February 2006 Meeting

The next WI Meeting is on 8th March and the talk will be given by Jo Messanger on Beauty and Culture of the people of Nepal.

Campton open meeting last week invited their members to attend the WI Spring Group Meeting for Campton and two other villages at 7.30pm on Wednesday 29 March. Tickets cost £2. per person.

Last Wednesday’s meeting hosted by Linda Garton - Campton’s adventurous bellringer who skipped a few Tuesday evening practises to go travelling, was most entertaining and informative. Linda wasn’t going to let Palin and Geldorf have all the perks and organised her own journey in October last year, named ‘Destination Timbuktu’. After a lengthy flight and a  period of adjustment to the high temperatures and the poverty in the streets of Senegal, she taught for three weeks in a nursery school in St Louis, got to grips with Senegalese who spoke French and large classes of 3-6 year-olds who spoke only Wolof.  Her slides of local markets and fishing villages were a riot of colour and bustle. You could almost hear the sounds and smell the smells. The second part of her journey, passing through Dogon Country aboard a truck with a bunch of like-minded travellers, Linda saw huge mosques made of mud, witnessed a dramatic and colourful mask dance, spent three days on a traditional wooden boat on the River Niger, camped out nights in the bush and slept under the stars. Breakfasting on millet porridge with baobab leaf sauce kept her spirits up until she reached the city of her dreams - Timbuktu with internet cafes and the place where public toilets meant waving to your friends, while squatting in the main square. After her journey of 5,000  kilometres with minimal luggage, she was happy to return to Campton with its instant hot showers, unlimited cappuccinos and famous flushing toilets. If you would like to speak to Linda about her trip, please ring 01462 819074.
Deborah Maggs thanked Linda on behalf of the appreciative audience of members and visitors.

January 2006 Meeting

WI First Meeting of the new year included a talk by Ruth Gill of the County Executive on the subject of Victorian Dress and the History of the WI. She demonstrated how a lady, in Victorian times, in the second stage of mourning, would be dressed. She brought with her, a dress she had recovered from the attic of WI House in Adelaide Square. Over the years, holding the position of Archivist of WI, she discovered much more about the house and the families who had lived there. Her references to the history of WI and Denman College were most enlightening. The evening ended with thanks to Ruth Gill for a most entertaining talk.
The next WI Meeting will be on Feb 8 and Linda Garton will be talking about her recent trip to East Africa.


December 2005 Meeting

After the highly successful Christmas Dinner at the Five Bells at Henlow on Monday night, members met again for their Christmas Social Evening on Wednesday 14 December. The winners of the Toy Competition were announced by Sue Hayhurst and the money raised was donated to Keech Cottage. Felicity Brown organised the Christmas Quiz, and  the evening ended with mulled wine and a finger buffet, prepared by the members, while the Committee enjoyed a well-deserved night off.

Christmas Dinner for members of Campton WI was held on Monday night at the Five Bells, Henlow which gave a cracking good menu and fantastic service for a second year running. The staff provided previously-ordered hot meals, right on time to a sitting of more than thirty diners and what’s more they did it with a smile. Deborah Maggs, the Chairman gave a toast to all the members, thanking her committee and her members for all the hard work during the year and wished everyone a Happy Festive Season.
Traveller Linda Garton, who had only just returned from her seven week safari in East Africa managed to find a frock to hide her suntan and came along to enjoy her delicious Christmas fayre – a change from the backpacking meals of tuna fish and rice while camping her way from Senegal to Ghana.

W.I. supports Keech Cottage

W.I. and friends played "Guess the Name" during the autumn with the result that £50.50 was sent to help the Childrens' Hospice.

The winners are as follows

Beryl Hunter, Audrey Brand, Margaret Langley, Bill Roberts, Liz Tyler, Rene Kingsley, Caroline Greet, Joy Curtis, Pat Williams, Ann Whorwood, Annette Glenn, Kathy Taylor and Felicity Brown.  13 assorted cuddly beasties have now gone to new homes.

Sue Hayhurst would like to thank everybody who supported this little fund-raiser so willingly.



November 2005 Meeting

Members are preparing to hold their Christmas Party at the village Hall on December 14.  Please bring a plate of food for the table and wear something red. It promises to be a let-your-hair-down evening. WI Members who have booked their Christmas dinner  will be dining out at the Five Bells in Henlow on 12 December.

Campton WI met on Wednesday 9th in the Village Hall and enjoyed a lively talk on contemporary stained glass by creative crafter, Anna Conti, who designs and installs her own windows. Her ideas were innovative, and certainly put a whole new meaning onto traditional stained glasswork. She doesn’t ‘do churches’ but every other kind of work involving light. Her slides showed panels depicting a myriad of colours, shapes and original designs, within a customer’s own requirements.

September 2005 Meeting

The September meeting started the evening with a glass of wine to toast the health of all the Womens’ Institutes in UK. It is 90 years since the movement crossed the Atlantic from Canada and established itself in Britain.
Mr Alan Druce, the speaker, spoke enthusiastically about the unusual subject of Encaustic Art. Hot coloured waxes were used to form abstract patterns and from these, amazing pastoral scenes were produced on paper. It was a vivid subject and entirely new to most of the members. Each member went home with a picture.
The next meeting on October 12 will celebrate Campton’s 83 Anniversary with a social evening. Visitors are welcome to come and enjoy the evening and perhaps become a Campton member.


August 2005 Meeting

Members met at 6.0pm for a strenuous walk across the fields to Meppershall on a beautiful summers’ evening. Walkers, sticks and hiking boots arrived back at the White Hart for a superb pub supper, provided by the landlord and the level of night life in Campton rose to an all time high. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.


July 2005 Meeting

This months WI speaker was the Chief Ranger from Paxton Pits Nature Reserve in St Neots, who gave a lively and entertaining talk, illustrated by slides of the many aspects of this large natural parkland. Besides the lake and the woodland area, which is the habitat to many kinds of bird and insect life, part of the reserve is being farmed in the old fashioned way. Planting is done by volunteers scattering the seed by hand in spring and helpers at harvest time gather in the hay by hand, assisted by an ancient threshing machine. Scenes, similar to those in Victorian times, are a novel idea to teach schoolchildren what it would have been like before industrialisation. ‘Home produce’ has a whole new meaning at the old gravel pits in Little Paxton.
Walkers, bird watchers and fishermen are all welcome and for the rare treat in May or June next year, go and listen to the nightingales which nest on the ground bushes near the lake. Make sure you take a tape recorder.

A hot evening’s meeting closed with refreshments being served. Plants by Margaret were also on sale. Next month’s meeting will be a walk and a pub supper. Please contact Sue Hayhurst for details 01462 811849 or Deborah Maggs on 01462 811849 to make a reservation. Visitors are always welcome. Meet at Church corner on Wednesday August 10 at 6.00pm.

Annette Glenn, a Campton member, was featured in last month’s WI Home and Country Magazine regarding her work in Lesotho, Southern Africa. Annette raises money for a small village community in the mountains, featured in her book, ‘Innocent in Africa’. Copies are available from Tel 01462 850112 or on request from any good bookshop. She writes under the name of Annette Willoughby.

June 2005 Meeting

W.I. Meeting met at the Village Hall Tuesday June 8.
Deborah Maggs has been re-instated as President this year and WI Committee are very pleased to have Deborah in the chair again. She does need a new Secretary as she keeps losing letters. Liz Tyler after her nine years on the committee has decided to stand down and a new Secretary is still being sought. Joyce Thompson agreed to fill in with some of the duties until a secretary could be found.
The 70th Birthday Party of WI was attended by Kathy Taylor and Beryl Hunter.
A talk was given by James McGregor on the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Museum in Bedford. The Cecil Higgins enjoys a high profile in UK Galleries, being opened in 1949 for the education and enjoyment of Bedfordshire people. Its collection of 18th Century English and European paintings, Meissen porcelain and Glass Collection were shown on slides. There are four major exhibitions a year at the Cecil Higgins Gallery.
Next WI Meeting will be on Wednesday July 13 and the talk will be about Paxton Pits Nature Reserve in St Neots.


May Meeting

The AGM for Campton WI was held on Wednesday 11th following the normal monthly meeting. Deborah Maggs, the President, read out a letter from Judith Tollman, a WI member who has recently moved to Shropshire. It seems she has already joined several new groups and a church choir and is helping the environment by sending David out to harness an acreage of thistles and convert it to a garden. We understand the chicken shed arrives next week.
Two officers were retiring from their posts: Barbara Nation as Treasurer and Liz Tyler as Secretary. Jill Maclaren has agreed to fill the post of Treasurer, and a new Secretary has yet to be appointed. Liz has been in the post for a commendable nine years but she does want to stand down. Margaret Langley was thanked for her continual provision of plants from her garden, which are usually to be seen thriving in various Campton plots. Margaret’s contributions help WI funds a lot over the year.
Two new resolutions were proposed by Sue Hayhurst and these will be incorporated into the mandate at National level. Caroline Greet appealed for sponsors for a 15kms run which she has volunteered to do, to raise money for a family in Sri Lanka to build a new home following the Tsunami. She is hoping to raise £2,500.
The meeting closed after a delicious supper prepared by WI committee members, which made it a most enjoyable evening.

PS. Our President has many other talents. She is currently appearing in a play called  ‘Murdered to Death’ a comedy thriller, in which she gets shot three nights running. It will be performed on May 26.27 and 28 at 7.45pm for Ampthill and Flitwick Dramatic Society at Parkside Hall, Ampthill.  


February Meeting

At our meeting on Wednesday, 9th February we were most interested to hear a talk by Mr John Creasey who is one of the volunteers at The Emmaus Village at Carlton. Although many members had heard about the project, none had so far visited the village. The Emmaus Village at Carlton is one of many throughout the world, that provides a safe environment where adults, who have for any reason become homeless and unemployed, may be encouraged and taught to learn a new trade, to gradually be self supporting and to again have pride in themselves and their own achievements.
Our next meeting on Wednesday March 9th at 7.30pm in the Village Hall will be a talk by Peter Hawkins on the history of Hawkins of Hitchin.

January Meeting

We welcomed two new members to our first meeting of 2005.
Our own Annette Glenn gave a talk on the wonderfully rich topic of Lesotho. This is a landlocked African nation where Annette and her husband Barrie have spent happy years. They have become involved in the lives of one particular family, helping and in turn learning from them. The country is the ninth poorest in the world, and the favourite method of transport the wheelbarrow. We were spellbound, caught up by Annette's enthusiasm, and overran before stopping for refreshments.
We next meet on February 9th for a talk by Beds and Herts Ambulance and Paramedic Service. Please join us.                                                                                                  Deborah Maggs.

December Meeting

At our December meeting we entertained ourselves. First we enjoyed a Reindeer Drive, a slight variation on a Beetle Drive, which was won in very artistic style by Felicity Brown.
We followed that with a delicious supper and wine brought by members. Everyone looked fantastic dressed in red; we listened to carols and ended the year in a most enjoyable way.

November Meeting

We met this month to hear from Marion Moule about Victorian Christmas, but in fact heard so much more. Marion gave us a wealth of interesting snippets - from our pagan beginnings to modern day. Throughout all that time our traditions have changed, and continue to do so. For example, carols are ancient fertility dances, the Order of the Garter was begun after a riotous Christmas party, and we have Boxing Day from Roman times when boxes of money were first given to servants by their masters. Most recently the Kwanza festival, celebrated by African Americans, has developed.

We next meet on December 8 at the Village Hall at 7.30 to entertain ourselves with a Christmas evening and supper. We plan to wear red, green and gold. Please bring some finger food to share and come and join us if you can.
Deborah Maggs


October Meeting

At our October meeting we celebrated our 82nd birthday.
After the business part of the meeting we did 'daft craft', courtesy of Sue Hayhurst, and made witches, cats and additions just as they would on 'Blue Peter'. Much hilarity followed, and Sue declared they were all too good to choose just one winner so we all received a prize.
We then shared a wonderful supper and wine. Thanks to all committee members for this.

On November 10 we meet to hear Marion Moule talk on 'Victorian Christmas', and hope you can join us in the Village Hall at 7.30 for that.

A final reminder that the WI Coach to London will be on Saturday November 27th. This is always a bargain – this year the price is £7.50.  Book early with Pam Cook (638685).
Places are open to anyone who wants a day trip to London to spend as you wish.


September Meeting

Twenty of us met to hear Eve Whitehead tell us all about Hearing Dogs for the Deaf. This charity was only set up twenty years ago, but has already placed 1060 dogs with deaf people. The dogs learn signals to attract their owners’ attention to the alarm clock or a visitor ringing the doorbell, or warn of danger. Some have saved lives. Many have opened up the outside world for a formerly isolated person. After all, who can resist chatting to a friendly dog? And then you start chatting to its friendly owner.

On October 13th we meet at 7.30 in the Village Hall to share a Birthday Supper, provided by the committee. There'll certainly be some drink too, so please join us.

We have now received the sponsor money for doing our 5km. walk in August. We've raised the fantastic sum of £146 for Keech Cottage Children’s Hospice. so a huge thank you to everyone who contributed. In April 2005, the WI charity collection will be for Keech Cottage and St John’s at Moggerhanger.

A reminder that the WI Coach to London will be on Saturday November 27th. This is always a bargain – this year the price is £7.50.  Book early with Pam Cook (638685).
Places are open to anyone who wants a day trip to London to spend as you wish.
Sue Hayhurst and Deborah Maggs.



July  & August Meetings

Twenty members met on Wednesday 14th July for a lovely exotic evening learning about the skills and knowledge needed to participate in the venerable Japanese Tea Ceremony. Our speaker and her friends showed us the complications of Japanese dress and the time that is spent getting the obe just right. We saw slides of beautiful tea gardens and houses and learned of the fantastic value put on the tea bowls, kettles and ladles.
We also had a report from the National AGM and the NFWI is now authorised by mandate to press the government for bans on GM growing and for more action against the trafficking of women and children for illegal purposes.

Although WI doesn't hold a monthly meeting in August, we do usually have a walk.
And this year we did it all in a good cause on Wednesday 11th.
Our adopted charity is Keech Cottage Hospice, for which all WIs are doing a sponsored fun run in Hyde Park next month.
We decided to go a bit early. Seventeen of us walked in Old Warden, sponsoring ourselves for the 5km.route, and finishing with supper at the Green Man in Stanford.
We were truly lucky with the weather and had a really balmy and dry evening outing.
We'll let you know how much we raised next month.
Well done to all of us.

An early reminder that the WI Coach to London will be on Saturday November 27th. This is always a bargain – this year the price is £7.50.  Book early with Pam Cook (638685).
Places are open to anyone who wants a day trip to London to spend as you wish.
Sue Hayhurst and Deborah Maggs.


June Meeting

Nineteen of us, including one new member, Annette Glenn, attended our June meeting. Patricia Ford, a consultant with Virgin cosmetics, talked to us about the company, set up by Richard Branson in the 1980s and its products. Patricia then applied eye make-up to three of our members, chosen for their different looks and ages. Subtle but stunning changes were made and admired. Patricia gave us lots of tips as she worked, suggesting different looks for different seasons and outfits and depending on whether or not we wear glasses. It was a very enjoyable and educational evening.
Next month, on July 14 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm, we hear from Marion Moule about the Japanese Tea Ceremony. August 11th sees our annual walk and pub supper. Please join us if you can. .                                                                                         Deborah Maggs.

May Meeting

Our May meeting was a hectic one. We held our normal monthly meeting and discussed coming events, especially our contribution to the village Carnival.
We then turned to our Annual Meeting. The accounts, prepared by our Treasurer, Barbara Nation, were adopted, and reports were given by the Secretary, Liz Tyler, and President, Deborah Maggs. We have done well over the past year, raised funds and increased membership. Thanks were given to all the committee members, especially Barbara and Liz for their hard work. Our best wishes and special thanks go to Barbara Evans, who retires from committee after 38 years. She will be sorely missed there, but happily for us remains a member. I have been elected for a second year as President.
Our three WI resolutions were discussed and agreed. We were then able to share drinks and a delightful pot luck supper - any excuse!
On June 9th at 7.30pm, Patricia Ford is coming to talk to us about beauty.
Please join us - you will be assured of a warm welcome.                               Deborah Maggs.

April meeting

This month we welcomed members and three visitors to hear Angela Clements talk about cat breeding and showing.
She explained the origins of her love for cats, and how her husband had been encouraged to become involved in her adoption of the first, and now the 12th plus one she has!
One member, Karen Porteous, brought along her two Burman cats. One of these has already been shown. This breed, their origins and beautiful and delicate features, were explained to us, and we were shown how they would be judged at a show.
A fascinating insight into what, we were told, could become a very expensive hobby.
Our next meeting, on May 12 at 7.30pm, will be our annual meeting, resolution evening, and pot luck supper.
Please join us for the evening and bring a plate of finger food. We will share this, and the committee will provide drinks.                                                               Deborah Maggs



March meeting

Our creative talents were fully tested (and in some cases found wanting!) at our March meeting.
Under expert guidance from Dawn Mills and her daughter Holly we, including 3 new members, tried our hands at face painting.
Gill became a beautiful butterfly, (pictured) Judith a tiger, Yvonne a landscape, and me a small garden.
All good clean fun. And practise for the June Carnival where we'll be painting faces for the day. 
On April 14 we meet at 7.30 to hear Angela Clements talk on Cat Breeding and Shows. 
Please join us if you can.  Deborah Maggs.

February Meeting

We had a delightful, light-hearted meeting – just right for a February evening. Slowly but surely Institute members are increasing, and we always have a warm welcome for new members and guests.
Our Speaker for the evening was Dott Wigg of Gravenhurst. Dott is now Bedfordshire County WI Chairman and, as such, was thrilled to be invited to one of the Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace. She shared with us the fun of “having” to buy a new outfit (!) and the happiness of the “day”, in a beautiful garden on a lovely summer day with so many interesting people.
On March 10th we have a chance to learn how to face paint and play with this different art form. You are, as usual, very welcome to join us.                                      Sue Hayhurst

January 2004 Meeting

What a fantastic start to the New Year. 19 members and 13 visitors heard Kirsten Hubmann talk about her time as a volunteer at “The Ark”, a Christian refuge in Cape Town, South Africa for about 1000 needy people. All of these, whether children, women or couples, were former gangsters, alcoholics, prostitutes, or AIDS/HIV sufferers. Kirsten, a third year Politics student in London, described how different their lives are from ours. “The Ark” depends entirely on donations and prayer.  Meals often consisted of a sloppy mixture of strange ingredients (e.g. kalamari and carrots!). Everyone is encouraged to attend church at weekends which often was the high point of the week. Most of the Pastors are reformed characters from “The Ark” itself; everyone is very grateful for what they have.
Kirsten expressed her sorrow at the Third World conditions and the lack of progress for many there. She'd wanted to adopt many of the children and bring them back, but her mother had said no!

At our next meeting, on Wednesday February 11th, Dot Wigg will describe her day at a Buckingham Palace Tea Party. We look forward to seeing you.                       Deborah Maggs

November 2003 Meeting

At our November meeting we welcomed twenty-three members and one visitor to hear a talk on Osteopathy given by Karen Robinson and Julia Philpot from Shefford Osteopathic Clinic. They explained the benefits of having free joints and how this could keep many people from pain. Karen then worked on Julia's neck, enabling her to move it much more freely. She described what she was doing as she went along and explained that a range of treatments was available to treat different problems.
Our programme for next year has been prepared, thanks to Sue Hayhurst.
At our meeting on December 10th at 7.30 in the Village Hall, we'll be sharing a Pot Luck Supper and wine. We have invited our new neighbours now living in the Annington Homes to meet us on that evening. We'll be having a go at some Christmas Craftwork and perhaps a quiz. Our theme will be red, green and gold so please dress in those colours if you wish.
The first meeting of the New Year will be on Wednesday January 14th when Kirsten Hubmann will relate her experiences at The Ark, a refuge centre for destitute Africans, in Capetown.

October 2003 Meeting

We welcomed twenty members, including two new faces, to our October meeting on Wednesday 8th. October is our birthday month, this year our 81st, and we celebrated by sharing a pot luck supper and some wine, which was more of a feast really. We had no official speaker, so had time to relax and enjoy one another's company. Sue Hayhurst taxed brains with a fun general knowledge quiz, and the lucky winners were rewarded with the washing up!
At our next meeting on November 12th a talk will be given on Osteopathy. We hope you can join us at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. All guests will be most welcome (for information, there is a charge of £2.50).

September 2003 Meeting

We had a healthy turnout for our September meeting, a presentation by 'Cathy's Bloomers' of Shefford. Cathy made up a hand tied bouquet, adding individual stems at an angle, which at the end could stand-alone.
These were wrapped in cellophane, which acted as a vase, and further protected in a plastic castle box. The bouquet was delightful, and one lucky member won it as a raffle prize. Cathy then demonstrated how to use balloons as decoration for all manner of celebrations, and these too were won.
We look forward to October, our birthday month, when on Wednesday 8th at 7.30, we'll be sharing a potluck finger buffet. Please come along.                         Deborah Maggs

August 2003 Meeting

Although we don't have an official August meeting, 16 of us went to the RSPB HQ at Sandy on Wednesday, August 13 for a guided walk. We were led by a Heathland Awareness Officer, who told us of the plans made for a large area recently bought by the RSPB which will almost double the Sandy reserve. He was very informative but sadly we saw no birds at all!

Our next meeting takes place in the Village Hall on Wednesday September10th at 7.30pm. We welcome guests for a talk by Cathy of  'Cathy's Bloomers' of Shefford. See you there.
Don’t forget the coach trip to London on Saturday 29th November. The coach will leave Campton at 8.50am, returning at 4.30pm. Please contact Pam Cook, 638685 for more information.
Deborah Maggs

July 2003 Meeting

What a fun evening we had on July 9th!
Dr. Mabel Blades came to talk to us about Arabic Dancing. She spoke of its origins and benefits, mentioning it had saved her from surgery on her back. She then turned on the music and demonstrated some of the movements. Our speaker had brought with her tambourines, brightly coloured scarves, and belts adorned with coins. She suggested we try the dancing ourselves, which several members did, with great enthusiasm and enjoyment. Our visitors too joined in - very impressive, as we had amongst us 3 young men from France and Spain.
We'll be having a guided walk at The Lodge, Sandy (RSPB) in August as we have no meeting. Our next meeting, on September 10th at 7.30pm, is entitled 'Flower Arrangements', given by Cathy's Bloomers in Shefford. Visitors will be most welcome.
Deborah Maggs

June 2003 Meeting

Our June meeting attracted a good turnout, with 2 husbands as visitors, to hear a talk on the Ivel Rivers Project. Amanda Proud gave us a fascinating insight into our local river wildlife, or rather sadly, lack of it. I hadn't realised we had crayfish in our local rivers, but these have largely been devoured by larger American cousins. Happily, though, otters have been seen locally, and we saw some beautiful slides to prove it.
The project will finish in September, but hidden houses have been constructed to attract otters in greater number. Volunteers have been scanning riverbanks looking for telltale signs of recent 'deposits' by otters and water vole. Some even carry stones to encourage them to 'go' on them - what an occupation!
Sue Hayhurst sent thanks to the meeting for her gifts last month, and we welcomed a new committee member, Margaret Banfield.
 On Wednesday, July 9th at 7.30pm, Dr. Blades will talk to us on Arabic
Dancing. We hope to welcome you then.
Deborah Maggs


May 2003 Meeting

Our Annual Meeting in May was well attended, perhaps the result of the delicious supper. We have had a very enjoyable and successful year as shown in the annual accounts, Secretary’s and President’s Reports.
Sue Hayhurst, stepping down as President, thanked everyone for their help, support and friendship  - the Committee, Margaret Langley for running the trading stall and Rita Mitchell for birthday cards.
We then presented Sue with a card, flowers and gifts to mark her past six years as President. Sue is a warm and enthusiastic person who will, thankfully, continue on the Committee. She will be a hard act to follow.
Deborah Maggs will be President over the coming year.
Please join us on Wednesday, June 11th at 7.30 in the Village Hall for the “Ivel Otters and Rivers Project.” All are welcome.  Deborah Maggs