Open for business

All was looking good, everything was finished and we were ready to go.  Various Mayors (five in all), our Lord Lieutenant and his wife (good friend, extraordinarily talented needlewoman and WI member, of course!) his Deputy and his wife (another good friend, extraordinarily talented woman and WI member, of course!) and guest of honour, the Duchess of Beaufort all arrived to share the celebrations for this, the 90th anniversary of Gloucestershire Federation of WIs.  Corks were popped, toasts made and many, many photographs taken.

Me?  I took care of the head of BBC Radio Gloucestershire, here seen interviewing "Adelaide Hoodless", one of our founders.  David spent a couple of hours making sure no-one was forgotten; that everyone had her moment and a chance to tell her story.  Finally a bit of fun, as the tables turned and I got to hold the microphone for a while as David put one or two stitches into the commemorative kneeler which will be presented to the Abbey as a memento of the event.

A good day.

Coming together

Things are coming together, beautifully.  The gracious old Abbey is kindly accepting of all of these brightly coloured, modern intrusions and is working wonders to accommodate every piece.  The steps around the glorious font, there is the centre of the photograph above, seem to lend themselves perfectly to a whole raft of cushions, kneelers and a great collection of June's couture hats.  When we were stuck for ideas of where to hang a wonderful wallhanging, we seemed to find a nail or a screw in just the right part of those old, old walls.  When we looked for a space to place the collage about wartime women, where better than that corner by the war memorial? 

When most of the worker bees had drifted off in the late afternoon, the peace that replaced all of the activity settled over it all like a light and protective cloud.

Tomorrow, there'll be champagne and celebrities.  What stories that place could tell. 

Realising the vision (1)

To Tewkesbury Abbey this morning, to put together the display which represents the committee I sit on: Home Economics, Gardening and Specialised Crafts.  In other words, all the activities that most people associate with the WI - including flower arranging, food and drink.

We'd all agreed to use these 4ft diameter boards, lifted slightly on bricks and covered with grey jersey.  I worked on a Domestic Goddess/Desperate Housewife theme and was very appreciative of the member who agreed to loan me her amazing wicker lady.  With something like a 20" waist and legs almost to her armpits, this fantastic structure lends a modicum of elegance to the display, for which I am grateful.

The Abbey was fairly quiet this morning, but the few visitors who were wandering around were curious about what we were doing and why.  I must say, I really enjoy talking to those brave enough to stop and ask questions and it's that aspect which is most appealing during the next few days.

Tomorrow, I'll begin the craft exhibition, as 200 or so items of craftwork are brought to the Abbey for the display.  I can't wait to see what treasures appear!