The women of Wyesham WI have, as usual, been very busy.

After last month’s meeting, several members enjoyed a lunch at the Anchor Inn in Tintern and on Saturday, 19th November, will have hosted a table top sale at the Community Hall in Wyesham. 

The meeting on Monday, 14th November was very well attended.  Members were given the menu for the Christmas lunch (always held in January when we all need cheering up!), were invited to attend a skittles evening at the Royal Oak on Tuesday 29th November and listened to President Daphne Evans read the latest news from Gwent WI ,then settled down to enjoy the night’s speaker, Wyesham locals Lian and Paul whose company Happy Dumpling 365 has been making quite an impact at markets and festivals around Monmouthshire. 

They produce tasty Chinese dumplings which are made from start to finish by themselves.  Lian demonstrated how to make the round casings for the dumplings (they look a bit like tiny pasties), which had a tasty meat filling prepared earlier by Lian.  Two brave ladies had a go at making them.  The resulting dumplings were then either steamed or fried and everyone got to sample the tasty results. Lian and Paul were warmly thanked for the hard work they had put in to make this a memorable evening and everyone wished them well in their business.

A year ago, Secretary Jane Laurie had the idea that if members contributed their spare pennies at the meeting, then there might be enough in a year to pay for a wreath that could be placed on Monmouth’s cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday on behalf of Wyesham WI.  So, over the year, the ladies put their odd pennies into a pot and there was indeed enough for the wreath. 

Jane and another member Laura Mak proudly walked with other wreath bearers to St James’ Square and the war memorial on Sunday 13th November.  Many WI members around the country are currently or have been members of the Services, or have been or are “military wives”, or have children in the Services.

The wreath also reminds people of the role the WI took in keeping up morale during the dark days of World War II.  Congratulations to Jane for coming up with the idea and it is one that will continue into the future.

Next meeting is Monday 12th December, 7pm at Wyesham Community Hall.  New members very welcome.