WI History

Here’s a taste of Nicholforest WI through the eighties. A fuller history of Nicholforest WI is now in a booklet published by the Nicholforest Heritage Society in 2004.
1983
 In February, bad weather kept attendance low. Competition for prettiest thimble was won by Mrs Moor. In March, Miss Alison Sisson showed slides and gave an interesting talk on her Young Farmers exchange visit to Canada. Competition for a self-made picture was won by Mrs C Moor. In March, Mr Charles Dunn spoke about paper mache and paper collage. He demonstrated the basic techniques and showed some examples of articles decorated in his style. Competition for a pencil sketch was won by Mrs Forrester. In June, the new President, Mrs C Moor welcomed members and guests from Bailey and Kirklinton to the Annual birthday party. Members and friends enjoyed supper followed by the cutting of the birthday cake. Tommy Scott and Charlie Graham on ‘guitar and fiddle’ were the entertainers and set members feet tapping. In July Mr John Dalton gave a display of floral art and his beautiful arrangements of flowers were raffled. Lucky winners were: M Cowan, M Vevers and N Graham. In September, John Ellis from British Nuclear Fuels, Sellafield gave a most enlightening talk on the nuclear fuel industry. The competition for a jam jar arrangement of autumn foliage was won by Mrs Kemp. In October, Mrs Cowan showed slides of her holiday in Rhineland, many members recognising the various places shown. In December Mr Reid of Longtown’s topic was ‘Life as a vet and household pets.’ Mrs P Forrester won the competition for best soft toy. In December, 35 members enjoyed Christmas dinner at Craigburn.
 1984
In Feb, Mr Robert Forrester, local artist, asked for a volunteer from the audience to sit for him and members were given an insight into the methods used by a professional artist. He spoke about the medium he was using and it was extremely interesting to watch him working and although he stressed that this was only a rough sketch, members were left in no doubt as to his ability as a fine artist. Mrs E Maxwell was his model. In May, the competition for a plate of jam tarts was won by Mrs Mitchell. The member who gained most competition points over the year was Mrs J McGimpsey. In July, members and friends travelled by coach to Corporation Gardens, Botcherby. They were given a tour of the green houses. In November, Mrs Wills gave a detailed demonstration on Christmas decorations. Competition winners for a Christmas cracker were: Mrs McGimpsey and Mrs Crouch. In December, 38 members enjoyed Christmas Dinner at Craigburn.
1985
 In February, Mr Colin Campbell talked about furniture restoring and demonstrated the processes involved in French Polishing. He talked about the history of his craft. In March, the Rev Cairns talked about his exchange trip to America. He gave a full report and showed some breath taking slides. The competition for the oldest bible or prayer book was won by Mrs P Forrester. In April Miss Graham talked about the various methods of drying and preserving grasses and flowers and showed some attractive examples of her work.
 1986
 The first meeting of 1986 was held in the newly decorated Parish Hall and began with an excellent tatie-pot supper. Competition, a home-made Valentine was won by Mrs Taylor. In March, Mr J Johnson of Kershopefoot gave an absorbing and informative talk on Collecting Antique Silver. He brought a number of interesting pieces from his own collection and gave information on saleroom techniques, identification marks and the care of silver. In April, about 50 members were welcomed by Mrs C Moor, the President, to an open meeting in the Parish Hall. Speaker for the evening was Miss E Heslop from NORWEB who gave a demonstration and talk on Basic Microwave cookery. In May, Mrs Cowan, on behalf of members, commended Mrs Moor for her excellent service. She also thanked members and friends who had attended the Coffee Afternoon at Kingfield House, by kind permission of Mr D Thompson-Schwab, on 5th May, which raised £245 for Multiple Sclerosis Research.