well your blogger was having too good a time to remember to take them!

Our crafters sometimes enjoy having a go at home at some of the things we have done over the past couple of years. Here are a couple of examples of leaded jars done one by one our ladies, as well as some cards and a basket. They also go to County & Denman College; one of our ladies recently attended a Lino-cut print workshop and produced fabulous Christmas Cards (the blue & white card).

Our last WITCH session of 2019 saw a select group of crafters making Christmas Cards using 3 different methods. With music playing in the background, posh biscuits and tea to hand, what a pleasant way to spend a winter evening. Hope to see crafters old & new in 2020.

This was the subject of a lecture last night by Dr Kathryn Harkup at The Artrix in Bromsgrove. Organised by County Public Affairs, we were treated to an entertaining look at some of the dangerous practices used in the past in pursuit of looking beautiful. The disfiguring horrors of white lead, famously used by Queen Elizabeth I, the terrifying practices of dentists, the vast use of arsenic in face masks and the like: these were just some of the topics covered. Dr Harkrup explained how these substances were used, the science behind their effects and the dangers they presented; all done in an entertaining yet informative way. Suffice to say for once, we were all pretty glad that Health & Safety had played its part in stopping such practices. 

Who can resist tales of schooldays? Well we couldn't and at our last meeting, we had one of our own (well she used to be!) reliving her days as a teacher at a local boarding school. Whilst it was clear that the school perhaps didn't have the best of facilities, there was plenty of enthuisiasm and tales of adventure; Heath & Safety didn't have much of a look in those days. Although having left the school many years ago, our speaker was still in touch with many of the staff and some pupils, showing clearly the sense of family within the school - a great talk!