It's a group from the Women's Institute, that meets monthly in my local pub, to play skittles and have lunch together.
It's a gentle start with drinks at the bar (mostly tea and coffee), before two teams form in the skittle alley at the back.
The skittles and the ball are wooden and evidently well-used.
I thought they had a gnarly turnipy look.
It's an opportunity for much laughter and lively conversation, and it is all surprisingly good fun, even for the total beginner. Tricia scored a 9 with her first roll of the ball.
I proved that I have a unique skill - two of my attempts had the ball rolling off at a tangent onto the carpet.
Rules were flexible, the point being to enjoy the game, rather than to be cut-throat-competitive.
Two non-players joined us towards the end, and orders were taken for lunch. Over bacon sandwiches and baked potatoes, it emerged that of the 14 of us present, not one was originally from Somerset.
Some canvassing took place for attendees at the crafts group and the book group. There was enthusiastic support for a proposal to revive the walking group.
It all felt jolly, welcoming, heartwarming and inclusive.
What it isn't.... well, sex and drugs and rock and roll is what it isn't, if you know what I mean.
Tonight: the flower arranging club, to which I have been invited as a guest by another neighbour.
Can I survive this new life in the fast lane?
20 comments:
Lucky you having such a lovely WI nearby, many groups have closed in this area.
I was never very good at skittles! It's amazing how quickly you have settled in and got to know people. Just jump in at the deep end and try out all the groups, until you make up your mind which ones are for you!!
It all sounds very friendly and neighbourly. I think the flower arranging might be interesting - I'm a 'stick 'em in the vase' person, nothing subtle.
Steady on, you might have to change the name of your blog to something like 'Hurtling along at 90 miles an hour' and we wouldn't want that would we??
You know, that sounds absolutely perfect to me!
It'll be crown green bowling next - in whites, trilby included. Can't wait!
Shut ! Up !! I see a book deal & then a series - BBC of course & then they will show it on TV (probably on PBS - perhaps Masterpiece Theatre) over here in the colonies & you'll all be famous including The Team of course xo S + Gang
First Downton Abbey then Tobias Cottage ;-)
Crikey. Wish your WI was here. Could do with some pub-style bowling fun.
I hope the critters will still recognise you once you take on this gadabout life. Your skittles skills are nothing like as bad as my croquet ones.
Sounds like a good spot - speaking of which, I'm off to the knitting group fairly shortly :)
viv in nz
How wonderful, a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Good for you joining in all the fun :o)
I am hanging around on the edge of the WI - joined six years ago, couldn't manage to make the meetings over four years of looking after little grandson. Could go now but ours is a friendly, lovely but very elderly group. I think I need a critical mass of people under the age of 60!
You will love being in a lively WI. In spite of myself, I have enjoyed our village group since I finished teaching and have more time. Our walking group does a monthly walk and today we explored part of the old railway line that used to cross the New Forest. It`s a good way to meet people.
Well, you're something of an inspiration. I'm definitely not a Joiner...but you make the group sound like fun! Maybe I'll start with Water Aerobics and then, look for a book club. Being an introvert is a bit lonely away from the Shop where I'm Miss Chatty.
Waaaah, I want a Book Group. Have stuck out feelers but no joy as yet. Inspired by your Joining example, I will try again.
Lesley x
You've picked an excellent village to settle in !
One of my colleagues goes off once a month , with armsful of flowers and swathes of greenery , to her flower arranging group and loves every minute . I think I'm more a skittles sort of person .... sounds fun .
Years since I've done that. But there's a pub nor so far away that has, or had an alley. The balls never ran in straight lines and were pulled by unseen forces. I was hopeless. Our team lost. Story of my life.
Blimey. I foresee a need for a social secretary or a diary at least.
Where I live, skittles are a multi-colored, tart-flavored chewy candy.
To answer your question: Yes, I think you can!
Wonder how skittles would go down at our WI in East London - and where we can find some.
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