Burleydam WI learns about Staffordshire

Talks about places, travel and history are always popular with WI members.

At their June meeting members of Burleydam and District WI discovered more about Staffordshire but with a difference. Sylvia Newall and Ann Smith talked about their home county with enthusiasm and humour – through the medium of flowers! Red hot colours represented the heat of the furnaces, cool greens and whites the tranquillity of Cannock Chase.

As they worked Ann and Sylvia reminisced about their lives and gardens. The result was six beautiful arrangements displayed with appropriate accessories to illustrate each subject. This included a floor standing "red brick" kiln chimney.

Whilst it was a very entertaining evening there were some serious points made too about the almost complete extinction of the traditional industry of the Potteries.

The competition combined both flowers and pottery and the winner of "Flowers in a small pottery vase" was Elaine Walton, second Carolyn Wilde and third Ann Rutter.

President, Sarah Lunt, was away at the National Federation's AGM in Cardiff which was taking place next day. The meeting was therefore chaired for the first time by Vice President, Margaret Blackburn, who exercised a good humoured, light but effective control on proceedings.

Margaret reported on the meeting of the Malbank Group of WIs from the Nantwich area who had their Spring meeting in Audlem in May. The speaker on "Life with Fred" had been Sheila Dibnah, widow of the famous steeplejack, steam enthusiast and TV personality.

Members also agreed the arrangements for the August meeting which was to take place at the home of Liz and Tony Gentil in Aston.

The speaker on 6 July will be Ruth Moore Williams on "What did you do in the war, mother?" – an appropriate topic as Burleydam WI started in 1945 and thus will be celebrating its 65th birthday that evening.

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