Barlaston Herons WI

27/05/2026

Congratulations Marianne Stevenson a first! And Chris Mayer a 3rd place. Well done 👏

21/05/2026

📍“KATE - THE SMILEY CELEBRANT”
gave, a very well attended meeting, a lighthearted, fun, enlightening and relaxed talk on what you can and cannot do at a funeral.
📍Our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) saw our committee members all returned to their current positions 👍
We also thanked Judith for her time on our committee and unwavering support 👏
📍Our 🪴 PLANT SWAP was very successful with a big variety of plants available.

11/05/2026

This evening 14 members of Barlaston Herons visited the Garden Cinema in Blurton to watch the new Downton Abbey film. The replica 1930s Cinema, hidden away at the bottom of owner Andy's garden was built by himself because he always wanted to own a cinema. He rents it out for private events and gives all proceeds to charity. There was even popcorn!

10/05/2026

22/04/2026

We had a hugely entertaining and very informative evening with our guest speaker claimed historian and actress LESLEY SMITH who bought FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE to life in a powerful, costumed one-woman monologue. Portraying the "Lady with the Lamp," Lesley Smith highlighted Nightingale's journey from a wealthy upbringing to transforming modern nursing, emphasizing her dedication, intelligence, and crucial work in the Crimea.

20/04/2026

PLEASE NOTE:
Our 21st April meeting starts at 7.30 prompt. Please make sure you are signed in and seated by 7.20pm.

15/04/2026

📍PLEASE NOTE this is a CLOSED MEETING for Barlaston Herons WI Members only.
📍PROMPT START on Tuesday 21st April at 7.30pm.
Please arrive by 7.15pm.
Our Speaker this month is acclaimed historian and actress Lesley Smith who brings Florence Nightingale to life in a powerful, costumed one-woman monologue. Portraying the "Lady with the Lamp," Lesley Smith highlights Nightingale's journey from a wealthy upbringing to transforming modern nursing, emphasizing her dedication, intelligence, and crucial work in the Crimea.

17/02/2026

Caz Wilson, showed us the fabulous creations that made her the winner of the 2025 Great British Seeing Bee. With behind the scenes stories and sewing tips and tricks she kept the members enthralled.
Thanks go to Maria who once again made us a tasty birthday cake! Barlaston Herons are now 13 years old!! 🥳

13/02/2026

This month’s meeting is on TUESDAY 17th FEBRUARY.
Please arrive by 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.
Our speaker this month is CAZ from the television series SEWING 🧵 BEE 2025. CAZ was the WINNER of the 11th series of "Sewing 🧵 Bee” and she also won 'Garment of the Week' 3 times during her time on the show. CAZ lives in Staffordshire and her winning garment was inspired by NHS staff from her time as a patient at the Royal Stoke University Hospital, where she had open heart surgery 4 years ago.
📍PLEASE NOTE : This is a CLOSED MEMBERS ONLY meeting.

20/01/2026

We had an emotional talk tonight at Barlaston Herons W.I. from Madeline Kempsey. Madeline gave us a very personal talk on ‘The Journey of Two Jewish Refugees'. It was the story of her Jewish parents who individually escaped from Germany during World War II and who eventually made a life for themselves together in Stoke-on-Trent. Their individual journeys and insight into their lives was totally captivating and made more so by being given by their daughter.