RIPPLE WI

Tuesday, 3rd., March, 2015.

As a change, we had the speaker at the beginning of the meeting.

John Dixon had come to talk about, The Lady in Pink, Barbara Cartland. In order to celebrate this famous character members were all asked to wear pink clothing, which caused great hilarity!

John started by explaining how she decided to wear pink clothes, which was after Lord Caernarfon started his studies of Ancient Egypt, a huge amount of pink was to be seen in the excavated tombs which Barbara liked enormously, so she took to wearing that colour.

Mr Dixon went on to tell of the life of Barbara Cartland. Her family background was in business, where the money really was made in the manufacture of brass items. She went to the best schools but because she was a naughty girl she did not last long in them. Her schools were in this area with Malvern College and Camphill Girls School being two. Members were fascinated to discover that one of them was the headteacher of Camphill, although not in Barbara’s time. Throughout her life she was involved with the Tewkesbury and Malvern area.

In her youth she was very beautiful with emerald green eyes a lovely figure and entertaining personality. So she was very much admired in the high society of those days before the Second World War.

She went on being one of the leading lights of high society until her death aged ninety-four.

This is only the tiniest part of a most fascinating talk about a wonderful character.

After tea, members had the business of the Institute where they talked about the ancillary clubs, Book Club, Walking Club and Knit and Natter.

Members were told of the trip to Kilver Court in April, then they discussed the constitution of the committee, after which, they talked of all the local and general WI activities to which they are invited like Tea at Buckingham Palace, and Helping at the Three Counties Show.

Another good evening out.