Kibworth and Smeeton Women’s Institute
September meeting
Andy Smith entertained us with “Sing a Century” in our lively September meeting. He set the mood for the evening by telling us that he particularly loves entertaining WIs because it’s all ladies so there is never a queue for the gentlemen’s toilets!
Andy sang a song for every decade, though not in chronological order. For instance, he began with the Beatles’ “What would you do if I sang out of tune” playing a ukulele he was given when he was five – he thought it was a guitar! It was bought in Woolworth’s, but is special because it has the Beatles’ signatures on it! Andy had a guitar in his teens and his neighbour had a drum kit. They used to play together – but on either side of the dividing wall between their homes – very loudly, so they could hear each other!
Andy took us back and forth with his songs and guitar, from Oasis to Cole Porter, Joe Brown to Adele. He joked that his daughter asked him to play at her wedding, saying he could choose the song, but should run it past her first. The song he chose? ‘Ain’t no pleasing you’ from Chas and Dave!
Covid was sad and lonely. Andy’s wife had died and he couldn’t see his children, so he wrote poetry and a book of his life. In 2024 he was telling his grandchildren silly stories from his youth. His daughter urged him to write them down so he put them into the book of his life. The book made £15,000 for the Hospice which cared for his wife. What an enjoyable evening!
Glenfield Hospital
Committee member Betty Elloy delivered more monitor bags to Glenfield Hospital, where patients can use them to safely carry their heart monitors around with them.
Remembrance poppy display
Members have been adding to the Remembrance poppy display which will be installed in and around St Wilfrid’s at the end of October. In November we will hold our AGM, followed by ‘Christmas Crafting’ with Beverley.
Pat Sharman
Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital
