SHWI gets crafty

Our March meeting saw our first craft session of the year and we welcomed Yvonne of Make and Made to lead us in making a jam jar pincushion. (Make and Made is a new shop on Leopold Street - check it out!).

It was a busy one with over 80 members and guests rocking up to Electric Works, mini jam jar in hand, to learn how to turn it into a pretty pincushion. We also had a photographer from Prima magazine visiting us to take photos to go with a feature they are doing on the WI in June - exciting!

Yvonne brought lots of lovely material and ribbons for us to choose from and our members set about sewing the mini cushion together, stuffing it, sticking it to the lid of their jam jar and decorating. It was quite a simple project to do, but really effective, and everyone did a great job of making something lovely!

It was a fun meeting and it was lovely to see lots of new guests attending. 

See you next month when we will be visited by Danny Bryden, semi-finalist from the last series of the Great British Bake Off! 

Remember, if you want to take part in our SHWI Bake Off (which Danny will be judging), you need to register via email by 17 April. Details of the categories can be found here. 

See you soon,

Lindsay
President, SHWI

(Photos by Laura Bainbridge)

SHWI does International Women's Day

The SHWI Cosmo..made with jam, of course!

International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8 March and to get involved, Seven Hills WI decided to hold an IWD event a week later on 15 March, at our home in Electric Works!

Now, I like to think that every monthly meeting we have is a little celebration of womanhood but the IWD event was open to EVERYBODY (even men!) allowing both members and non-members to see what SHWI was about and support some good causes in the process.

Grace and Hugh at Blousey's Bar

There were various stalls for people to peruse, one providing info on SHWI and the NFWI, a table of fabulous raffle prizes generously donated by various local businesses (there's more on that later) and another stand set up for Oxfam to show how they support women and raise some money.

SHWI committee member Grace brought along her boyfriend Hugh and their new business venture Blousey’s Bar along to treat the attendees to some scrumptious cocktails: a super gin-tastic Tom Collins and the fabulous, not to mention incredibly popular, SHWI Cosmo! (which was invented by Hugh for a SHWI meeting a couple of years ago). Of course, in the interests of fairness, I had to try both - and both were deliciously lethal. The drinks seemed to go down very well with everyone - which is a good job, since 10% of the money made went to Oxfam.

Another SHWI member (and past speaker) to 'set up shop' was Chella Quint with her 1913 Exhibition - celebrating 100 years since her grandmother was born. A timeline of personal and international events from a century ago was pinned up for people to check out - along with a piece on the zip! Invented in 1913 - the zipper is perhaps something we take for granted. Chella encourages people to count their zips and plot them on a board to see if there is pattern between age and number of zips worn. I prefer an elasticated waistband myself - it helps with all the cake and cocktail intake...

Speaking of cake - it wouldn't be a true SHWI event if we weren't flogging baked goods for charity! This time round, our friends at Oxfam benefited from money made selling homemade treats such as mini strawberry daiquiri cupcakes, chocolate chip muffins and slices of fruit cake.

As a WI - it’s all about supporting local charities that benefit women, which is why the proceeds from our ticket sales went to SWWOP - the Sheffield Working Women’s Opportunities Project which supports women involved in street prostitution. Perhaps some may think a slightly controversial choice of cause to support, but as we would soon find out, the WI has a history of radical choices when it comes to resolutions and causes they help.

Donna, Blanche, Lindsay and Kim with Jane Robinson (centre)

The main event at our do was the lovely Jane Robinson - social historian and author of several books relating to women and their battles with equality. She came to give a talk on two of previous books and arguably the book that held most interest for us SHWI members was 'A Force to Be Reckoned With - a History of the Women‘s Institute'. A lot of members have already read it and it featured in our Book Club a couple of months ago. I won a copy of this book on a SHWI raffle, and at first I wasn't that fussed about reading it, but when I actually bothered to pick it up - I found I couldn’t put it down. Never has a book affected me so emotionally - tears pricking my eyes as I learnt how much the WI had done during both World Wars, anger rising as read about the struggles the founding members had fought past and the warm glow that followed when I realised that I was part of something much bigger than our local Sheffield group. 

But Jane wasn't here to only acknowledge the WI - she also spoke of that book’s predecessor 'Bluestockings', a history of women’s fight for education. Her talk was illustrated by some great slides, and, as the group Photographer, it was fascinating to see pictures of WI ladies larking about in cornfields, or dressed up as Toby Jugs, and serious looking University students posing for class photos. 

Guests mingling in the club area at
our fab venue, Electric Works

I can’t have been the only one moved by Jane’s speech - a lot of women in that room will have benefited from a university education and some of those women will be members of the WI, both 'old' and new. It’s thought-provoking to find out what the women of yesterday went through to give the women of today the freedom to choose.

All-in-all, the night was a huge success! But we couldn't let Jane leave without a quick hurtle down the helter skelter and I was only too happy to take her - it’s becoming a bit of habit, me taking speakers down the slide!

Laura

SHWI Committee

(Photos by Laura Bainbridge)

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Message from Lindsay, SHWI President

We raised a fantastic £400 for SWWOP through our event and we'd like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who made that possible: Jane Robinson, Electric Works, Blousey's Bar, Chella Quint, everyone who bought a ticket and the SHWI Committee members who worked on the night: Kim Whelan, Jen Marsden, Katie Mountain, Anna Pilson, Anna Tebble, Vicky Porteous, Leanne Sunter, Blanche Spataro, Grace Tebbutt, Donna Yeates, Kirsty Bowen, Vickie Riley and Laura Bainbridge. 

While we're dishing out the thank yous, we can't forget all those lovely companies who donated raffle prizes. Here's a list of the prizes (pretty good eh?) and those brilliant people who gave them to us...

·       Beautiful flowers from Campbell’s Flowers (www.campbellsflowers.co.uk)

·       A chocolate chip cookie mix jar from Heather’s Cookies (auntieheathershomemade.wordpress.com)

·       Two sets of Our Tiny Bees British honey beauty products (www.ourtinybees.co.uk)

·       Afternoon tea for two at Martha Heritage, Millhouses (www.facebook.com/MarthaHeritageUK)

·       Two cinema tickets for the Showroom (www.showroomworkstation.org.uk)

·       A sewing class courtesy of Robyn’s Nest (www.robynsnestuk.co.uk)

·       Four tickets to see Bromheads at the Leadmill on 25 April (www.leadmill.co.uk)

·       A £20 voucher to buy a fascinator, hat or hair accessories from Imogen’s Imagination (www.imogensimagination.co.uk)

·       A voucher for a cut and finish from Boudoir Hair, Ranmoor (www.boudoirhair.com)

·       A voucher for Cocoa Wonderland on Ecclesall Road (www.cocoawonderland.co.uk)

·       Two signed books by Sunday Times bestselling author Milly Johnson (www.millyjohnson.co.uk)

·       A voucher for a meal for two at the Red Deer, Pitt Street, S1 (www.red-deer-sheffield.co.uk)

·       A cake from Tipple Tails (www.reallygreatfruitcake.co.uk)

From Arctic Monkeys to Seven Hills WI...

Committee members Anna, Sarah, Lindsay and Katie with Timm (and an NME Award)

February’s meeting was my first in the Electric Works and my second as a fully paid up member of the WI. So, after unpacking my short bread biscuits and leaving them with some very delicious mojito mini cupcakes I went to explore the new home of SHWI and was surprised with the building. I won’t bore you with the details again as Laura did a great job of describing the Electric Works in January’s blog, however I feel the need to say HELTER SKELTER!

We were very lucky this month and did not only have the planned speaker, but we also had Jo Davison from the Star newspaper. She talked to us about a new women’s supplement that she is working on and how she would like us to be involved. Many SHWI ladies gave Jo their details so they can get involved in doing things like baking features, beauty and “the last five things I bought” (I couldn’t do that, I have to sneak many of my purchases home and then if anyone asks claim I have had it for ages...!).

Some of Timm's photos..spot a famous album cover?

This month's speaker was Timm Cleasby and he spent time talking about his life as Tour Manager for Sheffield's own Arctic Monkeys, who he worked with for five years and saw rise to huge fame. Timm's career so far has also included DJing at the Leadmill (where he met his wife whilst hanging out of the DJ box!), going on tour with Bon Jovi and the Darkness, and now being the festival director for Tramlines, managing Sheffield band Dead Sons, and running a successful photography business (www.thepicturefoundry.com)...busy guy!

A recurring theme throughout Timm’s story was how he set himself goals, reached each one, and the rollercoaster that journey was. Throughout his speech there was a reel of photos which were taken by Timm during his many adventures and the saying 'a picture is worth a thousand words' was definitely true of those that Timm shared with us.

February’s meeting also gave us a chance to vote on the charity we will support in 2013. Our President, Lindsay, gave an honest, moving explanation about the charity that she had nominated and the reasons why (the Parents' Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia - PACT- because her three year old niece has been battling cancer since last summer). I did well up towards the end of this, and so did many others, and I'm pleased to say that PACT won after the voting was completed during the break.

Jo Davison talks to us

Also during the break some of the committee members had their pictures taken for this blog and it would seem that there are some potential models on the committee (I won’t go into detail about what kind of model).

Finally, if anyone hasn’t bought their SHWI Women’s Day event ticket, there are still some left. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate women, drink cocktails and meet Jane Robinson? These are selling quickly, so get yours now!

Janine, SHWI member

You are invited to our International Women's Day event!

Exciting news...to mark this year's International Women's Day we're holding a one-off extra special charity event at Electric Works on Friday 15 March.

Author Jane Robinson, who wrote A Force to be Reckoned With: The History of the WI as well as lots of other female-focused books, will be coming up from Oxford to talk to us about the remarkable story of the first women to fight for an education, as well as a bit of WI history! You can see more about Jane here.

There will also be charity stalls, information from Chella Quint's 1913 exhibition and a chance to find out more about Seven Hills WI and other WIs in the area.

Since the event is held at the start of a weekend it seems fitting that our friends and Hugh will be bringing their cocktail bar, Blousey's Bar, along, and there will also be tea and coffee available if cocktails aren't your thing.

Tickets for this one-off event are just £3 per person (plus 83p Eventbrite fee)  and anyone (male and female, WI and non-WI) is welcome to attend, as long as they are over 18. We do only have 100 spaces though so make sure you snap up your tickets fast as we've had a lot of interest in this event already! Buy tickets here!

All profits from ticket sales will be donated to a local women's charity which we are still to confirm but we'll let you know as soon as we do.

Doors open at 6pm and we'll be starting at 6.30pm sharp. The event is due to finish at 8.30pm.

Hope you can join us!

New year, new venue, new members and a talk from the lovely Paulette

Kim, Vicky, Paulette and Lindsay

After a couple of pints of stout, surrounded by soft falling snow, everything starts to look a bit magical...which is a good job, because I can't have been the only SHWI lady with mixed feelings about our new venue. We'd been at St Matthew's rooms for a few years now, we officially started there! Isn't a church hall exactly where a Women's Institute should be?
But now, walking towards our new, modern, bright venue, it started to feel exciting... I mean, St Matt's doesn't even have disabled access, let alone an indoor slide!

I needn't have worried. The new place, Electric Works, is perfect for us. I arrived to find a rather official - if not a tad excited - looking Miss Mountain on the brightly coloured reception. To my left was THAT helter skelter. It was at this point I went, as my Grandma would have said, "as giddy as a kipper".

Wonder how many other WIs
have a helter skelter in their venue?!

Suddenly, all at once, I had to run around the building and see what's what, say hello to everyone, get my cupcakes out and on display (not a euphemism), see where tea is made, realise I don't really need to make tea anymore (win), take photographs of anything and everything, go to the toilet, put my committee rosette on, greet the guest speaker and find a place to dump my bags whilst I carried on running around annoying everyone. And then I went on the Helter Skelter. 

Yes, yes.. I may be 30 this year, but I could not wait to get my feet in the sack and hurtle down the chute. After mildly bullying everyone else down and taking pictures of their horrified faces, I got to try it myself. Yes it was worth the giddiness - I want to do it EVERY MONTH. 

Finally I sat down, able to admire our new room. This was not the cold conference centre I was expecting. Our beautiful bunting was hanging around us, the new logo was splashed on the walls, the familiar gingham table cloths ready to catch crumbs and spills...it was warm and inviting. But best of all, there was plenty of space for us. It's now possible to walk around the tables with relative ease! Not only did I have an actual chair to sit on (as opposed to the floor) but I had a chair for my bags!

Our first speaker for 2013 was meant to be Toby Foster - but unfortunately he had to cancel last minute. Luckily for us, Mr Foster didn't want to disappoint a large group of ladies and found us a replacement - his BBC Radio Sheffield colleague Paulette Edwards. As an aside...I just think it's worth pointing out how lucky we have been with "replacement" speakers. Not once have I felt that I have missed out on the original. Good work everyone!

The fabulous Electric Works

Paulette was friendly, funny and seemed genuinely surprised that she had ended up on radio, having started her career as a teacher. She spoke of ambitions and dreams, encouraging us to keep an ongoing list of 10 things to do or achieve. Apparently, if we write them down, they are more likely to happen - certainly worth a try? She seems a great lady and up for a good laugh - she was first down the slide, despite her initial fears, was amazed at the edible glitter sprinkled on my cupcakes and was disappointed to learn that SHWI hit full capacity at 125 members at the meeting.

As another aside, not only have we had some fabulous speakers over the years, but some of them must think we're pretty fabulous too - several of our members first came to as speakers!

The evening ended with more helter skelter action and the comforting thought that now we have access to a dishwasher, I won't be spending so much time washing up on the third Thursday of the month.

Finally - I just want to say a massive thank you to the wonderful ladies at Electric Works for making this happen. I apologise in advance for any future helter skelter related nonsense. And, just in case I haven't said it enough...HELTER SKELTER!

Laura
SHWI Committee

Our bunting archive needs YOU!

After we did bunting making back in 2011 (gosh, was it that long ago?), we came up with the idea to chronicle our activities in the form of bunting triangles. What better way to record the shenanigans of a Women’s Institute than with a bunting archive? 

Following this brainwave, our lovely committee made a bunting triangle for each of our meetings in 2012, depicting everything from Bollywood dancing to sexual health. This year, we’ve decided to throw it out there and ask you - our members - if you’d like to add your handiwork to the growing chain. Each meeting, we’ll ask for volunteers to do bunting triangles to represent that month.

Fancy kicking us off with January’s meeting? If so, just let email sevenhillswi@live.co.uk or let us know at this month's meeting. All you need is a small amount of fabric, needle, cotton, decorations and a bit of imagination (all we ask is that you put the date of the meeting on the triangle somewhere). 

Our bunting is made up of isosceles triangles, 10” across the top and 11” down the two sides. Just leave about an extra half an inch at the top for stitching to the bunting tape when we join it to all the others to add your piece of craftwork to our growing history.

But why stop there? Think you'd quite like to have a go for fun? How about a bunting triangle to signify what SHWI means to you? or to depict a particularly enjoyable Supper Club? We’re open to ideas and would love to make this year's bunting archive bigger and better. If you want to have a go, you don’t need to ask. Just bring it along with you to the next WI meeting and pass it to one of the committee (we're the ones wearing the rosettes).

If you need a bit of inspiration to get you going, maybe a glimpse of our triangles so far will give you an idea! Here’s Vicky, our treasurer (above), decorating the Winter Gardens with our bunting for our stall at the Sheffield Food Festival 2012, and some of the triangles our members made at our bunting workshop in 2011 are in the photo on the right.

Jennifer
SHWI Vice President

Willow weaving, 42 new members and farewell St Matt's...

Goodbye St Matt's

One member of Specs and Tits!

Our final meeting of 2012 was a busy one as always! We were delighted to welcome 42 new members to Seven Hills WI, taking us very close to our 2013 member limit of 125.

As has become tradition, I hosted my annual Christmas quiz and the winners (it had to go down to the tie break...it was tense) were the delightfully-named team 'Specs and Tits'. Well done ladies!

We then got to have a go at willow weaving as the lovely Sue taught us how to manipulate the willow and make pretty Christmas decorations with it.

Jollity aside, it was a meeting tinged with sadness as it was our last at St Matthew's Hall, which has been our home since October 2009. As much as we love St Matt's, we have outgrown it, and we are so looking forward to our first meeting in our new home - Electric Works - on Thursday 17 January. It has a helter skelter, what's not to love?!

Eye poking inevitable...

We're looking forward to a new year filled with more SHWI fun, making new friends and learning new things and I'd like to thank all our members for helping to make our group so successful. 

A huge thanks must also go to our wonderful committee who work so hard to make sure things run smoothly - thank you ladies! Here's to 2013!

Lindsay, SHWI President

Photos by Laura Bainbridge

Seven Hills WI visits Denman College

We've all heard lots about the WI's very own residential college in Marcham, near Oxford, and we were intrigued to find out more. So, just before Christmas eight Seven Hills WI members set out on a trip to Marcham to attend a New Wave Weekend - a chance to sample the delights of Denman College and meet women from other WIs across the country. 

In the sewing class with May Martin (centre)

We all had our reservations about what it would actually be like but we are pleased to report that it was wonderful, we loved it! Okay, so it might not seem the cheapest weekend away at first glance, but when you add it up it's really quite good value for money. We got two nights' accommodation, welcome drinks, breakfast, lunch and three course dinners, loads of tea and coffee, the best shortbread we've ever tasted, and three workshops for just over £200 each!

 
The workshops were great, I made a charm bracelet, some Christmas decorations and a door wreath (gave the latter to my mum, she loves it!) and I was impressed with the quality of the tuition. Our sewing class was taught by the fabulous May Martin who will be appearing on TV in March as the Mary Berry-style judge in new programme The Great British Sewing Bee!

We also met some lovely women from other WIs (hello Clare and Becki from Birchgrove WI, India from Gloucester Road WI, Meryl from Old Dalby WI, the ladies from West Ealing WI and our wonderful college host Sally!) and it gave us a great chance to talk about our groups and pick up tips and advice from other branches.

Now we've been to Denman we can see that the charm of it really is the old house and gardens (it's like being in Downton Abbey, seriously!) so the news that the national federation are looking at selling the house and gardens, and just retaining the new part, is really sad. 

There is lots of history to the college which you can find out about here, but basically the house dates back to the 17th century and was the former manor house of Marcham. It was bought by the WI with money raised by each WI branch throughout the country contributing £10 over three years - seems reasonable to me! 

Denman College, named after the first chairwoman of the WI, officially opened in 1948 and has been a big part of many WI members' lives since then. Each of the bedrooms in the main house are decorated by federations so each is unique and just being there really makes you feel that you are part of something.

We would love many, many more of our members to experience Denman College but we feel this experience will be much poorer if the house and gardens are sold. The national federation are currently consulting on the future of the college and we'd urge all WI members to complete the short online survey before 11 January. 

Kim on the beautiful Downton-style landing!

You can also help Denman College by attending courses there. It is open to anyone, not just WI members, and there really is something for everyone, see www.denman.org.uk  for more details or email us at sevenhillswi@live.co.uk if you have any questions (I'll try and help!).

Lindsay
SHWI President

Our 2013 Programme and new logo!

We are delighted with our new logo, we think it's really representative of what Seven Hills WI has evolved into and we love the modern yet retro feel to it!

Our programme for 2013 has also been announced and we think the content is the best yet...hope you agree! 

Our logo and programme were designed for us by Nick Payton (oneton_payton@hotmail.com)

Jammin' with Gardeners' World

Our members get tasting

So, a while ago we were asked by the national WI Federation to make and taste the jam category for the Gardeners' World readers' 'Love Your Gluts' competition. Of course, we said yes and nine of our most fantastic jam makers - Kim Whelan, Vicky Porteous, Lauren Misiukanis, Dianna Coupe, Sarah Willoughby, Rachel Mead, Vickie Riley, Grace Tebbutt and Julie Colleyshaw - made the entries ready for us to taste at last week's meeting. 

A huge thank you to everyone who made jam, or stayed behind after the meeting to taste it :)

We can't tell you who won yet as it's being announced at the BBC Good Food Show next week but it's safe to say, we were unanimous on the winning jam and it was de-lic-ious!

The one where we sing Jerusalem and talk stains…

SHWI ladies and Chella Quint

It could be argued that no Women’s Institute meeting would be complete without eating jam and singing Jerusalem, and at November’s meeting that’s exactly what we did. So far, so WI. Then along came native New Yorker, Chella Quint, with her insightful take on the unsanitary messages found in sanitary product advertising to talk to us about her Adventures in Menstruating. 

Chella

Now don’t get me wrong, I love jam and I LOVE (attempting) to sing Jerusalem, but it’s SHWI’s ability to embrace the traditional whilst also championing the new, the quirky and the challenging that keeps things interesting for me. 

Chella opened by asking each of us to rate how comfortable we feel talking about periods. Despite the prevalent view that we delicate females dare not mention periods in polite company for fear of turning the milk sour, it was interesting to see that most of us were actually, well, OK with it. 

Blanche, Anna and Ruth
model their Stains™!

She then spoke with wit and passion about how advertisers have used fear (‘Leakage? Noooooo!’) and shame (‘Sshhhh! Do NOT mention the P word!’) to sell sanitary products throughout the decades. Her energy was infectious. A few well placed one-liners made me snort with laughter. These helped sweeten the pill, but Chella’s talk acted as a reminder to me that women’s issues are ever present and that we, as members of the Women’s Institute, are uniquely placed to actually be able to do something about it. So, sartorially speaking, I’ve been all over the Leak Chic look this week and have worn my removable Stain with pride #periodpositive. 

Lindsay, Vicky and Kim present Jean
from Haven with the cheque

November’s Annual Meeting also gives us an opportunity to reflect on the last year. Highlights were a visit from SHWI’s favourite crafty lady Mary-Jane Baxter and our cheeky look at the History of Knickers with the aptly named Janet Stain. Our spinoff groups – Supper Club, Book Club, Walking Group and the newly launched Dining Club – have really taken off thanks to the hard work and commitment of our members who set them up and run them. We hit new heights in the media when we were featured on the One Show (you woz robbed ladies). But perhaps our biggest achievement has been raising a significant sum for our chosen charity, Haven, through our stall at the Sheffield Food Festival and proceeds from the Pampered Chef night. It was a proud moment indeed when Lindsay presented them with a cheque for £795.77 which we know will be put to good use in helping to support victims of domestic abuse. 

So ends our penultimate meeting at St Matthew’s. Here’s looking forward to our December meeting and our new start at the Electric Works in 2013. 

Ruth x

SHWI Committee

Photos by Laura Bainbridge

Happy birthday to SHWI!

Happy birthday to us!

I had been really looking forward to SHWI's third birthday, and to celebrating it with my fellow WIers. Having joined the group in its second year, I've only been to one other birthday which has been great. It always seems to bring in loads of members and is a great chance to meet those I don't see so often. Plus it's a night which always highlights just how great the group of women in SHWI are! 

This year I arrived to a full house (or church hall...) with members clamouring to pay for another year's membership. This added to the excitement with thoughts of what is to come in the next year and the possibilities for new members, especially when our new venue for 2013 was announced as the Electric Works which will allow for a further 25 members. I can't wait to meet more fab women! We also received a free SHWI badge when we paid, so we could 'represent' (as the kids say nowadays....I think). 

Bollywood dancing with Sara from Underground Fitness

Once all the exciting news had been announced we all prepared for the activity of the night- Bollywood dancing lead by Sara from Underground Fitness on Ecclesall Road South. However, by this time, all of the curry we had ordered for after the dancing had arrived and was keeping warm around the room; I really just wanted to dive into that! 

The dance instructor began by splitting us up into two groups- I decided I'd go in the group for the more energetic dancers; being a runner I thought I wouldn't have any trouble keeping up! However, starting the first dance, there was no time for practice  We were plunged into a fast and bouncy Bollywood routine which involved much shaking of hips and bounding from side to side. It was really enjoyable, but I imagine more so for those who harboured some coordination (i.e. not me!). After watching the ladies in the 'easy' group (it didn't look easy!) I was very impressed with my fellow member's skills! It looked so good seeing such a big group dancing together- and trying hard at it aswell! 

After attempting a few more routines myself (there was no let up!) I decided to just enjoy mingling with other ladies whilst watching the dancing. It was a great atmosphere, and everyone seemed excited and happy to be part of something so lovely.

Vicky's amazing cake

Finally the announcement came for food to be served...I dived to the front of the queue and we all made our way along the fantastic looking curries and accompaniments from Darbaar in Hillsborough laid out before us. Every single dish was delicious, with something for everyone. And at only two quid each there were no complaints! 

I could easily take up the next 20 lines reviewing the food, but take it as this- it was so good I could have had thirds (I had seconds obviously...)

So after admiring the almost-too-beautiful-to-eat cake made by our very own Vicky Porteous (Mary Berry had better watch out) and bidding farewell til next time to my fellow SHWIers, I walked home, content and exhausted, but most of all, excited to experience the future of SHWI into 2013 and beyond...

Grace Tebbutt
Seven Hills WI Committee

We've got a new home!

We are so delighted to announce that as from January 2013 Seven Hills WI has a new home - the Electric Works on Sheaf Street!

We have loved the past three years at our current venue, St Matthew's Hall, but as the hall is undergoing refurbishment next year and will be closed for some months we thought the time was right to find somewhere bigger and better!

The Electric Works is a wonderful venue which really fits in with what we are about. It is really close to the bus and train stations and our members can benefit from discounted car parking at the NCP on Pond Street or the train station Q Park. Our first meeting will be held at EW on Thursday 17 January 2013. Until then we will remain at St Matthew's. 

We are really looking forward to starting the new year in our lovely new home! :) 

See more about the Electric Works.

The WI: Inspiring Women

Seven Hills WI's Lindsay, Kim
 and Vicky with Sue Gilroy

Each month the fabulous Seven Hills WI committee meet to discuss everything from forthcoming events to how we can make the next meeting extra special for our members, and this meeting was no exception! With Stephanie from Survivors of Depression in Transition (SODIT) and our surprise guest speaker, Sue Gilroy MBE paralympic table tennis superstar, joining us for our September meeting, we knew we would be in for a night to remember.

We began the night in true SHWI fashion, laying out our gingham tablecloths, hanging our handmade bunting and making sure the tea cups were ready for our members, only to find out that our meeting room no longer has disabled access as the ramps had been thrown away!

So in the style of Challenge Anneka, Sarah Willoughby and I ran around the streets of Sheffield to find a suitable venue, which was nearby and could accommodate 70 women at short notice.  The odds were against us, but we did it! (even if it did cost £60 for 30 minutes - The Circle obviously weren't feeling very charitable).

When we had finally settled into our temporary home for the for the first part of the meeting,Sue began her inspirational story. Sue is a busy Mum with two children, who works full-time as a primary school teacher in Barnsley.  During her talk Sue shared her personal pictures from the Victory Parade, discussed how she felt when she won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and her surprise when she found out she had been awarded an MBE.

And it didn’t end there...after Sue's talk we hotfooted it back to our usual meeting venue to hear Stephanie from SODIT's moving story of how she became involved with the charity, the services they provide to women and details of their drop in centre.

The WI slogan is 'Inspiring Women'...they certainly are and they definitely did at this meeting!

Kim 

SHWI Secretary

Success at Sheffield Food Festival!

Our stall at Sheffield Food Festival (L-R SHWI members Hannah, Vicky, 
Lisa, Olivia, Sophie, Lizzie, Anna, Dianna, Laura and Lindsay)

We had a wonderful time at this year's Sheffield Food Festival!

We sold a variety of cakes, buns, biscuits and traybakes made by our members and held two raffles for a scrumptious cake made by Vickie and a delectable pie made by Dianna. For the second year running we also ran the 'Best in Show' competition, judging the best Victoria Sponge and jam/chutney/pickle. 

It was hard work but totally worth it when we did the final count and realised we made a whopping £716.15 for our charity of the year - Haven House!

Anna and Lisa had the tough 
challenge of judging 
the Best in Show entries...

A HUGE thank you to all our lovely members who baked or helped on the stall over the weekend and everyone who visited our stall or entered the 'Best in Show' competition. And of course a special thank you to the amazing spreadsheet wizard Anna Tebble who led on the organisation of our stall :)

Same again next year ladies?

Lindsay x