Meeting Report - January 2013
The New Year got off to a flying start at Woolavington WI's January meeting, with 2 new members and 4 visitors swelling the numbers attending. After welcoming everyone to the meeting and a rousing rendition of 'Jerusalem', acting President Carolyn Stroud introduced the speaker of the evening, Andrew Clarke, Goldsmith.
Standing before a most un-glamorous display of some of his day-to-day tools and equipment, Andrew told of his early introduction to the trade which immediately became his passion. He explained the workload during his 6-year apprenticeship – a hard and laborious process which would surely be as familiar to the medieval craftsman as it is to his modern counterpart.
Andrew’s description of some of his commissions undertaken and photographs of completed work had us all green with envy, and at the end of his fascinating talk Andrew was besieged by a long line of ladies all wanting advice on individual pieces of jewellery; he could have used the entire meeting very easily!
The competition for a favourite piece of gold jewellery had resulted in a large interesting and varied display of pieces, which Andrew studied in great detail before deciding on his top 3, which were all hand-made.
After the break a great deal of business was whizzed through, ranging from the usage of raffle tickets, through voting for our preferred resolution to go to AGM, to the refreshments for our ‘big’ birthday party later this year!
Kerry explained the different activities with which members could get involved and a few came forward to take on different aspects of the running of our WI - Pauline will co-ordinate the collection of items to go to the women’s refuge. A list was started of members wanting computer tuition
Eveline announced some of the outings she has lined up in the next couple of months, and a ’Do it for Denman’ afternoon teais arranged for late in February – there’s quite a bit happening!
After the raffle was drawn, the competition results were announced. First was a beautiful old leaf-shaped brooch with little forget-me-not-like flowers belonging to Wendy; second Kerry’s unusual Australian Lightning Ridge opal with off-set diamond ring and third was a sphere of tiny turquoises on a very delicate chain belonging to Jan. All lovely things - what a super start to a new year!
Standing before a most un-glamorous display of some of his day-to-day tools and equipment, Andrew told of his early introduction to the trade which immediately became his passion. He explained the workload during his 6-year apprenticeship – a hard and laborious process which would surely be as familiar to the medieval craftsman as it is to his modern counterpart.
Andrew’s description of some of his commissions undertaken and photographs of completed work had us all green with envy, and at the end of his fascinating talk Andrew was besieged by a long line of ladies all wanting advice on individual pieces of jewellery; he could have used the entire meeting very easily!
The competition for a favourite piece of gold jewellery had resulted in a large interesting and varied display of pieces, which Andrew studied in great detail before deciding on his top 3, which were all hand-made.
After the break a great deal of business was whizzed through, ranging from the usage of raffle tickets, through voting for our preferred resolution to go to AGM, to the refreshments for our ‘big’ birthday party later this year!
Kerry explained the different activities with which members could get involved and a few came forward to take on different aspects of the running of our WI - Pauline will co-ordinate the collection of items to go to the women’s refuge. A list was started of members wanting computer tuition
Eveline announced some of the outings she has lined up in the next couple of months, and a ’Do it for Denman’ afternoon teais arranged for late in February – there’s quite a bit happening!
After the raffle was drawn, the competition results were announced. First was a beautiful old leaf-shaped brooch with little forget-me-not-like flowers belonging to Wendy; second Kerry’s unusual Australian Lightning Ridge opal with off-set diamond ring and third was a sphere of tiny turquoises on a very delicate chain belonging to Jan. All lovely things - what a super start to a new year!