The latter half of 2015 saw the ladies of Westbury Townswomens Guild enjoy some interesting guest speakers.
Amongst these included Sue Roberts who took us behind the scenes of an investiture at Buckingham Palace including her own MBE investiture.
Her talk was accompanied by a 25 minute film of the whole procedure, including verbal instructions, positioning and protocol for the ceremony. We were delighted when Sue allowed us to handle and inspect the medal.
The following month we were entertained by Judi Wray-Bliss who until recently was an official guide on the Bath tour buses. She told us about 18th Century Bath when all the dignitaries and Queen Anne and her entourage visited Bath to ‘take the waters’ bringing all their possessions for the three months stay.
Judi recalled many hilarious stories including the fact that the women didn’t wash their hair for many months and adorned their huge hairstyles with fruit and vegetables, and the men who skinned a mouse, using it’s fur to make eyebrows to replace their own which had fallen out due to the lead used in their face make up.
We were given fans and taught how to flick and position them in different ways, so sending out a message to the gentleman. At the start of the talk we were each given a beauty spot to place on our face and at the end of the talk were told whether we were a ‘good girl’ or a ‘bad girl’ depending on the position on the face. Needless to say there were a number of us who were not good girls!
November was our 47th birthday celebration at which we enjoyed chocolate birthday cake made by Wendy Bartlett and listened to fascinating facts and stories about life behind bars from Trevor Griffiths, who had been a police officer for many years since retiring from the Navy.
He recalled every aspect of a prisoner’s life including their living accommodation, daily routine and leisure time. Certain myths were dispelled and many questions answered.
On 5th December we were hosts to a ‘Celebration of Christmas’ carol service in Westbury Methodist Church, having invited all other Guilds from North and West Wilts, including Royal Wootten Bassett. A successful service was enjoyed by all. Our thanks were extended to Minister David Coppard for his help in compiling the service.
Our year ended on a high note with a very enjoyable Christmas social and buffet supper provided by all ladies. Michael Gamble was our guest who took us down memory lane with a musical quiz and high tech beautiful colour slides. Certificates and chocolate were awarded to the winners. All agreed, a most enjoyable evening and we now look foreward to an equally enjoyable 2016.
Wendy Bartlett – 01225 764515
