February 2006

Winteringham W.I. held a meeting in the Village Hall on Thursday 16th February 2006. The President, Mrs Jackie Bateman welcomed 20 members and one guest. Members were reminded that the March meeting is the Annual meeting and that nominations for the new committee were needed.

The Secretary read the minutes of the January meeting and it was agreed that these were a true record. The matters arising were dealt with.

Correspondence received from Federation included details of a Blackwork Embroidery Day School on Wed. 29th March, Show Us Your Village - Appleby on 22nd April and the Race Night on Friday 26th May. The Annual Council Meeting is on Saturday 8th April. There are already several members who have indicated that they wish to attend.

A poster was circulated for members to indicate if they wished to be part of a Winteringham team at the Trent Group Quiz Night on 29th March. The Group’s Spring Meeting is on Wednesday 3rd May 2006. Alice Ann Hutchkinson will tell The Story of Decoupage.

Members were reminded that a Silk Scarf Painting Day School will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 1st April. The May Meeting will be an Open Meeting and invitations have been sent out to neighbouring W.I.s. The speaker will be Mr Graham Boanas - “The Man who walked the Humber”.

The President then introduced Mr John Butler “The Gooseman of the Humber”. Mr Butler spoke about his early life and how he came to be in this part of the country. He said that he has a fantastic life watching the wild fowl of the Humber.

The winters have become milder so the Mallards and Goldeneye no longer come over from Scandanavia but now the estuary sees many more waders and birds of prey are on the increase. Things are looking very good and the Humber is becoming cleaner. Cormorants can be seen fishing for Flounders in the waters and seals have been spotted catching fish off Winteringham Haven. Today, compared with the 1950s there are many more varieties of geese.

Mr Butler spoke about the Pink Footed Goose, the Canada Goose, the Grey Lag Goose, the Brent Goose and the Barnacle Goose. He fascinated the ladies with his ability to mimic the call of each of these birds.

The hostesses Margaret Ward and Barbara Ashton served tea and coffee.

The Mystery Parcels given by Margaret, Barbara and Mary Kristopherson were won by Mr Butler, Jenny Pike and Val Hayton.

The Competition for a Model boat or Picture of a Boat was judged by Mr Butler: The winner was Enid Carter, 2nd Jenny Pike, 3rd Val Hayton.

At the W.I.’s Annual Meeting in March, Anne Dodd will speak about A Visit to China and the competition is for “Something Chinese”.