Broadbridge Heath WI

30/09/2026

Thank you to Broadbridge Bombshells for inviting us to their meeting yesterday to hear Ian Everest talk about the Women's Land Army. Ian's mother was from London. She moved to Suss*x when she joined up. Sheila J's mother also joined and Sheila brought her mother's certificate and badge for us to have a look at.

Lady Gertrude Denman wrote: The land army fights in the fields. It is in the fields of Britain that the most critical battle of the present war may well be fought and won. Land girls replaced male farm workers who had gone to war - they ploughed, grew produce, milked cows, caught rats, drove tractors.

We were shocked at the lack of recognition of the land girl's contribution to the war effort. It was only in 2000 the Women's Land Army were invited to march past the Cenotaph on Remembrance day. In 2007 the British Government announced surviving land girls would receive a special Veteran's badge and certificate. Not everyone was thrilled with the certificate - they had to fill in their own name and Gordon Brown's signature was in felt tip pen.

30/09/2026

An interesting Group Meeting. Katy Bourne, Suss*x Police and Crime Commissioner, spoke about Financial Fraud. We feared it was going to be a dry session. The stats were worrying but the presentation was entertaining and engaging with lots of questions coming from the audience. The key message: ANYONE can be caught out by fraud - don't be embarrassed, report it. Also, do you know your mobile's IMEI1 number? If you report your mobile stolen, the police will ask for this. You'll find it in settings or, on your phone keyboard, type * #06 #. Record the number - take a screen shot and email it to yourself or write it down. Thank you to Holbrook WI for organising.

Boardbridge Heath WI had a table at the event.

30/09/2026

27/09/2026

Yummy time with the 'Ladies that Sunday Lunch' today....

23/09/2026

Brilliant day out at the races! Perfect weather, good company and lots of laughs.
We may not have come home with bags of winnings, but everyone agreed it was still a great day.

11/09/2026

We had a lovely day out this week.
With time to visit the beautiful Chichester Cathedral before boarding our canal boat for a cruise along this lovely stretch of water full of wildlife. There was a family of swans, with cygnets flexing their magnificent wings as they prepared to leave home, and we even saw herons close up, while the friendly crew gave us a fun talk and answered all our questions.
The sun chased the rain away just as we disembarked for afternoon tea and some delicious home-made cakes from the café next to the Heritage Centre.

12/08/2026

Have you put your name down for Sunday lunch on the 23rd yet? Check our WhatApp group for details......

12/08/2026

Addict to Author
What a very special, and sometimes emotional, afternoon we had with inspirational speaker Dee Blick who talked about her difficult childhood, her alcohol addiction, her recovery and transformation into an international bestselling author.

31/07/2026

Blissful book club meeting yesterday. We had read Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. Not a favourite - but that's the beauty of a book club, you're out of your comfort zone. Plenty to talk about: grief, communication, love, s*x, stereotypes, loss, sibling relationships, what the heck did the title mean.

One thing we all didn't like: paragraphs that were 3 pages long, chapters that went on for ever, no speech marks, staccato sentences. Two of us read the first chapter 3 times before we felt able to continue.

Anyway, there was sunshine, friends, snacks, Pimms, good chat, fruit and cake. What a perfect afternoon.

Our next book is Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout.

16/07/2026

Still time to book your place for Scrabble on 29 July.

And also on the 29th we can get together again for al fresco fish and chips - while the weather holds.