Chidham and Hambrook Village - everyday

Chidham and Hambrook - Chidham WI

Welcome to Chidham WI

Chidham WI comprises women from all walks of life and backgrounds . We are out going and friendly - we are always delighted to welcome new members, wherever you live. Stuffy we are not!
At our meetings we have interesting speakers, lively discussions and a good tea! We have frequent outings and activities in addition to the main programme. Friends and partners are welcome on trips when space allows.

Meetings:
Second Tuesday in month
Venue:
Chidham Village Hall (on A259)
Time :
2.15pm
For further information, telephone:
President: Delph Archer
01243 572839
Email link
Secretary: Ann Read
01243 572481
Email link
July meeting report - Garden meeting July 8th .

2008 Rain didn't stop play at the “Garden” meeting due to be held in Pauline Dowse's lovely garden. The Village Hall was transformed for the afternoon with plants, greenery and other garden items.

The theme was continued on the sales table which raised over £40.

The raffle, organized by Bianca Harrison, featured a lovely range of baskets planted creatively by her. (see picture)

Three members reported on their weekend at Denman College. Their chosen courses were the English country house, basic plumbing and wiring, and aspects of T'ai Chi. They all spoke very highly of the general facilities, atmosphere and teaching and encouraged members to book courses for themselves

The meeting closed after a particularly lavish tea.
June Meeting report

News from National Conference
As delegate for the Group, Gillian Hale, gave a very interesting account of the AGM in Liverpool , which she which she will be reporting to other institutes in the immediate area... The debate on the resolutions raised strong feelings resulting in a defeat for the ban on bottom trawling, whilst there was significant support for the provision of more appropriate facilities for prisoners with mental health problems.

On a lighter note, Sandy Toksvig's talk had them rolling in the aisles!

The Tea Team played host to a group from Rustington on 4th June.
PCSO Ives

Community Policing – A Name in Every Neighbourhood
“I've never done this before”, confessed PCSO Bruce Ives last Tuesday. Fortunately he was only referring to giving a talk to the WI on community policing.

With a background in the navy and nursing, his move to community policing draws on skills already established. His friendly and approachable manner, combined with practical local knowledge makes for effective action on his patch.

He emphasised that reporting even minor incidents is important to build up a complete picture of criminal activities in our area, and that villagers are the eyes and ears of the community.

Don't be afraid to call 0845 60 70 999 or contact www.sussex.police.uk

Chidham WI Walks Programme
Wednesday, 18th June - Fishbourne, Apuldram and Dell Quay ( 3-4 miles)
Meet Fishbourne car park at 10.00am   Thursday, 17th July – Binderton, The Trundle and Lavant (5 ½ miles )
Meet at Royal Oak 10.00am
Friday, 15 th August
– Trundle Trail (5 miles)
Tuesday, 2nd September – Wetlands Centre, Arundel.
Meet at Wetlands car park 10.30am
Monday, 6th October – Chidham to Southbourne returning via orchards (3 miles)

If the weather is poor the group usually manages to find a pub lunch!
For further information please contact Gillian Hale (572083) or Barbara Penny (573603)

Report on the Resolutions Meeting held on Tuesday 13th May.

WI Campaign

Grass roots democracy was in action this week as members debated the two resolutions which will be considered at the annual conference in Liverpool in June.

WI Advisor June Moran introducing the resolutions
The topics, the damage to marine life by bottom trawling nets, and the adverse effect on families by the inappropriate imprisonment of severely mentally ill people, are subjects which raise strong feelings. 

Our delegate, Gillian Hale, will be mandated to represent our views at National Conference.  The WI's influence on important issues is well known and we expect action yet again.
Delegate Gillian Hale
 
April 8th - Lacecraft
Bobbins, cushions and pins – the vocabulary of the lace maker was to be heard at this month's meeting of Chidham WI . The talk on lace was much more than an instruction on lace making and its technicalities. Mrs Eke spoke about different styles from the famous lace producing areas past and present: Brussels, Bruges, Malta, Honiton and Nottingham, for example. She talked about her inspirations for her own stunning pieces of work far removed from the humble lace border. The members learned that, sadly, lace making is a dying art.
Mrs Eke, who gave the talk on Lace

The evident enthusiasm of the speaker for her craft made for an enthralling afternoon. The exhibition of lace brought by members proved to be full of interest and heirlooms.

In next month's meeting on May 13th Resolutions to go forward to the AGM will be debated by members. This usually makes for a lively meeting.

No to jumble! Yes to quality!

Chidham WI held a very popular Spring Clearance Sale on Saturday, March 8th .
Members donated good quality items which “flew off the shelves” and made a healthy profit for funds.

 
WI meeting March 11th , 2008 - report
Mr David Child's talk about the Mary Rose was both stimulating and amusing. In a dramatic presentation he dispelled some historical rumours and told us of others. The Mary Rose's 35-year-old history before it sank was presented in the context of the lives of the noblemen and sailors of that time.
Mr Child generously donated a signed copy of his book “The Warship Mary Rose – the life and Times of King Henry VIII's Flagship” to the members' library.
Margaret Blott
26th Feb: Chidham WI's Annual Potato Lunch held in a member's house. Not wanting to miss out, the men came too. A variety of fillings were served with baked potatoes.
26 ladies came, and 3 husbands had their lunch next door.
"Lads who lunch"
Feb 4th 2008
Zero Tolerance for cobwebs!

A working party gathered to chase out the spiders in the village hall.


The WI massed for an attack on the cobwebs in the village hall.

Jan 22nd Pallant House Visit

Sixteen WI members and one husband met at Pallant House Gallery for a guided tour of the works displayed there. The theme was “Highlights of the Collection”.

The guides helped us focus on the artists as well as their work. The time passed so quickly that most people would have liked a longer tour. We will certainly make a return visit to study a further theme.

Thank you Pallant House Gallery.
Margaret Blott

Jan 15th - Fish and Chip Lunch
Twenty three WI members met at Renwood House last week on the wettest day of the year so far for a fish and chip lunch organised by the Social Committee. It was an event much enjoyed by all and certainly brightened up a dreadful day. Thanks to everyone concerned.

Jan 8th: At the meeting on Tuesday 8 th January , Mr John Clive entertained members with musical anecdotes and monologues.
If you would like to join the WI or just attend a meeting to see it is like, please get in touch. We can guarantee a warm and friendly welcome.

TASTER MORNING, September 2007

We had a successful social and educational get-together on the 25 th September, when members brought delicious food for tasting and the relevant recipes for us to try at home later.

The tables were decorated with vines and crab apples, which made the food - cakes, biscuits, scones, cheesecakes, jam, lemon curd, marmalade, pate - look even more inviting and everyone was eager to start the tasting. We had to be patient, however, since each cook was asked to present her offering by describing the origin of the recipe she had used and giving any advice necessary to ensure a good result.

The following recipes were brought and much enjoyed.

Raspberry Jam, Seville Orange Marmalade, Lemon Curd , Cheese and Tea Scones , Weetabix Cake , Raspberry Cheesecake , Upside-down Cake , Oat and Raisin Slices , Tebay Crunch , Boil and Bake Fruit Cake , Lemon Barbash , Dorset Apple Cake , Aubergine Slices , Farmhouse Pate

A varied menu for all who came - and nobody needed any lunch!


CHIDHAM WI CELEBRATES 80 YEARS!

2005 was a big year for Chidham Wi. We were 80 years old last
December and we celebrated this milestone through the following
events:"
A VILLAGE AFFAIR
May 2005
A unique exhibition celebrating the 80 years’ relationship between Chidham WI and the Village Hall


OUR 80 YEARS, THE BEGINNING

September 2005
An Entertainment, based on fact but with much humour

80 YEARS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

December 2005
This will be an especially grand birthday celebration!



OUR 80 YEARS – THE BEGINNING
There was a double celebration at Chidham WI’s September Meeting. Eighty years old and still meeting in the same hall! Chidham WI has met without a break in the old Malthouse, Chidham Lane, since 1925. To mark this event, a silver President’s Badge was presented to the current President, Mrs Delph Archer, by the longest serving member, Mrs Joan Rose.

To celebrate our 80 years the meeting became as we think it would have been in 1925, with members dressed in costumes of that era hired from the WI County Costume Wardrobe. See the photo of some of the members!

OUR 80 YEARS – THE BEGINNING

An Entertainment performed at the September Meeting of Chidham WI

The ladies of 1925 are, from left to right:

Mrs Beale, Hon Mrs Colvin, Mrs Cooper,
Miss Lucy Cunningham, Mrs Gillingham, Mrs Padwick

 The 2005 players shown are actually: Delph Archer, Pam Kennedy, Rae Pett, Joyce Christmas, Helen Theakston, Valerie Williams


An Entertainment devised by Delph Archer started with a re-enactment of the 1925 Inaugural Meeting, held to gauge the feeling in the village regarding the formation of a new WI. This was unanimously agreed upon and the Entertainment continued with Acts showing the first Committee Meeting and first Main Meeting of the new WI.

The 1925 records had been trawled to ensure that the Entertainment included genuine references to real incidents and characters of that time. A little humour was injected, to the amusement of everyone.

Little did Mrs Beale of Cobnor realise in 1925 that she would be taking centre stage in an enthusiastic performance in the same building in 2005. Nor did the first West Sussex County Chairman, the Hon. Mrs Colvin, realise what an impact her speech was to have on the ladies of Chidham in the 21st century. The Entertainment ended with a rousing rendition of Jerusalem and, of course, WI tea.

The stalwarts who founded Chidham WI 80 years ago would have been very pleased with the presentation of the silver badge, to be handed on to Presidents of Chidham WI for maybe another 80 years!

Delph Archer
President, Chidham WI



Back to top


| About this site | Terms of service | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us |