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Some Events from Previous Years

Our most recent reports from this year's events are shown on our Reports page. We felt that some may still be interested in some of the things we have got up to in the less recent past! 

WI Ladies In Court

Yo Yates, Beckford WI, writes: Seventeen WI Ladies faced the magistrates this September in Cheltenham’s Magistrate Court. We were there to view proceedings – not to face charges!

It was surprising to learn that magistrates are volunteers although they do get travel expenses. Our two magistrate guides told us in whispers what was going on and how the court system works. We saw the accused being led up the stairs from cells below to a secure box. A variety of cases were presented, from someone found with a hammer, a drunk driver, a shoplifter and a case of a man disobeying his bail terms.  It was all very thought provoking and will provide us with a greater insight into our legal system.


Inter County Bowls match

Diana Colbeck writes: Waterproofs, anoraks and winter woollies were the order of the day for the annual inter county bowls match against Avon Federation, this year hosted by Avon at Olveston on a cold August day.
 Strong winds and light showers made playing conditions difficult but this did not deter the Gloucestershire members who played a well-contested match to regain the shield.

Everyone enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, making new friends or meeting old rivals both on the green and afterwards over a delicious tea.
Congratulations to all our players, well done to the newcomers and grateful thanks to our captain, Glen Wood, who did an excellent job. If anyone else is interested in playing bowls for the county do send your details to Liz at WI House.


GFWI takes to the air gliding
Diana Colbeck writes: Fantastic. Amazing views. Something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m so glad I tried it even though it made me feel queasy. Just some of the comments passed by WI members on landing after their gliding experience.

Despite doubts about the wisdom of offering members the opportunity to try gliding, it proved so popular that two sessions were held to allow all thirty-eight members and family to take to the air from Nympsfield airfield.
Everyone was greeted at the Bristol & Gloucestershire Gliding Club clubhouse and then transferred in small groups to the ‘control bus’ at the end of the airfield. 
After being introduced to a friendly, reassuring instructor we walked to a glider. Lying there lopsided on the ground it looked very small, compact and lightweight to carry two people but the long wings and sleek appearance were to be admired. Now the fun started.
First, putting on the parachute, surprisingly heavy, and when instructions followed not to touch the D-ring except in an emergency the heart started pounding. Next came the tricky part, getting into the seat. ‘Imagine you are getting into a bath’ came the advice. Have you tried lifting your legs high over the side then lowering yourself into a very narrow bath, laden down with a heavyweight? Thank goodness there were no marks given for speed or elegance.
After safety instructions and demonstration of the control stick from the instructor sitting behind, the canopy was lowered and the towline to the tug plane attached.

Lie back and prepare for take-off. A little bumpy at first until the glider rose into the air flying higher than the plane until that too left the ground. A quick wave to the others waiting at the clubhouse then the ascent to 2000ft before the tow release and at last that gliding feel of being free in the air. What a contrast in scenery. The contours of the Five Valleys converging on Stroud, the seemingly flat arable landscape towards Wiltshire, the magnificence of the River Severn and the Arlingham loop backed by the Forest of Dean and Welsh mountains, the Severn Bridge and the Cotswold escarpment. ‘Would you like to take over the control stick?’
Up, down, left, right, it sounded quite straightforward until you realised how sensitive it was. No one quite managed to loop the loop though I admire the instructors for their nerves of steel and diplomatic comments.  
 All too soon it was time to hand back for the descent and gentle touchdown. Then the last obstacle of climbing out, simple just reverse getting in, but as someone said afterwards ‘Well I can’t get out of the bath either!’

One member, Dot Vines, from Cam WI had a special reason for taking to the air, to celebrate her 80th birthday and fly over her old home. Our youngest participant, Hamish, 14years old, came with his Uncle and WI Grandmother to enjoy a family outing. So it just proves age is no barrier.
Finally our special thanks to all the Bristol & Gloucestershire Gliding Club volunteers who made us so welcome and gave us a truly unforgettable experience.


GFWI Walking Weekend, Abergavenny
Shirley Wood writes: This year’s venue for GFWI’s weekend walkers was Abergavenny and what a fantastic choice it turned out to be. We stayed at The Hill, an educational and conference centre on the edge of the town. The original lovely old house has been extended to provide plenty of good accommodation with many single rooms, so all 46 members, husbands and friends were easily catered for. The house is set in extensive grounds with a beautiful walled garden containing many interesting plants and features, which is looked after by RHS students.

On Friday evening, after a good meal, we settled down in the bar where Ian, the barman, gave us an interesting impromptu chat on the history of the house and the town. We awoke to a rather misty morning on Saturday, but no rain.
Our walks leaders arrived and described the walks for the day: Mike’s was steep, Mark’s less steep, and Andy’s only slightly steep; plenty of choice there then.  But we were ready for anything after our excellent breakfast. The hardest walk was up the Sugar Loaf, the conical shaped mountain visible from the Cotswolds and May Hill on a fine day. From a distance the summit kept appearing and disappearing in the mist, but from the top we managed fleeting views of Abergavenny and the surrounding hills. The weather brightened up in the afternoon and we were enjoying ourselves so much that we asked Mike to extend the walk. We did question the wisdom of our request when it looked as though we were about to scale the summit for a second time, but it was a beautiful walk and we were well fuelled by the large packed lunches supplied by The Hill.
Mark’s party enjoyed extra refreshments on their walk: they climbed up onto Deri Ridge and the lower slopes of the Sugar Loaf, then stopped for tastings at Abergavenny’s vineyard on the way back. Andy’s walk went to Llantilio Pertholey and Pantygelli via a craft centre, so at least one member has a new leather bag. We were welcomed back to The Hill with tea and cake, but left enough room for another delicious evening meal.

The sun shone on us on Sunday and our walks took us on to the lower slopes of the Blorenge and Little Skirrid, and along the canal and old tramways of the area. Every walk was enhanced by the beautiful views and lovely wild flowers along the way. On our return to the town we looked around the castle. After more tea and cake, it was unfortunately time to return home.
It had been a most enjoyable weekend: comfortable accommodation, friendly staff, good food, and beautiful location. Thankyou Diana for organising it. Where are we going next year? The Hill at Abergavenny, of course!

County's “Women of Importance” return to Denman.
Rosemary Bishton writes: On April 17th. the second group of Presidents from Gloucestershire drove themselves from all parts of the County to Denman College for a special day - just for them - a “thank you” from the Federation.
The event was organised and co-ordinated, as last year, by the WI Advisers, who joined the group of 50 in Tai Chi - a very gentle way of exercising - under the watchful eye of tutor Jason Boden.( When we found out he hailed from Stroud, we were quick to mention how easy it would be for him to tutor the members again!) Later, after a delicious buffet lunch in the new café style area in the teaching centre, the groups changed places and “Dressing with Style” became the next excitement. The ever stylish and diplomatic, Liz Prest, steered us all towards making the most of ourselves and encouraged us to come home and weed out all the clothes we had not worn for a year. “Into the black bag” the very next day went many of my old T shirts, at least!

A happy group photograph to close the day said it all -“Thank you, we had a really splendid time!”