Life in ‘Lockdown’ continues to be ‘different’ for us in The Ridwares WI. We still can’t meet up as a group, but are finding ways of keeping in touch as well as helping our community.
Happy Birthday to Liz Humble, Anna McCallum, Meryl Mattey, Chris Lowries, Mary Meddings, Jean Hodgskiss, Wendy Thomas and Yvonne Banks! Congratulations to Clare and Martin Brown who celebrated their Ruby Wedding anniversary on Sunday and also to Anthea and Ivan Smith on the birth of their new great granddaughter – Ada.
The BKV planters are all growing nicely – as is our WI heart shaped flower bed. Thanks to Deb Wilson & Yvonne Higgins for their weeding – much appreciated!
Jude and Angela have been busy knitting new born baby hats which have now been passed on to Good Hope, New Cross and Leicester hospitals. The maternity units are very appreciative. Karen has also received, and passed on, a bag of gorgeous cardigans, hats and little socks for premature babies, donated by a lady who runs the craft club in the village. Thank you to all of you!
Remember the Hygiene Box initiative that we started before Lockdown? Well, we couldn’t let what we had already collected go to waste, so Karen made a request on Facebook for any further donations – and was inundated! Ann Batchelor made 60 beautiful toiletry bags for us, which have been duly filled and taken to the Hygiene Bank where they will be distributed to those in need. Thank you Anne, and to everyone who donated toiletries. This story was picked up by the Staffordshirre Federation and they have given us a mention in the latest SFWI newsletter – The Ridwares WI has been referred to as “Community Champions”. Well done ladies!!
As for keeping in touch with eachother, well, we all received a ‘Hug in a Bag’ – in lieu of a real hug & meeting up in person. Particular thanks to Karen & Alan for delivering the vast majority of these to all the members – the Sat Nav certainly had it’s work cut out navigating the roads & by-ways of rural Staffordshire! Karen commented that it made her appreciate just how far some of our ladies travel to get to our meetings & events, and how lovely it was to actually have a (socially distanced) catch-up with so many members in person. These ‘Hugs’ were very well received & much appreciated by all.
As to meeting up in person, things are still uncertain…. but we will keep you informed. Until then,
Stay Safe – Be Kind – Kia Kaha (Stay Strong)
Well, the Best Kept Village Competition for 2020 may have been cancelled, but when the plants are already ordered, what do you do?????? The simple answer is ‘PLANT’ !.. and that is exactly what some of The Ridwares WI ladies did, together with other villagers, on Saturday morning, 30th May. What a lovely way to spend the morning in the sunshine.
So it’s not just the planters that are looking good… lots of ladies are enjoying the fruits of their labours in their back gardens. How wonderful that we can now meet up outside with a few friends and enjoy a coffee (or glass of wine) together! Angela has got the paddling pool out, but has only got as far as dipping her toes in. Sue has been keeping fit virtually – & still finding time for sewing. Betty hopes to move back to her cottage very soon following the flood which devastated her home – although we’re not sure how Meryl will feel about giving back her cat!!
The afternoon began with The Last Post, followed by Churchill’s speech… & then the music began… A good sing-a-long followed. Thanks to Ashley & the Chadwick Arms for organising the broadcast & to Alan for sorting out loud speakers in Oaklands Close & providing the song sheets!
Cake was shared – with much fun & laughter… & yes, social distancing was observed!
What strange times we are living in…… Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our daily lives have totally changed. Bears (‘The Great Bear Hunt’ for children on their daily walks) & rainbows (to honour all those key workers, & particularly those working tirelessly throughout the NHS) appearing in windows….. meetings, coffee mornings & events cancelled …. isolation for our ladies … Thursday evenings at 8pm has become a community, let alone personal focal point, with people out on their doorsteps clapping to show appreciation for all those key workers in the NHS and elsewhere.
We even got a special mention in ‘WI Life’, courtesy of Sophie, Duchess of Wessex. That is one for the history books!
Angela Lycett had knitted over 40 hats at the last count. All these efforts were very much appreciated.
Kath Parson has been busy in her back garden – & her mum & dad are doing well with their social isolation. Looking good Kath!
Of course, our experience of Lockdown so far has not always been a positive or happy one. Dot Boulton wanted to make the following tribute to Dr. El Hawrani: ” ….. an ENT specialist at Burton Hospital, Dr Hawrani held clinics also at Samuel Johnson. I worked as a clinic clerk for him. One day on my way to work I stopped to give a lift to one of the nurses who worked with Dr Hawrani, As we were chatting away in the car, I suddenly started to have a heavy nose bleed. The nurse said that shouldn’t happen. I explained to her that it was such a nuisance, some times I would go for a walk and just trip up a little and it would start. I was beginning to lose my confidence to go any where. She said I will have a word with Dr Hawrani to see if he can help you. She said the same thing had happened to her father and Dr Hawrani had cured it. I was called to the clinic and Dr Hawrani was so reassuring and kind and worked on my nose and to this day I have never had a recurrence of the problem. I was so grateful to him. Dr Hawrani had climbed Everest for Charity; he told me he had suffered nose bleeds and altitude sickness on the climb & said that young people should be made more aware of these dangers on tough climbs. When the 1st Corona Virus updates came on. I was totally shocked and upset to hear that Dr Hawrani had died from the Virus.”
The raffle, as ever, was amazing with over 40 prizes available. There was also the WI cake & produce stall to visit, & a ‘Pre-Loved’ stall for great bargains in handbags & scarves.
Saturday , 9th November saw a number of villagers & their families meet at the village hall, Hill Ridware to offer their thanks, to reflect & to remember. The weather was with us as the Benyon lines were repeated, silence held & wreaths laid at the foot of ‘our Tommy’. The web of poppies symbolised the service & sacrifice of so many. Memorial crosses were also ‘planted’ at Tommy’s feet by villagers.
Tea/coffee & homemade cakes were shared, along with memories, by those who attended. Nearly £200-00 was raised in donations towards the work of The Royal British Legion. A wonderful, heart-felt way to spend a Saturday morning in, & with, our community.