Wellington Women’s Institute members found themselves shakin’ all over when they joined Shema, a professional belly dancer, for some novel and lively exercise at the Beambridge last week.
Shema’s experience of the dance and its many different styles comes from two years spent living with a Bedouin tribe and 10 years’ training. She gave a demonstration of different forms of the dance from countries where it is an important cultural activity, illustrating that authentic belly dancing is very different from how it is presented in the media.
More sedentary activities included a beetle drive and a vote for the best limerick from members of a writing group to be entered in a competition at Tone Valley WI’s social evening next week. Both writing groups are also entering short stories in a Purbeck Literary Festival competition. A lively agenda included reports from various interest groups and advance planning for Christmas.
Next month’s meeting on 19 November at 7pm at the Beambridge features a demonstration and practical lesson by Wellington flower arrangers. Visitors are very welcome.