March Movie Madness
A change of pace for Herts Belles this month as we invited film stuntman Roy Scammell to talk to us about his experiences in film and television.
Roy began his career as a professional ice skater and ice hockey player before his talents were recognised and he trained to be a stuntman.
Roy recalled his work in James Bond films, Indiana Jones, Alien and Mini driving around in The Italian Job with clips from the films.
He had us star-struck with tales about Peter Sellers, Frank Sinatra and working with Stanley Kubrick on A Clockwork Orange, working on Doctor Who and being the Milk Tray man.
With lots of cake and a DVD swap, a very entertaining evening was had by all.
Friday, 20 May 2016
An oh sew lovely February
An oh sew lovely February
Needles at the ready, the Belles welcomed fellow WI-er Jane Cobley from Sandridge WI for an evening of chicken scratch embroidery.
Jane us a brief introduction and showed some beautiful examples before we got started. Chicken scratch embroidery, also known as Amish embroidery or depression lace, is a style of cross stitch usually sewn onto gingham. Chicken scratch is a technique that is believed to originate in the United States, becoming largely popular between the 1930's-1950's - hence the term 'depression lace'. It was used as a way of creating more expensive, lace-like appearance to cheaper gingham fabric that was more readily available to women during this period. It is characterised by three main types of hand-embroidery stitches: running stitches, cross-stitch and double cross-stitch.
Despite the complicated looking pattern, it wasn't long before everyone was stitching away. The simple, but effective, design meant that even beginners could produce something very lovely in the space of an evening. Lots of members were inspired to go home and complete their designs and continue sewing after the meeting.
With breaks for cake and a craft themed lucky dip it was a very busy evening.
Needles at the ready, the Belles welcomed fellow WI-er Jane Cobley from Sandridge WI for an evening of chicken scratch embroidery.
Jane us a brief introduction and showed some beautiful examples before we got started. Chicken scratch embroidery, also known as Amish embroidery or depression lace, is a style of cross stitch usually sewn onto gingham. Chicken scratch is a technique that is believed to originate in the United States, becoming largely popular between the 1930's-1950's - hence the term 'depression lace'. It was used as a way of creating more expensive, lace-like appearance to cheaper gingham fabric that was more readily available to women during this period. It is characterised by three main types of hand-embroidery stitches: running stitches, cross-stitch and double cross-stitch.
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| Beautiful examples |
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| What we were aiming for |
Despite the complicated looking pattern, it wasn't long before everyone was stitching away. The simple, but effective, design meant that even beginners could produce something very lovely in the space of an evening. Lots of members were inspired to go home and complete their designs and continue sewing after the meeting.
With breaks for cake and a craft themed lucky dip it was a very busy evening.
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| A few treats to keep us going |
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Twisting the night away
January's meeting started the year with bang!
After an introduction by the committee and welcome to all the new faces, a packed meeting hall welcomed Ad'ka and her hoops to introduce us to the exciting world of power hooping.
Exercising with a twist, the Belles were soon twisting, wiggling and in many cases laughing their way through the taster sessions.
For those unable, or unwilling (!), to take part crafting corner was in full swing with members working on their own projects and designing ideas for our Jungle Canopy caravan to send to Calais.
With lots of new members and visitors there was a lot of chatting and debating over the 2016 resolutions. Lots of tea and lots of cake was eaten and unwanted Christmas presents were raffled to raise money to put back into the WI.
A fantastic, lively start to the year!
If you enoyed the hooping and want to find out more contact Ad'ka at adkafitness.co.uk
See you next month for chicken scratch embroidery. Don't forget to bring your scissors!
Best wishes
Emma C
After an introduction by the committee and welcome to all the new faces, a packed meeting hall welcomed Ad'ka and her hoops to introduce us to the exciting world of power hooping.
Exercising with a twist, the Belles were soon twisting, wiggling and in many cases laughing their way through the taster sessions.
For those unable, or unwilling (!), to take part crafting corner was in full swing with members working on their own projects and designing ideas for our Jungle Canopy caravan to send to Calais.
With lots of new members and visitors there was a lot of chatting and debating over the 2016 resolutions. Lots of tea and lots of cake was eaten and unwanted Christmas presents were raffled to raise money to put back into the WI.
A fantastic, lively start to the year!
If you enoyed the hooping and want to find out more contact Ad'ka at adkafitness.co.uk
See you next month for chicken scratch embroidery. Don't forget to bring your scissors!
Best wishes
Emma C
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Holidays are coming...
Holidays are coming....
Deck the hall with wreaths of holly
Herts Belles started preparing for the holiday season at November's meeting. The lovely Nadine, from Spinney Cottage Flowers, came down to demonstrate how to make stunning door wreaths and table centre pieces.
Nearly 60 members and guests packed the hall to get creative with the festive foliage and it wasn't long before the whole room smelt of Christmas trees.
Lots of laughter, cake and a few pricked fingers later and everyone was heading home with stunning creations.
It was lovely to meet so many new faces and we hope to see you back for our next meeting
in January.
Deck the hall with wreaths of holly
Herts Belles started preparing for the holiday season at November's meeting. The lovely Nadine, from Spinney Cottage Flowers, came down to demonstrate how to make stunning door wreaths and table centre pieces.
Nearly 60 members and guests packed the hall to get creative with the festive foliage and it wasn't long before the whole room smelt of Christmas trees.
Lots of laughter, cake and a few pricked fingers later and everyone was heading home with stunning creations.
It was lovely to meet so many new faces and we hope to see you back for our next meeting
in January.
Make do and mend
November also saw Herts Belles take part in Sustainable St Albans week. Emma G and Jean brought some Oh Sew Vintage magic to the Repair Workshop, mending everything from bags to trousers, while the Belles hosted a tea room and cake stall. Cake sales raised £233 for Wi funds - well done everyone!
Festive Fun
While there was no formal meeting in December, Herts Belles booked our annual and now traditional meal at Bar Espresso. Eat, drink and be merry was definitely the order of the day with lots of laughing, party hats and very bad Christmas cracker jokes. A great night - no doubt we'll be back for more fabulous food and great company next year.
Well, what a great end to the year! See you all in January for power hooping and bad secret Santa!
Best wishes
Emma C x
Monday, 9 November 2015
Out and About in October!
October was a busy month for Herts Belles!
Ghosts, Ghouls and things that go bump in St Albans...
As Halloween approached, October's meeting saw the bravest of the Belles hit the streets of St Albans on a ghost walk. Led by local tour guides Bernard and Elizabeth the walk took us to some of the oldest, most interesting and most haunted buildings in the city.
The tour started outside the Old Town Hall where we learned about the ghostly soldiers who died in the Battles of St Albans during the Wars of the Roses in the fifteenth century. Witnesses have heard the clattering of hooves and clinking of armour on the anniversary of the battles.
Then we headed to The Grange, now Nationwide, the building dates back to 1763 and was built by John Osbourne, a former mayor of St Albans. It is said to be haunted by his daughter-in-law Dorothy Osbourne who killed herself when she found out her husband was having an affair. Her ghost has been seen disappearing through walls and workers in the offices have reported a ghostly chill in the air even when the heating is on....
We also headed to Ivy House and heard the gruesome story of Meades the chambermaid. Many people have reported seeing the apparition of a young woman dressed in white going up the staircase of the building. She is thought to be the ghost of Meades, a servant who found herself pregnant by a member of the household and was punished by being bricked up alive behind a wall of the house!
After hearing about various pubs, inns and houses with enough ghostly goings-on to keep Yvette Fielding and the Most Haunted team busy for a whole series, we ended the tour at the Cathedral. Alongside the usual array of ghostly monks, heretics and exorcisms we heard how organ is mysteriously heard playing even when the church is empty and locked - spooky!
For more information about walking tours of St Albans have a look at the website http://www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk/
After the raffle was drawn, all that was left was to thank everyone for a fantastic evening and wish everyone a safe journey home. Now we can relax and look forward to the Spring group meeting!
We would like to thank everyone who came, all the fabulous acts who performed and everyone who gave their time and hard work to organise such a fantastic evening.
The next meeting sees the Belles back at the Jubilee Centre getting ready for the festive season with a Christmas wreath making workshop run by Nadine form Spinney Cottage flowers. The cost of the workshop is £7.50 which covers all the materials you will need to make a fabulous wreath or table centrepiece. Full details of the evening are on our Facebook page so hopefully see you there...
Best wishes,
Emma C
Ghosts, Ghouls and things that go bump in St Albans...
As Halloween approached, October's meeting saw the bravest of the Belles hit the streets of St Albans on a ghost walk. Led by local tour guides Bernard and Elizabeth the walk took us to some of the oldest, most interesting and most haunted buildings in the city.
The tour started outside the Old Town Hall where we learned about the ghostly soldiers who died in the Battles of St Albans during the Wars of the Roses in the fifteenth century. Witnesses have heard the clattering of hooves and clinking of armour on the anniversary of the battles.
Then we headed to The Grange, now Nationwide, the building dates back to 1763 and was built by John Osbourne, a former mayor of St Albans. It is said to be haunted by his daughter-in-law Dorothy Osbourne who killed herself when she found out her husband was having an affair. Her ghost has been seen disappearing through walls and workers in the offices have reported a ghostly chill in the air even when the heating is on....
We also headed to Ivy House and heard the gruesome story of Meades the chambermaid. Many people have reported seeing the apparition of a young woman dressed in white going up the staircase of the building. She is thought to be the ghost of Meades, a servant who found herself pregnant by a member of the household and was punished by being bricked up alive behind a wall of the house!
After hearing about various pubs, inns and houses with enough ghostly goings-on to keep Yvette Fielding and the Most Haunted team busy for a whole series, we ended the tour at the Cathedral. Alongside the usual array of ghostly monks, heretics and exorcisms we heard how organ is mysteriously heard playing even when the church is empty and locked - spooky!
For more information about walking tours of St Albans have a look at the website http://www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk/
Soggy Bottoms and Warm Buns...
Herts Belles teamed up with Waterstones to host two bake off competitions in St Albans and Welwyn Garden City. Entrants were judged on their creativity, taste, presentation and technique plus an overall star baker award. We were there promoting all things WI and talking to potential members.
A host of celebrity judges including Charlotte White from Restoration Cakes, Masterchef finalist Theo Michaels and Herts Advertiser food critic Becky Alexander were joined by Lucy from Heaven is a Cupcake, Danny Smith, presenter of West Herts Drivetime and Mayor of St Albans Salih Gaygusuz to taste the vast array of cakes on offer.
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| The judges hard at work sampling the entries |
With the pressure to uphold the WI's reputation, Herts Belles ladies did us proud! At the St Albans Bake Off Bec won the award for best tasting bake and Dawn won Star Baker, while at the Welwyn Bake Off Emma G won best presentation. Congratulations!
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| Dawn and Bec with judge Charlotte White |
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| Dawn's Star Baker cake |
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| Emma G's award winning Nutella cake |
Music, Magic and More...
This month saw us host our long-awaited Autumn Group Meeting for the other local WI's.
Nearly 100 WI members packed out the London Road Club for an exciting evening of entertainment.
The evening was compered by friend of the Belles. Cllr Annie Brewster and began with a recording of 'Loving Hearts and Skilful Hands: by Sandra Kerr and Werca's Choir, a song written especially for the WI Centenary.
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| Cllr Annie Brewster |
The first half featured two fantastic live acts. The Polkadot Dolls vocal harmony group brought some vintage glamour to the proceedings singing a selection of songs from the 1940's. The gorgeous girls were followed by magician Kevin Flannery who astounded the audience with an array of tricks and illusions and balloon art.
The interval gave everyone a chance for tea,sandwiches and cake - and even a cheeky glass of wine or two.
The second half got underway with a mesmerising routine from CaHula Rose, hula hoop performer, followed by the very glamorous Delilah Delice burlesque act.
The evening's finale, girl group, The Amorelles, hand every one up on their feet and singing along to a selection of sounds from the sixties.
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| The Polkadot Dolls |
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| Kevin Flannery |
The interval gave everyone a chance for tea,sandwiches and cake - and even a cheeky glass of wine or two.
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| CaHula Rose |
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| Delilah Delice |
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| The Amorelles |
After the raffle was drawn, all that was left was to thank everyone for a fantastic evening and wish everyone a safe journey home. Now we can relax and look forward to the Spring group meeting!
We would like to thank everyone who came, all the fabulous acts who performed and everyone who gave their time and hard work to organise such a fantastic evening.
The next meeting sees the Belles back at the Jubilee Centre getting ready for the festive season with a Christmas wreath making workshop run by Nadine form Spinney Cottage flowers. The cost of the workshop is £7.50 which covers all the materials you will need to make a fabulous wreath or table centrepiece. Full details of the evening are on our Facebook page so hopefully see you there...
Best wishes,
Emma C
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