Shrove Tuesday again coincided with the March Take a Break Cafe….so that meant that ‘pancake races’ were the order of the day!
Great fun was had by all – whether you raced & tossed pancakes, or not. The Final was won by Susan Aitkin, shortly followed by Charlotte Lycett & Olivia Wilkins. Charlie Moore was the youngest competitor, & it would be telling to say who the eldest was!
Certificates, & Easter eggs, were awarded to the winner & finalists.
Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus (Happy St David’s Day)!
The 1st March saw a wave of yellow amongst ladies of The Ridwares WI as they met together (via Zoom) to celebrate St David’s Day, courtesy of daffodils worn & in vases & jugs. We practised our Welsh – although our pronouncinations probably left a lot to be desired – & learnt about St David himself, as well as a number of Welsh customs & traditional celebrations. Did you know that leeks pre-date daffodils as a St David’s Day symbol? Leeks were grown for luck, happiness & to drive away evil spirits. It was believed that leeks would help them live for ever, so soliders would rub leeks over themselves as a form of protection during battle. Over the centuries, green & white became the Royal colours of Wales. it was the Victorians who began to associate daffodils with St David’s Day – a tradition that is now firmly established!
A number of our ladies had also baked some Bara Brith (Welsh Tea Loaf), which was also enjoyed! As usual, the afternoon was filled with laughter & chatter, especially when making a Pop-Up card – another ‘craft along with Gaye’ activity. The results were very impressive – & ‘gluey’ fingers dealt with…. – as daffodils in baskets were evident again.
A wonderful get-together & celebration of St David’s Day – full of fun & friendship (as always)!
Date: Midsummer Day 2018 – Thursday 21st June ……
Venue: The Village hall, Hill Ridware ……
Event: Midsummer Tea, courtesy of The Ridwares WI, & our participation in – & contribution to – ‘The Great Get Together’.
The Great Get Together is a national campaign/series of community events in memory of Jo Cox MP, who was murdered a few years ago. The charity set up in her name seeks to encourage communities to ‘get together’ through various events & activities, this year to be held on the weekend of her birthday.
Well, we certainly did that! 70 afternoon teas, comprising sandwiches, scone with strawberry & cream & cake… – lots of cake! – were served during the afternoon.. as were numerous pots of tea & cups of coffee. Bunting was strewn across the hall, Angela & Pat ran our (in)famous raffle & Wendy manned the Trade Table selling craft items, cakes & her famous jams, pickles & marmalade. We were ably entertained by Eric, a locally renowned busker (well, should say ‘internationally renowned busker’!).
The Ridwares ladies worked hard all afternoon preparing & serving the teas… & all that washing up! But, hearing the laughter & chatter in the hall… all worth while!
A fabulous afternoon was had by all – a real ‘great get together’!
