Guildford County School christmas fair

On Friday we had a stall at Guildford County School's christmas fair selling our brilliant mini christmas cakes as well as a delicious selection of gingerbread, mincemeat and ginger cake, and we made a brilliant £80 profit for our WI funds. Many thanks to all ladies who donated cakes for the cause and also to those who helped on the night.

Our lovely mini christmas cakes

Caroline, Kitty, Becca and Sarah T in cake selling mode

Champneys

Last week some of us spent a lovely evening in Champney's for a spa evening to be remembered, and hopefully repeated! We all enjoyed nibbles, bubbly and a choice of treatments that left us all feeling bright, shiny and new. The evening was perfectly rounded off with a visit to a very sedate Prezzo for a fabulous 3 course meal - although not sedate for long after we arrived! 

Pretty pedicures

Helen gets some kung fu tips

Rebecca and Sharon get a treat

Everyone debriefs after their treatments

Prezzo!

Cake decorating

Thank you to you lovely ladies who made cakes and mincemeat for our stall at Guildford County School next Friday (29th, 6 - 8.30pm). Yesterday the committee joined forces at Sarah T's house and had an afternoon of cake decorating, tea drinking and generally getting into the Christmas spirit. In total we decorated a fantastic 40 mini cakes all donated by our brilliant WI ladies. Many thanks too to Sarah T, Sophie, Jo, Becca, Kitty and Caroline for your fabulous cake decorating efforts.

A hive of activity at Sarah T's

Santa's little helper

Mincemeat ready for labels

Fabulous christmassy cakes

Our AGM

Last night was our AGM (no pics I'm afraid!) and we looked back at our fabulous first year together. Congratulations to Sophie who was voted in for a second year as our President and fearless leader, and to Sarah Jenkinson and Alison White for joining our committee. Welcome aboard!

Our first stitch'n'bitch!

We missed the bake off and we braved the storms, but last night we made it to 

The Keystone for our first stitch'n'bitch. There was a great turnout with sewers, 

crocheters and knitters ensconced in the corner of the pub for a few hours of 

crafting and natter, and absolutely no bitching! It was a lovely evening although 

the lights in the Keystone where a little dim for our talented ladies needs - possibly 

a rethink for next time?

Sophie's patience nearly falters as she learns to knit!

Our lovely ladies - Andrea (legs!) Wendy, Muriel, Jo, Sophia, Caroline,
Sarah T, Sophie and Shirley enjoying crafting and cake

WI cakes at Compton craft fair

On Saturday we displayed and sold an outstanding array of cakes at the Compton craft 

fair. Our fabulous handy work included WI standard Victoria sponge, the crispiest 

crackle cakes, luscious lemon drizzle and finger-licking cupcakes. We made £50 for the 

cause, so well done and many thanks to all those who made cakes and gave up their time 

on Saturday. 

Jo, Shirley, Sophie and Sarah J before the rush!

Wednesday coffee

Yesterday we met at Caracoli's for our first weekly coffee meet up. Muriel, Sophie, Ricki, Helen 

and Caroline had a lovely couple of hours of chat and coffee, and some even had cake...

Muriel's beautiful coffee art and lemon polenta cake - Delicious!

October's walk and lunch

On Sunday it rained. But averting catastrophe and fabulous troopers that we are, we attempted the walk anyway and got very wet in the process. The plan was to park at The Withies in Compton (which we did) and walk for around 3 miles behind Loseley Park, then back to the pub for lunch. However, as it was raining so hard we only walked for about 45 minutes and hot food and a hot beverage were calling (No pics this month as we all looked like drowned rats). Plans were also changed last minute as The Withies wouldn't allow dogs, so we ended up in The Harrow for a lovely pooch friendly, 3 hour lunch, with great food as the rain came down outside. Cosy!

Happy 1st Birthday Guildford Spike WI!

This month was our first birthday! At our monthly meeting on the 3rd October we celebrated with a social evening full of chat, merry making and cake decorating - not to be taken lightly with prizes to play for. A splendid time was had by all celebrating our fabulous first year together.

The party in full swing

Cake decorating...

...a very serious business

Sharon with her winning cake

Our fearless leader! Sophie in action

Macmillan biggest coffee morning event

As part of the world's biggest coffee morning we decided to host our own 

event and made a fabulous £266! See you all next year for an even bigger one!!

WI themes magical cupcakes

Let them eat cake!

Reading group and pudding club unite!

This month our reading group and pudding club joined forces for 

one night only at The Boatman to discuss Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn 

and to eat some excellent puds (as well as some superb dinners!).

A bumper evening of fun at The Boatman.

September walk and lunch

On Sunday we walked and lunched in and around Shere and The Albury Estate. 

We had a super lovely time roaming through the fields, getting caught in the rain 

and dodging the sheep droppings, then back to The William Bray for a slap up 

lunch in the cosy bar. Hilarity and top level chat ensued...

The brightest collection of raincoats ever

????!

Checking out the sunflowers - Merry was not so impressed

Lovely lunches at The William Bray

Becca tucks in!

Sophia's awesome pudding

September's meeting

On Thursday we were visited by the brave and inspiring Alurie Dutton who entertained us with her tales of teaching young children in Swaziland.

Lovely assistant Sarah G shows the new website to the group in the 

absence of a projector

Plans for our new mission statement. Keep eyes peeled for an
update ladies!

FIRST OFFICIAL POST: Our Summer(!) BBQ

A few weeks ago we had our fabulous summer BBQ - a tiny bit rainy, but so much fun was had by all that no one noticed. Well done to everyone for putting on such a great show, but particularly Sophie and Craig who gave their garden up for a garden fete extravaganza to be remembered!

A sample of the wonderful cakes on offer

Men cooking meat!

Sarah T's lovely lavender hearts

Ben's out of this world ice cream stand