The Members of the new 2017 Committee and their job allocations were given out to Members.
President Daphne, then stated that she would be going to the Nottinghamshire Federation’s Annual Council Meeting in Nottingham in April to receive Egmanton WI’s 50 year certificate.
We discussed the upcoming Quiz Night on Saturday, 1 April and Members booked their tickets. Various events for the coming months were discussed and Members duly booked those they were interested in; the County Quiz and garden visit both in June; Laxton WI’s birthday party and Sutton-on-Trent’s quiz night both in April. Looking further ahead our River Group Meeting on Tuesday, 3 October and the River Group Carol Concert both at East Markham.
We were then introduced to John Lower who had come to relate to us the building of the New Dawn, a replica ‘Cuckoo Boat’ unique to the Chesterfield Canal. The project was launched in 2004 and finally the serious work of building the boat commenced in 2011 after the wood bought in 2004 had seasoned. It was constructed by a small group of enthusiasts who had to bend planks of oak 27 feet by 2 inches and make 360 9 inch handmade nails using tools that had been used 80 years before. The boat was finally launched in 2015 and they now have a horse in training to tow the boat. During April and May we were invited to provide a team to tow the boat for charity fund raising.
For further information contact The New Dawn Project at www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk .
The competition for the evening was ‘local historical memorabilia’, this was won by Nina with a brown stonewear jug marked with ‘Tuxford’, Sue came second with an original tile from the Old Police House in Tuxford. Other maps and items were there to be seen.
The raffle was won by Julia.
Our next Meeting is on Thursday, 20 April when we shall be meeting Annette Mackenzie with one of her owls. The competition is for a photo depicting “‘Howling’ owlin mad”, interpret as you will!
Meanwhile don’t forget our Quiz Night on Saturday, 1 April, you have until Wednesday, 22 March to apply for tickets.