Even with great articles busting the myth that the WI is more than just all “jam and Jerusalem” sometimes I don’t think people believe me. However, if they’d come to our latest meeting then seeing really would have been believing.

The evening’s discussions ranged from making your own beaded jewellery, artisan Fairtrade Palestinian products to Rolfing (and this wasn’t all that was covered!)

Fancy getting into jewellery?

Kicking off with making jewellery, member Nancy Turnbull proposed the idea of a sub group to share ideas and learn techniques from each other which was received enthusiastically. Apart from metalwork, which requires a lot of expensive equipment and space, her ideas include:

• Making polymer clay beads and jewellery
• Wire wrapping
• Necklace and bracelet stringing
• Kumihimo

There are many ideas and tutorials online – to look at especially on YouTube and search on any of the above. An expert could also be invited along to teach too if it takes off. The inaugural meeting of our DBWI Jewellery Making group will take place on Friday 24th April at 10.30am at Nancy Turnbull’s house – email HERE to request the address details, all members welcome.

Palestinian pleasures

Nancy then spoke about Zaytoun products that she and her husband, Richard, are selling on a not-for-profit basis. The company was founded 10 years ago to help Palestinian farmers who had lost their olive oil markets, it distributes Fairtrade pesticide-free extra virgin olive oil together with other artisan products.

As well as rigorous quality testing Zaytoun works actively with producers to secure international fair trade and organic status for all of its products and is a member of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). The products they are stocking are available to see here. These products are at wholesale prices (compare prices with local organic markets!) passing the discount onto customers. Please tell your friends and colleagues. To place an order contact Nancy and Richard at n1oliveoil@gmail.com or 07905 243644. They will contact you to arrange payment and collection. Local delivery by arrangement. Nancy will also bring products and a product list to some WI meetings.

What is Rolfing?

Finally, Naomi Wynter-Vincent one of only 34 Rolfers in the UK mesmerised the group with her talk about this unique kind of bodywork. Devised by American Ida Rolf in the 1930s, hence the name (which has nothing to do with golf or the former celebrity currently residing at Her Majesty’s Pleasure), Rolfing is described as a, “holistic system of soft tissue manipulation and movement education that organise(s) the whole body in gravity. There’s a lot to it, but essentially it’s an alternative therapy, which is used to relieve stress patterns in the body and improves posture and self-confidence.

Rolf believed that there is an association between the emotions and soft tissue issues, which, while not supported by scientific evidence has a staunch following in the popular world of alternative medicine. She drew on an eclectic mix of theories such as osteopathy, yoga, massage. There was a lively Q&A following this talk and for anyone who wishes to explore further Naomi practices in Luton.