Leisure & Pleasure - Wythall WI

VISIT TO THE CORE THEATRE, SOLIHULL TO SEE THE 'NEIL DIAMOND STORY'

Bob Drury was back with his band for an all new show! We were blown away by Bob's vocal likeness to Neil Diamond which has been delighting audiences around the world. This year's show includes all of the favourites such as Cracklin' Rosie, America, Love on the Rocks, Play Me, Hello Again, Forever in Blue Jeans, Beautiful Noise, I'm a Believer, Red Red Wine and of course Sweet Caroline. Bob's duet with Harriet on the Diamond/Streisand classic 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' is one of the best versions you'll ever hear and the show also features a couple of lesser known songs that are sure to become your favourites by the end of the evening. A fantastic evening!

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Tour of St Patricks Church, Earlswood - 30 Oct 2019

At our September meeting, Tony & Barbara Philp gave us an illuminating talk with slideshow about St Patricks Church, an Arts & Crafts marvel close to where we live.
Everyone enjoyed the talk but some members asked if it was possible to visit & see it for real.
Ten members were greeted outside the church & then guided round by a very knowledgable Tony.
After the tour we met up with Barbara who served tea & biscuits as well as answering all our questions.

We were then asked if we would like to undertake the 'Churchyard Trail' where we had to answer questions on eleven head stones as well as identifying the shape of each of these headstones.
A really informative, well organised & fun morning.
Many said that they had passed the church numeruos times but never knew what lay behind the doors & its connection with local landowners who had contributed considerably to the building of the church.

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VISIT TO THE STATE ROOMS,

BUCKINGHAM PALACE
- 6 AUGUST 2019

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VISIT TO THE OLD PIGGERY,

Bordesley near Redditch,
5 JULY 2019

Four members of Wythall WI joined a coach trip to visit the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. It was a most enjoyable day and friendships were bonded. Well worth a visit even though a little expensive.

What was a Pig Farm owned by her father has been transformed into a beautiful garden by Penny.
25 members visited these gardens on a beautifully sunny afternoon to enjoy the gardens, relax with a wonderful afternoon tea & purchase plants grown in the gardens.

Penny opens her garden by appointment to individual groups but also to the general public at the weekends at the end of June. All monies raised are donated to charity.

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Visit to National Trust Property at Dunham Massey - 5 June 2019

A garden for all seasons, an ancient deer park and a house filled with treasures and stories
Welcome to Dunham Massey. Encircled by its protective wall, Dunham Massey is a green oasis nestled between the urban sprawl of Manchester and rural tranquillity of Cheshire.
The Georgian house is open Saturday to Wednesdays, and the park and garden are the ideal place to enjoy the ever-changing spring landscape.
A ramble around the park will reveal a range of architectural oddities and views of the house complete with Dunham’s resident herd of fallow deer; you may also glimpse other wildlife including owls and woodpeckers. Enjoy a guided walk of the deer park, or take the chance to wrap up warm and wander freely amongst groves of ancient trees.
Dunham is also home to one of Britain’s finest winter gardens, with plenty of scent and colour to delight the senses throughout the year. Unwind on one of the accessible circular walks before warming up with a hearty homemade meal at the Stables Restaurant.
Find local Cheshire produce and an extensive garden section complete with plants grown at Dunham Massey at one of the largest National Trust shops in the north.
With special events all year round, there’s plenty to brighten your day at Dunham.

A small number of Wythall WI members joined a coach trip to visit the National Trust property at Dunham Massey in Cheshire, enjoying a tour of the house, gardens, deer park & Nature's Champions exhibition.

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Featured sitters include environmental activists, broadcasters, poets, politicians, campaigners, gardeners and scientists from the 19th century to the present day who have affected how we interact with our environment.

From broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, to the author of My Family and Other Animals, Gerald Durrell, you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with the faces of those who’ve shaped the world we live in and discover their green legacy.

Other champions featured in the exhibition include Gardeners’ World presenter Roy Lancaster, who travelled the world on plant-finding expeditions, and environmentalist and champion of organic farming and gardening, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

An oil painting of one of the founders of the National Trust, Octavia Hill, will also be on display along with a portrait of children’s writer, artist and conservationist Beatrix Potter. Other recognisable faces include: Chris Packham, Dame Vivienne Westwood and The Clash front man, Joe Strummer.