06/06/2026
EDP WI Week for w/e Saturday 6th June Frances Mobbs
The sweltering heat of May was certainly both a blessing and a curse for us gardeners. My water butts are nearly empty, and the rain we have had these last few days has hardly touched the sides. Conserving water for my many pots and containers has been quite a challenge, although the downpours of this last week have helped a little. I have enjoyed spending longer evenings in the garden and sitting out later into the night, cooling off from the days of searing heat.
My runner beans are suddenly climbing their makeshift assault course I have constructed for them, thank goodness, and the greenhouse is looking much lusher this week too. The tomato plants have clearly benefited from the warmth and are putting on plenty of growth. With a little more rain and some continued sunshine, everything should continue to flourish in the weeks ahead, and there should be a bumper harvest too when the time comes.
At this time of year, many of us WI members are out and about attending a variety of events. The weather, of course, plays an important role. When we are organising our WI calendar for the coming year, we have to take into consideration all eventualities. At this time of year, we worry about rain, and then we worry that it might be just a little too hot. We keep our fingers crossed for a happy medium, but the weather remains a constant topic of conversation wherever we go.
The World Cup is nearly upon us, and football fever will soon be rife in our house. A new England shirt has been purchased for the Number One Son, and his name has been printed on the back. I just hope for a happy outcome, and I am sure the 39 days of matches will keep the family thoroughly occupied.
I will be making sure we are all well fed and watered because, as much as I love football, all of this is happening just as Wimbledon starts. I usually get this traditional fortnight to myself!
I have checked the match schedules and, thankfully, it appears I may be in luck. There seem to be very few major clashes or conflicts. The only potential challenge will be deciding who gets the best seat in the house. Hopefully, there will be no issues, as it will be crucial in deciding who watches what, where, and when.
Wimbledon is a very special time for me, and my family is fully aware of that. There will be a hive of activity in the mornings, leaving my afternoons free to devote myself to the action from SW19. I get a lot of ironing done at this time of year! The only problem is that the light in the conservatory can spoil the viewing on sunny days, so the sofa in our snug will probably become something of a director’s chair—no one dares sit in my spot!
Will there be time for the WI? Of course, there will. We do not stop just because there is sport on the television. Between strawberries, serves, penalties and pundits, life carries on as normal—just with a slightly busier schedule. I am often a little more organised during this period of “me time” because there is very little margin for error. Lots of lists get written, as it is quite easy to become distracted. In fact, the first World Cup match kicks off just as I will be returning home from an afternoon celebrating the 48th birthday of Acle Evening WI, which seems a fitting way to begin the summer.
I am sure that a few weeks packed with sport, especially if our beloved team does well, will make for a very happy household. There is also that wonderful sense of community spirit and excitement, much like we enjoy with our fellow WI friends. It is a time for celebration all round, with several neighbouring WI parties to attend too. Let us hope that this summer is a season of celebration, friendship, and good weather that continues long into the coming months.
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