Mermaids: Mylor and Flushing WI’s informational stall at the community Going Green Fair
Mermaids: Mylor and Flushing WI is ‘Going Green’ this year by continuing to support environmental causes, especially the green campaign of their local Mylor Bridge and Flushing Environmental Action group.
In March, the Mermaids had a stall at a Going Green Fair in Mylor Bridge, displaying their Hedgehog Project, and provided refreshments. It was an excellent opportunity to meet and network with many diverse local action groups within the community. Following this, on World Earth Day, 22 April, the Mermaids held a pre-loved clothes sale, raffle and cake stall along with refreshments. Other community groups in Mylor Bridge were involved, including Mylor School, Mylor Scouts and village clubs. Despite the rather wet and windy weather, it proved to be a worthwhile and enjoyable day with the bacon rolls and sausage rolls particularly appreciated!
Pre-loved clothes were also on display at the April meeting of Mermaids: Mylor and Flushing WI when members were entertained by a fascinating talk by Andrea Newell, a dress historian and volunteer curator at Helston Museum. Whilst researching the clothing exhibits, she had uncovered fascinating stories behind them which she presented as a Pandora’s box. Out of the box came a Wolsey blue knitted swimsuit circa 1930s to much amusement. Another find was a gook bonnet, worn by Bal Maidens around 1860. At least 6,000 women were working in the Devon and Cornwall mines and used these bonnets as protection from flying pieces of ore and other materials which they were smashing up. Andrea invited the women to look at their own ‘treasures’ and research any stories they might reveal.