AT the beginning of June 23 of us, including partners and family, were given a fascinating insight into Bristol in the Blitz.
We met at the Commercial Rooms for coffee before joining our guide Duncan for a tour of St Nicholas Market and the nearby air raid shelters.
We saw photos of the devastation of Castle Green due to one night’s bombing, and how Bristolians managed in the air raid shelters.
Duncan was amazing, managing to add in humour to what is clearly a serious subject, and mentioned that some of us might see ‘Margaret’, the resident ghost, who appears now and then if she feels like it!
The visit takes two hours but, being absorbed by the story, it flashed by.
A week later we had our meeting in the hall.
The speaker we had booked unfortunately had to cancel due to family problems, so we improvised with an evening styled on ‘bingo lingo’.
A Dolly brought along a machine and cards, three Dollies took turns at calling and we made up our own sing-along rhymes to go with the numbers.
One of our Dollies celebrated her 60th birthday with us, so with plenty of homemade cakes, tea and coffee, what could have been a disappointing evening turned out to be an absolute hoot.
Our monthly pub lunch at the Lamb in Mangotsfield is, as always, very well supported: our thanks to Kate and her team.
For more information, email carol@applause.co.uk.
Carol Coombs
RODWAY RUBIES WI
THANK you to everyone who made cakes and popped into Mangotsfield URC in June to support their fundraising for the Jessie May Trust and Gympanzees.
It was very successful, and was followed by the Rodway Rubies WI coffee morning at the same venue later, in aid of BUST.
Our trip to Buckfast Abbey and Dartmouth was not blessed with good weather, but members made the most of the day.
We were much luckier at the Badminton House Gardens open day, with ideal temperatures and a lovely show of flowers in a beautiful setting.
Our recent speakers have included a couple who spent time on Mercy Ships serving West Africa, and a talk called ‘Goats of the Gorge’ by a father and son whose family business sells skin products they make from goats’ milk. They brought some along, and our members duly indulged!
In July, Andrew Stocker from the Bristol Old Vic will give a talk called ‘Then and Now’, which should be fascinating.
We don’t have a meeting in August, but a group is getting together to visit 20th Century Flicks at the bottom of Christmas Steps, for a new cinema experience.
In September we are hosting a country and western evening at Lincombe Barn for our members and those from other local WIs. Tickets are £12, to include supper, and are available now.
We are hoping for a full turnout, in appropriate gear for those who have it – otherwise just come and enjoy the music and company.
We meet on the third Monday of the month at St James Church, Mangotsfield.
Jane Eldon