THE DARNHALL AND WETTENHALL WOMEN'S INSTITUTE 

Mrs M Sherry, Mrs H Walker,and Mrs B Barker at the Tree Planting Ceremony

The Women's Institute meet on the first Tuesday every month, except January, at The Village Hall, Hall Lane, Darnhall at 7.30pm.

Non members are welcome to come along to any of our meetings. More details on activities can be obtained from 01270 528367.

Latest Meeting

2nd March 2010 :
The March meeting taken by Jean Hitchen, the President, began with two minutes silence for Mabel Newall, who had died suddenly since the 90th Birthday Party, when she that made a speech wishing the WI a busy and happy 90th year. Mabel was a past President and very active member. Jerusalem was sung and the speaker for the evening welcomed. But that is a contradiction in fact - we had about ten speakers and only 2 of them spoke because they were the SMART hand bell ringers from Middlewich. Their played various pieces of music, some old, some new Nursery rhythms, and songs from the shows, and members occasionally sang.
One of the team told us of the exploits in getting lost in both the music and finding venues.

In February most of the members had gone to the Lowry Outlet Village and the Theatre to see Calendar Girls and had enjoyed the trip immensely, but had decided not to take up the challenge of Getting Naked for a photoshoot.

Members were told of forthcoming Group and County Events together with details of a Ten Pin Bowling Evening, Darts and a Craft Class all to take place before the next meeting.

Tea and cakes followed, and a time for chat and to look at the book stall.

The draw for the Darnhall Village Hall 200 Club was done by the speakers and the winning numbers are 5.60.122.148

2010 Birthday Celebration

2010 is a momentous year for this institute because on the 8th February the institute was ninety years old, and one of the oldest in the County if not the Country. To mark this event a Birthday Celebration was held on the 9th February.

Members attended the Birthday Celebration is the Hall on the 9th February and enjoyed a hot buffet and deserts. Phil Boulton played the keyboard during the evening with music from 1920 to 2010. Jenny Brookes cut the Birthday Cake and Mabel Newall made a speech to mark the occasion. Jean Hitchen proposed a toast. County Chairman Margery Hall and representatives of Forest Group attended the evening, and thanked members for their hospitality and wished them well for the future.

Members had staged an exhibition of holidays though the generations, and also a display of craft work

The evening ended with Auld Lang Syne.

Next Meeting

The next meeting is on 6th April 2010

Last Year's Activities

Last autumn the WI reintroduced a show where members could express their talents in various ways, and this will repeated again this year with more classes to enter because the responses last year were better than expected. As hoped, like the oak tree that marks the centre of Cheshire, large oak trees from small acorns grow, and that oak tree is growing fast beside the Village Hall. With both new properties being built in the area, and older buildings being converted into homes, it is hoped that interest in the local Women's Institute will grow.

Raising Money

As many ladies moving into the area are learning we are not all ‘Jam and Jerusalem'. For this year we have taken part in a Darts Competition and a General Knowledge quiz without disgracing ourselves. Members have taken part in Crown Green Bowling and Ten Pin Bowling, together with classes in Flower Arranging, and will shortly learn how to make Pin Flare with one of our members providing the tuition. A number of our members are hoping to raise money by being sponsors to swim half a mile for ‘Children in Nepal' following an evening held in Spring when Sheila Bull talked to us about life in Nepal. Anyone interesting in sponsoring this project please contact the Parish Clerk.This is one of the oldest institutes in Cheshire and is looking forward to another year of varied and interesting speakers, and an interesting variety of activities. Anyone is welcome to come along and visit, enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of home made cake without obligation to join.

Contacts : 

President : Mrs J Hitchen 01606.833010
Secretary : Mrs L Edwards 01606.551669  
Treasurer : Mrs J Boulton 01270.835307

Also arranged are other social events including walking, darts, bowling (both Ten-pin and Crown Green) and cinema tickets.

For more details contact 01606 551669

The Women's Institute online at http://www.thewi.org.uk/