Audlem WI September Meeting

Audlem WI September Meeting

Audlem WI Ladies strolled into our September meeting like a whirlwind of mischief. Fresh from a summer of garden Prosecco parties, questionable craft experiments, and other memorable incidents, they were ready to swap gossip and debate whether one member’s homemade elderflower wine was a blessing or a hazard!

The Methodist Hall echoed with laughter as they compared notes on everything from the Craft Groups wonky crochet projects, intended to be converted into a bikini apparently and the village buses which didn’t just get terminated, they went out with such a lacklustre send-off that even the dust they left behind looked embarrassed!

Penny and Susan volunteered to be our new raffle ticket sellers. They are the unsung heroes of excitement, turning mundane cash into a lottery of dreams—where else can you spend £1 and suddenly be the proud owner of a potted plant you never knew you wanted?

Our President and Secretary have turned forecasting future events into an art form. One makes us feel our Premium Bonds will come up trumps, whilst the other keeps us on our toes with regard to upcoming events which we can’t miss, because, who knows, our future best story might start with 'So there I was

This month we were reminded about The Swan Lake Ballet at Crewe Lyceum and The Malbank Autumn Meeting at Nantwich FC, which promises to be a riot of laughter with Lesley Smith impersonating Margaret Thatcher. Tickets £10 from Sheila J.

Finally our President introduced our monthly speaker Ant Bolding, with his faithful sidekicks Andy and Liz.

It all kicked off when Ant had one of those ‘what-if’ moments, and voilà—Beartown Rickshaw was born. Ant and his volunteers figured nothing screams ‘mental health boost’ quite like the rush of fresh air, so £11,000 was raised, the rickshaw was ordered and the rest is history. Just imagine it, the wind whipping through your hair, the scent of freshly cut grass, and the sound of the pedals groaning as they valiantly carry their delighted charges. Their mission? To liberate institutionalised locals from their care homes and whisk them away into the great outdoors. Because, let’s face it, sometimes all you need is a change of scenery to turn a ‘blah’ day into a ‘woohoo!’ day.

They’re eco-friendly superheroes in Lycra wearing florescent yellow gilets, and their vision doesn’t stop at boosting mental health. They’ve built an army of volunteers who get just as much out of the experience as the elderly, lonely, and children with learning difficulties do . One rickshaw rider even confessed she felt ‘honoured’ to pedal her way into people’s hearts—though she did admit the free cardio was a nice perk.

Because in the end, it’s not just about where you’re going, it’s about the journey, the laughter and, let’s be real, the occasional fly splat on your forehead. A small price to pay for a little happiness on wheels, right? Their passengers, some of whom haven’t seen the outside for weeks, say they feel like they’re sipping champagne whilst the rest of us are still squeezing lemons.

By the time they hop off, or are hoisted off, they feel uplifted with a newfound respect for the humble rickshaw—part human-powered chariot, part urban myth, and 100% the unsung hero of modern transportation.

Moira, having bravely navigated the dark corridors of hospital life herself for far longer than anyone should, gave the vote of thanks with a personal appreciation of the benefits of fresh air and freedom.

This month's competition was ‘A Travel Souvenir ‘, normally this would be a parade of 'Wish You Were Here!' postcards and questionable fridge magnets, however our winners turned up trumps with a chicken made out of recycled plastic bags, a fan from China and a female bust from the Gambia.

Birthday bouquets were presented to Moira , Ann K. and Lin N, a member who has devoted her heart and soul to Audlem WI, tirelessly championing its mission and nurturing its members with unwavering dedication and passion.

As the meeting wrapped up, the room transformed. It was like a flash mob, only in slow motion, as our members embarked on their elegant escapes. One by one, they rose—some with the grace of a baby giraffe finding its legs—clutching their handbags like they held the Crown Jewels. Proving, of course, that even in their golden years, they still know how to make an exit with all the flair of a red carpet walk—minus the paparazzi, but still with a touch of pizzazz.

See you all in October.