There was a definite buzz in the village hall on Thursday 3rd March; 2 years before, the Welsh Tea was the last afternoon tea that The Ridwares WI held before Lockdown 1 was declared. So many things have happened since then – so many loved ones lost, but also gained. It was quite poignant … and the question was, ‘Were the ladies up to the task?’
Also …. ‘Had we forgotten what to do?’ ‘Just how many cheese scones & Bara Brith do we need to bake?’ ‘Would people come’?
We needn’t have worried .. the ladies rose to the task, as always… although Chris G’s dog did eat all her scone mixture & Welsh Cakes whilst she went to answer the door!
The hall was decorated with Welsh flags & vases of daffodils; thanks to Alan W, Bob T & Chris E for doing this.
How wonderful to see the hall full of chatter & people, enjoying eachothers company & eating Bara Brith, cheese scones & Welsh cakes, all downed with much tea & coffee. The raffle was amazing as were the cakes & handmade goods for sale. A lovely afternoon was had by all.
The rain held off so ‘Plan A’ could go ahea
d – with everyone able to go outside & witness the official switching on of the Christmas tree lights by Ashley, from The Chadwick Arms. The Lea Hall Brass Band played throughout the evening – I think they enjoyed being back with us ‘in person’, almost as much as we did having them there! Mulled wine was drunk… & drunk … & drunk … with supplies having to be regularly replenished. Mince pies were eaten – thanks to Morrisons for donating them – Jarbola items won, & cakes, crafts & raffle tickets brought. It was such a thrill to see so many villagers come together for the evening– a superb time was had by all.
Our Zoom meetings for members, & visitors, continued throughout the Autumn, & with Speakers as good as these, why ever not????
Our November meeting was something totally different for us – a tasting session of all things Christmas! Christmas flavoured crisps & cheese, mince pies, cream liquer & after-dinner mints were all ‘blind tasted’, 3 varieties of each. Decisions were made on our preferences & the ‘luxury’ brands didn’t necessarily come out on top!
tinued via Zoom when Jane Napper (aka ’The Chocolate Lady’) demonstrated how to make a tiered chocolate tree decoration & chocolate shards. Yummy! Expert tuition yet again from Jane … now it’s just up to our ladies to practice, practice, practice – with lots of sampling inbetween!
Date: Tuesday 7th September 2021 ….
Then the next evening, we decamped to The Shoulder of Mutton pub in Hamstall Ridware for our Skittles Night (& competition). A geat evening was had by all. The competition was stiff, but good natured & the buffet was fabulous. Hopefully, it won’t be so long till the next one!
Our September meeting was changed to the 4th Tuesday of the month – but that didn’t throw us at all! A welcome glas of fizz & cafe-style seating said ‘We’re Back!’ – & in style! That theme was carried on with our Speaker, Joanne Massey, who informed & entertained us with a wide range of stylish clothes form the 1950’s. Joanne talked about how she’d always been interested in ‘vintage’ clothing, even as a teenager… & could still get into first ‘vintage outfit’ she’d ever bought…. Envy followed – especailly concerning just how stylish & wellmade all these clothes were. A lovely evening to complete our first month back ‘in person’. The only way is forward now!
With us not being able to meet in person till September, members received a ‘Staycation’ box in August full of goodies to help them enjoy the summer (& hoped for sunshine) at home….
So the only thing missing now, was the ‘beauty makeover’… & that came courtesy of our Zoom meeting with renowned make-up artist ‘to the stars’, Naomi McKeever, giving us a lesson on how to apply the latest make-up trends with loads of product advice, tips & techniques. We certainly learnt a lot, & many a make-up bag is now being emptied & its contents renewed. You’re never too old to learn something new.
o come to fruition this summer – the weather kept dry for once! Our ‘famous’ Trade Table returned to outside the Village Hall in Hill Ridware in early August with a ‘bumper’ harvest of goodies for sale – jams, pickles & marmaalde, knitted & crocheted toys, cakes & biscuits, a variety of knitted jackets & hats, books, handmade cardsnfor all occasions – & a raffle. The Hygiene Box was there for donations – all were gratefully received. 
July 4th 2021 – national ‘Thank You Day’ to all our NHS & Key Workers, who have kept going, & kept all of us ‘going’, throughout the pandemic. They certainly deserve a whole load of ‘thanks’! The Ridwares WI had planned a picnic outside the village hall for the Sunday afternoon, in order to meet together in person & say ‘Thank You’ – but the weather had a totally different idea. It rained… & rained… & rained …. & continued to pour throughout the day. Result? A cancelled picnic… & a beautiful cake made by Amy of O’Brien Bakes.
4 of our ladies (Chris S, Kate B, Karen P & Gaye) were very fortunate to have the opportunity of a Painting Workshop with renowned local artist, Sunny Eades at The Old Hall, Mavesyn Ridware. The weather cooled, which was better for painting outside, and thankfully, the threatened rain did not happen. None of the ‘gang of 4’ had picked up a paintbrush since their school days – unless ‘helping’ grand-children counts for some of them? – so there was some trepidation as to the kit needed & the essential question of ‘how exactly do you ‘paint’?’ No worries were needed, however, as Sunny quickly put everyone at their ease, & offered advice & helpful hints no matter which medium was being used – watercolours or acrylics.
Lots of silent concentration on ‘the wall’ was evident – we’ve never been so quiet! Each lady took a different perspective, & used watercolours (paints or pens) or acrylics to express what they ‘saw’. The results were very pleasing & so very different!
