Past Events
September - Girl Guiding
A fantastic evening of Girl Guiding with Ann Smith and Kay Steedman!
Semaphore, Morse Code, knots, tripods, campfire and s’mores! What a journey we all went on. Thank you so much Ann & Kay for such a fun and informative evening.
Semaphore, Morse Code, knots, tripods, campfire and s’mores! What a journey we all went on. Thank you so much Ann & Kay for such a fun and informative evening.
July - The Annual Picnic
What a picnic! Thank you so much to all
of you who came on such a hot, humid evening! A big thank you to Gillian Pinkard, who worked her magic organising the fantastic food. It was lovely to see you all in your Summer garden party attire. Well done Linda for your winning hat! The fabulous decoration and the light-up nature just clinched it!
of you who came on such a hot, humid evening! A big thank you to Gillian Pinkard, who worked her magic organising the fantastic food. It was lovely to see you all in your Summer garden party attire. Well done Linda for your winning hat! The fabulous decoration and the light-up nature just clinched it!
June - The Quiz!
What a fantastic quiz night, the fabulous Sandra Fruish was our Quintessential Question Queen, a fabulous evening was had by all.
We got Mindful in May!
Who knew 20 minutes could pass so quickly and so beautifully.
Look out for a Facebook update and an email soon with details of Shirley’s website, where to order her books and a bit more about the Conversation Starter project walks and their forthcoming coffee morning.
A big thank you for the fabulous cakes, especially to Mel for the honey bee masterpieces
Look out for a Facebook update and an email soon with details of Shirley’s website, where to order her books and a bit more about the Conversation Starter project walks and their forthcoming coffee morning.
A big thank you for the fabulous cakes, especially to Mel for the honey bee masterpieces
April Flowers, not Showers, with Helen Mole
What a fabulous evening with Helen Mole from Indigo Mole
We all came away with some pretty decent lavender stems. And we remembered how much fun we could all have with some crepe paper and a bit of glue!
If you are interested in Helen’s workshops or would like to purchase a kit, please see her website https://indigomole.com/
We all came away with some pretty decent lavender stems. And we remembered how much fun we could all have with some crepe paper and a bit of glue!
If you are interested in Helen’s workshops or would like to purchase a kit, please see her website https://indigomole.com/
Murderous March with Steve Lewis
We hope you all enjoyed investigating a murder with Steve Lewis! A fascinating evening, what analytical brains you all have.
Steve was keen for feedback, if you didn’t get a chance to share yours tonight, please email to [email protected]
A huge thank you to Mel for making the fabulous Simnel cake, the recipe is in this month’s newsletter.
Steve was keen for feedback, if you didn’t get a chance to share yours tonight, please email to [email protected]
A huge thank you to Mel for making the fabulous Simnel cake, the recipe is in this month’s newsletter.
February - The Annual Meeting
What an evening!
We looked back at all of our fabulous achievements over the past year. We elected the 11 strong committee and the President Jackie Pearce.
We looked forward to the future of our WI. And then local Sussex magician, David Croucher, cast a little bit of magic across the room!
We looked back at all of our fabulous achievements over the past year. We elected the 11 strong committee and the President Jackie Pearce.
We looked forward to the future of our WI. And then local Sussex magician, David Croucher, cast a little bit of magic across the room!
January - Line Dancing With Lou!
We danced, toe tapped and welcomed in the New Year in style. We also welcomed to our 3 newest members Jean Frost, Linda Nicoll & Juna Verney.
If you would like to learn more about Line Dancing with Lou, check out her Facebook page Lou's Line Dancing
Thank you to all the members who voted, both in person and electronically, on your preferred resolution for this year’s shortlist.
If you would like to learn more about Line Dancing with Lou, check out her Facebook page Lou's Line Dancing
Thank you to all the members who voted, both in person and electronically, on your preferred resolution for this year’s shortlist.
December - The Christmas Party!
What a fabulously festive evening. Kim was back to sing some party tunes.
The buffet was amazing and we danced the night away. Merry Christmas Everybody!
The buffet was amazing and we danced the night away. Merry Christmas Everybody!
November
What an informative evening. Debbie taught us so many things. We are very fortunate to have Safe in Sussex in our locality.
I will gather some of the links to sites and useful tips that we talked about and I’ll put together a Facebook post and email out to you all in the next day or two.
Here is the link to the main Safe in Sussex website https://www.safeinsussex.co.uk
A big thank you to the Campaigns and Charities committee for organising the evening and to Julie Rider for officiating tonight.
Here are Margaret the harpists details, as some of you were interested in booking her for future events.
https://www.harpmusic.co.uk/
October
Suzanne & Ilanit educated and entertained us with tales of national and local WI through the years.
There sone fabulous special guest stars. And we learned about the people behind the photographs and anecdotes.
Historical competitions were created!
We were enttertained with a 'Limerick of London' and an 'Arrangement in a Teapot'
Who can forget the 'Edible Necklace' and the 'Hat Decorated with Vegetables'!
September
August Fundraiser
What a fabulous night!!
Great fun and all to raise funds for such a fantastic local charity.
Total funds raised will be confirmed very soon.
Thank you to everyone who helped organise and to all of the local businesses/people who donated to our fantastic raffle.
Thank you also to all of the family members who helped and supported us in arranging this event.
July - The Quiz!
Thank you to everyone who came to tonight’s quiz. It was fun, educational and prompted a bit of a singalong too!
A big thank you to our quizmaster Sandra Fruish If I see any of you out and about, I’ll ask you the capital of Malta, how high a table tennis net is and the name of Bill Clinton’s cat….
A big thank you to our quizmaster Sandra Fruish If I see any of you out and about, I’ll ask you the capital of Malta, how high a table tennis net is and the name of Bill Clinton’s cat….
June - The Annual Picnic!
In the words of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons… ‘Oh What A Night’!!!! Thank you to all who made this year’s picnic such a success.
May - A Celebration of our Animal Friends with the RSPCA
Thank you so much to Julie Parsons and our very own Sandra Fruish for such an informative and interesting talk. Thanks to Amanda for coming all the way from Devon to support Julie, even after all of the sheep, horses and dogs that have come her way!
It is also the only talk we will ever have where a speaker has taken goats to Lincolnshire…
Here is a link to the website
https://www.rspca.org.uk/
Our local charity shops are in Horsham, Haywards Heath, Hove, Worthing, Bognor Regis, Chichester & Littlehampton.
Let’s go to bed being thankful that Norma & Opie are safe and have such loving homes.
April - Flowers not Showers - With Karen Matthews
What a fabulously floral meeting!
Karen from Ruby & Rose showcased her wonderful silk flower arrangements. What a lovely local business to learn about. Jackie debuted her highly coveted fish vase ( available is a variety of colours from Oliver Bonas)
See link to Karen’s Facebook page below
https://www.facebook.com/RubyandRosee
Karen from Ruby & Rose showcased her wonderful silk flower arrangements. What a lovely local business to learn about. Jackie debuted her highly coveted fish vase ( available is a variety of colours from Oliver Bonas)
See link to Karen’s Facebook page below
https://www.facebook.com/RubyandRosee
March - On the Beat - With Steve Lewis
February - The Annual Meeting
We had the opportunity to look back on our past year of fantastic achievements. Treasurer Karen James presented the accounts and financial statement. Secretary, ilanit Slowly gave a report for the committee. Karen Jordan talked about the work of the Campaigns & Charities team. Jackie Pearce was confirmed as President. Yvonne Bee from our West Sussex Federation presided over proceedings, making sure official requirements were covered.
When the formal part of the meeting was over, Vice President, Suzanne Lewis treated us to an entertaining and informative quiz. Who is with me shouting 'prunes' next time we take a group photo??????!!!
Happy 5th Birthday to us! Southwater WI has been around for a fabulous 5 years now. We have developed, evolved and achieved So much. We couldn't do it without our fantastic committee and all of our members. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Southwater WI has become the heart of Southwater and long may we continue. |
January - Lou's Line Dancing
What a great way to start the year-ha! A fabulous evening with Lou's Line Dancing . Great fun, easy to follow and an enjoyable workout.
Lou was back, bringing with her a bit of sparkle to our cowboy boots!
We also voted on our choice to put forward for the 2023 resolution. We chose 'Clean rivers for people and wildlife' Our vote has been registered and will be take to the NFWI annual meeting in June.
Lou was back, bringing with her a bit of sparkle to our cowboy boots!
We also voted on our choice to put forward for the 2023 resolution. We chose 'Clean rivers for people and wildlife' Our vote has been registered and will be take to the NFWI annual meeting in June.
December Meeting - The Christmas Party
A fabulous evening packed with festive fun. A tasty buffet, great company and a fantastic singer. What a way to round off 2022!
November Meeting - A Victorian Christmas Show
November saw Timespan Productions present 'A Victorian Christmas Show' Tony & Lizzie Gilks hot footed it from Arundel to entertain and educate us on the traditions of Christmas past. A big thank you to Mel Moore for the fabulous cakes.
Southwater Christmas Festival 26th November
What a fabulous turnout for this popular local event. Our stall was such in demand, we were sold out by 3.30pm! Thank you to all of our members for the donations, stall cover and support before and on the day. Let's do it all again next year, BUT LET'S MAKE IT BIGGER!!!
October 26th - Showcase Southwater
Thank to everyone who made our first local marketplace such a success!
Please see stallholders details below with links to their websites or Facebook pages.
Amanda Jane Flowers Amanda Jane Flowers | Luxury Horsham Florist
Bags of Fun Bags of Fun | Facebook
Camomile Lawn Yoga & Essential Oils, Southwater, Warnham (camomile-lawn.com)
Indigo Mole Indigo Mole | Horsham | Facebook
Janorah Janorah Handcrafted | Horsham | Facebook
Margaret Watson (Harpist) Margaret Watson - Sussex Harpist Hire for Weddings and Events (harpmusic.co.uk)
Poochigang Poochi Gang | Horsham | Facebook
Queen Bees Queen Bees | Facebook
Ruby & Rose Ruby and Rose | Facebook
Sew Handy Sew Handy | Facebook
Southwater Honey Southwater Honey | Horsham | Facebook
Trumbles Homepage - Trumbles All Natural Food & Treats For A Health Dog
Wool Shred Wool Shred - For the environmentally friendly gardener
Please see stallholders details below with links to their websites or Facebook pages.
Amanda Jane Flowers Amanda Jane Flowers | Luxury Horsham Florist
Bags of Fun Bags of Fun | Facebook
Camomile Lawn Yoga & Essential Oils, Southwater, Warnham (camomile-lawn.com)
Indigo Mole Indigo Mole | Horsham | Facebook
Janorah Janorah Handcrafted | Horsham | Facebook
Margaret Watson (Harpist) Margaret Watson - Sussex Harpist Hire for Weddings and Events (harpmusic.co.uk)
Poochigang Poochi Gang | Horsham | Facebook
Queen Bees Queen Bees | Facebook
Ruby & Rose Ruby and Rose | Facebook
Sew Handy Sew Handy | Facebook
Southwater Honey Southwater Honey | Horsham | Facebook
Trumbles Homepage - Trumbles All Natural Food & Treats For A Health Dog
Wool Shred Wool Shred - For the environmentally friendly gardener
September 28th - Horsham Museum Memory Boxes
A fabulously nostalgic evening!
Memory boxes from Horsham Museum looking at The 80s & Mealtimes. A toast to The Queen.
An Au Revoir to Gillian Pinkard before she begins her Hong Kong adventure. And a bumper collection for our Christmas Festival hampers & lots of Smalls for All donations. Thank you lovely WI ladies
August 24th - Fundraiser for 'Breast Cancer Now'
A fantastic evening welcoming members, visitors and guests.
There was a pink themed raffle, guess the name of the bear, we enjoyed cakes, savouries and hot and cold drinks. We sold bands and pin badges and have a very sociable Summer evening. So far we have raised £600!!!
Learn more about this fantastic charity here Breast Cancer Now | The research and care charity
A big thank you to all who attended and helped organise.
There was a pink themed raffle, guess the name of the bear, we enjoyed cakes, savouries and hot and cold drinks. We sold bands and pin badges and have a very sociable Summer evening. So far we have raised £600!!!
Learn more about this fantastic charity here Breast Cancer Now | The research and care charity
A big thank you to all who attended and helped organise.
Annual Quiz - July 27th
Our ever popular Summer quiz with Tracy True. Big Congratulations to the winning team!
We also collected treats for Horsham Matters to help families during the school holidays.
We also collected treats for Horsham Matters to help families during the school holidays.
The Queen's Head, our very own masterpiece, created at the Jubilee Jamboree in June was unveiled.
She is looking magnificent and plans are in place to display her in Southwater very soon.
Our President made sure she looked suitably regal in purple to match Her Majesty!
This right royal tribute was made with stamps donated by a local resident and overseen by our lovely members.
Sandra Deighton, an amazing local artist drew the outline and it was up to the residents of Southwater to place a stamp of their choice to create this lovely artwork.
A big thank you to Nicholas Gentle our picture framer for showcasing.
Summer Picnic - 29th June
The Wi ladies of Southwater moved to the village hall at the last minute due to the unpredictable weather. We had our very own street party with picnics and fizz!!!
We also enjoyed 'Guess the WI member from their 1977 photo' (or more recent jubilee year if you were young enough not to see the 70s!) A fabulous evening and the sun always shines in the village hall!
We also enjoyed 'Guess the WI member from their 1977 photo' (or more recent jubilee year if you were young enough not to see the 70s!) A fabulous evening and the sun always shines in the village hall!
Southwater's Jubilee Beacon - 2nd June 2022A magical evening and a fitting tribute.
Thank you in particular to the WI husbands, Glyn Slowly & Adam Thiim who designed and built this awesome structure, assisted by Andy Epaminondas and a small team of willing helpers. Our beacon was one of thousands lit across the UK at 9.45pm. Throughout history the symbolism behind the flame has come to represent eternity. The lighting of beacons for a royal jubilee in part came to symbolize the country's perceived "eternal" devotion to the monarch. Poet Thomas Lowe was inspired to write the work "The Beacon Lights of Loyalty" by the lighting of the beacons in June 1887 |
Here's what we've been up to in previous meetings and other outside events. Click on the thumbnails to view the bigger picture
Sussex Search & Rescue & Defibrillator demo - May 2022
Jackie & Sue joined us from Sussex Search & Rescue (SusSAR), the primary search resource for Sussex Police. A dedicated team of professionally trained and equipped local volunteers, who can employ specialist skills in the search for vulnerable missing persons.
Nick Southwater Community First Responders also joined us for a defibrillator demo. What a fabulous group of local volunteers!
Nick Southwater Community First Responders also joined us for a defibrillator demo. What a fabulous group of local volunteers!
Beekeeping with Richard & Claire Gibby & The Queen Bees - April 2022
Claire & Richard Gibby of 'Southwater Honey' & 'The Queen Bees' Nic & Jo
Educated us in the traditional art of beekeeping.
The keeping of bees dates back over 9,000 years!
This local quartet will updated us on modern beekeeping and shared the secrets of producing fabulous local honey! We all enjoyed the taste test too!
Educated us in the traditional art of beekeeping.
The keeping of bees dates back over 9,000 years!
This local quartet will updated us on modern beekeeping and shared the secrets of producing fabulous local honey! We all enjoyed the taste test too!
Climate Change with Alan Fisher - March 2022
What a wonderfully thought provoking evening! Alan certainly got us all talking and asking questions! I think we will all be looking at finding a balance in climate change reports from now on. Well done to Mel Moore for her fabulous winning green heart! Congratulations to the raffle and daffodil winners
'Spies Are Us' with Steve Lewis - February 2022
What a fabulous evening ladies! It was great to welcome back the ever popular Steve Lewis.
Once again, he educated us, entertained us and made us think! ….. I wonder how many of us have already searched MI6 vacancies……..
Once again, he educated us, entertained us and made us think! ….. I wonder how many of us have already searched MI6 vacancies……..
Line Dancing with Lou - January 2022
We had a fantastic evening! A great start to the new year. Lou was an absolute force of nature, in cowboy boots! I don't think we have seen that last of Lou, or Line Dancing. What a fabulous way to welcome in the new year!
Follow her on Facebook to join her local classes. Lou's Line Dancing | Facebook |
Christmas Party December 2021
We had a wonderful Christmas Party with everyone looking fantastic in something sparkly or a Christmas jumpers.
We shared a sumptuous buffet, enjoyed a Christmas quiz. Ann Smith lead a rousing festive singalong. The committee got carried away with the percussion instruments provided! |
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Southwater Christmas Festival 2021
We had an absolutely fantastic day at the Village Christmas Festival. The WI stall looked absolutely AMAZING
Remembrance Sunday - November 2021
Southwater War Memorial
The 'Gardening Gang' regularly tend to the memorial garden. Making sure it is in tip top condition on Remembrance Sunday