WHAT TO EXPECT AT OUR MEETINGS

At your first meeting you will be greeted at the door by a member who will check you in and give you a name badge. The general format of the meeting is:

• Welcome and general updates from our President.
• Secretary – update about current events and campaigns for the Belles, Federation of IOW WIs, and the National Federation of WIs.
• Treasurer (quarterly) – update on our finances.
• Break for tea or coffee and biscuits; there is no charge, but please put a £1 donation the Red Tea Pot. Please bring your own mug.
• Raffle tickets are sold, £1 a ticket, there are usually 5 or 6 prizes.
• Speaker, Demonstration or Fun Activity.
• Finally, winners of the table competition will be announced, and the raffle will be drawn.
  

EXAMPLES OF SPEAKERS, DEMONSTRATIONS and ACTIVITIES from the past year

Paula from Brading Roman Villa – helping us make our own mosaic tiles.

Carol Court from IOW Charity Ability Dogs 4 Young People explained how the charity helps children/young adults with physical and mental disabilities. We were introduced to two puppies, Kenny and Summer, together with their puppy parents – volunteers who train the puppies for up to two years.

Nick Pointing gave a fascinating talk on how a home-made Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car came to be, and his travels across the world in it with his wife. A very enjoyable and entertaining afternoon for everyone.

Christmas food and mulled wine, games and a Singalong with the talented Hanna Nixon.

Shademakers Carnival Company showing us their amazing headdresses.

A very interesting talk on owls from Keith and Anne Jenkins, accompanied by their beautiful female barn owl R2.

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Disabled Access
Wheelchair access and toilet (left hand side of building).

Sub Groups

In addition to the monthly meeting, we have a number of sub groups which members can join. All meet monthly at 2pm on a weekday:
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Craft Group - Learning a new craft each month with a demonstration, instructions and materials provided. Plus tea and biscuits of course - at the Cloisters in Bembridge.

Book Group - We choose titles from the book group list provided by IOW Library service - those which look appealing, are by authors we like or perhaps we’ve read in the past and recommend to the group. The books are collected and distributed at each meeting and we discuss our views on the book over a coffee at the Birdham in Bembridge.

French Conversation - Meeting at a member's house, we each read a short piece we've prepared, or attempt a crossword or similar - all aimed at refreshing our (sometimes very distant) memory of the French vocabulary and grammar. All abilities/levels are welcome at this relaxed group.

Coffee Mornings - Meeting at the Birdham in Bembridge on the last Friday each month for a catch up and chat.

Gardening Group - Running from Spring to Autumn, we swap seeds, plants and knowledge, go to NGS gardens together and visit each others' gardens.

We additionally have frequent outings organised - for example to the Theatre, lunch, croquet, Brading Roman Villa, Bembridge Fort, Carisbrooke Castle, Afternoon Tea...anything which appeals to our members!