PADDLE AGAINST PLASTIC

One of the latest WI Zoom Talks was from Cal Major on “Paddle Against Plastic”.  She is a truly remarkable young woman who spoke passionately on the subject of Plastic Pollution.  She was certainly very interesting to listen to and showed some superb photos and videos of stunning remote beaches but with the all too distressing amounts of plastic rubbish washed up on our shores – with a huge number of single use bottles.  Sadly cattle who graze along the water shores are known to eat this plastic.  As a vet she found herself sometimes having to witness this without being able to help – as the animals might have harmed her.

I was surprised to see that she actually carries on her paddle board her equipment for rough camping – although at other times she has had a back-up crew to meet her at the end of her day’s journey.  She has travelled around the coast and the longest trip was from Land’s End to John O’Groats (1000 miles!).

This September she will be paddle boarding from the start of the River Severn down to the Bristol Channel to raise awareness for her campaign.

We had time to ask her questions and she was aware of the WI Campaigns against Plastic Pollution. 

I would encourage all members to take note of these talks and sign up for one that is of interest to you.

Lockdown Summer 2020 - The WI carries on!

 

Over the last few months, there have been many concerns and frustrations at the different levels of Lockdown for our members.

Many have been tending their gardens and experimenting with new crops as extra time has allowed.  Others have taken on the challenge of trying new crafts or talking up old ones again as well as enjoying finding out more about our local area on lone or distancing walks and enjoying new reading material.  Some are just fed up of being stuck at home with limited contact with others.

Our national College Denman has been closed, but they have instead offered a wide range of online short courses available through Zoom.  Priced at just £5 for an hour, these have proved popular and many or our ladies have taken part in one or even many of them.  Here is just a few examples of what we have been learning and enjoying.

More recently we have been meeting up in groups of 6, either in members' gardens or in the Recreation Field, socially distanced.  These have been very enjoyable and have given us the chance to have a good chat with others, in differing groups each time and all having the chance to get to know each other much better as an added bonus.

A group of us have also followed the "Calendar Girls" idea of learning Tai Chi. It may not be on a Yorkshire hillside, but the Rec Field early evening provides a cool and calming space to take time out and learn this art.

Other events are happening online via Zoom - meetings, Quiz, Scavenger Hunt, "Would I lie to you?" game and watching talks arranged via County office. 

We will continue to keep in touch with our members regularly by whatever means works best for them and are keeping on eye on the new regulations for meeting up indoors, though it may be a while yet before we are all able and happy to do that.

Anyone new to the village or area is welcome to get in touch and get to meet us before formal meetings commence again.  Contact Mary on 01373 812415.