Kibworth and Smeeton WI

During the summer we enjoyed an entertaining talk about Rockingham Castle and a mouth-watering demonstration of creating beautiful chocolate items. In August we celebrated our 107th birthday with a meal and quizzes.
Flower arranging demonstration
In September Mrs Anne Smith gave us a flower-arranging demonstration and talk. Her lifelong interest was sparked when, as a child, her mother took her along to classes. She trained in floristry and flower arranging, which she taught for many years and also worked in a florist’s shop. She still teaches recreational classes. Anne has a farm near Bitteswell, which members have visited several times. From her lovely garden she sources much of the greenery and flowers for her arrangements. She buys containers from charity shops.

Anne created three different arrangements. First, a traditional triangular shape comprised of flowers in shades of pink, including roses, carnations and chrysanthemums. An unusual plant native to South Africa, River Star, provided interest with its grey, felty narrow leaves and tiny white flowers.
For her modern shape Anne used a small bowl and oasis. A tall column of purple gladioli had at its base closely grouped purple and white chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, and asters. Fateshedera leaves formed a striking base.
For her autumnal arrangement Anne chose a plate and oasis. Around a small branch of wood she placed orange and yellow flowers – roses, golden rod, astrantia and dianthus. Grasses, clematis seed heads, confers and pine cones completed the autumn effect. Anne chatted while she worked and kindly raffled the beautiful arrangements won by three very happy members. It was a successful evening, enjoyed by everyone.
Thank you
Following our appeal for yarns we received generous donations from as far afield as Birstall and Market Harborough! In addition we were given high-quality fabrics which we are using to make more monitor bags for Glenfield Hospital. Thank you so much for helping us to support our local hospitals.
Our October talk is ‘One of the First Female Airline Pilots’. On Thursday 13 November we have our AGM and a defibrillator demonstration by the Heart Trust. Both at 7.30pm, Kibworth Community Hub.
Pat Sharman and Betty Elloy