Club reports

BRIXHAM WI

THE October meeting was very well attended with a lot of new members and five visitors. At this meeting members handicraft skills at making and painting some very attractive pots at China Blue and skills at mosaics were on display and much admired.

The speaker was Christine Saunders, and she gave a very interesting talk about the origins of the wonderful silk industry. She then showed some lovely craft ideas using silk to make paper, pictures and decorate glass.

Following the tea break Val Charlton got the group all bouncing in our chairs with some very good exercises and alert for the business and notices start to the second half of the afternoon.

The Raffle was in aid of Denman College.

Flower Competition: 1st Tina Hemmings, 2nd Kate Jackson, 3rd Elly Challoner.

A lovely knitted and crocheted blanket has been made by Brixham WI members and assembled by Sandy Philpott to be given to PATH.

In October the group also hosted the Kingswear Autumn Group Meeting starting with a baked potato lunch followed by a talk on the Sufferagettes in Devon. The competition was for a suitable sufferagette cocktail.

The Luncheon Club enjoyed an excellent meal at the Paignton Club and a walk along Berry Head took place in October. The walks have been much enjoyed.

Brixham WI’s Christmas Coach Tour to the Christmas Fair in Bath on November 22 is now full. Names were taken for the soup and sweet Lunch and Resolutions meetings at Ipplepen.

BISHOPSTEIGNTON PROBUS CLUB

THE club had its largest-ever attendance when former MP, minister and Conservative party chairman, Sir Jeremy Hanley, talked about his time in parliament.

On his first day, he was surprised when Ian Paisley sat next to him, so he said “I did not realise that you were on our side”, to which Paisley replied “Never confuse sitting on your side with being on your side.”

Sir Jeremy regularly played golf with Dennis Thatcher who shared his secret of a successful marriage: Dennis made all the important decisions but Margaret decided what was import-

Sir Jeremy Hanley and Probus Club member Roy Hattersley ant.

After the next election, Prime Minister John Major invited him to be Under-Secretary for Northern Ireland.

In shock, he said “Why me ?” and recovered immediately by adding “I mean thank you for the honour.” The PM replied, “Because you speak their language” which probably reflected the friendship Sir Jeremy had established with Ian Paisley.

In Ireland he had time for golf, where on one occasion he jumped to the ground quickly after hearing the click of a rifle nearby. Fortunately, it turned out to be a member of his protection squad.

He later took on other roles as a minister and it often felt like a boy’s own adventure. During his time in the Foreign Office he visited 103 countries and received 900 emails each day, but the most difficult role was as Conservative Party chairman.

TEIGN FILM MAKERS’ CLUB

THERE was a lively atmosphere at the final October meeting when members gathered to view over 20 films.

Hosted by Vice Chairman, Peter Hiner, the meeting commenced with the showing of four edited versions of footage resulting from the filming of the previous two meetings.

The films demonstrated that it is possible for several different film makers to take the same script and, using their individual ideas, skills and techniques, produce different but equally interesting results.

There followed the ‘one minute challenge’ (films limited to one minute in length) and it was especially encouraging to see less experienced members submitting entries and producing good films. Those practical evenings are paying dividends.

When requested by the makers, members also commented on and discussed individual films and everyone agreed that this was both interesting and beneficial to all.

Jim Gill provided the final film of the evening entitled Cockington, a record of a chance visit to the village when scenes for a professional film were being shot.

At the club meeting on November 12 it was archive night. Members brought along their films made over five years ago and some Club productions from the archives were shown.

Visitors are welcome to TFMC meetings so, if you have, or think you might have an interest in any aspect of video making (even if it is just watching), go along for a free taster to meet the members and see what you think with no ob-

Demonstrator Richard Forster visited Paignton Flower Club ligation.

For more information about the club visit their website or Facebook page.

INNER WHEEL OF TORQUAY

The annual Christmas Box packing has been done. These go on lorries to Moldova organised by the Christian Response to Eastern Europe, (CR2EE).

The group packed 31 boxes which were covered in Christmas paper which members are told the children treasure, with a few more to come, and the children will find a teddy in each donated by friends from Inner Wheel Clubs in Hereford.

At their November meeting, members and guests were treated to an extremely informative and enjoyable talk about the history and layers of clothing of Victorian women.

Julia Fox, Curator of the Tot- nes Fashion and Textiles Museum brought along a complete wardrobe of clothes from The Devonshire Collection, including a dress made of Royal Stewart material.

The embroidery and quality of the clothing was very impressive and members were allowed to touch the delicate articles wearing special gloves. The carriage parasol was most ingenious, with hinges to fold it away and also to incline it for private conversations on the newly built trains of the 1800s. The museum is open from mid-May to the end of September.

PAIGNTON FLOWER CLUB

THE club welcomed back popular local demonstrator Richard Forster to their meeting on November 15 with his demonstration entitled ‘What my Teacher tried to Teach me’.

For the group’s Christmas

Inner Wheel of Torquay members with their Christmas boxes for Moldova