GREAT HARWOOD DISTRICT WI

TOM Pearson from Belthorn spoke of his ‘Life Experiences’ when he visited Great Harwood WI.

Born in 1941 in Blackburn in a chip shop, he was brought up by his mother in a one parent family.

He was very interesting and amusing but said that we had to take everything he said ‘with a pinch of salt’.

For over 30 years he worked for the Refuge Insurance Company.

An account of his life visiting his grandparents on their farm was augmented by his reading two poems relating to these visits - ‘Come to Lancashire’ and ‘Old Tin Bath’.

Most of the talk was taken up by him reading poems about life and Lancashire, such as one about a reunion of his work mates.

His favourite poem was about a tea dance.

Also, he read one by Pam Ayres on cruise sailing and a couple from a book by local lady Doris Snape entitled ‘Kisses’ and ‘Top Shop’.

He ended with the ‘Tourist Prayer’ then sang a Music Hall Song written in 1931 called ‘Just a Cot in Ribble Valley’.

A very interesting and funny afternoon with a lot of Lancashire dialect.

The next WI meeting will be at 2pm on Wednesday, September 12 at Bank Mill House with a selection of films shown by Spellbound Films.

Visitors and potential members are welcome.