Audlem WI January Meeting

Argh! All around me people are complaining because it's January, because it's cold and because they're broke.

I get where they're coming from. I'm cold and broke too, and once again I have been overlooked for a New Year's Honour!

As a reformed pessimist, I make a concerted effort these days to nip any whinging in the bud. So, while I can't change the fact that January is dark, dreary and bleak, I've decided not to let it get me down.

May the New Year bring you courage to break your resolutions early! My own plan is to swear off every kind of virtue, so that I triumph even when I fail!

My other New Year's resolution is to get better at pretending to know the words to Auld Lang Syne, as after all making resolutions is a cleansing ritual of self-assessment and repentance that demands personal honesty and, ultimately, reinforces humility. Breaking them is part of the cycle!

What's so bad about January anyway? It's a good month to hibernate. A good time to hatch plans. A good time to nurture some optimism, energy and enthusiasm for the coming spring. It's just around the corner, and when it arrives Audlem WI ladies want to be able to hit the ground running!

We had such a huge turnout for our first meeting of the year, that I began to wonder if the heating had been turned off in the rest of the village. Lin Nicholas, our President, welcomed the gathered throng, majestically displaying a variety of Christmas present attire – the rest presumably will be on sale in The Charity Shop – which included several new visitors and two new members.

'If you can't beat them then join them' is definitely the motto in this village!

After the usual robust singing of Jerusalem, the Minutes were read, approved and signed by the President.

Lin also reminded members of the 2016 WI Resolutions which appeared in the December WI Magazine. Forms were available for members to vote and hand in to Doreen Hubbard who will send them off to our County office. The Resolution will be discussed at next months meeting.

Because 2015 was our Centenary Year, all individual WI's have been asked to show how they commemorated the year and submit their work for displaying in the Cheshire Federation Exhibition to be held on the 9th to 11th February. As we are such a vibrant and forward thinking group, who certainly don't hide our lights under any bushel, we have produced a booklet which all members have received, containing Centenary Year Monthly Reports, Poems and Photos.

We all settled down comfortably in our chairs as Lin now introduced our Speaker John Parsons, the Nantwich Town Crier, whose talk was entitled 'My Grandad was an Oyez Man'

This title came about as his eight year old Grandson told his teacher that his Grandad wore tights, ladies boots, dress and a hat, she was rather alarmed until he told her he was an Oyez Man!
Sir Richard Baker Wilbraham, 8th Baronet of Loventor in Devon and Lord of the Manor of Rode in the County of Cheshire appointed John to be his Town Crier in Nantwich on a retaining fee of 1p per annum.

I'm glad to see that my council tax is being well spent.

This was in October 2010 and apparently there are only five Town Criers in the Country appointed by the Lord of the Manor. John came along resplendent in his complete outfit, but removed his heavy jacket during his talk, we ladies do like a man in uniform and the temperature was going up, however he kept his hat firmly in position as he can only remove it with the Queen's permission, and we don't want any Royal trouble this early in the year.

He brought along a collection of hand bells but had his favourite which had just the right tone for his town crier duties. He regaled us with many stories and experiences during his time as Town Crier, some of which I feel may not pass the AudlemOnline censors, and although this role is usually hereditary his son definitely did not want to take on the role as he felt he didn't look good in tights and therefore his grandson, who has no such inhibitions, will continue the tradition.

For anyone thinking of venturing into this field, town criers are judged on categories such as volume and clarity, content of proclamation, diction and inflection, quality of dress, and how they carry their bell – and no, this is not a euphemism!

The land bell is one of the reasons why town criers also need public liability insurance. As John well knows, it's every man, woman and child for themselves when the clapper comes flying out!

In his tri-corn hat, coat, and breeches, in the red, gold, and cream coloured livery of the Nantwich town crier, John certainly makes for an arresting sight. His bell – each town crier's must be different – is a hand bell from Meir Parish Church dating back to 1900. Sadly for John's wife Janet, who accompanies him on his tasks, the terminology for such females is less than complimentary. A new town crier's escort is known as a strumpet. In the second year they are known as a moll. They are rarely together after this!

John was thanked by Lin for an enlightening and entertaining talk.

The 2015 monthly competition annual trophy was won by Anne Watson and I came second.

Another year of polishing the silver trophy for Anne then, she's probably a better person to hold the trophy than me, my theory on cleaning is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one else cares. Why should I?

Members were encouraged to enter this year's competitions, January's being 'Your New Year Resolution'.

This was won by Jean Cook her resolution being 'To really listen to people I meet and not just hear them.' I came ...well somewhere near the bottom. Start as you mean to go on is my motto!

I'm one of these people that likes adrenaline and new things, like extreme sports. It makes me feel alive. Therefore I'm embracing the new challenges that have been offered to me by Audlem WI and am taking up both Mah Jong and Bridge. Let's hope I don't get the two confused and start building a wall with the cards.

I was very fortunate in my gene mix. The gambling instincts I inherited from my father were matched by my mother's gift for analysis, so Mah Jong and Bridge will be right up my street!

Beginners Bridge will start on Friday 15th at 2pm at Anne Hollins home.
Scrabble on 13th January at Pat Smith's and on the 27th January – venue to be confirmed.
Mah Jong will be held on 3rd February at my house where plain biscuits will be served during the interval if I don't win! That's something to look forward to!

The raffle took place, birthday flowers handed out and Lin wished everyone a safe journey home.

Next month's competition is an American photo or trinket. I'll be group booking flights to the USA to ensure a plethora of interesting and unique entries.

See you all in February.

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