RIPPLE WI

TO commence the meeting president, Anne Scott, suggested a change in the usual arrangements so that members would have the speaker first, then tea, and, finally, WI business.

The speaker was Doctor Gillian White, a noted historian, who had come to explain the codes and symbols used by artists who created pictures of the first Queen Elizabeth.

Doctor White had a projector onto which she showed pictures and explained the reasons why they were constructed as they were. The first picture showed the Tudor royal family, with Henry VIII in the centre in regal splendour, beside him Prince Edward, heir to the throne around whose shoulder the king has his arm. On the other side of the king was Jane Seymour, who was Edward’s mother, although she had been dead for six years but she was the queen who had produced a male heir. On either side of the picture separated by columns stand Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth. The girls stand away from the family group because their only significance was to marry into suitably royal families and produce children.

Doctor White went on to show members twelve of the most exquisite paintings of Elizabeth as a young woman then as she became queen and progressed through her reign. Every picture had political and symbolic meanings which were pointed out in a very amusing and clear way.

Doctor Gillian White was a clever speaker that members would all like to hear again.

Members had tea and a chat with each other and then began the regular WI business matters. There are now quite a few additional groups, walking, knitting premature baby clothes, book club and trips around this country and abroad, all of which were mentioned. Members with birthdays were congratulated and a new member welcomed. Members were reminded to bring plants and other items for sale next month which will aid ACWW. The district adviser asked everyone to take part in a secret ballot to join another local WI group. The answer was a unanimous, Yes.

After this another good night out was brought to an end.