Page 37 - Phonebox Magazine September 2014

Newport Pagnell WI
Early August saw a small group of ladies travelling down to London by train, with a plan to visit the Houses of Parliament.
Upon arrival at Portcullis House, the group were met by their guide and taken for a very interesting tour around the government buildings.
There were many statues of former Prime Ministers, and lots of murals depicting historic scenes. The intricate wood-carvings and decorative stonework were most impressive, and it was exciting for them to stand in the central lobby, where TV cameras often transmit news stories.
The House of Lords was a very beautiful chamber with lots of gold, including a striking ‘throne’. By contrast, the House of Commons was very plain, with almost no decorative features. Both, of course, are fitted out with microphones and speakers.
At the end of the visit, the group walked along the Embankment, past the London Eye (enormous queues) and back to Euston Station for the journey home after a really enjoyable, but tiring, day.
Paul Evans, along with several of his home- grown fuchsias, led the WI’s monthly meeting this time. He has been growing fuchsias for more than 30 years and is a member of the British Fuchsia Society.
Bertha
Visiting the Houses of Parliament
He explained about different varieties and how to take tip cuttings in the spring and stick cuttings in September. Using both methods Paul grows thousands of new plants every year, many of which are supplied to charity shops or other good causes. His enthusiasm for his hobby was infectious and encouraged several ladies to maybe try growing them themselves.
The evening’s raffle winners were Gill Watford and Gill Senior, while the competition was
won by Marion Stapleton, with Evelyn Mison second and Barbara Hilton third.
Newport Pagnell Women’s Institute meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in the Royal British Legion Club, and is always delighted to welcome new members.
At the meeting in September, Dru Ellis will be demonstrating flower arranging.
For more information, call Evelyn Mison on 01908 615630 or turn up at the monthly meeting.
The M and M cycle challenge
Praising his team of cyclists, he said:
“I believe we have experienced every possible emotion from exhaustion right through to elation on this challenge and I am incredibly proud of my fellow cyclists. The importance of this outside play area for families and their young patients, undergoing traumatic hospital treatments spurred us on and captured the imaginations of everybody we met.”
On ‘The M and M Challenge’ – Miles House Day Nursery in Bath to Meadow View Day Nursery in Buckinghamshire – the cyclists battled through the tail end of Hurricane Bertha and survived an incident involving an HGV lorry.
In each of the 47 Childbase Partnership Day Nurseries, staff, children and parents have been ‘on the move’ on static exercise bikes, scooters and walkers to help boost funds raised for the charity. Colleagues also joined the team for regional ‘legs’ of the marathon.
The Sue Andrews Foundation – a charitable organisation established in memory of a Childbase Partnership Director who died last year – selected this cause for the big fundraising drive.
Supporters have been following the progress of the cyclists on Twitter @MMbike2014 and donating to the appeal on justgiving.com/Michael-Thompson17.
Phonebox Magazine 37