May 2009

A meeting of Winteringham W.I. was held on Thursday 21 May 2009 at 7.30pm in Winteringham Village Hall. The president, Mrs Christine Wood, welcomed 30 members and apologies were recorded from those not present.

It was agreed that the minutes of the previous meeting were a true record and matters arising were discussed. Copies of the report on the Annual Council Meeting, prepared by Christine Hammond, were available for members to read.

Correspondence was dealt with and the Federation newsletter for May was circulated.

The president then welcomed the speaker, Ann Barnes, who had travelled from her home near Newark to talk about Tudor Flowers.  Ann gave a fascinating, entertaining and very well researched talk, centred around the theme of preparations for a Tudor wedding.

She shared her extensive knowledge of herbs and flowers grown in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries along with their uses. Ann demonstrated the making of a Tussy Mussy - a nosegay of fragrant and medicinal herbs, which was pinned on to the cuff to enable the wearer to bury their nose in it to overcome unpleasant odours or to avoid infection. Next, she prepared a floral decoration for the table using herbs and flowers from her own two and a half acre garden. These two items were later donated for the raffle.

The table was then prepared for the wedding banquet, with a display of oranges, dried fruits, nuts, salad and herbs and Ann described the meats and other courses that would have been eaten.

Ann added many snippets of historical background throughout her talk, which was much enjoyed by all present.

Christine Wood gave a vote of thanks on behalf of the members.

Hostesses were Annie Armstrong, Marjorie Smith and Mary Christoffersen, who also provided the Mystery parcels. These were won by Margaret Kitchen, Doreen Ward and Marjorie Smith and the flowers by Mary Nuttell and Mary Christoffersen, who donated hers to Annie for her birthday.

The competition for a Small Posy was judged by the speaker and won by
1st Mary Nuttell 2nd Christine Wood 3rd Val Hayton

At the next meeting on Thursday 18 June the speaker will be Sandra Clayton who will present a slide show entitled 'Winteringham Old and New'. The competition will be An Old Photograph.