Buckland Dinham WI have kindly invited us to join in with their 'Sing-a-long' on Tuesday March 5 at 8pm, costing £2. David Andrew is the host.
Sounds as if it will be fun!
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Leigh on Mendip Bags! (New!)
As a result of our discussion and vote at Monday's meeting, I have placed an order for 50 cotton bags, in "racing green". I thought you would approve of the colour, as it represents us, The WI, without actually saying so! ('Though possibly not the racing bit!) The cost per bag has gone up by 6p but I felt it was still OK to go ahead as it doesn't eat too much into our budget.
At this stage it is in the queue for the design team who will send us a proof which we must approve before they go ahead and print.
At this stage it is in the queue for the design team who will send us a proof which we must approve before they go ahead and print.
CocoBella comes to Leigh WI!
What a very interesting - and tasty - evening! Our speakers were very relaxed and informal and gave a very good demonstration of how their beautiful chocolate favours are crafted. The growth and success of their business from the kitchen to a unit at an industrial estate (via a shed!) was really great to hear in these depressing economic times. Both ladies clearly enjoy what they do and spend many hours each week creating some unique and very clever confections. They invited us to call in on them (near Vobster) any time to have a look around. They have a website, too.
Our Fairtrade discussion raised a lot more questions! Jane presented us with a brief history of how fair trade developed and then suggested a wide range of angles from which to view the process. Just how fair is it? ...at each stage of the process? Does every producer have equal access to the scheme? How much of the extra we pay for Fairtrade items actually reaches the producer? Is this simply a way in which we can each feel that we are contributing, doing our bit for the Third World? How much is spent on administration, marketing, 'costs'? Sue decided to do some more research and we all agreed it would be interesting to invite a speaker from a supermarket to explain how it works.
Our Fairtrade discussion raised a lot more questions! Jane presented us with a brief history of how fair trade developed and then suggested a wide range of angles from which to view the process. Just how fair is it? ...at each stage of the process? Does every producer have equal access to the scheme? How much of the extra we pay for Fairtrade items actually reaches the producer? Is this simply a way in which we can each feel that we are contributing, doing our bit for the Third World? How much is spent on administration, marketing, 'costs'? Sue decided to do some more research and we all agreed it would be interesting to invite a speaker from a supermarket to explain how it works.
Sunday, 10 February 2013
On Monday 11 February we have our next meeting – all about chocolate! Apparently, Coco Bella will bring some items to sell, too. Jane is very kindly preparing some information about Fair Trade for us to talk about after the break. I think it will be very interesting, so I hope you will be able to join in.
Also! Remember the food bank item, if you can, please!
In addition to reading the minutes of the last meeting, please will you think about the suggestion made last meeting to have some more tea towels or something with the Leigh on Mendip design ready for us to sell on our stall at the Village Fair?
The committee looked carefully at the options open to us and the majority decision was that the light cotton bag with short handles would be the best option as it would cost us roughly £100 for 50, and people would probably buy something like that for £2.80. Other ideas (apron, oven gloves, canvas bags....) would all be much more expensive. so, at the meeting we will ask you to vote for one of the following:
1. we should do nothing about it!
2. we buy 50 cotton, short handled bags to sell. Selling them all would give us £40 profit.
3. we wait until next year, when the tea towels will have faded a little and we may get more interest in a logo-ed item!
From County News there are several events you may like to attend – there will be a sheet for you to sign up: Spring Ramble 15 May, Spring Roadshows in April, Snowdrops at Litton, a performance of Acorn Antiques at Strode Theatre and a conference in Bristol on Women’s Rights.
On Tuesday 12 Feb the Strawberry Line WI at Cranmore have a speaker demonstrating Indian Cookery which looks very interesting. Jan P would like to go – is there anyone else who would like to join her?
On Thursday 14 March, Kilmersdon WI have a speaker from the TV programme ‘Homes Under the Hammer’. let us know on Monday if you would like to go!
23 March is the Hall Quiz night, so keep that night free and let's see if we can manage a little better than we did last year!
Record of January's Meeting
Leigh on Mendip WI meeting: Monday 14 January 2013 7.30 pm in the Memorial Hall
Welcome & apologies: Members were welcomed in 2013. Apologies received from June F and Ann.
Minutes & matters arising: Sparks confirmed that the minutes were available on the blog and a hard copy was available at the meeting. They were signed as a true record. The lunch at The Bell on 4 January was good. Sparks thanked the WI for the bursary for her wonderful weekend painting course at Denman. More details were on the blog.
County News: Not yet received. 6 members wanted to attend the NFWI AGM in Cardiff on 1 June. Members were reminded about the resolution forms in WI Life.
Forthcoming Events:
§ Mary was thanked for printing the programme.
§ Tuesday 15 January at Cranmore Village Hall 7.30pm, Chris Sperring with an owl
§ Making hearts and bags for Marie Masters’ challenge and craft day Friday 18 January. Interest gauged.
§ Birthday Party – Burns Night at Barbara’s, 25 January 7.30pm bring a plate of food and a poem to share. 14 members wished to attend.
§ Group Spring business meeting Monday 28 January 7.30pm at the Hall. Sparks offered to take the minutes and others to help with refreshments.
§ Lunch at the Bell Friday 1 February
§ Saturday 16 March. Village Clean up.
Correspondence: None
Treasurer’s Report: Bank £854.75, petty cash £37.59. The tea towel profit was over £80. It was agreed to re-join the Memorial Hall 100 club.
Birthdays: Sparks 23 and Jan H 28 January
Next meeting: CocoBella talking about chocolate with items to sell, followed by a Fairtrade discussion. VOT: Gill.
AOB: The Banner project to be discussed at the next meeting.
Members were notified that the Memorial Hall quiz will be held on 23 March.
June B expressed thanks for all the items brought for the food bank.
Jane suggested buying some more tea towels to sell at the fete this year and it was decided that Sparks would cost alternative products for discussion next month.
Sparks then introduced our local Gamesmaker, Richard Blunden, who gave a fascinating insight into his role at the Paralympic Games, whilst wearing his uniform.
Saturday, 9 February 2013
Marie Masters' Challenge
At the Somerset Annual meeting last Autumn, Marie Masters set us all a challenge to make some heart shaped cushions and some bags for people recovering from breast cancer surgery.
Between us, Annie and I made 10 of each and, after consultation with Emma at Wilton Lodge (Somerset Federation HQ), I delivered them to the Breast Care Unit at the RUH in Bath.
Saturday, 2 February 2013
When I'm 64.....!
We celebrated our 64th birthday in style last night at Mary's house, with a selection of gorgeous food, wine and scintillating company! Thank you all for making it such a fun evening! Isn't it always surprising that we never plan the food in advance and yet there is always an even selection of savoury and sweet? How does that work? Extremely well, in our experience, anyway!
