THE July meeting began with a welcome to members and guests and the singing of ‘Jerusalem’. The President summarised events over a busy few weeks since we last met. The June meeting had been a visit to the Gordon Russell Museum in Broadway followed by a pub fish and chip supper. Located in the original workshop, the Museum celebrates the life and work of Gordon Russell and his Company over a period of sixty years in Broadway. We were guided by two very knowledgeable volunteers who enabled us to appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of the iconic furniture designs and decorative pieces. Thanks to Ann Taylor for organising a most enjoyable evening.

The Village Fete had been a huge success, with approximately 1,000 visitors through the gate. A special visitor was Penelope Keith who was in the area filming for her ‘Hidden Villages’ series. She met and spoke with various WI members who were running stalls and staffing the tea tent. Members were thanked for all their hard work with other village organisations to produce a real community event.

Despite the weather the Church Open Day had also been a great success with WI sewing group members exhibiting the work which will be incorporated in the new kneelers.

The Institute will be heavily involved in the celebration of the 175th anniversary of Ebrington School on July 18th. Members will be in school for the whole day leading cookery, craft and local history activities resplendent in Victorian dress.

A Kurling Evening has been arranged to raise money for the Denman College Appeal and Willersey, Campden and Mickleton Institutes have been invited for a fun evening at the Village Hall with supper.

We were reminded to sign up for duties on Sunday 14 August in support of the Great Shakespeare Hospice Bike Ride. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve refreshments.

Our July speaker arrived in splendid Edwardian dress in the persona of Beatrice De Brassey, a strong-minded lady who was a close friend of Mrs Pankhurst and very active in the Suffragette movement. Beatrice, aka Nadine Carr, gave us a very lively and thought provoking presentation on the struggle for women’s suffrage and the effect of the Great War on the eventual granting of votes for women.

We do not meet in August and our next meeting will be on Thursday 8 September. Guests and prospective members are most welcome at 7.00 pm in Ebrington village hall.