November 2010 Newsletter

Hello and Welcome to our November newsletter.

Hopefully we will be able to update you on anything you have missed over the last month or so.

Welcome to our new members this month:
Heather Fortune. We also had…. Members attending.

Apologies from Emma and Jeanette Jones.

November meeting
Emma was not able to attend the meeting this evening because of personal commitments. Lynne welcomed the members for the evening and thanked them for their work in making our October event the success that it was. Since October we have had feedback from visiting WI’s - which is all positive. Many were impressed because it was different from the usual WI events and look forward to our next one.

Lynne informed members that she had attended the very interesting Forensic Science evening that had been arranged by Federation. She was impressed with the information presented and the easy to understand format.

Erica gave details of the forthcoming events, all of which are listed on the next page. Please remember to look at our “What’s on” file at meetings – all details, including closing dates and dates for payments will be included there, together with space for you to add your name if you want to join in any of the events.

Erica then went on to give a brief account of her visit to the Autumn Conference in Barry. It appears that our resolution for food labelling to include country of origin has been taken to the EU, but had a disappointing response at Brussels; it is considered there that the task would prove too difficult. The main focus of the meeting was on promoting a more modern WI – our logo has been changed recently to a more modern version and we are being encouraged to get technical with electronic communications, moodle etc. The guest speaker was Frank Vickery who did a question and answer session requesting questions from the audience, with some amusing answers.

Pat gave details of the financial outcome of our October event with an overall profit of £179.00.

She then went on to give details of the proposed programme for 201 1, including our AGM in January.

This evening we were to be entertained by Thelma Taylor who was to talk to us about her handbag. However, despite finding her way to Gellliwastad Road in Pontpridd, we had a phone call from Mr Taylor during the meeting to tell us that Thelma had failed to find Temple Church and was on her way home. But every cloud has a silver lining and Binkie Thomas came to the rescue and gave us a really interesting and amusing account of how her family were affected by the Czechoslovakia uprising and how it influenced her life.

Recipe for the Month
More comfort food for this wintery weather

Lamb & Potato Hotpot
o 8 Lamb chops
o Oil
o 1 Onion, finely sliced
o 450g potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
o 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
o 1 pack parsley, chopped
o 650 ml lamb or chicken stock
o Butter

Method
1. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Trim any excess fat off the chops then brown them really well in a little oil. Set aside and fry the onions until tender. Layer the lamb, onions, potatoes and carrots in a large casserole, sprinkling parsley and seasoning as you go, saving enough potato to finish with a thin layer on top. Pour in the stock and dot the top with butter. Cover and cook for 1 hour.
2. Take off the lid and cook for a further 30 minutes until the top is crisp and golden.

(From BBC Good Food website)

Ring Erica on 01443 409959 or email hillse@sky.com if you want further information before the next meeting.