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In July, the committee of Winteringham W.I. are able to put their feet up whilst the members take over and organise the meeting. This year, Mrs Carol Smith was the chairman for the night and she welcomed twenty nine members. Carol lead the singing of Jerusalem before asking the president if there was any business that needed discussing.
There was nothing urgent but members were told that the W.I.’s float at Winterton Show had won second prize in the adult section. The ladies were asked for ideas for next year when the theme is English Traditions. They were also asked if they wished for a shopping trip to be organised later in the year and if so where they wanted to go.
Carol then handed over to the speaker for the evening, Mrs Lorna Pearcey who had come along to tell “A Cock and Bull Story”. Lorna explained that she would be telling members the original meanings of some of the sayings which we use in every day speech.
Members were interest to learn that there was a village on the route of the old mail/passenger coach. On the way down to London the coach stopped at The Cock Inn and the passengers told their news and of the happenings on the journey. On the way back the first inn they came to in the village was The Bull. Whilst having a drink they heard the news and gossip and were amazed to hear embroidered accounts of the tales they had told in the Cock Inn. Hence “It’s a Cock and Bull Story”
Lorna told members that in the sixteenth century people only had a bath once a year, usually in May. Father went in first, followed by mother and other family relatives, then the children and lastly the baby. Hence the saying “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”
Lorna was a very interesting and amusing speaker and told the ladies many anecdotes and explanations for terminology which is still used without people realising where it came from. Have you ever called anyone “as mad as a hatter” without realising that hat makers did go mad because of the chemicals they used to create the felt for hats.
We all know someone who is “frightfully Posh“. POSH comes from the days when people travelled out to India on the old sailing ships. If they were wealthy they booked their cabins on the cooler side of the ship - Port Out Starboard Home.
Mrs Chris Wood thanked Lorna on behalf of the members and invited her to join them for supper. A delicious supper of salads, meat and sausage rolls followed by trifles and gateau had been prepared by the members.
Whilst members enjoyed a drink the draw took place for the numerous mystery parcels.
The president, Mrs Jackie Bateman thanked everyone on behalf of the committee.
The meeting in August will be the Annual Treasure Hunt. Last year’s winners, Annie Armstrong and Carol Smith will be preparing the clues.
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