by Ray Duffill
“Preston WI have done it again!” declared secretary Mary Wood last week when reviewing the latest success of the village’s Women’s Institute branch for the Gazette.
For the 11th consecutive year, they lifted the Group Points Trophy at the annual South Holderness WI Group Rally, held at Ganstead Golf Club on Tuesday, June 10, in a friendly, but “fierce competition against Sutton, Burstwick and Hedon WIs.”
Mary, along with president Linda McGowan, presented the evening’s proceedings, with special guest Ann Mitchell, East Yorkshire Federation and National WI board of trustees, presenting the winning group with their trophy, congratulating all the participating women on the high quality of impressive and creative entries and highlighting how inspirational it was to see what could be achieved.
With 186 entries across 10 classes, comprising produce, flowers and crafts, Preston came away with five individual trophies, closely followed by Sutton with four, and Burstwick with one.
The catering team produced an appetising supper, and Withernsea Ladies’ Choir, directed by Patrick Pearson, provided musical entertainment.
Mary said: “Preston ladies had spent many months preparing. It was not only their entries, but also their knitting of character tea cosies that excelled. These formed unique and colourful table centrepieces, some of which were sold at the end of the evening, with proceeds to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
“A vote of thanks to the organisers was given by Lesley Moore, Burstwick WI, and the ladies of Preston would like to thank everyone who attended and made the evening so special.”
A Withernsea Ladies’ Choir spokeswoman said: “The event was impressively organised, with displays of arts and crafts submitted by WI members providing a colourful showcase of creativity.
“Judging the entries proved no easy task, with many worthy winners receiving trophies for their efforts.
“The evening began with the traditional rousing rendition of Jerusalem, followed by the choir’s first set – a formal programme of harmonised pieces that concluded with Moon River, which invited audience participation ahead of the supper.
“After the meal, the choir returned for a more informal second set, performing well-known songs from across the decades that soon had the room joining in.
“The night ended on a high note with a powerful performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
“Sadly, our regular pianist Paul Pike was unable to accompany the choir on this occasion and was missed by all.
“However, the very talented Richard Taylor stepped in at the last minute and saved the day.”
Preston WI meets on the last Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm in Preston Community Hall. Mary added: “Potential members are guaranteed a warm and friendly welcome.”