SUMER Is Icumen In. What a way to start the January 2015 meeting of Whitley WI on a cold winter’s night.

This mid-13th century rota song was sung by our guest speakers John and Ailsa Booth, who then continued to entertain members with a musical journey through time. Folk music, the music of “the common man”, was passed down aurally, by travelling minstrels taking their favourite songs with them to entertain locals along their way.

The musical journey took them through songs about, love, war, and lifestyle, then into the Music Halls of the 1930s, blues and jazz from the deep south of the USA, ending with protest songs and the music of four lads from Liverpool. All this in an hour.

In this centenary year of the National Women’s Institute, Whitley WI will play their part, by celebrating the past, but looking forward so much into the future, ensuring the continuance of our villages’ thriving institute.

The year’s speakers’ programme includes talks by the NW Air Ambulance, the origins of nursery rhymes, local history, and distant lands, with a bit of belly dancing thrown in for good measure.

Many interesting outings and events are still in the planning stage as this article goes to press, so watch this space.

THE next meeting on Thursday, February 5, is Whitley’s 77th birthday. They will sample cheese and wine as well as a specially made cake.

Why not come and join them at 7.30pm in Whitley Village Hall on the first Thursday of the month. Visitors and new members always welcome. E-mail patsysharpy@hotmail.com for further details.