Sidlesham WI

A warm welcome was extended to all the members and Suzanne was thanked for providing the pretty array of pinks for the top table.

Zena volunteered to provide the flowers for next month and members were reminded to register as they enter the church rooms.

As from June a paper copy of the West Sussex News will be given out to members as they sign in.

Jerusalem was sung and then Sue, the president, explained that after the discussion last month a Prunus Mount Fuji tree, which measures 7ft tall, was purchased to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The tree has fragrant white flowers and is a flowering cherry.

It has already been planted in the Sidlesham Memorial Hall Garden and in the summer a ceremony will take place to mark the occasion, a small plaque will be erected and a photoshoot will take place.

Other news was that the forthcoming West Sussex Federation Annual Meeting, on October 20, is now to be held virtually.

There were some new ideas for the Summer Outing and members were reminded to put their names down.

An invitation had been received to attend Selsey WI’S 101st birthday celebration.

Marilyn had arranged for the Lunch Bunch to take place on April 25 and Ann explained she is still collecting stamps for the Canine Partners and spoke about her recent visit there.

Next Kathy Hall, the speaker for the afternoon, began her talk on ‘Petworth House and Park, the place, the people and the collection’.

Kathy, who has been a volunteer at the house for the past ten years, gave an informative summary of the history of the house and how it has been adapted over time.

The wonderful gardens by Capability Brown were illustrated with colourful slides and Van Dyke and Turner paintings were explored along with the Sculpture Gallery.

Zena thanked the speaker and it was agreed that many of the members, most of whom had already visited the house, had really been encouraged to revisit its many treasures.

Tea was then served and the raffle called.

Kathy very kindly judged the Bloom of the Month competition and first place went to Suzanne with her tulip, second place was Sue with her fritillaria, and third Louisa’s Chaenomeles japonica.

The next meeting is the Resolution Meeting, which will take place at 2.15pm on May 11, and everyone was asked to read the write up in WI Life so that a discussion can take place.

This will be followed by a Beetle Drive and Mary will bring the Sidlesham WI archives for members to look at.