June

Forbidden Love

It was an eclectic agenda for the June meeting, with a mixture of Jubilee celebrations and talk of forbidden love. Llangynog’s Memorial Hall was dressed in summer’s leafy green, as WI members welcomed speaker Mark Higgnett, curator of Oswestry Town Museum, to their meeting.

Mark spoke of how he had gradually amassed hundreds of letters to a soldier in Oswestry barracks between the years 1938 to 1942, and how by playing detective had pieced together the detailed life and love of two men, Gilbert and Gordon, during the Second World War.

Despite the risk of court martial and imprisonment their love flourished and members listened, enthralled, as the story of these two lives unfolded. The sheer depth and beauty of the language of love in the letters was profoundly moving, a testament to the power of feeling free to express love through words.

A very tasty Platinum Jubilee supper (prepared by our hosts, Sheila and Janice) followed when members, all dressed in red, white and blue, were able to talk to Mark further, about details still being uncovered in the letters.

Members plus guests, Lorna and Lesley, in their Jubilee attire of red, white and blue!

Everyone enjoyed a glass of bubbly and even the ‘Queen’ dropped in to celebrate!

• The Llanwddyn Rose Bowl (second place - Literary Eisteddfod)
• Claire Newland Trophy (for WI with the highest number of new members)
• Doreen Jones Challenge Trophy (awarded to Anne Hill for her painting)
• Montgomery Craft Club Trophy (awarded to Llangynog for highest number of points earned for craft items at the Spring Show)
• The Don Griffiths Medal (awarded to Val for her winning photo)
• The Ella Owen Vase (awarded to Joanne for her winning pencil drawing)
• The Meifona Ellis Morris Cup (awarded to Joanne for her winning crown)

Raffle Prize: donated by Debbie and won by Gwen.
Competition: to make three heart-shaped biscuits

The judges: Mark and his daughter Emily.

First place, Joanne, 2^nd Val, and 3^rd Mary!