On a sunny Saturday in August, a coach full of WOW ladies set off for York. By all accounts everyone had a brilliant time, enhanced by the beautiful weather. Many thanks to Janet for organising the day.
​Smiling faces below on the trip to York!
​

On a glorious Friday afternoon, 6th July 2018, WOW Woolton WI held a wonderful Afternoon Tea event at Woolton Youth and Community Centre(aka The Boysie!). Our marvellous committee must have worked all day to prepare and set up. When we arrived there were tables outside on the grassy area, beautifully arranged with cloths and flowers, pretty tea cups, saucers and plates. We were waited on by members of the committee with tea, coffee and juice ...... and fantastic cakes stands filled with delicate sandwiches, cakes, and strawberry tarts plus a plate of scones, jam and cream. All home made of course! What a feast! Some ladies brought alternative liquid refreshment with them which they kindly shared on their tables.
Two members had prepared a great quiz based on Woolton, including naming 8 Woolton pubs. Everyone enjoyed this activity and thanked the two quizmasters very much. The winning table got some flowers each which was a lovely surprise.
Liz S gave a vote of thanks to the committee for all their hard work, which we all endorsed and after helping to clear tables, we drifted away. A wonderful event!

A needle felting workshop was held recently and participating ladies brought their miniature teddies to show everyone at the July meeting. They were so appealing! Sore fingers were mentioned but the results looked fabulous!

We met at a different venue this week - at the Gateacre Institute. It was very pleasant there and some favourable comments were heard.

Strawberry Fields
First we heard from some ladies who work for the Salvation Army on the exciting Strawberry Fields renovation and Steps to Work projects. Lauren and Kelly spoke very clearly and kept us up to date with what is planned. Eventually here will be a visitors centre, a coffee shop and a training centre for young people with learning difficulties for whom employment is hard to find. The young people will receive training and learn skills to use when on placements which the Salvation Army will find for them with local businesses. Volunteers will be sought and any members who might be interested are invited to give their names to Jan. There will be various roles for volunteers to fill, including working side by side with trainees. Jan will keep in touch with Kelly and Lauren.

Minutes of last meeting
These will soon be circulated. Jan apologised for the delay.

Groups
Craft and Chatter - weekly Monday evenings at The Quarry
Line Dancing - Tuesday 10th July at The Quarry
Quiz - Tuesday 17th July at The Quarry
Tai Chi - finishes on July 18th and re-starts in September
Art Class has now finished
Walking Group - Wed 18th July. Walk to Princes Park

Notices
Summer social Afternoon Tea Friday 6th July 5pm. Must have booked before the day.
Ambleside stay - all monies should now have been paid. Contact Janet
Summer day out to York Saturday 4th August. Few places still available - contact Janet G
WI Sports Week - 17th - 22nd September. Angela will have details in September meeting.
Lancs County Show is 26th and 27th September in Garstang. Pre-show dinner is 25th September - pay Margaret £23 if you want to go.
Workshops - Creative writing rescheduled from January 10th September at the Arncliffe Centre. Few places available - contact Glenys.
Woolton Open Gardens Sunday 8th July - programme is £5 for all gardens. Available from Viv, Brown's newsagents or any garden in the scheme. WI helpers and cake makers needed for refreshments in Bishop's Garden. Contact Jan.
Calendars and diaries should have been ordered on Tuesday. Try contacting Margaret for late requests.

Lancashire Show
Judy and Brenda spoke to us to encourage many to submit some entries for the show. Judy had prepared an easy guide to the show schedule which she passed round, alongside slips of paper for members to write down what they might try to make - not binding! There will be a cooperative entry too. Members have to submit entries by August 7th to Judy but actual items do not have to be ready till September. An encouraging number of members will try to make things for the show - WOW want to be on the map at the Lancashire Show!

A very enjoyable evening was then completed by us learning some napkin folding techniques. Glenys showed us how to make 2 different roses with cloth napkins (we had been asked to bring one along) and Jan finished by showing us how to make a hilarious chicken!

The Next WI walk will be on Wed 30th May to Freshfield. Meet at Hunts Cross station at 10am for the Southport train or pick up along the line in the first carriage. Contact Margaret for any more info.

The recent paper bead making and jewellery workshops were a resounding success. Ladies made the beads at the first session last month and on Thursday 17th May they produced some beautiful pieces. Well done ladies and a big thank you to Glenys and Sandra for leading the sessions. 

Next WI Walk is on Wednesday 25 April to New Brighton.
Meet HX station 9.45 am for train to Moorfields. (Can pick up train along line - first carriage).
OR
Meet at approx 10.30 am
Pier Head Ferry Terminal for 11.00 am ferry.
Any queries contact Margaret

Notes from 3rd April Meeting

Art classes - still some places left. Contact Glenys

Summer Outing 4th August to York - £14 to Janet asap

WI Health Week wb Monday 11th June -  more info later. Judy spoke about the Growing Older Disgracefully dance group who will put on a free show (donations please) Monday 11th June 7pm IM Marsh campus

Lancashire Show late September - Judy and Jan encouraged all ladies to take part. We want WOW WI to be a presence there this year. There will be paper copies of the schedule next meeting. All is on the Lancs website too   www.lancashirewi.org.uk. The theme is Out of Africa.

Knitted hats for visiting sailors - Judy has the pattern and we will distribute soon.

WI Sports week mid September - Angela has lots of ideas. More info later.

Open invitation to Angela's house Wednesday 11th April 2-4pm for Craft Bring and Buy sale in aid of Marie Curie.

Woolton Open Gardens July 8th 12.00 - 5.00. Programmes are now available at £5 which gives entry to all 9 open gardens on that day. (from Brown's Newsagents, Farmers Market, members of Woolton in Bloom etc) WOW WI have been asked to do refreshments again at the Bishops Lodge. More info at future meetings.

Sophie Scholl - 75 Years since her Execution.
Professor Frank McDonough kept our attention from the start - he was a very engaging speaker and his subject was fascinating. Professor McDonough has written many books mainly abut the Third Reich and Nazi Germany, and wrote "The Woman who Defied Hitler"

Sophie Scholl was born in southern Germany, the daughter of the mayor of her home town of Furchtenberg. She and her siblings, particularly her brother Hans, became involved in the Hitler Youth along with nearly all German young people at the time. After a struggle to get a university place, she joined her brother Hans there and their by now anti-Nazi feelings surfaced. Life became very dangerous for them as they formed a resistance group known as the White Rose. there were only 6 key members and they wrote and distributed anti-Nazi and anti-Hitler leaflets in various locations. This caused quite a stir amongst the Gestapo, who were out to track the culprits down. This eventually happened and Hitler made an example of them at their short trial resulting in the death by guillotine of Hans and Sophie in 1943. This is only a short synopsis of the whole story of Sophie, who was willing to risk and give up her life for a cause she sincerely believed in.

Professor McDonough took questions and comments afterwards. It was a very interesting and thought-provoking talk.

The next 10 sessions of watercolour art classes will start on Tuesday 24th April at Arncliffe Sport and Community Centre L25 9PA 1-3pm. There will be a Half term break on Tuesday 29th May. Beginners are welcome. Cost is £40 payable and members should pay in full at the meeting on Tuesday 3rd April. See Glenys for any more details.