Llanfair Waterdine Women's Institute
Although our village is in Shropshire, we are affiliated to Powys Radnor Federation of Women's Institutes. Our members come from Llanfair Waterdine, Lloyney, Knighton, Knucklas, Heyope, Dutlas and Presteigne.
Our Institute was formed on December 9th 1926. Members walked many miles to attend meetings which were held in the schoolroom on Friday evenings at 4.00pm after the children had departed and while the room was still hot.
Was it like this I wonder? Well we still make jam and preserves but I think Health and Safety would have something to say about that kitchen! And I do not suppose any one had a Food Hygiene Certificate either.
Although we do not now have anyone who was a founder member, we do have one or two ladies who have been members for longer than they care to remember. Some have lived and farmed in the parish all their lives while others have moved here on retirement and made wonderful friends through the WI.
Whatever our background or experience we meet on the first
Friday of each month in Everest Hall at 7.00pm to share WI
Business, some form of entertainment, demonstration or tuition followed
by a traditional supper and then time to talk.
Guests are very welcome at any of our meetings.
Many of us enjoy learning new crafts and skills.
Pig curing and knitting balaclava helmets and vests has now been replaced by Beadcraft, Patchwork, Embroidery, Drawing with pastels and Digital Photography for example.
We ran our own Embroidery Course here which was superb.
As well as our own programme of activities, Federation run many courses and events across the county and of course there are others held at Denman College organised at a National level. Members now receive a monthly magazine, WI LIFE, which not only keeps us informed about national and international issues but continues to update us with craft ideas, new recipes, and current events that particularly affect women.
Though we are few in number we are big in enthusiasm and energy. Our Christmas Show which owing to the inclement weather conditions was eventually performed in March,was a sell out and included a Pantomime written by a member. We raised a considerable amount of money for various charities during the year especially through our Carol Singing. Our entries in The WI County Show, The Knighton Show and The Victorian Festival at Llandrindod Wells have been exceptional. Our Quiz Team represented the County at National Level.
We hope that here is something for everyone on Friday nights.We try to devise a varied programme for the year and are always open to suggestions for Speakers or demonstrations, especially if we can have a go ourselves.
2011 has been another successful and enjoyable year. The Christmas Concert, Better Late than Never sold out. Mary Comer's pantomime Cinderella was complemented by the Little Graig Music Group and a handsome cheque was sent to Hope House Childrens' Hospice.
Several of our members have taken advantage of the Laura Ashley Foundation funding and joined other Federation members on a trip to the Jen Jones Quilt Centre in Lampeter.
As a result of the WI TRI, walks are being organised every month from either Knighton, Knucklas or Llanfair Waterdine for members to join in. They start at 10.00am from the Evererst Hall and are either 3 or 5 miles.
Our Summer outing to the Land of Lost Content at Craven Arms was another wonderful day, followed by a splendid lunch.
At the end of October four members went to Denman College as part of a Federation weekend to study either Tudor Oxford or learn how to make Silver Clay jewellery.
We have just celebrated our 80th birthday with a magnificent tea party and a presentation based on the WI archives of our institute, something to be proud of.
On December 2nd Christmas Audio Visual Adventures will include a short presentation on Lord Hunt's expedition to Everest so we expect many guests that evening.
Two evenings of Carol Singing on the 14th and 21st of December and should you like details of this either to join in or to be carolled please contact Judith Tollman on 510672.
The new year begins with our Christmas lunch on Friday January 6th.
Please feel welcome to come along to any of our meetings, which should be advertised here on the website or on posters around the parish. If you would like to come but do not have transport I am sure we could arrange a lift.
If you would like to know more about us please contact Kath Graham our new President on 520977or Beverley Clements, Secretary on 520756
.