Women's Institute - July Update

Nocton and District WI

The July meeting was another very well attended open meeting. Matters discussed during the business part of the meeting included the decision to buy a copy of the soon to be published book "Womens Century: An Illustrated History of the WI". As part of this year’s centenary celebrations all the current members will sign the book which will be kept as both a souvenir and a source of reference for any WI member.

The team who put together the excellent entry for the Lincolnshire Show were congratulated on the high marks they received. Overall the team were just one point short of attaining third place and Jenny`s beautiful craft entry attained a thoroughly well deserved full score of 20 marks.

Everyone present enjoyed a selection of delicious cakes with tea and coffee before Sue Robey gave the talk for the evening on “Pyrography – Burning Designs on Wood and Leather”. Sue began with a history of this fascinating craft which began in the 16th century when a poker heated in a fire was used to draw and create the designs. It was then revived in the Victorian era where the heat source was a very risky flammable liquid before  moving on to more dependable electricity in the 20th century. The tool of choice now resembles an old fashioned ink pen where the heated point can be shaped according to the designs being made. Any natural material can be used to burn the design into including wood, gourds, bone and leather. Sue uses wood and leather; the former is best to have a close grain such as Sycamore, Beech, Lime and Maple and the later has to be vegetable tanned leather of either Calf, Buffalo or Goat. They was an amazing display of Sues crafted items which could be purchased  including leather bookmarks and bracelets and wooden coasters, letter openers and very beautiful and intricate boxes. Her talk finished with an opportunity to have a hands on attempt at some basic pyrography techniques.

The raffle was won by Maryann and the competition results were Julie first place, Fiona second  and Doreen third. The topic of the competition was a "Pencil Drawing of Trees" and the standard of the entries was incredibly high. More hidden talent within the group.

August brings another open meeting on Monday 10th so please come along and meet the group. The talk is entitled "English, Irish and Contemporary Songs" so it promises to be a fun, rousing and possibly noisy evening. The cost is £3 and the evening begins with the business section at 7.15pm, tea and cakes at 7.45pm and the talk at 8pm.

If you would like more information about our WI either come along on the second Monday of every month or ring Jane on 01526323633.