Meeting Report July 2012
Speaker Bob Musgrave made a welcome return to Woolavington Village Hall for the WI’s July meeting. Surprisingly two years had passed since his initial visit, but if anything he had become even more passionate about his subject, that of pub signs.
We were surprised in his first talk to learn just how much history is encapsulated in a simple inn sign, and in this second instalment, the rich history mined was centred in London. He is extremely dedicated to the pursuit of unusual signs, to the point where he will negotiate the traffic of a dual-carriageway and stand centrally to obtain a photo, and this before commencing the research; it is perhaps fortunate that he has a like-minded wife!
Tales behind the pictures ranged from references from the Bible - “Simon the Tanner” (Acts10) - to 18th century philanthropy at a time of massive military cuts (nothing new then -!) when John Manners, then C-in-C of the army granted redundancy payments, thus enabling retired soldiers to start up their own small brew-houses, hence a plethora of “Marquis of Granby”s in his honour!
Bob agreed to judge the themed competition which was to invent a new name for a pub. First placed was “The W.I. not?” dreamed up by Carolyn, and second- and third-placed respectively were entries by Lynne and Kris.
During the refreshment break members were able to look at an interesting display of items put out to illustrate just some of the very varied courses available to WI members. These included the more traditional crafts such as sugar-craft, rag-rugging and stumpwork embroidery, and some less-so, like photo-manipulation and handbell-ringing.
During August there will be a coffee morning at a member’s home and a walk in Wells for the walking group, and the summer outing to Stratford on Avon, with another coffee morning to follow in September.
Mention was also made of the Grand Christmas Craft Market in Taunton on Nov. 17th at which the needlecraft group have taken a table, and the possibility of taking part in the combined choir to sing at the Wells Carol Festival before Christmas; there’s lots happening in the W.I.!
We were surprised in his first talk to learn just how much history is encapsulated in a simple inn sign, and in this second instalment, the rich history mined was centred in London. He is extremely dedicated to the pursuit of unusual signs, to the point where he will negotiate the traffic of a dual-carriageway and stand centrally to obtain a photo, and this before commencing the research; it is perhaps fortunate that he has a like-minded wife!
Tales behind the pictures ranged from references from the Bible - “Simon the Tanner” (Acts10) - to 18th century philanthropy at a time of massive military cuts (nothing new then -!) when John Manners, then C-in-C of the army granted redundancy payments, thus enabling retired soldiers to start up their own small brew-houses, hence a plethora of “Marquis of Granby”s in his honour!
Bob agreed to judge the themed competition which was to invent a new name for a pub. First placed was “The W.I. not?” dreamed up by Carolyn, and second- and third-placed respectively were entries by Lynne and Kris.
During the refreshment break members were able to look at an interesting display of items put out to illustrate just some of the very varied courses available to WI members. These included the more traditional crafts such as sugar-craft, rag-rugging and stumpwork embroidery, and some less-so, like photo-manipulation and handbell-ringing.
During August there will be a coffee morning at a member’s home and a walk in Wells for the walking group, and the summer outing to Stratford on Avon, with another coffee morning to follow in September.
Mention was also made of the Grand Christmas Craft Market in Taunton on Nov. 17th at which the needlecraft group have taken a table, and the possibility of taking part in the combined choir to sing at the Wells Carol Festival before Christmas; there’s lots happening in the W.I.!