MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE'S SPRING LUNCH 2010
Over a hundred WI members attended the Spring Lunch held at Hinckley Golf Club on Saturday, 17th April 2010.  On a beautiful, sunny day we assembled in our finery to enjoy a three course meal and hear our speaker, Graham Sutherland, talk about his role as a Town Crier.
View of Hinckley Golf Course

Those arriving early enjoyed a pre-lunch drink on the terrace and the opportunity to appreciate the fabulous view over the golf course.  Inside, the main function room looked very spring-like with an arrangement of daffodils on each table.  Margaret Spence of Kirkby Mallory WI had created very eye catching centre pieces, besides producing a beautiful basket arrangement for the raffle table.

Jane Elson, from the Membership Committee, welcomed everyone to the lunch which was then served by the staff.  Asparagus and ham pastry puffs or mushrooms with stilton cheese were followed by poached salmon or roast lamb.  Then a selection of desserts and cheese and biscuits were served, and finally coffee and mints.
Earl Shilton WI and the function room

As you would expect from a Town Crier  Graham Sutherland had a good, strong voice and he could be heard clearly.  He told us how he became a town crier and what his job entailed throughout the year.  There was a good sprinkling of jokes throughout making this an interesting and amusing contribution to the day.

Members of Stoney Stanton WI had kindly agreed to sell raffle tickets and did a superb job helping to boost the proceeds from the lunch, which go to the County Federation.
Stoney Stanton WI

Thanks go to all the members who supported the event.
Anne Fullagar
Membership Committee

St GEORGE'S DAY CONCERT WITH THE HATHERN BAND
More than 200 members gathered at Garendon High School on St George's day to enjoy a fabulous concert put on by the excellent Hathern Band.  A wide variety of music was played by the whole band and by some virtuoso soloists.


A WADDESDON WANDER
Around 45 WI members and husbands/partners boarded the coach firstly at WI House and then at Lutterworth, to set off for a visit to Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, the ancestral home of the Rothschild family.  The weather was somewhat inclement as we set off, but once we had reached the destination, although very windy at times, no more rain was seen.  The house did not disappoint  at all; its sumptuous interiors, its wealth of treasures and artefacts, its overall warm and homely atmosphere combined with friendly and helpful room guides made for a most delightful day out which passed all to quickly.  Undaunted, after a quick lunch and a brisk walk round the gardens, the members (and guests) boarded the coach again for a little light retail therapy at nearby Bicester Shopping Village, finally setting off for Leicester around 5pm.  A few pictures below set the scene:

Members gathering in front of Waddesdon before setting off for Bicester.


Glenhills WI President, Kay Jelley (left) with fellow members Gill Brimley (centre) & Ann Markham relaxing over lunch in a welcome ray of warm sunshine.


The rear view of Waddesdon Manor taken from the formal gardens.