Meeting Update - June 2019
In a week of torrential rain and cold winds the Dyrham & Hinton WI set off on our summer outing to visit the Somerset Lavender Farm.
We were greeted by our host Judith, and given a short overview of the family-run farm before being taken to the barn. This was where the sowing, weeding and harvesting equipment was on display as well as their homemade industrial steam distillation unit which extracts oil from their harvest of English lavender. Judith demonstrated different varieties of lavender with their unique fragrant oils and told us amusing stories about her and husband Francis’s experiences in evolving from being dairy farmers to lavender growers.
We were then encouraged to explore the farm for ourselves and to wander amongst the lavender fields as well as their flower and vegetable garden. Mercifully the skies cleared for a while and we were able to appreciate the beautiful farm setting.
The serious business of shopping for plants and lavender scented gifts was our next task before being treated to a wonderful Ploughmans’ supper with wine or homemade apple juice . We ended the evening with delicious lavender and almond cake made on the farm.
Everyone agreed that we really enjoyed the evening and Sharon thanked Judith and Francis for their generous hospitality.
Our book and supper group met at The Bull Inn on May 16th. Whilst many of us enjoyed “I See You” by Clare Mackintosh the jury was out for “Paris Echo” by Sebastian Faulks with many of us struggling to finish the book.
The next meeting will be on Thursday 18th July with 2 books to choose from, “Nine Perfect Strangers” by Liane Moriarty and “Mythos” by Stephen Fry.
The next full WI meeting will be our summer social evening on Thursday 11th July at 7 pm. Details to follow but members are asked to bring 2 small plates of canapes, one savoury and one sweet.
We will also be collecting donations for our local food bank.
Date for your diary is Saturday 28th September 2-4pm. This is our Tabletop Sale with afternoon tea and cakes.