In October, Andrew Sankey, garden designer and historian, gave an entertaining talk to Reepham WI on the evolution of the English cottage garden, from medieval times to the modern day.

He introduced his talk by sharing that he has given talks in America on the cottage garden, where they have formed a romanticised vision of what a typical English cottage garden is, influenced by the watercolour paintings by the Victorian artist, Helen Allingham. Her “chocolate box” images often include a young maiden in a bonnet, outside a thatched cottage surrounded by pretty flowers, with no vegetables or compost heaps in sight.

The medieval cottage garden could not be further from this perception. The dwellings, home to some 90% of the population who were peasants, were small, often housing a family of up to 13 children, with livestock sharing the inside warmth during winter months.

The land surrounding the cottage was laid out with raised beds, planted solely with produce to sustain the family, such as onions, cabbages and leeks. Herbs were important, used for flavouring the basic one-pot meals, as well as for medicinal purposes.

It was not until around 1557 that Thomas Tusser wrote a book on good husbandry, and under the influence of Henry VIII gardens became more elaborate with fruit trees and flowers introduced for more decorative uses. Rare species were brought to the UK from countries such as China, Turkey and South America.

Potatoes were not introduced until 1830; shrubs did not make an appearance until 1870/80. This period was the high point of the English cottage garden, with productivity and utility, as well as beauty, of equal importance.

County Life magazine came into being around this same, igniting the creation of “show” gardens – with space gradually given over to lawns and ornaments there was little space for growing vegetables. But as times and diets changed gardeners once again yearned to grow their own produce, hence the creation of allotments, certainly a popular pastime in Reepham.

Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30 pm at St Michael’s, Reepham. The next meeting on Thursday 21 November will be the AGM, followed by an interactive quiz hosted by Brenda Gostling.

Dee Taylor

The last few months have provided Reepham WI members with diverse and interesting events.

At the end of April, walks around Reepham took place to support the Associated Country Women of the World, followed by tea and cake in the Bircham Centre.

In May, we held a final debate on the 2024 Resolution on Dental Matters, in which government should be called upon to increase investment in the training and retention of dentists.

Thereafter, we were given a talk by Saffron Summerfield, a musician/song writer, who, while artist in residence at Rye Harbour, nurtured her passion for birdsong. Saffron shared her fascinating knowledge of when and why birds sing.

The incredible work done by the Medical Detection Dogs charity was the topic at June’s meeting. Norma Howell explained how Bio Detection Dogs are trained to detect odours associated with diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s and bacterial infections. The Medical Alert Assistance Dogs support people who have complex health conditions and are in danger of having a potentially life-threatening medical event.

Last week our members listened to a terrific tale about Newhaven Court, Cromer, a book written by Helen Murray who shared the story of her forebears’ home and the intriguing list of characters who stayed there between the wars, including Einstein, Shackleton, Tennyson, Oscar Wilde and others too many to mention.

Helen’s story of how she researched the history of the house and its occupants for her book is quite remarkable in itself. Who knew Cromer held so many secrets?

A number of WI ladies produced delicious cakes and helped with refreshments at the Norfolk Day festivities with games and fun for young and old alike.

Our next meeting, on Thursday 15 August, will be our annual summer social, to be held in the Bircham Centre garden from 2.30−4.30 pm. Our speaker will be Angela Bishop, taking us on a trip down memory lane.

Dee Taylor

This month Reepham WI held its meeting via Zoom, when members were given an opportunity to listen and debate four resolutions, before voting on which campaign to support.

Similar meetings will be held during January by WI groups across the country. The majority vote from each group will then be sent to the National Federation of WIs for this year’s chosen campaign to be ratified.

The four matters of concern this year are:

• Dental health matters. There is an acute shortage of dentists in both the NHS and private sector. This resolution calls on the government to increase investment in training and retention of dentists by improving their employment contracts.
• Impacts of poor housing. The appalling condition of a large proportion of rented accommodation was highlighted. Tighter control and legislation on the conditions of rental accommodation, in both the private and social sector, is needed to ensure rental properties are safe, clean and fit for purpose.
• Say ‘No’ to gambling advertising. This resolution calls for the government and other organisations to implement a total ban on gambling advertising. As everyone is aware, advertisements and sponsorship by gambling outlets are to be seen everywhere, especially in sports venues, on attire and via media during sporting events. Gambling addiction can have catastrophic effects: financial hardship, mental health issues, breakdown of relationships and careers.
• Improving outcomes for women in the criminal justice system. A large number of women in prison, often incarcerated for non-violent offences, have children or are pregnant on committal. A non-custodial sentence, with monitoring from social services, would surely make more sense for women and, more importantly, their offspring. The WI’s “Care not Custody” campaign is an example of what could be achieved.
   

The Women’s Institute has a long history of campaigning, indeed in the 1950s one of its early initiatives led to the “Keep Britain Tidy” lobby.

All the above resolutions are complex, require committed co-operation and, of course, funding. Striving to improve aspects of grave concern in society by campaigning is at the core of what the WI stands for.

Reepham WI meets at 7.30 pm on the third Thursday of each month at St Michael’s, Reepham.

Dee Taylor

In October our members were transported by a real-life “Shirley Valentine” from wet Reepham to a magical place time has forgotten.

This was Jenny Gibbs’ second visit, continuing her story of how in 1993 she went to Turkey on holiday and fell in love – with a man and the country.

Jenny detailed traditional Turkish village life. On her first evening in Mustafa’s family home, they had prepared a feast to be enjoyed by sitting cross-legged on beautiful rugs. Multiple dishes on copper salvers kept coming. Jenny was provided with a bowl and spoon, others used fingers and bread to scoop up delicious sauces.

A particular memory of Jenny’s was to hear, in the early hours, the approaching sound of music, stopping by their window before the troupe moved to the next house. She explained that during Ramadan, musicians travel around before dawn to wake folk for breakfast, before observing strict fasting during daylight hours. During this month-long period the high-protein diet must include a stone or pip; dates are a favourite staple.

To this day meals are cooked outside over an open fire. More complex dishes, such as flaky baklava, are taken to communal ovens. Women transport their baking on trays perched on top of their heads, with kindling for the ovens tied to their backs.

Keeping livestock for the family’s own use is the norm, with cows, goats and sheep supplying milk, hens for eggs and the odd cockerel for the pot. In summer the ritual of “transhumance” takes place, where families, with their livestock, migrate to “yalyas” – mountainside terraces where grass is plentiful and air cooler.

These fertile areas are also used for growing grains: wheat, rye, chickpeas, couscous as well as every conceivable vegetable and fruits such as pomegranates and oranges. The ground is tilled by donkeys pulling a simple plough.

Jenny’s first experience of a summer decampment was a culture shock to discover everyone slept and lived in a basic, one-room stone dwelling, where at bedtime mattresses, piled in a corner during the day, are laid out dormitory-style at night. Similar simple houses are also found scattered throughout olive groves, where families stay between November to March, harvesting olives.

We hope Jenny will return in future to talk about Turkish crafts and culture: a very informative and entertaining speaker.

Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30 pm at St Michael’s, Reepham. On 16 November Georgette Vale will be giving a presentation on “Nativity Sets”.

Dee Taylor

Jenny Gibbs wearing traditional headdress, still worn today. Photo: Jenny Gibbs