We got so excited about Christmas we forgot to take photos...but we were lucky to have our very own Dolly Mixtures with us again...

We got so excited about Christmas we forgot to take photos...but we were lucky to have our very own Dolly Mixtures with us again...

What a natural combination Salsa dancing and our 5th Birthday was.  Belinda Butler was brilliant.

Pazzazz Me - Beauty Consultancy and Fitness Services

We got so excited about Christmas we forgot to take photos...but we were lucky to have our very own Dolly Mixtures with us again...

As the nights draw in we will be joined by Jane Lappage.  Jane will be improving our written script all ready for those important documents and cards.

Calligraphy Arts - Calligraphy Arts UK

With enormous joy we are back and in our very welcoming home at Whiteley Primary School.  Our own Dolly Mixtures came and sang, we chatted, ate cake, picture quizzed and raffled the night away.  It was simply brilliant to see everyone.

Sue Essex spent 9 months in India as a House Mother.  This was an uplifting and interesting talk about her experience and how she carried out being the childrens' 'mother' over the subsequent years.

After our WI Life Admin and Elections we completed the evening with a live demonstration of some popular cocktails from our amateur mixologist/New elected President  and some quizzing. 

A fabulous evening with the truly infectious and passionate Nicola Hope.  The gardeners may have come away with a shopping list...

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Nicola Hope – Horticulturalist, Garden Designer & Writer

Sophie from The Joyful Movement and introduced us to Barre Fitness.  Not many of us were able to get our legs above our heads but we definitely had a Barre Fitness 'glow'.

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https://thejoyfulmovement.co.uk

We finished off our year with Michelle from Boozy Bakers.  And while we made festive shortbread together she told us about her business journey.  Finally, our year ended with recorded Christmas carols from our very own Dolly Mixtures. A real highlight of an 'interesting' year.

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https://www.boozybakers.co.uk

Sarah Slater came to talk about her experiences of working with the ghosts of Hampton Court Palace and the stories of the sightings of ghosts over the years. We were, however, more fascinated by homemade historic outfits and capes !

We sent out our summer care packages and put on our best summer party hats, drank cocktails and played the best 'what is in your handbag ' game.

We had a robust workout with Kirsten who kindly gave us quite a few breaks!

The writer, Helen Matthews, introduced us to the shocking world of Human Trafficking and the extensive research for her novels.  

Our meeting in February foreshadowed the rest of 2020.  Our speaker was called away so we made the best of it and enjoyed the cut-throat Russian Chair Raffle.  Sadly, it was the last time together in 2020. 

Alaine told us all about Twinkly bits and knits, with several of us having a go at making a bracelet ourselves. Plus the Dolly Mixtures sang Christmas Carols

Our planned speaker was unfortunately unable to come last minute so we improvised with an evening of games.  The caretaker said there was so much laughter he thought we had a stripper!

Penny gave us an inspirational talk titled 'Baking Blind'.  Search 'Baking Blind' on YouTube to see her videos.

Debbie gave us a hands-on demonstration of how to make macarons with some delicious samples

An informative talk about pollution from Clean Air Southampton

The second installation from our very popular speaker Andrew Neagus talking about the hilarious history of Portsmouth.

We rang in the end of 2018 to the sound of bells!

One of our favourite talks from three amateur bee keepers telling us their hilarious tales of how not to keep bees!

A hilarious and fascinating talk from local historian Andrew Neagus

We heard the unusual and funny tale of how Mick transitioned between the armed forces and artisan chocolatier.

Julie from Natural Vitality spoke to us all about nutrition - the benefits and how to improve our diet.

We danced in the New Year Cuban style in a very active and fun meeting.

A hilarious history of knickers.  And now we know why we say 'a pair of pants'.

A bright, bold and very fun evening!  We learnt two fantastic bollywood dance routines.

We learnt the secrets of Abu Dhabi and why and how there are penguins in the desert.

A very funny evening learning about hula hooping fitness and trying to keep our hoops in the air!

We got so excited about Christmas we forgot to take photos...but we were lucky to have our very own Dolly Mixtures with us again...

We got so excited about Christmas we forgot to take photos...but we were lucky to have our very own Dolly Mixtures with us again...

Another fascinating evening with our favourite historian, Andrew Negus, who blew us away with the history of Southampton.  Who knew two tides could make such a difference?

Back with us for a second time Debbie is going to demonstrate how to make a chocolate salami & mendiants all ready for Christmas.

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https://www.debbieskitchen.co.uk

Hayley Scott, an experienced CSI, came and offered us a fascinating insight into the world of forensics.

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https://forensicexperience.com

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We came, we drank, we ate cheesecake and cake and more cake. A lovely evening sat outside together once again. 

Inbaal is an Israeli born British psychic who joined us to talk about the history of Tarot and how it is a tool of divination for tapping into the future. 

"Nice to see you to see you NICE!"

Easter Party Zoom Games with our Bunnies, Piglet and our own Legendary Game Chick, Sue, whose themed Lockdown Generation Game took us back to the 70's and split our sides at the same time.

Paul Reynolds, The Hospital Manager at HART Wildlife Rescue gave us a passionate, interesting and illuminating talk about the hospital's work and their transient guests.  And don't ask about the squirrels.

Hart Wildlife | Here to help wild animals

Deborah Baxter from The Spirit Within came and gave us numerous helpful and useful techniques for coping with Lockdown 3.  Breathe, pressing on the solar plexus point on your palm and putting on a cloak of protection were the top 3 tools.

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thespiritwithin.co.uk

Patsy Collins, a romantic author, came and talked about how to explore relationships in writing and read us exerts from some of her own short stories. 

Lucy Gray came and gave us an uplifting insight into the workings of Naomi House and Jacksplace. 

Laura from Be.ModernMeditation.com gave us an interesting and useful talk about attainable meditation practice.

The very keen apiarist, Richard Shaw, told us all about the different types of bees, the Bee Project and how swarms are caught & rehomed.  

In March we moved into the online world and Sophie took us through a pilates routine.  A few of our members then regularly joined Sophie during Lockdown One. 

We started 2020 with an interesting talk on the history of belly dancing and then had a go ourselves!

Once again Andrew kept us all enthralled with his hilarious history and captivating stories about Portsmouth's past.

The Haven reminded us of compassion, caring and a strong volunteer base to create this haven to men and women with breast cancer in and around Titchfield.

Tina the dog came with her human partners, Tina and Bev to show us what a wonderful difference this charity can make to people as assistance dogs.

Our Annual General Meeting with a game introduced by our treasurer, Lorraine - a fun cross between a raffle and musical chairs.

An evening all about the life cycle of chocolate.  We got to see cocoa pods and taste a new type of chocolate - ruby chocolate.

Kerry from local organisation 'Acts of Kindness' spoke to us about their fantastic work to support people in need in our community.  We had a collection of toiletries for goodies to make hospital packs.

Our long awaited talk from Frances teaching us all about the history of pearls and sharing her passion for turning them into beautiful jewellery.

The return of our Jambusters quiz with cream scones, cake and Pimms!

A hands-on demonstration of needle felting from local crafter, Sandra.

A relaxed evening with talks on different aspects of well-being including reflexology from our own member, Carly.

We celebrated our first birthday party with cake (of course!) and a popular quiz

We had a duo of talks on upcycling - one from Smart Living Hampshire explaining the benefits of upcycling to the environment and a practical workshop with J'adore la Maison, Wickham.

Karen from Charlie's Beach Hut came to talk to us about the fantastic local charity her and her husband set up in memory of their son, Charlie.

Another of our favourites.  A talk from local crafter Ally about silvermithing and showing off her beautiful handmade jewellery.

An interesting talk all about food

Our first meeting organised for us by our adviser, Denise.  A history of British canals and their unique art.