African Drums were heard in Clevedon

 
On 17th October, nine members attended the Belmont Group of WI's African Themed Autumn Event at the St Andrew's Church Centre, which was hosted by Southern Clevedon WI.
 
After the usual welcome, singing of Jerusalem, small amount of business and a few words from the Avon Federation of WI's Chairman, Donna, the evening started with a delicious hot meal of West African Chicken and Peanut Stew, followed by either Pineapple Ginger Cream or Lemon Posset.
 
Suitably refreshed we all joined in in clearing away the tables and arranging the chairs into one large circle around the room ready for the evening's entertainment. During this time there seemed to be a never ending stream of African Drums (Djembes) coming into the Hall!
 
Once we were all seated, each with a goblet shaped Djembe, Frances started the event off by explaining about their design and symbolic decorations. The Djembes varied in size, some so large they had to stand on the floor, at an angle to allow the sound out through the hollow centres, to small ones that would rest on the knee. We were then instructed in the correct way to strike the goatskin drumhead with different parts of our hands to achieve different sound effects. We were also advised to rub our hands over the goatskins to alleviate any soreness caused by the drumming, this action also being beneficial to the skins as they take up the natural greases from the hands.
 
After a practice of drumming, with the flat of the hand in the middle of the skins and then with the soft part at the base of our fingers on the rim of the drum, we were taught several different rhythms. This soon highlighted those who had natural rhythm and those who didn't, which caused much amusement, especially when we advanced to playing a Round.
 
We were assured this was a very relaxing way of passing the time, which it probably was for those who were musical. However, those of us who weren't so gifted agreed it was, in a funny sort of way, very stressful trying to keep time with the rest of those in the room.
 
The entertainment was followed by the announcing of the winners of the evening's competition "An African Animal in any Medium, under two foot in size". Our thanks go to Linda E for allowing us to enter her carved wooden Hippopotamus. This enabled Harbourside WI to win and retain the Plate for the second time running. Failand WI's ceramic mother and baby elephant came second, with Southern Clevedon WI coming third with their carved wooden pair of giraffes. It was also noticed again that Harbourside did rather well with their cache raffle prizes.
 
The evening ended with Wraxall WI proposing the votes of thanks to the ladies of Southern Clevedon WI for providing the excellent refreshments and to Frances and her helper for the entertainment. The drums were then reunited with their various and varied covers or "hats" and taken to the entrance lobby as we all made our way home.

We look forward to the Spring Meeting next March for the meal at the Masonic Hall in Nailsea.