Stowe-by-Chartley Women's Institute:Our April meeting was very well attended, Kath Hopcroft our President welcomed 6 new members and it was good to welcome back a visitor Val Carr who before she left the area had been a Stowe WI member for many years. After a short business meeting we were entertained by a thoroughly interesting talk from Janet Markwell, owner of the Corner Patch fabric and haberdashery shop in Eccleshall. Despite having an interest in crafting throughout her life it wasn’t until May 2019 that she took on the shop. She has had a varied career starting with a geography degree specialising in meteorology for which she won a gold medal, Janet then did pioneering research into the El Nino effect for her PhD. Hoping to work as a meteorologist she was turned down by the Met Office and airports because she was a woman. An opportunity to go into University lecturing arose which she did for 13 years. She then had a variety of jobs but when she moved to Staffordshire she began working for Mencap and became involved in Oak Tree Farm from its beginning as a trustee and volunteer. She went to become a Parent Partnership Officer for Staffordshire County Council with various odd jobs in between and not least bringing up a family.Janet shared with us her difficulties with mental health and her battles as a woman in the male dominated world of the Met office and academia. During Covid Janet bought and distributed £9000 worth of fabric to be sewn into scrubs for the NHS, she coordinates quilts and sewing days for refugees. The highlight was seeing some of the stunning quilts she has made. We then had the chance to socialise over tea and cake before the evening finished with the raffle.New members & guests are always welcome. We meet 2nd Tuesday of month at 7.30pm at Stowe Village Hall. Contact our president Kath Hopcroft on 01889 - 270516, or - Facebook - Stowe WI .
Everyone is welcome to drop by for a hot drink and a biscuit, chat and even do some crafts if they wish.
In March Marc Brimble gave us very useful information about shrubs, he particularly worked on winter colour and fragrance. He brought with him samples of many of the plants flowering in his garden at the time and showed us slides of his garden and friend's to emphasise how effective heads of dead poppies can be. He told us about bulbs and corms and altogether proved that winter gardens can be a riot of colour and shape.In April Mark Smith called his talk 'Confessions of an ex-Plant Manager'. Sadly many members were absent so they missed a most amusing and educational talk. Mark has managed three of the large garden centres, worked for radio Derby, written articles for newspapers, these activities have given him many experiences. Using a microphone at Chelsea while meeting many of the VIPs who visit. Taking monthly trips to the continent to buy plants to sell, also an annual trip to Italy to buy topiary (an F1 Ferrari ! or a jockey mounted on the winning horse !). He also told us how to wind a clematis round and round a tripod in order to get lots of flowers near the base and other tips. A few naughty things like customers opening bags of compost just enough to insert a pair of secateurs. A lady who was worried about her box, the leaves were going yellow on one side she had not been told to water it, easy answer except it was plastic and had been bleached by the sun! A good talk.We meet at 7-30pm every third Wednesday of the month with guest speakers, competitions, refreshments and a sales table.Visitors are always welcome.
