
AUGUST NEWSLETTER
I love the summer. I am usually in the garden by six in the morning and it is such a pleasure seeing what has flowered overnight and how many tomatoes are ready to be eaten. This is the first year i have tried to grow cucumbers and I recommend that all of you who garden give it a try. It is so easy. I just bunged them in compost and am picking every day. Just make sure they get lots of water. Absolutely delicious. Wonderful gardens to visit and RHS Hyde Flower Show which is my favourite as it is smaller and far less busy than Chelsea or Hampton Court. And of course, holidays. I am so enjoying all the pictures you guys are posting on WhatsApp of the fantastic places you are visiting. I reckon that between us all we could probably set up our own travel website with recommendations of places to visit, hotels and restaurants.
The WI has its origins in the suffrage movement, campaigning at first for rights for women and over the years supporting many worthwhile causes. Gems tries to pull our weight on important issues and to date has raised money and donated to a refuge for women at risk of domestic abuse, the air ambulance service and Blood Runners who transport lifesaving blood and breast milk all over the country to hospitals where they are needed. We have also helped by making remembrance crochet poppies and for the last two years we gave displayed our banner in support of the campaign against water pollution, walking with it along the River Colne before enjoying a pub lunch together. We have now decided to have a designated group, coordinated using Whatsapp, focussing on our campaigning efforts. Sue B has kindly offered to take the lead on this, and I hope that many of you will get in touch with her to be added to the group so that you can be involved in our campaigning in the future.
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Laura.

Thank you to all those of you that attended the BBQ , despite a damp beginning the weather gods were on our side and we were blessed with a few dry hours.​​​​




OUR NEXT ALL MEMBERS MEETING
Wednesday 13th August - 7pm​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​at Wyllyotts Centre (downstairs)
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​Bindi Patel - Sari Demonstration
​See you all there!
Future dates for your diary
​Outings and events coming up

Sun 17th August
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Family Fun Day
ELM COURT
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Sat 18th Oct​​
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GEMS ANNUAL QUIZ
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King Charles the Martyr
7.p.m.
£10 to include tea and coffee.
Bring your own nibbles and cold drinks/ booze
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Contact Linda for more information​
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Group Activity Updates - August
Art with Kathy – Various dates through the month organised with attendees
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Beading Group: 12th and 21st Aug – see Hilary
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Evening Mah Jong: 26th Aug - 7pm
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Wool – needles and hooks alternate Wed - Francis (group closed)
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Warm spaces / knitting group on hold till Sept - see Barbara
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Mah Jong Tuesdays at Linda’s - (group closed)
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Walking group Thursdays - see June
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Reading Group 18th Aug reading Murder before Evensong by Richard Cole - see Susan Ballard
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Monthly quiz: 4th Aug - Cock of the North - see Linda
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Gardening Group 4th Aug – Gotha Gardens
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Cycling group: Sundays – see Agnes