Bookhams Evening WI

BEWI members were all delighted when on village day, we were awarded a cup, donated by the Bookham Retail and Business Association, and presented by Michelle Hudspith and Ian Weiland from The Vineries, for the second best dressed stall. There was a wide selection of home-made cakes and biscuits for sale together with a variety of jewellery. There were a number of raffle prizes, and one member, Robbie Forbes had knitted a clown, and to win him you had to guess his name - Pumpkin. To add colour to the stall, three 'downs' - Maureen, Ann and June - were hard at work selling the goods. Although not dressed as clowns, Barbara Denore and Denise Etherington contributed greatly in the artistic planning and setting up of the stall. Other members were involved in bringing, selling the goods and counting the money at the end of the day!

So far this year our Institute has enjoyed outings arranged by Eastwick Wl (Dover Castle), the Emlyn Group (Battle Abbey) and they are also planning a second visit on 4th October to the Olympic site, starting from Stratford, through the Royal Docks and ending at Woolwich Arsenal. Earlier this month Surrey Federation booked a visit to tine Lightbox at Woking and The Surrey Heritage Centre, where we were taken 'behind the scenes' to see where their vast collection of records are stored - and where many are restored before reaching this stage.

Both our socials - 'Sounds Arresting' and the and the Shuffleboard Evening were very well attended with more than 100 at each event. We would welcome more 'ramblers' on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and if anyone is interested in singing for fun, the Emlyn Singers have a place for you. In March there is the Annual Council Meeting, and in September the Autumn Federation Meeting - both held at the Dorking Halls, and with excellent speakers. In addition BEWI awards a couple of bursaries each year for Denman College at Marcham, near Abingdon, where there are courses covering a wide range of subjects.

Have you ever considered joining the Wl? Please contact Ann Barnard on 01372 453103 if you would like further details.