What’s On?

 A month at a view! No need to miss out on anything! Enjoy your cream tea this week! (2.45 for 3pm)

Bookworms report from Rebecca

 A few bookworms met today to talk about our current read which was Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. The overall view was well written but tough topics covered. We had a good chat about all things life including our gardens. recommended book “The sister in law” by Susan Watson and waiting for the next strike book. Movie enjoyed Betrayal. Our next read is Olive Again by Elizabeth Strout. We have one space left if anyone would like to join our group!

The photo was taken at the Old Grammar School Garden in Fowey - a tranquil spot to spend a lovely hour with a book.

Still wondering what to enter in our exhibition?

 Our annual Margaret Seaward Exhibition is taking place on the last Wednesday of October, alongside the Life on the Edge drumming workshop. 

Entries are on the theme of flora and (or) fauna to reflect our Life on the Edge project - the October event will be our final session. 

Your entry must be made by you, this year, specifically for this exhibition. It can be in any medium: photo, cake, flower arrangement, painting, embroidery, glass etching, colouring, sewing, stained glass, a scene inside a bottle, sketching, taxidermy, paper craft, pyrography, knitting, crochet, needle felting , weaving, poetry, short story, a song, whittling, a scene on a tray…… any other ideas? 

Here is something you might do if you are struggling: 

What’s on for Brixham WI members?

 

Useful information for the little grey cells!

 This is from the WI learning hub newsletter: 

Here's something that might change your evening routine: you remember 65% more when you learn something right before sleep. While most of us think of bedtime as the end of our productive day, neuroscientists have discovered our brains are actually doing their most important work once we drift off.

During sleep, your brain replays everything you learned that day, strengthening the neural pathways and moving information from short-term to long-term memory. It's like having a personal librarian who works the night shift, carefully filing away all your new knowledge while you rest. The last thing you study before bed gets VIP treatment, and your brain literally processes it first.

This explains why cramming the night before an exam sometimes works, but also why learning something relaxing and enjoyable before sleep can be so effective. Your mind has all night to make sense of it, connect it to what you already know, and wake up with it firmly embedded.

So tonight, instead of scrolling through your phone, why not try watching one of our recorded courses? Whether it's meditation, history, or a new craft technique, you'll be giving your brain the perfect bedtime story, and waking up a little bit wiser.

(Photo taken at the Old Grammar School gardens in Fowey.)

August calendar

 It is looking like a very exciting month for Brixham WI members! 

July’s Life on the Edge- bug hunting and sketching with John Walters

 Our Life on the Edge team has done it again! Such an interesting afternoon, learning how to look at and see what is before our eyes! John Walters shared his extensive understanding and knowledge with us - it was fascinating. We looked a lot and talked a lot about what we could see. Then we wandered back to the benches and he showed us how to observe the insects he had caught and to make a sketch of them. Making a drawing really forces you to look carefully at the insect. What a privilege!

Thank you everyone for your lovely company!

Advance information on one of the speakers in our programme.

 Have you ever been to see Beltane Border Morris? A bit different from the usual Morris dancers! One of them is booked to speak to us in our current programme! 

July ‘s final week is a bit of a stunner!

 Plenty of interesting activities to suit all tastes coming up!

This week’s calendar update:

 

For everyone interested in local art and artists

 

Sunday 13th July, noon: 5 people have looked at the calendar so far today! 👏💃🏻🌟

Tuesday 15th July - now 7 people have viewed the calendar! Woo! 

 

 

John Walters

 Do you recognise the new header photo? It is an illustration by John Walters who came to speak to us about birds a couple of years ago. He brought some cards of his illustrations, which many of us bought. He was an excellent speaker - here is his website https://johnwalters.co.uk/ He also has an Instagram page john_walters_wildlife which has some beautiful images.

We are very lucky to be able to listen to him again, this time talking about the Life on the Edge project and showing us how to make our own illustrations! How amazing is that! 

Wednesday 30th July, 2pm at the car park at Berry Head. Bring a drink, a folding chair to carry with you if you like and come along to learn something more about our local area. 

Sign up at our next meeting. Don’t miss out! 

Monthly coffee morning

 A gorgeous morning was spent in the garden of the lovely cafe at Lupton House. As usual, a wide and very varied range of topics were discussed! (Obviously avoiding the standard trilogy of politics, religion and health!) If you look carefully at one of the photos I have added names, to help us get to know each other

Carol R, Tina, Jill P, Lynda, Lynn A, Aldene and Wendy C

Life on the Edge - July 30th session

 Bug hunt and illustration

30th July will be led by Naturalist and Entomologist, John Walters, with support from our engagement volunteer, Elaura.

The meeting point is Berry Head carpark - far end (furthest from the toilets), near the cattle grid/gate, at 2pm. Bring a drink. All other resources will be provided.

Elaura will hopefully be wearing a bright orange LotE t-shirt.  (Also, we have booked the Rugby Club room just in case of inclement weather on the day, so we will be able to achieve the illustration part of it!)

There won’t be much of a walk, but people will be on their feet for at least half of the time and there may be some sitting on the ground.

Reading between the lines, it may not be ideal for some members - unless you wish to carry a folding chair with you.

Boom!

 

July: WI Wednesdays!

 16th: Institute meeting at the cricket club with a speaker from Coleton Fishacre. If you have already been there you are certain to find out all kinds of interesting back room information! If you have never visited, this will tickle your interest and ensure a visit!

23rd: Bangra movement and dance with Nicola Hall! Suitable for everyone, as Nicola says it can be enjoyed from a seated, standing and moving position! Lots of fun and maybe a new passion for some? Rugby Club

30th: Did you miss the Life on the Edge walks with the wildlife and plant experts? Well here is your chance to catch up! Meeting at the Berry Head car park at 2pm, there will be an artist to help us learn how to sketch, as well. More information and details nearer the time. Engage in our lovely coastline, flora and fauna! 

Painting session news from Lynn

 Due to a lack of numbers the Kick up the Arts painting session has been cancelled on THURSDAY 10th July

.

The session on SUNDAY 14th July at 2pm is GOING AHEAD as planned.

If you haven't put your name down but would still like to go, just let me know

Lynn x

This message is from Brixham Futures

 

Everyone will be familiar with the terrible war raging in Ukraine. Nothing has been seen like it since World War 2 (1939 -1945) with millions of people either killed, injured or made homeless or destitute. The severe Ukrainian winter is fast approaching and many more people are in need of essential humanitarian aid.  Our local community groups, with a proud heritage and tradition of helping desperate people, are teaming up with Ukrainian Action -Team Devon to buy secondhand and/or to receive donated vehicles, fill them with humanitarian aid and drive them across Europe for delivery to Ukraine. There they will stay and will be used to help evacuate civilians from war torn areas, to enable medical evacuations and a variety of other practical uses to relieve the suffering and to support Ukraine. We need to raise £16,000 to fund the Brixham Aid Convoy to Ukraine which will depart in late Autumn - just in time for the oncoming winter weather. Thanks to private donations, Brixham Rotary Club and Brixham Probus Club, we are 50% of the way to our target. We still need the remaining £8,000. We also need a wide range of desperately needed supplies and additional money to purchase vital medical supplies. Our `shopping list` includes: new or secondhand petrol electric generators water filtration systems mobility aids - wheelchairs, walkers, crutches. (**no commodes, bed/toilet frames) medical aid (in sealed original packaging) - bandages, dressings, compresses, suture material healing ointment 5ml, 10ml, 20ml syringes, needles, catheters. (**recent out of date accepted) paracetamol, ibuprofen, flu tablets clean knitted items beanies, gloves, socks tourniquets (cat gen 7) clean sleeping bags, blankets (no duvets, sheets, pillows) personal hygiene items - toothpaste, soap, wet wipes etc. dry food - soups, porridge and instant foods. Our partner, Ukrainian Action has just completed their seventh convoy direct from Devon. The vehicles have gone directly to local Ukrainian organisations identified by Ukrainian Action’s network of contacts there. For every vehicle delivered, we receive pictures or videos of it being handed over or in operation. Please help by sponsoring this project or by contributing in some way, however small. Please use this link to make a donation stating FOR BRIXHAM CONVOY. If you would like to have more information, please contact me - John Brennan - on 01803 852270 or email me - john.brennan@hotmail.co.uk. Thank you. John Copyright © 2025 Brixham Future CIC, All rights reserved.  You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in Brixham Future CIC.

 

Look at your email!

 Information has arrived about the Life on the Edge special event! Click on this link to find out more: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/4d3ed3fcbf.html

Willow Weaving! Life on the Edge

 There was much industry at our session with Life on the Edge, where we made lovely garden ornaments depicting Brown Banded Carder bees. A very enjoyable session ( in 2 parts with separate groups), with great results. Vivienne, our tutor made instructions easy.

Website. www.vivienneturner.com

Instagram vivienne_turner_willow

Thank you Tina for the photos and explanation. I have added names in some places, which might be helpful for our new members.

What is coming up?

 Willow weavers! Please turn up at the Rugby Club on Wednesday, ready to start either at 2 pm or 3.30 - depending upon which workshop you signed up for. Bring your own drink - the two workshops fit snugly inside the time with no space for anything else! Please remember to take some photos!

Does anyone else wish to join the painting workshops? This is an activity which has been requested by members! There are lots of spaces to fill!

Painting fun!

 Lots of our members said they were interested in a painting session at the art shop opposite to the Birdcage - here is your chance! 

Kick up the Arts have offered us 2 sessions 

Thursday 10th July 6.45 for 7pm until 9pm

and Sunday 13th July at 2pm until 4.15

They can take up to 16 people per group, so far 1 person has signed up for Thursday and 5 people have signed up for Sunday.

Mark has suggested that he will help us to paint flowers. .

Please consider coming to one of these sessions as they are very relaxing and  fun.

Cost £10 (tbc)

Let Lynn know if you want a place.

A Sea Holly between two Roses!

 Do you see what I did there? Thank you to Pat, Barbara and Val P.

Just in case anyone else missed it….

 You will also be able to sign up for the willow weaving workshop on Wednesday 25th at the Rugby Club - free, organised by our Life on the Edge team especially for us. Two sessions are available, to give us lots of spaces - don’t miss out! 2 until 3.30 and 3.30 until 5

 We have done pinks and reds - now we are moving on to some splendid roses! Here is the first, really spectacular rose, growing over a former plum tree in Jill P’s garden. Wow! More coming very soon!

Red Roses for English Rugby!

 Calling all rugby fans, people who love to crochet and anyone with high blood pressure….. an unusual grouping, you may think, so, read on…..

Support the Red Roses English Rugby team by making some red roses! Did you know that research shows that the rhythmic nature of crochet can lower blood pressure and steady your breathing, making it as beneficial for your wellbeing as it is for your creativity.

Click on this link for all of the details: https://learninghub.thewi.org.uk/at-home/courses/craft-red-roses-rugby-yarn-art-project-crochet-granny-square-rugby-ball-with-felicity-jennings-parts-1-2-2025-06-18-180000/

Here is a beautiful rose from Pat to brighten up the dull old calendar of events. (Of course, the events are not dull!)

 

Prawle Point & Life on the Edge

 For those interested in our Life on the Edge project: Prawle Point is the site of many of the invertebrates highlighted by the team. Here it it, a beautiful stretch of coastline, east of Salcombe. Prawle Point NCI can be spotted in the first photo.

On Wednesday at our Birthday meeting, you can put your name down for the willow weaving workshop on Wednesday 25th June. Don’t miss out! An expert willow weaver is coming to show how to do it!

Book Worms report from Rebecca

 A very small number of us bookworms met Wednesday at the golf club. We had been reading Margaret Foster ‘Keeping the world away’. Enjoyed by some with a slow start to it, given up on by some of us! After a lovely catch up and putting the world to right we took home this months book. Which is Anne Tyler ‘French braid’. We do have one space in our group if you’d like to join us. We’re a friendly group who discuss everything you can think of as much as the books!

Other books read this month include The Misremembered man, conclave, shard lake and onyx storm

Happy Birthday Brixham WI!