At the April meeting of the Shaw & Whitley WI members welcomed their new President Mrs Sylvia Bennett.
Members were treated to an informative and very humorous presentation of life in 18th Century Bath during what was known as ‘The Season’. Mrs Judi Wray Bliss, an experienced guide, entertained her audience with glimpses of the social life during this time.
The reigning monarch, Queen Anne (1702-1714), went to Bath to try to restore her failing health, and consequently ‘The Season’ became extremely popular with as many as 30,000 people moving temporarily to Bath for three months during the winter period.
They bathed in the Roman Baths, drank the spa water and frequented the chocolate houses, coffee shops, parks and taverns. The great, the good and anyone who thought they were such, flocked to the twice weekly balls to see, be seen and hopefully if applicable find a marriage partner.
Shaw & Whitley WI meet on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7.30pm in Shaw Village Hall. The subject for the next meeting is ‘How to Sow a Wildlife Meadow’. Everyone most welcome to this long established community group.
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