https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/ News OpenACS 5.0 Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:41:00 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=61549338 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=61549338 Our book club had a very mixed reaction to Broken Light by Joanne Harris, with the majority of the group not enjoying it. Those who disliked it found the story difficult to follow and, for some, rather depressing. The magical realism was not to everyone’s taste, and there was also criticism of the amount of discussion around menopause, as well as what some felt was an overly feminist or misandrist tone. Members who had read Joanne Harris before were particularly disappointed, as this wa... Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:41:00 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=61243268 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=61243268 Our latest book club meeting centred on an enjoyable discussion of this month's Agatha Christie novel, 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans?', which proved to be a popular choice with the group. All but one member said they had enjoyed the book, with many commenting on its easy readability and light-hearted, entertaining style. A particular highlight for many was the partnership between Frankie and Bobby. Their warmth, humour and natural chemistry brought plenty of charm to the story, while their bumbl... Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:36:00 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=61241715 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=61241715 Elizabeth Sawday has been a devoted rose grower since the 1980s and is the proud partner of Apuldram Roses.  Apuldram Roses is a family run business, originally set up by Diane Sawday in 1979 and now run by Jonathan and Elizabeth Sawday.  The company has been growing and selling roses for over 40 years and are based near Chichester.  As well as selling a wide selection of roses they also run courses and exhibit at national rose shows, winning their first gold medal in 2009... Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:15:00 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60887727 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60887727 All of our book group members enjoyed 33 Women by Isabel Ashdown. The local setting of Arundel added a real sense of place and was particularly appreciated. Many of us were familiar with locations mentioned in the book, such as The Black Rabbit pub and Swanbourne Lake, which added extra enjoyment to the reading experience. The relationships between the characters (particularly the sisters) were one of the book's strengths, and the commune setting made the novel distinctive from more conventio... Fri, 12 Jun 2026 15:15:00 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60675181 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60675181 This month's meeting combined serious discussion with a warm and sociable atmosphere. Members gathered to consider and vote on two important resolutions: 1. Improving accessible public toilet facilities to promote dignity, health and social inclusion. and 2. Taking action on women’s homelessness. Both topics prompted thoughtful conversation, with members sharing views on the challenges faced by many people in everyday life and the need for practical support within communities. The resul... Fri, 22 May 2026 13:37:00 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60567880 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60567880 Members of Sullington Windmills WI enjoyed a delightful afternoon together at this year’s annual Spring Lunch, held at the beautiful West Sussex Golf Club. A total of 24 ladies attended the event, coming together for a relaxed and sociable afternoon filled with conversation, laughter and excellent food. Guests were treated to a delicious two-course lunch followed by coffee, all enjoyed in the warm and welcoming surroundings of the club. Seated across four tables, members had the opportu... Mon, 11 May 2026 20:02:00 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60554716 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60554716 Our book club had mixed feelings about 'The Time Machine' by H. G. Wells, with most members ultimately not enjoying it, though two readers were keen supporters. Several people found the language overly verbose and archaic, which made the novel harder to engage with. Others felt the story travelled too far into the future, and wondered why the Time Traveller did not stay closer to his own time. Some members also commented that the plot and characters were not especially inspiring, and there wa... Sun, 10 May 2026 17:45:00 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60332297 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60332297 Image Credit: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons At our April 2026 meeting, Sullington Windmills WI was treated to a fascinating and warmly delivered talk by Gill Walby. Joining the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) at just 18, Gill shared personal memories spanning two decades of service, including the unique period of naval history when the WRNS merged with the Royal Navy. Gill recalled both the camaraderie and the challenges of a role that was evolving alongside wider social chang... Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:57:20 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60265812 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60265812 Maggie O’Farrell’s 'My Lover’s Lover' was generally received as just “OK” by our book group. As fans of Maggie O’Farrell (especially those who had recently enjoyed Hamnet) expectations were high, which perhaps made the novel feel even more disappointing. Many of us were more engaged in the first half, when the story’s eerie atmosphere and ambiguity, suggesting a ghost story or even a murder mystery, created real intrigue. However, interest waned once ... Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:11:06 GMT https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60054021 https://e-voice.org.uk/sullingtonwindmills/weblog/one-entry?entry_id=60054021 March sees the formal end of the WI year, with the stepping down of the current committee and the voting in of the new committee. It is our chance to thank everyone who has played a part in keeping our WI going over the previous 12 months and welcome and thank those who are taking on the challenge for the next 12 months. We were lucky that the existing committee agreed to continue for the next 12 months, thereby making the business part of the meeting quite easy.  We therefore had time f... Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:17:46 GMT