Recent Reports

October 2011
It is always an anxious moment when a speaker has to cancel for whatever reason, but David Mower from RSPB Leighton Moss stepped into the breech with a marvellous presentation about life and work at Leighton Moss. His stunning photography and interesting details about the development and life at the reserve, left us all with a very clear understanding about the amazing conservation work that goes on in the countryside in order to protect and encourage wildlife for future generations. Leighton Moss is one of the finest examples of reed swamps left in Britain. This doesn’t happen without constant monitoring of the state of the reeds, swamp and Meres.

Leighton Moss is proud of it’s rare species, The Bittern, Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit. All three are ideally suited to this habitat. David mentioned the public hides and walks, the comfortable tea room and shop and said a visit would always turn up a surprise or two. One of the great sights this season is the enormous number of starlings circling the sky at dusk before roosting. I noticed that there was quite a bit of interest in a proposed outing to the reserve that is being planned in the near future.

Members were encouraged to support the RSPB Marine Act, namely areas of sea where birds are nesting should receive special protection status.

The business meeting is always quite full at this time of year, but first we heard  that Margaret Fothergill is recovering well after her spell in hospital and we send her our best wishes. Final arrangements are being made for Christmas meal  at Kendal College and nominations taken for next years committee. We have finally chosen our team for the pub quiz to be held November 7^th at the Bull Sedbergh.

Disappointing new from National Federation that our Resolution did not make the final selection but it was a good try and our thanks go to Dale and Jenny for all their hard work in the preparation. At least National do know that we take the Resolutions seriously way up here in Dent!

Jean Haygarth won the competition with her stunning landscape picture and Rosalie’s number came out of the hat for the raffle prize.

Next month on 9^th November is the AGM for Dentdale and afterwards we are treating ourselves to a Jacobs Join supper

Pat Allen.

September 2011
September and the start of the Autumn session. Quite a few members were away enjoying late summer holidays. Just hope they are finding the sun somewhere! However, I can report rain did not actually spoil the Dentdale Gala, where once again, WI was serving afternoon teas. The cake selection donated by members was as tempting as ever. The gala was well patronised and we were kept on our toes filling tea cups etc!

Dale Smith and Jenny Pilgrim have been working on our behalf preparing a resolution which has received Federation approval and now has been sent to National Federation WI. The resolution reads: The WI urges HM government to include emergency life support skills as a mandatory subject in the secondary school curriculum. We must now wait to see what reception it gets.

To early to talk about Christmas? The Kendal College was put forward as a suggestion for a Christmas lunch and members were enthusiastic. More on that in the next month or two.

Federation Quiz Night at the Bull on 7^th November will soon be upon us and surely we can find a team of four?

In July, Dentdale WI served teas from the Memorial Hall as a refreshment stop for the Rotary Cycle Race The organizers were delighted with the service and have sent £50 for us to give to charity of our choice. We decided to send half  to Air Ambulance and half towards the work being done in Nairobi for victims of AIDS, orphans and an outreach to the poorest families. Christine Wood our speaker, had been introduced to Nyumbani, the Home for AIDS orphans in Nairobi by her son a BA pilot on long haul flights. Members of BA have been raising funds and equipment for the Orphanage and when he asked Christine (a retired teacher) if she would like to go to Nairobi to help the children in the school, her interest in the project was kindled. Christine has written a small book about the children, their delight in learning and enjoyment of life in spite of AIDS. She went on to talk about Kidzone Kenya, a charity supporting an orphanage, school and outreach also assisted by BA sponsors providing basic school fees, books uniforms etc. the aim being to help some of the poorest families with education and skill training. Many different organisations are sending out sponsorship money, text books reconditioned computers etc. It was heartening to hear of the success of these projects, but of course, it is only the tip of the iceberg and there remains much more to be done. Christine had brought some necklaces and trinkets hand made by African women which were offered for sale.

The competition had been for an African artefact and there was a good entry. First place went to Catherine Sugden. Chris Taylor won  a box of chocolate in the raffle. Next meeting in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday 12^th October when visitors are warmly invited to join us.

August 2011
The weather report had not been too promising for the day of our summer outing but that did not dampen the spirits of the members as we boarded the coach and drove towards Glenridding pier on Ullswater for the first part of the outing on the steamer SS Raven. In actual fact, the rain which lasted all day didn’t get much above a persistent fine drizzle, but it would have been so different in sunshine! A group of us hardy types stayed on top deck to watch the brooding mountainous scenery glide by. It was quite beautiful in its own way! The option for some was to go to the end of the lake at Pooley Bridge and there to amble among the gift shops and attractions and have lunch. However, the majority of the party disembarked at Howtown Pier and walked the few yards to Howtown Hotel, where, even at this point there were options! A stalwart quartet clad in wet weather gear walked on to Martindale with strict instructions to be back by 1 o’clock when a gong is sounded in the Hotel calling visitors to the beautifully appointed dining room for lunch. Yes, they just made it!!! A sort of timeless quality emanates from the efficient service and beautiful surroundings at Howtown and it is easy to relax and enjoy the food and company but they say time and tide wait for no man and in our case it was the early afternoon steamer onwards to Pooley Bridge to meet up with the coach and other members. We were soon on our way to Larch Cottage nurseries where there was a chance to look at the craft in the Red barn then to marvel at the well stocked planting areas. I have to report that Freda Meakin did replace a couple of herbs, but most of us were just looking and eventually gravitated towards the little café overlooking the ornamental lake for a cup of tea. Well, this was a WI outing! Meticulously planned and very enjoyable. The next meeting is in the Memorial Hall on 14^th September at 7.15 when the speaker, Christine Wood will be talking about Help for Aids Orphans in Kenya. Visitors always welcome.

Pat Allen

July 2011
July already, and we are more than half way through the WI programme. This month we held our Open Meeting which was followed by a Jacob’s Join supper. Unfortunately, our speaker who should have been talking about the Cross Bay walk, was unable to attend due to family illness so we were delighted to welcome Chris Comerie who kindly stepped in at short notice to give a very interesting and informative talk on his experiences trekking and climbing in the Himalayan Mountains. Chris engaged our interest from the start moving quickly through the stunning slides. He told us he had been drawn into rock climbing from an early age learning the craft on his native rock faces in the Peak district. He has continued the hobby with a passion and dedication which was born out in the slides and his presentation. Chris has been on several trekking trips in the Himalayan Mountains and took us through the preparation, usually involving months of work which has to be time tabled so one would hope to arrive at the start with the very best chance for decent weather during the climb. He has climbed Kangchenjunga in Nepal, the third highest mountain in the world and the slides showed all aspects from preparing the precise weight of daily food parcels and packing into convenient sized drums for transportation, hiring the chain of Sherpas to carry all the gear and food, to sleeping on ledges and bivouacking and the final approach to the summit. One bonus of climbing this mountain is the superb slides of the surrounding spectacular mountainous scenery he was able to take. Chris mentioned the disadvantages of the sport. The leeches, altitude sickness, the mud slides the avalanches the weight loss, lack of sleep, but they still do it!!!. Chris did say that as a climber, he knew his own body limitations and his climbs were preceded by altitude acclimatisation sessions before the serious trekking began! However, the sheer physical determination needed to push oneself on was apparent.

Chris finished with some slides of the Old Man of Hoy and him climbing Coombe Scar in the snow and ice earlier this year. It was a fascinating presentation and Chris’s own enthusiasm was tangible.

As the meeting was an Open Meeting and we had a good number of visitors, the Business meeting was brief. However, with usual Dentdale WI efficiency our Secretary had lists and reminders for everything that was coming up in the next month or so for us to look at or sign while we ate our way through the delicious spread that had appeared as if by magic with each Member’s contribution to the Jacob’s Join.

Kate Cairns took home the first raffle prize of luxury food items and Catherine’s shell was considered the best among the competition entries.

Next month we are out and about on our Summer Outing meeting at 9am Wednesday 10^th August in Dent car park for the coach to take us to Ulswater.

Pat Allen

June 2011
Dentdale continues to transform itself from Spring into Summer, despite the variable and often inclement weather.  Visitors to the Dale come and go whilst many of our members are also off on their travels.  At Wednesday’s meeting, on 8^th June, Dale Smith, Secretary, deputized for our holidaying President, Catherine Sugden, whilst Jean Haygarth deputized for Dale.  Dale welcomed the twelve members present plus visitors, including this evening’s speaker.

Our institute business outlined our up and coming Summer events commencing with our support for the Cycle Race on 3^rd July. Members will hand out refreshments to all competitors.  On 13^th July we are to hold our ‘Open Meeting’.  We were all very much looking forward to the planned talk from Cedric Robinson, the well known and highly respected Morcambe Bay expert.  Unfortunately he has had to cancel for family reasons but hopes to reschedule this event for the Spring of 2012.  We have been very fortunate in replacing him with Chris Comerie who has agreed to talk about his experiences Trekking and Climbing in the Himalayas.  The open meeting, to which everyone is invited, will commence at 7:30pm. Following the meeting, a Jacob’s join will be shared by all.  The evening’s raffle prize will be on a heath and well-being theme in the form of luxury foods and more.  Our summer outing planned for 10^th August is a trip to Glenridding, then Howton for lunch, followed by a boat trip to Pooley Bridge and a visit to Larch Cottage Nurseries before returning to Dent.  There may be a few spare places on the coach for anyone who would like to join us.  WI ladies continue to support Dentdale events.  They will be providing afternoon tea and cakes from 2pm at Dent Gala, to be held on the school field on August Bank Holiday Monday from 11am.

The planning for our 2012 programme of speakers and visits has begun.  We welcome ideas and recommendations to expand our range of experiences.  Prompted by Jenny Pilgrim, Dentdale WI is planning to submit its own resolution for 2012.  ‘Heart Research UK’ believes that we desperately need more people able to support others in life-threatening emergencies. The resolution will require that children should be trained in Basic Life Support skills in school, in the hope that these stay with them to adulthood.  Following discussion, most members agreed that this should be worded to commence with pupils aged eleven plus, i.e. during Secondary Education.  Jenny and Dale will work on the wording of the proposed resolution to be completed by September. In early July, Dale Smith will attend Kendal Parish Church at a viewing day for ‘Queen of Diamonds’.  She will volunteer our members to help with this flower festival to be held next year.

Dale welcomed our speaker, Margaret Copestake,  presenting ‘Getting Started With Art’.

Margaret commenced by raising awareness of the vast topic of Art.  She suggested that beginners focus on landscape, animals and still life initially.  She gave us an overview of the vast range of media, which can be utilized to represent finished art-work. She led us through the range of hard and soft pencils to charcoal.  Tips for beginners came with advice on types of paper and soft rubbers, which don’t damage delicate surfaces.  We continued on to the vast array of colour materials from pencil colours, water colour pencils and pens, pastels, brush pens, felt to cartridge pens and many more.  She demonstrated the effects produced by showing us beautiful examples of her own work. We moved on to water, acrylic and oil paints, the advantages of each plus the use of easels, palettes and brushes etc.  Further tips included items to purchase and which can be substituted cheaply.  However a sable brush is a superior brush, best if affordable, but never use it on fast drying acrylics – such a waste!!!  Well we then learnt how to select and portray our chosen topic. The voice of much experience gave us lots of hints and examples along the way. Recommended places to view and experience art came next.  Then what about getting started?  Everyone has a story to tell and a picture to produce.  Where to commence and how far to go with your art is a personal issue. Learning takes time but the most important message was to have fun with it and just try………. any style.

Rita gave the vote of thanks: An extremely interesting and informative presentation which she believes will have inspired us all to have another go.  Should we produce a display of our work to bring to a viewing session by Margaret next year?   Watch out for those easels around Dentdale!

Jean Hargarth

May 2011
There is always a fair amount of information to take in at the May meeting with all the events coming up in the summer months ahead. As I write, some members will already have been to the Group Meeting in Sedbergh and much attention was given to the competition entry to be a twelve line poem about WI life, to fit to the tune, Three Little Maids. We were all impressed at the outcome, and since heard that we managed to come second. Mindful of member’s wishes, the outing in August will be a steamer ride on Ullswater followed by lunch at the Howtown Hotel. However, before that we have the Open Meeting on 13th July when Cedric Robinson will be talking about crossing Morecambe Bay and avoiding the quick sands. We are hoping this may appeal to visitors and, therefore, decided on a Jacob’s Join to finish. Maybe with a few healthy options!

Dentdale WI will be helping at the drinks stop in Dentdale Memorial Hall on July 3^rd during the Three Counties Cycle Race and have given our agreement to supply teas at the Dent Gala once again. It is good to get involved in community events, and we have received nice letters of thanks from the organizers of the two events we have helped at so far this year. The Dentdale Run Committee for refreshments, and from organizers of the Meadowsweet Art exhibition held in the Meditation Centre during the May Bank holiday weekend where we helped to greet guests.

The May meeting is by tradition the Resolutions Meeting, and Catherine Sugden and Dale Smith talked through the pros and cons of the two resolutions: 1 to maintain a library service, and 2 to resist mega farms. Some thoughtful discussion took place.

We were told that Cumbria County Council is issuing a Consultation Document on Library services. If you have any strong views now is the time to fill in the form obtainable from Libraries

Tea and cake followed with three delicious iced sponges to choose from. The competition for the month which we did in the hall tested the grey matter, as we tried to decipher anagrams  as we ate our cake, with Ann Mason getting the most right answers. Thelma Bellfield won the raffle prize.

Well, if this meeting had been rather sedentary, then compare it with the report of the last meeting which missed Lookaround and part of which, I’ve tucked on the end here.

Dale wrote that members were warned to come to the April meeting dressed for action wearing trainers and tracksuit bottoms. Christine Sheppey was the “speaker” or to be more precise, the Dance Leader. Christine is also a WI member and moved to the area about 4 years ago from the South East. Her background was teaching dance to school children. Her challenge was to energise a group of WI ladies to produce a dance with a variety of steps in one evening!

There was an excited expectancy as members took their positions and the music started. Christine patiently took members through the steps that would make up the dance. Whoops of laughter and giggles came from the back row as people tried to copy what Christine was doing. Eventually with steps mastered, the whole dance was performed. Perhaps, it was not quite to “come dancing” standards but just as enjoyable. The competition was won by Pam Sutcliffe who had managed to come up with sixty names of dances on a piece of paper three meters long!

So, the WI meetings are always different with plenty of variety and next month on June 8^th, we have a talk on art given by Mrs Copestake. Visitors always welcome.

Pat Allen
Dale Smith

April 2011

We were warned to come to the April meeting dressed for action in our trainers and tracksuit bottoms. Christine Sheppey was our “speaker” or to be more precise our Dance Leader. Christine is also a WI member and moved to the area about 4 years ago from the South East. Her background was teaching dance to school children. Her challenge was to energise a group of WI ladies to produce a dance with a variety of steps in one evening!

As we took our positions there was an excited expectancy, the music started and Christine patiently took us through the steps that would make up the dance. Whoops of laughter and giggles came from the back row as people tried to copy what Christine was doing. Eventually we had all mastered the steps and we took our final positions to perform the whole dance. Not quite to “come dancing standards but just as enjoyable.

The Dance session had been preceded by the Business meeting.  Members were asked to think where they would like to go for the Summer outing which is in August. The new Banner was unfurled and met with the members’ approval.  Our thanks went to Jean Haygarth who had designed and ordered the banner over the Internet. It will be displayed at our fund raising events to make sure everybody knows where the Dentdale WI are.

Our competition for the evening asked members to produce  the longest list of dance names. Pam Sutcliffe won with a list of over 60 dances on a piece of paper 3 meters long. Next month will be busy as we are helping out at the Meadowsweet exhibition which is part of the Art and Walking Festival in Dentdale.  We will also be preparing for the next meeting on May 11^th , when we will be choosing our Resolution.

Dale Smith

March 2011

There are signs of Spring all around in Dentdale. The allotment plots have been turned over, and while the snowdrops are covering the ground with flowers at the moment of writing, all sorts of shoots are beginning to appear in the gardens and hedgerows. So, our Speaker who in the event turned out to be not one, but two ladies from Kendal Castle WI, caught the moment with almost perfect timing with their subject:  Allotments. Perhaps we were expecting some advice on choice of seeds, however, the talk opened with Gillian Price giving a little history of the allotment movement. She highlighted the Great Wars when one was expected to “Dig for Victory.” More recently with the trend for organic freshly grown produce, more and more people have turned to growing their own veg! Terry Doherty then continued the story charting the rise and progress of a group who were given an allotment at Canal Head. Kendal. All was going well and with great enthusiasm when a call from the police one very early morning, informed the group that their shed was ablaze! Well not daunted and with the story in the Westmorland Gazette bringing offers of another shed and tools, they began again but when that too was set alight by vandals, it was time to move to another plot! More publicity brought them a purpose built shed for free and offers of manpower to construct a concrete base. Fruit bushes have been transplanted to the new plot and it is to be hoped that this will be a bumper year! The competition was for a limerick beginning There was an old gardener from Dent…… and the line inspired a really good entry. Catherine read out the limericks and the winner was Chris Taylor.

During the business meeting Jean Haygarth unveiled the plans for a WI weather proof banner to fasten to the hall railings for WI events and she was able to show us the real thing a few days later on the morning of the Dent Run when many of us were preparing the refreshments in the hall We had written to Taylors of Harrogate thanking them for their sponsorship over the years, and received a box of tea bags which will be used for that all important cup of tea at the meetings. Details of the Group meeting were given. It is to be held on Monday May 16^th at Peoples Hall Sedbergh when a Group of singers from Kirkby Lonsdale will entertain us with songs by Gilbert and Sullivan. At next month’s meeting on April 13th we will welcome Christine Sheppey who is all set to take us through some Dance exercises. So comfortable clothes and shoes! New members and visitors welcome!

Pat Allen

February 2011
There were brightly coloured Primulas in pots decking the President’s table in the Memorial Hall at the February meeting, catching the eye and immediately brightening up a cold evening. The hall was laid out for a games evening but as is the custom we had the Business Agenda to get through.  Members were told that the WI is to loose the sponsorship of Taylor’s of Harrogate and a letter of thanks for their contribution over the years will be sent to the Company. National Federation featured twice: Kate Cairns skilfully guided us through the specific rules on using the National WI trade mark Logo and then Dale Smith had us voting with 2p coins (which were later put into our Pennies for Friendship jar) to make our selection from the candidates from all over the country who were considering offering their services to be on the National Executive Committee. It really made us feel involved in the process!

A date for the Diary (and coming up really soon) is 12^th March and the Dentdale Run when we are asked to contribute baking for refreshments given to the runners and to offer help in preparing and serving.

There is a chance to learn a new craft skill as Freda Meakin has proposed two Rag Rugging sessions on 8^th and 22^nd March at her house.

Catherine reminded us that the Dentdale bursary is still available to anyone who would like to take up a course at Denman.

We then proceeded to play a couple of sessions of Dominoes and for some of us it was the first time we had played competitively but we were soon playing to win! Marjorie Haygarth gained the most points which will count towards the Annual Competition cup at the end of the year.

Next month Gillian Price will talk about Allotments and the competition is for a Limerick starting; There was an old gardener from Dent…. New members and visitors always welcome.

Pat Allen
 

January 2011
It was the start of the new 2011 programme and quite a bustling turnout for the first meeting. We welcomed two new members to the committee, Christine Taylor and Jean Haygarth, and a new member to Dentdale WI, Pamela Sutcliffe who had been the teller at the AGM in November.

The Christmas Dinner held at the George and Dragon Dent, had been a great success with everyone in festive mood. We certainly had very ample portions! Roger and Judith Bush provided some entertainment showing and playing some of their collection of unusual instruments. By tradition, we all went home clutching a present, so it was a good start to the Christmas festivities. The sale of Christmas cards and notelets from a John Cooke design, had gone well.

A letter of thanks had been received from Susan Renshaw for our donation of £400 towards the special ACWW project in the Ukraine.

Looking forward to the year ahead, two Craft Days are in the pipeline. Freda Meakin has offered to introduce members to rag rugging, and Wendy Cooke is willing to hold an afternoon of jewellery making.

Well, to start the year, I had been asked to talk about our trip made last August to Oberammergau. Actually, Neville (hubby) had been asked too, so we made it a double act! Needless to say, I’m indebted to Neville for making a faultless PowerPoint presentation! The villagers of Oberammergau perform a Passion Pay every ten years to honour a vow made nearly four hundred years ago after the village had been decimated by war and plague. For the first two hundred years it was performed in the cemetery on staging over the graves of the plague victims but now is housed in the theatre holding nearly 5000 people. The play is performed on five nights of the week and in all, 102 performances from May until October, therefore, half a million people will have seen the 2010 Passion Play,  All the 2000, actors, singers and musicians must have been born or lived for the last twenty years in the village. The village is relatively small, so you can imagine the pressures on accommodation. However, this means that most tour operators offer a holiday in the area which includes a day in Oberammergau and a booking for the Passion Play to allow every theatre goer a welcome and stay for one night. So, we started the presentation with some stunning pictures of the five nights spent in South Tyrol with mountainous scenery of the area, including the Dolomite range. One highlight was a day visit to Bolzano and the Museum of Archaeology which houses Otzi the Ice Man born some 5,300 years ago and discovered in melting ice in 1991.

Naturally we showed pictures of Oberammergau itself, of the typical alpine house accommodation where we stayed, and the painted houses a special feature of the area. We closed with photos of the inside of the theatre and some scenes from the play. So, we hope we left our audience with an insight into this most memorable of holiday experiences.

Jean Haygarth won the competition for a holiday souvenir and Freda Meakin the raffle prize. Next month on February 9th we are holding a games evening. New members and visitors always welcome.

Pat Allen.

December 2010  No Report - Annual Christmas Dinner

November 2010
November Meeting and the AGM. A time to reflect on the activities of the year, most of which have been faithfully recorded in Lookaround! Catherine Sugden has been elected President for another year and we thank Catherine for agreeing to take the post.  From the Business point of view, our finances are in good shape and now in the hands of our new treasurer, Kate Cairns. Dale Smith is taking over from Kate as Secretary. We welcomed two new members to the committee, Jean Haygarth and Chris Taylor.

Our Apple Day held on 31^st October was a great success in that we are able to send a donation of £400 towards an ACWW project in the Ukraine which provides a home for orphaned children.

As I said last month, members have been out and about and we had very good reports about the 90^th tea party in Carlisle and the Federation AGM in Ulverston. Apparently, we are to have a new Chairman of Cumbria Westmorland Federation who will be Ruth Rigg as Noreen Lease is standing down after the Carol Concert in Kendal Parish Church on 3^rd December. A team of four attended the Annual Pub Quiz at the White Hart in Sedbergh calling themselves “The Dentdale Dollies”.

They came sixth, but there were so few points between the teams! So well done!

Several members are anticipating a good laugh at the Federation Pantomime and a whole mini coach full are going for some retail therapy to Boundary Mill in the middle of November. 

So back to reporting the meeting which ended with Social Time and a Quiz - nothing threatening, as it could be done in pairs or one could phone a friend! Belle, Jean Haygarth and Ann Mason had the most right answers. We finished with tea and chocolate cake, carrot cake and sausage rolls etc. Well! we have got to keep up the WI image!! The competition for the longest sentence of three letter words was won by Pat Allen who also managed to win the cup for the most competition points during the year.

Alice Ellison won the raffle prize. It had been a very pleasant evening. So, to the final event on the programme which will be the Christmas Dinner at the George and Dragon in Dent on 14^th December and members were busy choosing their courses. I have to say, seeing Roast Turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas Pud makes Christmas seem very near!!

No more to report until the February Lookaround, and by that time, we will have started our new programme. New members always welcome!

October 2010
Always such a busy time of the year and our Business Meeting reflected this with a very full agenda. Final preparations were talked through for the fund raising Apple Day on 30^th October which is being held in the Memorial Hall Dent. Apple cakes, pies and chutneys will be for sale. Apple pie and cream with a cup of tea will be offered as refreshment! It proved a very good afternoon when we held the event a few years ago so we are hoping it goes as well this time! Freda Meakin has compiled a selection of members Apple Recipes to form a booklet which will also be on sale.

There are plenty of chances to be out and about with the WI during October and November. A group of members went up to Carlisle for afternoon tea and talks and demonstrations given by Cumbria Life in honour of the Federations 90^th birthday celebrations. Still to come as I write, Pat Allen and Dale Smith will attend the Annual Council meeting in Ulverston on the 19^th October when Ruth Bond NWFI Chair will speak as will Giles Brandreth, (broardcaster, author and so much more). We hope to have a team for the Federation Quiz to be held in the White Hart in Sedbergh on 1^st November. A chance for a bit of retail therapy has not been forgotten with a planned trip to Boundary Mill by mini bus on Tuesday 23rd. So, plenty to suit everyone!

Our Speaker for the evening was Laura Harker, a very experienced cook! We couldn’t believe how many items she packed into her demonstration of “Getting ready for Christmas” She made individual pork pies with hot water crust pastry, Salmon en croute and mince pies in sweet pastry, all of which she cooked in the Memorial Hall oven at the same time she had a fig and cranberry relish cooking away on a portable ring on the table beside her. She filled filo tarts with spicy prawns and decorated a Yule Log and made Mont Blanc in a Glass with a chestnut puree and chocolate concoction! It all looked very good and enough for everyone to take something home by raffle. The little pork pies were among the first to be chosen!

Finally, at the end of the evening, we said goodbye to Judith Newsham who is moving to the Durham area. Judith has been our treasurer and she dutifully presented the end of year accounts at the meeting in readiness for the AGM next month. She hopes to join a WI near to her new home.  Catherine Sugden gave her our signed card and present and offered our best wishes for her future happiness.

July 2010
The evening began with a full business meeting and lots of information about forthcoming events. The first being the Federation’s Summer Fete celebrating 90 years of WI in Cumbria to be held at Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby ground. Quite a few Dentdale members had offered to help with the serving of the cream teas during the afternoon and as I am writing after the event, I can say how thankful we all were that it went so well. Not that the organisation was ever in doubt, but the dire weather forecast must have hung over the preparations. In actual fact, although rather windy, the rain kept off!! I doubt if the ice cream van did a roaring trade, but the side shows bustled with competitors and cream teas proved a hit. Later, some members attended the Hog Roast and Jazz evening which had moved to inside the Rugby Clubhouse so the weather could do what it liked!

President Catherine Sugden expressed thanks to those few who had cheerfully served teas at the refreshment stop in the Memorial Hall, to riders on the Three Counties Cycle Race. More volunteers needed to man the afternoon teas between two and four o’clock at the Dentdale Bank Holiday Monday Gala on August 30^th Hopefully, we will rise to the occasion and there will be plenty of baking donated so that we can offer the usual super spread!

Reminders given of our two fund raising events, one coming up very soon

taking the form of a Mini Market outside the Memorial Hall  on 31^st July. The second, an Apple Day on 30^th October, more information later, Have you given Freda your favourite Apple recipe yet, so that she can compile a recipe book for sale on the day?

Our speaker for the evening was Carole Marsden from the URC Sedbergh. The theme was Music with Participation. Carole a trained musician talked about her career path and played a piece by Benjamin Brittan on her oboe. She then went on to tell us the advances in technology which made instrument practicing much more interesting nowadays, and played her saxophone with a CD backing. Then it was our turn. We tried singing a round in two parts followed by a go at playing recorders. Carole had brought one for everyone present and we learnt the fingering for the notes B and A.  Soon we were playing combinations of these two notes with backing from a CD, even if some had never held a recorder before! There was a very relaxed atmosphere in the hall and it was all very enjoyable!

Next month is the summer outing to Keswick for a theatre trip to see a matinee performance of Bus Stop followed by afternoon tea .We will be leaving Dent car park at 10 o’clock.

June 2010
We are exactly half way through the 2010 programme so where does the time go? The June meeting is by tradition an Open Meeting when we invite members from other Institutes and of course, anyone else who would like to listen to our Speaker and join us for a Jacob’s Join supper. However, before the Speaker (and the food) there were various items to discuss in the Business Meeting! President, Catherine Sugden welcomed our visitors and we sang Jerusalem. The first item on the agenda was a report on the Group Meeting hosted by Howgill WI which had been well attended and had featured an excellent demonstration of flower arranging. There had also been a Bring and Buy stall in aid of ACWW which had made £71. Dentdale’s own effort to raise funds for ACWW will take the form of an Apple Day to be held in October. Freda Meakin has offered to collate apple recipes into a booklet, so, please give your ideas to Freda by the end of August.  We were told that bookings are now being taken for the summer outing to Theatre by the Lake Keswick to see a performance of “Bus Stop” followed by afternoon tea on Wednesday August 11^th.

A comprehensive report on the AGMNFWI will be given at the next meeting, but it would appear the 99.3% were in favour of clearer food labelling as to country of origin.

The Federation’s Village Fete to be held on 17^th July in Kirkby Lonsdale is fast approaching and several members have offered to help serve afternoon tea. Bookings were being taken for the Hog Roast and Jazz evening following the Fete.

Our speaker for the evening was Paul Wilkinson, a Ranger with the YDNP who gave a very interesting presentation of the recent work completed in the Cumbria area. Paul manages the area which consists of Sedbergh, Dent and Garsdale parishes, and his main aim is to keep the public right of way networks in good repair and overseeing the Open Access. He works closely with landowners. It was interesting to hear about the recent improvements to the Occupation Road above Dent. The severe erosion caused mainly by off road and large farm vehicles has been addressed. Paul told us of his work with Settlebeck pupils forming a wild life area, linking the features to the curriculum and fostering the early interest of pupils in the future of this beautiful part of the Dale.  

Ways are being sought to help disabled and those with mobility problems access certain lengths of footpaths by installing gates instead of styles. It was a very positive talk and Paul was thanked on our behalf by Judith Newsham for his hard work, and thanks expressed to the team of volunteers too! Then it was time to eat and Paul stayed on to take questions informally over supper.

Margaret Scofield won the competition with her photograph of an aspect of the Yorkshire Dales.

Our next meeting will be in the Memorial Hall on July 14^th. New members and Friends always welcome.

April 2010
After the long cold winter it was a joy to be going along to the meeting after such a pleasant Spring Day. Can we finally forget the snow ice and low temperatures as we watch the wonderful signs of blossom and new growth from our gardens and hedgerows?

During the Institute Business, there were lots of dates for the diary as we enter a really busy period in the WI calendar.

Firstly, Catherine Sugden our President read out a letter from Phillipa Summers Head of Dent School thanking us on behalf of Governors, Staff and Pupils for the work we had put in for the Dentdale Run in preparing and serving the refreshments. We had a letter also from Dentdale Memorial Hall Committee asking our help with Afternoon Teas at the Annual fund raising Gala on August Bank Holiday Monday. So another chance to help with a local community project as members agreed to serve teas between 2 and 4 pm!

A further Craft day has been organised to be held at the home of Dale Smith between 10.00am and 12.30pm on Thursday 20^th May. We hope to make some craft items to sell at the mini market on 31^st July.

 We have been thinking just what we could do to raise funds for ACWW and the idea to repeat the very successful Apple Day event held a few years ago was well received by the members. It will, naturally, be much later in the year during the middle of October. Here’s hoping we have a good Apple Harvest!

Our Speaker for the evening was Susan Oliver demonstrating how to get the best from a supermarket bunch of flowers. While preparing the set pieces during her demonstration, Susan told us that she was a Superintendent Registrar in Kendal. She had taken up flower arranging in 2000. At the present time, Susan lives in an apartment and does not have access to too much greenery. Using foliage really sparingly, she was able to construct some very stylish displays using a wide variety of other complimentary items such as candles, ribbons and designer vases. All produced from no more than two bunches of flowers. It was a very relaxing and informative talk on another more minimalist technique to flower arranging.

Next meeting on the 12^th May we will be discussing the resolution concerning Food Labelling which is going forward to the National Annual General Meeting to be held in Cardiff in June.

March 2010
It was one of those meetings when one concluded that there would be plenty of chances to cook and help raise funds as we listened to the requests for baking during the year.  No doubt members will loyally rise to the occasion! First off then was another plea for cakes for the Dent Run and then on to baking for a Mini Mart to be held on 31^st July to help augment our own funds.

Freda Meakin put in a plea for contributions of cakes etc. to be sold to help raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis at a Tea Party to be hosted by the Over Sixties in Dentdale Memorial Hall on the 30^th April between 2-4pm.

As a complete contrast, a treat for ourselves!  A Lunch out was proposed on 20^th April at either the Carvery in Carnforth or in Witherslack!

Further details have emerged of the group meeting on 17^th May hosted this year by Howgill WI and will star Joan Bentley demonstrating the art of flower arranging. Tickets will be £3.

The craft morning held recently had been very successful which brings me very neatly to report on our Speaker for the evening – Mrs Dilys McCaffery talking about her Craftwork and showing us plenty of examples! After moving up here more than ten years ago, Dilys attended a course on Ruskin lace at Alston Hall in Preston which had inspired her. This led naturally on over the years to trying out and, what’s more, becoming skilful in other crafts. She has specialised in making scarves in velvet and silk, playing with colour in a most interesting way! Some of these may be purchased at Farfield Mill. Dilys now has a loom set up in a barn at her home for weaving. She still feels that there are more crafts she would like to have tried!

This month Margaret Scofield’s piece of craft work was deemed the winning entry for the competition and Catherine Sugden picked the wining number for the raffle prize.

Next month we are having our own Flower Arranging talk with inspiration on how to get the best effect from a Supermarket Bunch. This will be on 14^th April at the Memorial Hall and new members and visitors warmly welcome.

February 2010
With the new programme well under way, it was time to look ahead to all the events in the pipeline. As usual, Dentdale WI  have undertaken to help prepare the refreshments following the Dent Run on Saturday March 13^th and volunteers were sought to help in the morning  before the race, buttering, cutting, and packing, and again following the race, brewing and preparing those welcome cups of tea! This is the day when the whole community gets behind an endeavour and it is rewarding to be part of the team!

Connie Chambers has decided against rejoining us this year, and Dentdale WI felt they would like to honour her years of commitment with some flowers. Our WI cloth, signed with embroidered names of all those members from past and present, has been faithfully starched by Connie for years. She says she will come over to the meetings occasionally when the evenings are warmer maybe!

A couple of craft days last year proved very successful, and one has been planned for 4^th March at the home of Kate Cairns. No specific craft in mind this time, just  bring along that unfinished article you’ve been promising yourself to get down to for months!

Sedbergh Spring Show, March 27^th, mentioned for all those who have articles they would like to enter. Dorte-lis Stephenson has kindly offered to take entries down to Sedbergh in the morning to save two trips. So, how about it?

The tables in the hall were laid out for a games evening as we tried something different instead of a speaker. Some had brought games which we played in groups of three or four for fifteen minutes or so, before moving on to the next table from a selection Tri-onimoes, Flounders, Shove halfpenny etc. and one from Dorte-lis engaging the brain slightly more Continuo! The competition table had asked for an unusual game and we had a greater number than usual entries. Chris Taylor had brought along an African game called Oware, presented in it’s hand carved wooden box and it was a certain winner!

More time than usual to talk to fellow members, especially over the tea and home made biscuits. Kate went home with the raffle prize.

The next meeting on March 10th follows the usual format when Dilys McCaffrey will talk about her craft work. New members and visitors welcome.

January 2010
We finished 2009 in great style with a trip to Martin Mere Wetland Centre in November, and our Christmas lunch at The Old Dairy near Hawes in early December. The outing took place during the floods of Cumbria and we almost sailed out of Dent in our mini bus with rain covered fields on each side of the Dentdale road. Martin Mere was unaffected, if a little quieter than we might have expected. Once there we spread out in all directions looking at the exotic and the more humbler plumed birds before meeting up at a hide overlooking the largest mere to watch the Whooper Swans landing for feeding time. The build up was quite dramatic and awesome watching them. Martin Mere boasts an excellent café restaurant and we were back there again at dusk for tea and to watch the starlings flock together and roost for the night. It had been a good day, and we even indulged in a little singing on the coach on the return journey!

Everyone agreed that the Old Dairy had been a superb choice for the Christmas meal. Dining in stylish surroundings and with excellent food we all thought it the perfect beginning to the Christmas season!

So then, to 2010 and yet another interesting programme ahead of us.

Our first meeting of the year always takes into account the possibility of bad weather, but we did not realise just how much the snow was going to affect us here in Dentdale. Our speaker, fellow member Anthea Boulton, rose to the challenge of the icy road from Cowgill, not to mention the track from her home to talk to us about her life as a Magistrate. As many as possible had braved the icy conditions to be there. Anthea briefly outlined the history saying that an act of Parliament in 1327 had asked for “Good lawful men in every county to guard the peace” and Magistrates have undertaken the greater part of the judicial work carried out in England for over six hundred years.   Anthea has been a Magistrate since 1978 fitting around freelance working and bringing up a young family.”   When Anthea moved to live permanently in the Dale in the early 1990’s, she applied to be a Magistrate in Kendal. Although no legal training is required, there is a legal advisor, court clerk, in court. Guidelines too, are now in place for sentencing etc. as is training on specific points of the law. Ideal qualities for a Magistrate are good concentration and ability to sift information and assess an informant being careful to avoid prejudice. Ultimately, we were told, one can only convict on evidence! Anthea presented us with two fictitious cases for us to sift through and use the guidelines! It was very illuminating.

The competition entry this month was won by Dale Smith and Belle took home the raffle prize Next months meeting is on 10^th February in Dent memorial Hall and new members and visitors are warmly welcome.