Pakenham WI News - February 2026

Thursday 12th February 2026
This month our speaker was Catherine Buchanan who talked about the History of Table Manners and the English Tea Ceremony.  In the 14th Century, the height of good manners was not dropping grease down your front, using your fingers and a public event to show wealth. Later, in the 16th century, the fork arrived in England and was fragile and beautiful - first two prongs then three.  Mrs Beeton taught the middle classes about afternoon tea and how to set a table: tea plate in front of person with the knife across the plate, lay linen napkin on your lap, milk in jug and pour tea into a cup using strainer, stir tea with teaspoon and not in circles. Catherine brought a lovely display of various cutlery for us to examine; she explained what some of the unusual ones were for. A really interesting speaker.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 12th March in Pakenham Village Hall.  Doors open at 7pm for 7.30pm start.  If you have not been before or wish to come back, come along (no immediate charge). You will be welcomed.  We have refreshments after the speaker so you can chat. We also hold a raffle.

Our speaker this month is Mary Newton who has spoken at several meetings and this time the topic is: Rape 2 - focus will be on serial rapists. A captivating speaker.

We have our monthly ‘Ladies who Lunch’.

Our Jumble Sale is on Saturday 7th March: 2 – 4pm in the Village Hall. Jumble can be collected from outside your house on Friday 6th March or brought to the Village Hall on Saturday morning. Good fun.
Do come and join us.

Pat Addington, President of Pakenham WI.