Women’s Institute: gatherings of British women in regional groups for the purpose of camaraderie, and fund raising for local charities.
Maybe it will resonate with you, like it does with me, if you remember the wonderful movie “Calendar Girls.” This true-life movie came from a group located in Skipton, a stones throw from here. In real life, a group of friends decided to spice up the yearly calendar with tasteful nudes of themselves to raise money for a leather couch to go in the local hospital waiting room. One of the ladies had spent many hours in that waiting room while her husband was receiving cancer treatments. He died, but the calendar raised enough money to build an entire wing for the hospital, and it became a movie to boot! This is the 10 year anniversary of the calendar.
I got to attend one of their WI competitions; a dozen groups entering their jams, jellies, wines, cakes, clothespin dolls, book marks etc. Name a craft, and they were going head to head for the coveted silver trophies. It was a hoot! And I got to spend time with a half dozen of them over tea to learn of their stories, recipes, gossip, and affections for each other. One of the ladies, (Susan) gave us many of her entries — elderberry gin, red current wine, chutney, marmalade, cookies, bread and more. She had earned many points for her chapter’s group score. (Karl’s sister Pamela, and cousin Ann-Marie are members)
If I lived here, I would be a WI 🙂
With Gail’s untimely death, the brilliant idea of a bench for the town square came about. With donations from town folk, friends, and all who she touched, a design for a unique and touching bench was submitted and is currently being created. It will reside in the niche of the square where Gail could be found several times a day when she needed a quick break. 
Pemberly is the palatial home of Mr. Darcy featured in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Mr Darcy is the ultimate in romantic characters and was played by Colin Firth in the movie…sigh. He also played the king in The King’s Speech.
Off the beaten track, I have a question to ask any readers.
Like a movie set arising from the verdant countryside, 
When 
We may know of it as The British Open, but over here it is THE Open. It is the first and ultimate in golf and a course carved out of the rolling bluffs along the north western coast of England. The tournament rotates on which course it is held on, and this year it is at Royal Lythum/St. Anne’s (two villages that border the same course).
When making plans for this vacation, we couldn’t stop in Europe with out dropping in on Gail and Karl; they were even thinking of joining us on the continent for some travel.
River cruising is wonderful; you unpack once, wonderful food, impecible service, interesting people, fabulous scenery, educational, lots of exercise exploring our stops, many choices on what to do or not to do, and we had good weather on top of it!