Olympic Torch in Shepton

Did anyone go to see the Olympic Torch in Shepton?   Lots of razz-ma-tazz - in fact the torch itself was an anti-climax!!   Still glad we went - please add comments if you were there or anywhere en route!!
Three coaches took the whole of Oakhill school down for the event.  Much excitement as all the preliminary vehicles rolled through.

Might be of interest to some - new Frome WI had one of their officers running with the torch - very exciting for them and great pictures - one below:

It's good to have a close up of the 'lighting up' procedure as the officials help Emma to light the flame ready for  her 300 metre run - yes that's the distance they run!!
We were near the end of our fellows run - within minutes he was whisked away in a coach - I saw Emma with other competitors in a coach when we were walking back to the car.

Lots of publicity for Coca Cola, Samsung and Lloyds Bank and very good police escorts (cars and motor-bikes - they seemed to be enjoying themselves too) who 'revved up' the crowds - especially appealling to the school children I was standing with.(well behind) - you can tell by the picture of the police car above - they're all waving their flags in front of me.

May Meeting - what a surprise!

Resolution discussed  Angela speaking Against and Eileen For - after fairly lengthy discussion discretion got the most votes - so over to delegate to decide and then report back to us with her decision on the day.  Litton & Hinton Blewitt are sending the delegate for our group of 4.  Iris then presented a 2012 banner to members - this  has been prepared in secret by 4 members: (I know it's displayed sideways - I'll work on that) : Glenys, Moira, Iris and Anne (but being modest - Anne said she only made the tea).   Members were really surprised as this has been a complete secret.  The needlework was fantastic - many congrats to these very skilled needlewomen.  Explanation: it incorporates:  The Jubilee, the Olympics (a needlework interpretation) Somerset quilting, Somerset County Logo and Runner Beans.   Now I hear you say Beans why Beans?  - because in the Domesday Book, Binegar was referred to as Beanacre - Beans which grow on the hill.  Bet you didn't know that!!    After the presentation we had early refreshments, lists to fill, friends to chat with ....   Oh meant to say - room was decorated with some of the lovely bunting made by members at Angela's 'bunting' day more busy needlewomen!

For the second half of the evening, the Drama Group presented a 'skit' called appropriately 'Binegar Games' which discussed plans for holding this in our village.  This was followed by Ruth's poem about the Jubilee / Games whilst the Drama group enacted various activities on the stage!  Seemed well received - certainly there were lots of laughs about it. Plenty of racquets, sports equipment and a broom handle which was used so that Wendy B could 'pole vault' over the stage - also Ruth bought some large pink bloomers which were used (lost) during the relay race and passed over with the baton!! Angela rushed on as the nurse with an enormous syringe - it was all very slapstick but amusing from the comments received. Evening ended with raffle results - Anne and Iris won a prize - quite appropriate after the surprise they'd arranged for us. A good evening!


Team: Iris, Glenys, Moira and Anne

Friday 11th May

Drama Rehearsal in Village Hall - got a part afterall.  Ruth liked the play - her Jubilee poem was very good - with added actions by the rest of us (hopefully to amuse!!).   Fingers crossed all round - have to remember to take various extra's - bell, bunting, flags, broom handle - don't ask 'why' about the latter - all will be revealed on WI night!!

Believe lunch club visited restaurant this week.  Not heard any derogatory comments .................so guess it was OK!..

Rag Rug day at Taunton

Well - interesting day - everyone else found it relaxing - I found it stressful.  I'll clarify that comment - I really enjoyed the day at WL just got stressed trying to finish it!!   I know I was doing it randomly but that made it 'worse'.  Nicky from Westbury sup Mendip WI was very orderly and I can totally see why - I feel so much better now it's finished!!   Made a red, white and blue rosette as well - for Jubilee, of course, that was much more 'organised'.  Made my left 'holding' hand ache - kind of RSI - going to buy some copydex and 'seal' it stop the boys pulling bits out!!  Used UHU in  the end - it's set solid now!!  Chuckle!!

Rosette left,  lavender bag right - glad I tried it - remember my godfather made rag rugs - they kept for years - true re-cycling!!  Hubby hated it - liked the reverse better.   Ah well - I did 'have a go'.  Maybe bunting for my  next try!!   Update:  bought materials (some from Milly Moon night at Frome) now I need some ribbon - I know clever people recycle old material but if I'm in a hurry I need the quickest route!!  Will update if there is any progress on this plan!!

Another bunting day arranged at end of May - thanks Angela - members will enjoy that!

Somerset SE Holiday

Angela, her hubby, Alban, and Eileen joined this holiday to Kent/Sussex on 1st - 4th May.
1st May One the way up we stopped and Wakehurst Place (home of Millenium Seed Bank).  Very interesting - Eileen went around the garden with Margaret & Hilda BUT at the end Alban became plant carrier as MB decided she'd buy a plant at every garden we visited!! 
Q Hotel very comfy
2nd May - AM - Batemans  - lovely - everyone really enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere - on a visit to the mill E bought flour (!!).  PM - Knole - very grand 365 rooms but seemed very sombre - guidebook brought it into perspective but it wasn't a favourite with a lot of people.  Saw the deer right up near the house - 3 of us bought an icecream before we got on the coach - lost ring from Lanzarote.  Did query at Scotney - but not found - shame it had good memories.
3rd May -  AM  -  Scotney Castle - interesting house - lovely gardens - romantic ruined castle in a lake below the 19th century rebuilt house - loved it!  PM -  Gt Dixter House - fabulous lived up to and exceeded expectations.  After hour wandering the gardens - Tour of house at 3.00pm - started to rain during this tour.  some people went back to coach early - we continued our walk and went to fetch plants so weren't popular over this BUT we were originally told 4.30pm departure and those who 'loved' the garden were peeved about earlier 'concensus' idea -  say no more!!
4th May -  AM - Sarah Raven's garden at Perch Hill -  difficult reversing for coach.  Luckily Sarah was available to do garden talk and tour - wonderful all 'loved it' - more money to spend!!  PM - Sissinghurst - another lovely garden - a little early for some areas but plantings admired.  Some of us climbed the tower but MB and HIlda decided they'd rather have a bowl of soup to 'warm up'.

Overall - lovely gardens - weather dull - only one rainy session and only one sunny afternoon - cold for this time of year which affected plantings but gave wonderful displays of tulips!   All really enjoyed holiday.

Left Wakehurst Place with
Kew Millenium Seed Bank

Traffic problems on way home - stopped for meal - cafe totally understaffed so further delays but lovely fish&chip supper for £5 - v. good value.   5 Shepton Malleters got off at Podimore due to controversial threat of tour of Somerset before they got home!! 

romantic ruined Scotney Castle  - beautiful garden and lovely 'new' house
at the top of the garden

Then on the last day we had a tour with Sarah Raven at her garden at Perch Hill:

Sarah Raven at Perch Hill
Note Angela & Alban at the front!

view from the tower Sissinghurst - can see Margaret
and Hilda near the archway.



Bouchier Tower - Knole - went on Wed pm
but no gardens open  - rather sombre!
Fascinating history

Great Dixter House with  plantsman's garden
only afternoon it rained