Hello Ladies,
One of the lovely things about having a dog is that CoCo and I get to spend time together on some lovely walks. Last week we went to the Trundle and it was delightful to see the entire meadow below the antennae absolutely covered with cowslips! Slindon Woods is the place to go for bluebells and Goodwood House has an amazing display of wild garlic. Spring flowers are determined to bloom despite the wet and changeable weather that we’ve all been experiencing.
THANK YOU
Caroline for organising Cereal Killers on 27th April.
To the Committee for a productive meeting last Thursday.
To Jan and Gina for agreeing to join the Committee forthwith. Jane, we can hopefully look forward to you joining us soon.
THANKS RECEIVED FROM…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
The following ladies have their birthdays in May and the beginning of June:
Barbara, 6th May; Caroline, 14th May, Val, 26th May, Lynda, 26th May, Marie, 27th May, Clair, 2nd June, Carol , 16th June.
Wishing you all a very special day on your birthday!
GENERAL INFORMATION
The speaker for our May meeting is our very own Kate. The title of her talk is, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. In 2015, aged 45 and adjusting to life as a single parent, having been widowed just two years before, Kate received the news that no one ever wants to hear - “You’ve got Cancer”. Her talk this month looks at why incurable cancer doesn't have to be sad, short or boring and explores how to support someone living with a cancer diagnosis. This sensitive topic may hit a raw nerve with some of our members who may choose not to attend this part of the evening. However, you will of course be very welcome to join us later for refreshments, the raffle and WI news. Kate is keen to field any questions that you may have concerning any aspect of receiving a cancer diagnosis, whether it be from the patient’s perspective or from that of family members. Please feel free to send your questions directly to Kate so that she can address them anonymously.
Lindsay’s Hub is on duty for refreshments and the charity we will be supporting this month is ‘Cancerwise’.
Thank you for your continued support for the Sale Table at our monthly meetings. Please keep bringing along items that you wish to sell or donate to our ARWI funds.
Every little helps! This month we would welcome any costume jewellery, plants or whole cakes that you’d like to donate for sale as well as other miscellaneous items and books.
Jackie is running short of quality items for the raffle. If you have any suitable items to donate, please bring them along (bottles of booze are always very well received 😉)
The Table Competition this month is “A Holiday Souvenir”.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES
Assuming enough ladies support the event, we will be mounting an ARWI stall at the West Park Motor Gala on Sunday, 7th July, 11.00 – 16.00. We hope you will support us by providing cakes and/or small items for sale (particularly items suitable for children) or offering to man the stall, on a rota basis. If you are not a baker, maybe you could help by providing ingredients for those ladies who are. Gina will have more details and an ‘expression of interest’ sign-up sheet at the meeting on 16th May.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR TULIPS LONGER
Tulips are a favourite spring flower known for their vibrant colours and elegant form.
When displayed in a vase, they bring a touch of beauty and freshness to any space.
Tulip season is in full bloom but it’s a shame to see them wilt after only a few days. That’s why we’ve put together our best tips on how you can get your tulips to last longer. Here are some top tips for keeping tulips looking their best in a vase:
Choose fresh tulips: Start with the freshest tulips possible. Look for stems that are firm and blooms that are closed but show some colour. This ensures a longer vase life.
Trim the stems: Before placing tulips in a vase, trim about an inch from the bottom of each stem at a 45-degree angle. This helps them absorb water more effectively.
Use clean water: Fill the vase with fresh, cold water. Tulips prefer cold water as it helps them stay fresh longer.
Add a coin to the vase: Place a clean copper coin at the bottom of the vase along with the water. The copper helps prevent bacterial growth and may help keep the tulips looking fresh for a longer period of time. Be sure to use a coin that has been thoroughly cleaned to avoid introducing any dirt or contaminants into the water.
Change the water regularly: Change the water in the vase every day or every other day. Clean water prevents bacteria build-up, which can harm the flowers.
Avoid direct sunlight: Place the vase in a cool spot away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Tulips thrive in cooler temperatures.
Add flower food: If available, use the flower food packet provided with your tulips. This helps nourish the flowers and extends their lifespan.
Watch out for ethylene gas: Keep tulips away from fruits such as apples and bananas, which release ethylene gas. This gas can cause tulips to wilt prematurely.
Trim stems regularly: Every few days, trim the stems to prevent clogging and help the tulips absorb water efficiently.
Support taller tulips: If you have tall tulip varieties, consider adding support like floral wire or twine to help them stay upright in the vase.
Refresh the arrangement: As the tulips grow and open, adjust the arrangement to keep it looking fresh and balanced.
By following these tips, you can enjoy the beauty of your tulip arrangement for as long as possible. With proper care, your tulips will bloom beautifully and brighten up your home.
FUNNIES
FINALLY
It’s always so lovely to see everyone at our monthly meetings but could I make a plea on behalf of the Committee that you do not arrive before 19.10. We are all busy trying to greet visitors and the speaker and set everything up. It can be a little overwhelming if ladies crowd around the sale tables and raffle table all at once. By all means feel free to arrive and purchase a drink from the bar, you will always have plenty of time to buy raffle tickets and look at the sale table during the meeting. We would really appreciate your help with this.
Have a good week everyone!
Aileen x
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