December
We started the evening with a carol to get us into the Christmas mood. Then after the business of the evening Mr Michael Stegg, our speaker for the evening showed some beautiful slides of various famous painting all based on the theme of Christmas and how it took various elements of our pagan festivals and used these to get across the message of the new Christianity that was spreading over this world. He also explained how the colours of the Virgin Mary came about and the fact that nearly everyone seemed to have auburn hair! There were also slides of snow scenes, Christmas tree plantations, holly and ivy, and of cause the ubiquitous robin. Each of these slides came with their own individual stories which made for a most fascinating evening.
This was followed by a festive spread and the ‘secret Santa’ parcels being handed out and a last carol to send us on our way home.
Many thanks to those that provided the ‘goodies’ and a very big thank you to Michael Stegg for his slide show and the stories and poetry that made it all complete.
Carol Service
On a cold and frosty night in early December ladies from the Constable group gathered at Stratford St Mary Parish Church for carols and readings and what a lovely evening it turned out to be.
We had a reading from the East Bergholt W.I. about ‘Christmas in Sarajevo’ written by an 11year old girl and the Brantham W.I. and Capel St Mary W.I. read ‘Like it was’ plus ‘The Messiah as you’ve never heard it’ both written by Alan Titchmarsh.
We were also entertained by the Stratford St Mary Handballs, who gave a lovely rendition of carols and also the Capel St Mary Choir sang for us. This was rounded off with some seasonal refreshments (very nice they were too) before we all headed home well and truly in the Christmas sprit.
January Meeting
Our first meeting of the New Year started with the usual business being conducted and this included the presenting of cups for the competition and flower of the month winners
Mrs Doreen Hill (competition winner)
Mrs Diana Blanchard (flower of the month)
Well done to the winners and many thanks to all those who took part through the year.
We then had our speaker for the evening, Stephaine Sargent who spoke to us about her fathers shop. The shop was located in South Street Manningtree and was actually started by her Grand father who brought the shop in the 1800’s, he sold the shop when things were not so good and went to London, came back a few years later and brought back the same shop, again sold up when trade slowed down and went to work at Paddington Station, but the day before he was officially due to start he had a most horrific accident which resulted in him losing both arms, (so no compensation!) Once again the shop was brought back, and in 1923 his son (Stephanie’s father) took over the running of the shop.
‘Sammy Sargent’ by all accounts was quite a local character; the shop sold everything possible, including pots and pans, brushes and kettles, glassware and a whole variety of sweets including sherbet fountains, sweet cigarettes (now called candy canes) sugar mice and aniseed balls, a children’s window had pens and paper as well as drawing books and crayons.
It was the first shop in Manningtree to sell Lyons tea and Sunlight soap; they were also the first to sell frozen foods in Manningtree in 1957. He even delivered Ice Cream and Melons on Christmas Day afternoon, not a service that would be provided in today’s world!
Stephaine was a delight to listen to and I am sure she has many more stories to tell, many thanks to her for a lovely evening.
Forth coming events
February 11th Mr I Rose – A Safari in Africa
March 11th Sister M Davey – Life as a Nunn & Chaplain
General meetings held every 2nd Wednesday at Brantham Village Hall at 7.30pm, so come along girls don’t be shy give us a try a warm welcome guaranteed.
