Dane Valley Carol Service
The Dane Valley Group's Annual Carol Service was hosted by Jodrell Side and held at Goostrey Methodist Church on Sunday 11th December. Six of our members braved the cold weather to attend the service. Our reading was given by Lizzy this year and the fun poem is below.
Help Wanted
Santa needs new reindeer. The first bunch has grown old. Dasher has arthritis; Comet hates the cold. Prancer's sick of staring at Dancer's big behind. Cupid married Blitzen and Donner lost his mind. Dancer's mad at Vixen for stepping on his toes. Vixen's being thrown out - she laughed at Rudolph's nose. If you are a reindeer we hope you will apply. There is just one tricky part: You must know how to fly. Source: Timothy Tocher, 'Help Wanted' from Kids Pick the Funniest Poems |
Updated: 15th December 2022
Christmas Meal
On Tuesday 6th December 26 members gathered at the George & Dragon, Holmes Chapel, to enjoy our Christmas meal. Pictures show some of our members enjoying good food and good company (unfortunately we didn't get a picture of the top table, sorry)
Updated: 14th December 2022
Christmas Market and Fair
On Sunday 4th December, Holmes Chapel held their Christmas Market and Funfair. As last year, it was very well attended and everyone enjoyed the variety of stalls. We held our usual 'Bottlebola', which always seems to go down well. Well done to all the organisers.
Updated: 14th December 2022
Wreath making sessions
Well done to Andrea and Karen who attended the wreath making afternoon session organised by CFWI. Donna attended the morning session and hers is already in place. They all look amazing.
Updated: 27th November 2022
Remembrance Sunday
Updated: 15th November 2022
Autumn Group Meeting
On Thursday 27th October nine of our members attended the Dane Valley Group Autumn Meeting at Goostrey Village Hall and our role for the evening was to be the stewards and look after the invited guests. Over 100 members enjoyed the speaker for the evening who was the brilliantly talented Lesley Smith, Curator of Tutbury Castle, who took on the persona of Peggy Knight. Peggy was an understated heroine and lived in the shadows as a member of Churchill’s Special Operations Executive during the Second World War. This young woman was a shorthand typist in 1944 and at 24 years of age, living in north London, she suddenly she found herself recruited and after just two short weeks of training was parachuted into enemy-occupied France. What Peggy achieved fighting alongside a politically divided Resistance already in disarray is truly amazing, and she was decorated for her heroism by three different nations, before returning to a normal life and marriage. As always Lesley brought her to life for us.
The Rose Bowl for the competition, which was 'Poppies in any Medium', was won by Smallwood, with Astbury 2nd and Jodrell Side 3rd. The 2-minute reports were given by Capesthorne & Siddington and Smallwood. The trophy for the Fun Quiz was presented to Goostrey, with Swettenham winning the Bowls League.
Our very own Valerie McArdle won one of the raffle prizes. A very enjoyable evening.
The Rose Bowl for the competition, which was 'Poppies in any Medium', was won by Smallwood, with Astbury 2nd and Jodrell Side 3rd. The 2-minute reports were given by Capesthorne & Siddington and Smallwood. The trophy for the Fun Quiz was presented to Goostrey, with Swettenham winning the Bowls League.
Our very own Valerie McArdle won one of the raffle prizes. A very enjoyable evening.
Updated: 28th October 2022
October Meeting
At our October meeting we invited Eleanor Bowden, Explorer with 1st Holmes Chapel Scouts, to tell us all about her excited trip to Korea for next year's Jamboree. We also had a go at some basic scouting skills.
Updated: 28th October 2022
August Monthly Meeting
Competition Table
Updated: 2nd September 2022
Updated: 2nd August 2022
Visit to Bidlea Dairy
Updated: 28th July 2022
Dane Valley Group Summer Luncheon
On an extremely hot afternoon on Tuesday 18th July, 13 of our ladies gathered, with 30 other WI members in our Group, at The Plough in Eaton to enjoy the Summer Luncheon organised by Dane Valley Group. A delicious 3 course lunch was followed by entertainment by The Robinsons, who sang songs from some popular musicals. A big thank you to Josie Sykes and Pat Ingram who organised this extremely enjoyable afternoon. Thanks ladies for your company.
Updated: 22nd July 2022
Holmes Chapel Village Fair
This year's Village Fair was held in glorious sunshine on Sunday 10th July. There were lots of stalls with activities ranging from face painting to tombola's and handbags to plants. The burger stall started off with bacon/sausage butties which went down very well whilst we were setting up our stall, which was our usual Bottlebola, with added competitions - Name the Teddy and Guess How Many Sweets in the Jar. All were a huge success and below are pictures of some of our lucky winners, double in some cases. The teddy was called Coco and is now in the loving arms of her new owner Amy Ashpool. There were 181 sweets in the large jar and this was won by Graham Horne who had the nearest guess of 185, but unfortunately these have not been claimed so will now be donated to our adopted charity - Cheshire Without Abuse.
Various organisations were well represented, including the Pole Gym where some of their youngsters gave demonstrations and Holmes Chapel Boxing Club where you could give the punchbag some stick. The whole event was a huge success but unfortunately one activity, the Dog Show, had to be cancelled due to the high temperatures but everyone still had plenty to see and do.
Thank you to all our members who volunteered to help on the stall and all our friends and customers who came and had a go, we couldn't do it without you all.
Various organisations were well represented, including the Pole Gym where some of their youngsters gave demonstrations and Holmes Chapel Boxing Club where you could give the punchbag some stick. The whole event was a huge success but unfortunately one activity, the Dog Show, had to be cancelled due to the high temperatures but everyone still had plenty to see and do.
Thank you to all our members who volunteered to help on the stall and all our friends and customers who came and had a go, we couldn't do it without you all.
Updated: 13th July 2022
June Monthly Meeting
Updated: 4th July 2022
Success at the Royal Cheshire Show
Updated: 1st July 2022
Our village's part in honouring our Queen
Here are some of the pictures from our village during the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, from Thursday's Beacon lighting to The Big Lunch on Sunday. Although the British weather didn't help us on this occasion, the Big Lunch held inside the Leisure Centre was very well attended.
A big thank you to all the ladies who baked, sewed, knitted and donated or helped on the stall and got into the spirit of the whole event.
Thank You to the Parish Council and the Partnership for co-ordinating these events (also for the loan of some of your photos). Also to all our businesses who played their part in ensuring these celebrations were enjoyed by all.
A big thank you to all the ladies who baked, sewed, knitted and donated or helped on the stall and got into the spirit of the whole event.
Thank You to the Parish Council and the Partnership for co-ordinating these events (also for the loan of some of your photos). Also to all our businesses who played their part in ensuring these celebrations were enjoyed by all.
Updated: 6th June 2022
Celebration of Her Majesty's Achievement at the Resolution Meeting
Birthday Party
We were delighted to finally be able to celebrate our 90th birthday after 2 years of postponements. The evening was full of old school party games, fizz and cake.
Thank you to the committee for organising the evening, to Thelma Dutton for giving a wonderful toast and cutting cake and to Françoise Rothery for decorating the beautiful cake.
Thank you to the committee for organising the evening, to Thelma Dutton for giving a wonderful toast and cutting cake and to Françoise Rothery for decorating the beautiful cake.
Walking Netball
We now have 5 ladies enjoying the newly formed Walking Netball at Middlewich Leisure Centre.
Updated: 9th March 2022
January meeting
For more information of - Preserving the Story of Holmes Chapel - click here to visit their website
Updated: 6th February 2022
Christmas Party and The George & Dragon
Seventeen of our members managed to attend our Christmas Party meal at the George & Dragon last Tuesday 7th December. Besides enjoying a fantastic meal and glorious company we made a presentation to our outgoing Secretary who has decided to retire from this role. Thank you Thelma for all you have done for Holmes Chapel WI over the last 'umpty plonk' years.
Updated: 9th December 2021
Holmes Chapel Christmas Market
These are just some of many photos of our Christmas Market held on 5th December. Well done to all those who organised this fantastic event.
Updated: 8th December 2021
Wreath Making Workshop
Cheshire Federation, Homes & Gardens Sub-Committee, organised a Wreath Making Day and Karen Glendining and Andrea Petty went along to the New Life Church in Congleton on Saturday 27th November and thoroughly enjoyed this workshop. I must say those creations look stunning ladies.
Updated: 1st December 2021
Annual Meeting
On Tuesday 23rd November we held our Annual Meeting which was followed by a 'Taste Testing' event.
Updated: 1st December 2021
Remembrance Sunday
As usual our WI laid a wreath to commemorate the fallen in the village. Thanks to Lizzy (youngest member) and Anne (oldest member, sorry) who undertook this on our behalf. A good turn out as usual.
Updated: 15th November 2021
Crafty Challenge Completed
We have completed our challenge at long last. We kept with the Twemlow Viaduct but added the arch and came back down again. According to our reckoning we needed 38 scarves or thereabouts. I think the photo shows that we managed it, just before they all collapsed! These scarves were a combination of knitting and crocheting, some single colours, some multi-coloured (to use up bits) and some inventive striped ones.
These are being donated to The Salvation Army in Crewe and also some of the prettier ones are being added to our Christmas donations to Cheshire Without Abuse in Crewe.
Thank you ladies for all your hard work.
These are being donated to The Salvation Army in Crewe and also some of the prettier ones are being added to our Christmas donations to Cheshire Without Abuse in Crewe.
Thank you ladies for all your hard work.
Updated: 15th November 2021
September Meeting - North West Air Ambulance
Updated: 1st October 2021
Tour of Britain races through the Village
Once again we were lucky enough to be part of the itinerary for the Alderley Park to Warrington Stage 5 of this year's Tour of Britain. HCCYB also had a write up in the Knutsford Guardian.
Here are a few photos from the day, thanks to Anita and Naomi, we've pinched theirs from HCCYB's Facebook page and the lovely photographer from the Northwich Guardian who was behind our President on his steps.
Well done to all the organisers and everyone who supported the village.
Here are a few photos from the day, thanks to Anita and Naomi, we've pinched theirs from HCCYB's Facebook page and the lovely photographer from the Northwich Guardian who was behind our President on his steps.
Well done to all the organisers and everyone who supported the village.
Updated: 11th September 2021
Holmes Chapel Community Yarn Bombing
Anita Armitt and Naomi Sumpter have formed Holmes Chapel Community Yarn Bombing to prepare for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee next year. They have a Facebook page with all the details on how we can all help this ambitious project.
They are looking for volunteers to knit/crochet 6ins squares in red, white or blue to dress a life size model of the Queen.
Also Chris Didlock, who owns Molly's Direct (previously Molly Mumbles in the village) is offering wool at cost price for those wishing to purchase any for this project.
Go along to their Facebook page for further details. Good luck ladies.
Holmes Chapel Community Yarn Bombing | Facebook
They are looking for volunteers to knit/crochet 6ins squares in red, white or blue to dress a life size model of the Queen.
Also Chris Didlock, who owns Molly's Direct (previously Molly Mumbles in the village) is offering wool at cost price for those wishing to purchase any for this project.
Go along to their Facebook page for further details. Good luck ladies.
Holmes Chapel Community Yarn Bombing | Facebook
Updated: 1st August 2021
July Meeting - Burlesque
Updated: 30th July 2021
Cheese & Wine Evening - June Meeting
Afternoon Tea
Twelve of our members enjoyed a fantastic Afternoon Tea at Goostrey Home & Leisure. They did us proud, and sitting outside under their new veranda it was lovely just to be able to socialise and see each other once again. We all took doggie bags home with us, it was too delicious not too! Unfortunately due to work, holidays etc half our members couldn't make it - perhaps next time ladies.
Updated: 8th June 2021
Lockdown Challenge Update
We're well on our way with this challenge. We have completed the 25 metres (or 82 ft) for the Twemlow Viaduct as originally planned, so we have to think of something else. We could do a complete arch which would entail knitting 68 metres! In other words 38 scarves - 21 scarves completed with many on the go so it could be possible.
If this is too much we could adopt the Holmes Chapel Fire Station Tower as another landmark. This we are reliably informed by an ex-firefighter husband of one of our members, is 55ft (16.7 metres) so 9 scares would be required.
We'll keep you updated - keep knitting ladies!
If this is too much we could adopt the Holmes Chapel Fire Station Tower as another landmark. This we are reliably informed by an ex-firefighter husband of one of our members, is 55ft (16.7 metres) so 9 scares would be required.
We'll keep you updated - keep knitting ladies!
Updated: 28th May 2021
Blood Bikes
The Blood Bike Co-ordinator contacted Jean Harding, Cheshire Federation Chairman, and told her they wished their new bike to be named by the WI as members have been so generous with donations when they have given talks at various WI's. At the time she received their request it had just been announced Denman was to be closed and immediately thought of Denman as a suitable name.
Updated: 24th May 2021
91st Birthday Zoom Party
On Tuesday 23rd March we celebrated our 91st Birthday Party, the best way we could with a hat/bonnet competition. Well done to Sue Whitaker on your Easter bonnet with all elements reusable.
Updated: 25th March 2021
90th Birthday Cake
This beautiful birthday cake was made initially for our 90th birthday party last March by Joy Bridle, unfortunately because of Covid we had to cancel the party before the cake was decorated. Now, Françoise Rothery has finished decorating it to a high standard, with beautiful delicate flowers, in readiness for our first meeting face to face later this year when we can hold our delayed party. Can't wait to taste it - should we perhaps have put 90+1 on it?
A big thank you to Joy and Françoise for all your hard work. This looks stunning.
A big thank you to Joy and Françoise for all your hard work. This looks stunning.
Updated: 1st March 2021
Lockdown Challenge
Cheshire Federation has set us a 'Crafty' Lockdown Challenge to knit or crochet a landmark. Twemlow Viaduct (as shown above in our header) was selected as our 'muse'.
The railway viaduct is an important feature in our landscape and was built as part of the Manchester and Crewe Junction Railway between 1840 and 1842. The line was opened as part of the Manchester to Birmingham Railway Company as far as Sandbach on 13th May 1842. The engineer in charge of construction of the line was George Watson Buck a canal and railway engineer, and a stone with his name and the date 1841 was placed at Goostrey station where it can now be seen mounted on a wall on the Manchester platform.
The Viaduct ranks as one of the largest brick structures in Britain and is the longest on the line at 520 metres (Stockport Viaduct may be higher but is slightly shorter). It has 23 arches each of 18 metres span, a considerable feat of engineering for over 150 years ago and it reaches a maximum height of 25 metres to the parapet.
This mean 25 metres of knitting is required! We are still canvassing our members to get the needles out but so far, the President and Vice-President have made a glorious start. Updates and more photos to follow.
The railway viaduct is an important feature in our landscape and was built as part of the Manchester and Crewe Junction Railway between 1840 and 1842. The line was opened as part of the Manchester to Birmingham Railway Company as far as Sandbach on 13th May 1842. The engineer in charge of construction of the line was George Watson Buck a canal and railway engineer, and a stone with his name and the date 1841 was placed at Goostrey station where it can now be seen mounted on a wall on the Manchester platform.
The Viaduct ranks as one of the largest brick structures in Britain and is the longest on the line at 520 metres (Stockport Viaduct may be higher but is slightly shorter). It has 23 arches each of 18 metres span, a considerable feat of engineering for over 150 years ago and it reaches a maximum height of 25 metres to the parapet.
This mean 25 metres of knitting is required! We are still canvassing our members to get the needles out but so far, the President and Vice-President have made a glorious start. Updates and more photos to follow.
Updated: 13th February 2021
January Update from Jean Harding, Cheshire Federation Chairman
Hello Everyone
May I take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and happy 2021 – I do hope this year holds a much better outlook for us all.
The last couple of days have seen devastating floods in the Federation’s area and I hope you and your families are safe and well. To date I have not had any reports of members being flooded, please correct me if I am wrong and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. The Federation is here to give support at all times.
I know by now some of you will have had your vaccinations and I am hoping to have mine in the next couple of weeks. Even after we have had the injection, I know we will have to keep to the restrictions, and many will still be afraid to go out at all. It is a time when we all want to see and be with our WI friends but please do not feel there is any pressure on you to rush into getting together as I know many venues will still be closed for quite a while longer. However, I feel that once WIs do open and lockdown measures start to lift, members will start to look forward to getting out and about once more. It might take time for everything to get back to some sort of normal. All I can say is that your efforts to keep your WIs together, which you continue to do, will definitely help to rebuild your WIs.
As you know subscriptions can be collected from 1st April 2021 but please do not feel under pressure with the current lockdown restrictions. If you are able to do so then please do but hopefully regulations will soon make it easier for everyone to function more easily. I have received many complaints about the subscription rate for 2021 and I have contacted NFWI with the concerns of members but at the time of going to print the collection date is from 1st April 2021 at the fee is £44.
NFWI Updates: The AGM at the Albert Hall has been postponed until 8th June 2021. The Federation has not made any accommodation or travel arrangements yet as we are waiting to see if lockdown restrictions change. You will be updated as soon as we know anything further.
Also, there is an update on pro-rata subscription rate eligibility period of 10 years, this rate has been reduced to 1 year. It will be effective from 1st April 2021 and it can be active and applied throughout the next pro rata year. Please contact your WI Adviser if you need guidance and there will be further information in the next edition of WI Life.
The Royal Cheshire Show: I am sorry to have to announce that the Trustees have decided not to have a presence at the Show this year due to the pandemic. There are still so many restrictions in place that it is difficult for us to plan a successful Show. We have to be realistic regarding the safety and wellbeing being of our members which is our major concern, hence the decision to withdraw this year. The Agricultural Society have been extremely understanding of our decision. We may put on a virtual show, a possibility the Show Committee needs to investigate and at this stage all I can say is that as soon as we have any firm plans you will be notified. It could be such fun having a virtual Show, it certainly would be a first for the Federation.
The Federation’s AGM will have to be in the form of a virtual meeting and is in the planning stage. Again, this change is as a result of the pandemic. The date will be announced in due course.
The Federation’s free virtual meetings featuring “Inspiring Women” have proved extremely popular with members, sometimes with over 300 of you attending. A huge thank you to the Website & Social Media committee for all the work they do to bring these amazing ladies to the meetings. I know there are many more inspiring ladies for us to listen to in the forthcoming months, so I look forward to seeing you at the meetings. Thank you to the Art & craft Committee for the superb craft demonstrations which have been well received by members. You will be pleased to know more are being planned. All dates will be with your WIs in due course and will also be found on our Website.
Last year I asked you to keep a record of your activities in 2020 so they can be placed in the Federation’s Archives. In years to come members will be able to read how it affected our everyday life and members’ achievements during the pandemic, the first of its kind in history. Please only submit two sides of an A4 sheet otherwise storage could become a problem. Obviously, you can keep more records in your WI archives. I look forward to receiving your documents within the next couple of months please. The closing date has now been extended to 31st March 2021.
Centenary Tree Planting: I want to thank the WIs that have met my challenge to plant a tree to mark the Federation’s centenary and I have been lucky enough to with many you on these special occasions. To ensure we have a record of which WIs have planted a tree Trustee Sybil Graham has kindly agreed to compile a true record of the plantings. So could I ask you to email Sybil at [email protected] or by post to WI House, 11 White Friars, Chester,CH1 1NZ stating your WI, where the tree is planted and the type of tree. If possible a post code would be useful, the reason being one member is compiling walks to visit the trees once regulations allow. Hopefully, she will share them with all members so they can visit the trees. What a lovely idea to walk in different areas and look at the trees. Even if you have notified the Federation previously please do so again to ensure the Federation’s records are complete. Thank you in advance.
As always, I emphasise that if you feel you need help or just a chat, you can contact me, any trustee or your WI Adviser. You are never alone when you are a WI member there is always someone willing to help you, you only need to telephone or email. Please do not suffer in silence, help is available.
I finish on a positive comment I received from a member of Eastham WI, my own WI. I feel it echoes the thoughts of many members:
“I do miss WI meeting (sure everyone does) where we would happily turn up every month, meet friends and have a natter, enjoy a cup of tea and enjoy a host of great speakers, courtesy of our hardworking Committee. What can be better than being a member of the WI.”
Keep safe.
Jean
Federation Chairman
Updated: 27th January 2021
Spotlight On...... Holmes Chapel Partnership Newsletter
Updated: 29th December 2020