Saxonwood WI

Our speaker was Pam Robinson from Demelza House Hospice for Sick Children.

The motto of Demelza House is ‘Adding life to days when days cannot be added to life’.

This adage is excellently acted upon in the daily love and attention which the staff and volunteers of Demelza Hospice cheerfully give to all the children, parents and siblings in their care.

They come for respite and help to deal with the every day life and dealings of families who have sick children.

Pam showed us lively and colourful computer images of both Demelza houses in the south of England.

They both had stimulating environments in which to involve the children.

These include a sensory room, a music room, a jacuzzi room, an art room and TIZ (teenage inclusion zone) to list but a few.

She outlined a day in the working life of a typical Demelza nurse who visits sick children at home.

There is a great need for these nurses and hospices. The demands far outstrip the available affordable facilities.

We would like to thank Pam very much for her moving talk.

A spontaneous donation was given to Pam by our members to help the hospice in its good work.

Our competition this week was a handmade child’s toy.

Six or seven beautifully made toys were displayed for the competition.

First prize went to Sue for the fun pop-up puppet, second prize went to Rita for a very sweet doll with a wobbly head and third prize was given to Trish who had knitted a lovely colourful soft ball.

It was very difficult to choose winners from the exhibits and we thank the members for their fine work.

All the toys were given to Pam to take back to Demelza House.

A member from Sedlescombe WI gave us an amusing account of the AGM in the Albert Hall in early June.

Julian Fellows of Downton Abbey fame was the main speaker. He was excellent and the spectacular ending was a visit from the Strictly Come Dancing team which set feet tapping on the way home from the meeting! Thank you for the special account.

Our entries for the South of England Show were returned and everyone received good marks and comments.

Pam Saunders’ entry did very well indeed. The lovely child’s Fancy Dress costume (Cinderella) was Highly Commended!

To finish this evening, we congratulated Maureen Dixon for achieving the proud age of 90 years.

She was sent a beautiful hand-made birthday card from Saxonwood members and after singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and blowing out her candles, we all enjoyed strawberry and cream scones with our tea.

FUTURE DIARY DATES.

Monday June 25 - Last meeting of Craft and Chat before the summer break, 2pm in the St Valery Room. Do come along. Tea and biscuits provided. £1 entry.

August 13 - Croquet competition at Eastbourne.

August 25 - Bowling tester at Chelwood Gate.

Saturday September 8 - Talking for the Terrified at £7.50 at Hailsham headquarters.

September 22 - WI support team E-mails Explained.

Saturday September 15/22 - Crochet workshop (individual applications).

Sept 26 - Buck House outing (individual application) £29.

Sept 29 - Chutney Challenge.

Details of these are in your monthly magazine.

Please note, the July meeting has been unavoidably changed to Windmill Hill. Talk and illustrations by Mrs Frost.

The competition will remain the same, ie. WW2 Memorabilia. Please look out what you have and bring it along.

Elizabeth would be grateful if she could keep these items till the October Rother Group Meeting in which there is a competition display entitled WW2 Heroines.

All new members welcome. Details from 01424 773745.