NFWI Annual Meeting Report 2023 from Caroline

 

NFWI Annual Meeting 2023 – Delegate’s Report

I travelled independently and joined the Somerset WI group late evening at the hotel in Cardiff Bay.  After breakfast we travelled by coach into the centre of Cardiff for a short walk to St David’s Hall.  The venue was almost full; it was very moving to sing Jerusalem together.

Ann Jones, National Chair, during her address advised that the Non-Members Survey had been transformational for planning purposes.  She then announced the new model for education following the closure of Denman College (see e-mail from County on 26 May).  The Treasurer presented the accounts, which showed a healthy surplus, following the sale of Denman.  She encouraged WIs to claim Gift Aid for members, which then enabled Federations and National also to claim it.

The resolution discussion on Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife was very interesting.  The proposer and seconder spoke passionately about the need for cleaner rivers and more designated bathing areas.  A speaker from River Action, a UK-based environmental charity committed to addressing the severe problem of river pollution (particularly that caused by agricultural and food industry practices and sewage discharge by water companies) supported the resolution.  The speaker against the resolution raised good points:

§  there are 200,000 km of water courses and applying for designated bathing areas would divert investment from general improvement of river health and wider environmental protection.

§  it would cost £56 million to change rivers to swimming pools.

§  pathogens that would need to be removed from the water for human safety would not harm wildlife.

§  70% of people surveyed want rivers to be cleaner for wildlife, 12% want them cleaner for swimming.

Many of the questions/comments from the floor supported clean rivers generally but not specifically for bathing.  Someone commented that wild swimming was an exclusive activity and someone else that changes would make life very hard for farmers.  The resolution was passed by 84%.

Had I been given discretion on the vote I would have voted against the resolution having heard the speakers.  WIs need to remember that they have this option – to vote for or against or to give the delegate discretion.  It was agreed that it would be helpful for everyone to have the opportunity to hear the expert speakers before voting – National will think about this for future years.

Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE, a former English cricketer who is now a commentator and Director of Women's Cricket at Surrey, the first black woman to play for England, spoke eloquently about her life and motivation giving the following keys to success:

§  confidence is overrated, courage matters.

§  environment is everything, good people and surroundings.

§  see challenges as growth opportunities.

§  having a purpose means it is easy to do better.

During the lunch break I joined Unofficial Women’s Institute Facebook page members (daisies) for a photograph and an enjoyable but uncomfortable ride on the carousel!

Nicky Amos (from Somerset) is leaving as a NFWI Trustee and was thanked.  She spoke of the success of WI campaigning, that decision makers take notice of 180,000 members.

The final speaker was Laura McAllister CBE, a Welsh academic, former international footballer and recently appointed as Vice-President of the UEFA Executive Committee.  Again, she was a very motivational speaker, emphasising the growth in women’s football and the opportunity for girls to become professional footballers.  Her suggestions for success were:

§  don’t be a dick, treat other as you would like to be treated.

§  don’t forget to help others.

§  don’t stop learning.

§  don’t forget your roots.

I thoroughly recommend the experience and urge you to attend the 2024 Annual Meeting to be held in the Royal Albert Hall on 5 June.

 

 

The Memorial hall was very busy on the evening of our May meeting with members and several visitors. After the usual business and notices, we discussed the WI National Resolution – Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife.  After a short quiz, more information and discussion, the majority voted in favour of the resolution.  This vote was taken by Caroline to the WI Annual Meeting in Cardiff at the end of the month.

Our own AGM then followed with reports of the last year’s activities, finances and voting in Caroline as our President for another year. The Line Dancing sub-group put on a show for us – 9 ladies and their instructor Rosita showed us 3 dances which were much enjoyed by all their audience. Finally, refreshments and a sales table of items donated by members, with various items from rhubarb to craft items and handbags. We raised £35 to be sent to Alzheimer’s Research. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable and sociable evening was had by all.

The Annual Meeting in Cardiff was reported as a fun packed event with inspirational speakers Ebony Rainford-Brent and Laura McAllister talking about women's sport.  As well as this, there was a passionate debate on the Resolution which passed with an 84% majority. Below are ways that you can get involved:

1. Find out more information about how to apply for inland bathing water by using the Surfers Against Sewage's 'Wild Water' website.
The website contains a useful nine-step guide that provides guidance about applying for a designated bathing water. You can also access the Surfers Against Sewage community bathing waters toolkit here. 
2. Find out about sewage pollution in rivers in your area
You can find out about the location of combined sewage outflows (CSOs) in your area by looking at the Rivers Trust Sewage Map. 

Our Speaker in June will be Nancy Freeman on "Japanese Craft".  There will also be a display of work from our very own Craft Group.

If you are interested in finding out more about our WI, enjoy some good company and entertainment why not come along. We meet on the second Monday of each month at 7.30 in The Memorial Hall. We have either a speaker or an in-house social event followed by light refreshments and plenty of chat. A great way to catch up.  Contact Caroline on 01373 812889.

 

 

April Showers!!  Well we have certainly had a wet month, including rain on the last day.  Here's hoping for a drier and warmer May.

Fortunately for us Saturday 29^th was a bright and sunny afternoon.  At 2pm a group of ladies set off from the Village Hall to do two different walks in aid of ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World).  Each year on or around 29 April, women worldwide celebrate ACWW's international network by joining together to Walk the World.  It is the largest international organisation for both rural and urban women, with a membership of nine million in over 70 countries.  

Of course, it would not be the WI without tea and cake being served at the end!  It was lovely to see so many chatting and enjoying each other's company.  We raised £88.50.  Thank you so much for those who made cakes, served teas and joined us on the walk.

Our speaker in April was Noelle Leigh, one of our own Villagers and WI member, who spoke on "Do Trees Talk?".  The meeting was in the Clubhouse on the Rec field (due to change of normal date because of the Easter holiday).  It was entirely appropriate given the subject and members spent a cosy evening together.  Noelle shared with us her long and extensive knowledge of trees and helped us to see their splendour, to feel their strength and to respect them. 

We learnt that trees can help us experience real calm and peace whilst navigating our busy and complex lives.  She spoke of our Key Native Species and how these have adapted and evolved with other Non-Native ones.  She brought along some examples of acorns and seeds to help us understand these differences.  She also gave an informative precis of how she developed her keen interest and long time passion.  A very charming and engaging talk.

Some of our members and husbands went to Radstock Museum on 27 April.  A first visit for some and for others an opportunity after many years to take a look again at the different historical aspects of Radstock life.  Afterwards a very tasty meal at the local Italian restaurant.  Thank you to the organisers.

Our meeting on 8 May will be back in the Memorial Hall and it will be our annual AGM.  This is when we'll discuss the new WI Resolution, "Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife", and take a vote.  Caroline is attending the AGM in Cardiff in May and will take our vote forward.  At our meeting we will also be choosing our new Committee members and President.  There will also be a short display from our band of Line Dancers (one of our growing number of sub-groups).

Don't forget that Denman offers lots of very interesting and varied on-line courses.  Why not sign up to their newsletter?  Just follow this link:

https://www.denman.org.uk/newsletter/

Each month we enjoy either a pre-arranged speaker or an in-house social event, followed by light refreshment and chat.  It's a lovely way to catch-up and make new friends.  So if you feel like joining us and would like to see if it's for you, why not come along.  We are always delighted to welcome new members, either from Leigh on Mendip or the surrounding villages.

If you are interested please contact Caroline on 01373 812889.

 

They say for March:-

"In like a Lion and out like a Lamb".  Not so sure that is true – we did have snow near the beginning but have ended with torrential rain!!  

Somewhere in the middle, though, we have had the chance to see the daffodils and primroses. 

The Speaker this month was Dawn Denton who gave a very informative talk on “Growing Up in Apartheid Africa”.  Dawn is now local – living in Frome but her family for several generations have lived in South Africa.  She spoke about her early childhood, attending boarding school and then University (where she trained to be a teacher) in the 1970s and 80s.  As a young person she had not been so aware of the politics and the impact of Apartheid – partly because of the information withheld and the way news was presented to them.  She then spoke on the changes that have been made, starting with the release of Nelson Mandela, and the work that still needs to be done.  She was a very interesting and engaging speaker and was happy to answer our questions.

We also heard from Sue Dunford about the "Million Women Rise" March in London.  In her own words:-

"When I saw mention of the Million Woman Rise in the WI, ending violence against women and girls was something I felt very strongly about and decided this was something I was going to get involved with.

So on 4th March I made my way to the University of London in Regent Street for a pre-meet panel hosted by NFWI Chair Ann Jones. Anneliese Dodds (Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities) made a keynote speech about menopause and working women and our panel speakers were Lizzy Dobres from Women's Aid England and Dr Hannah Siddiqui of Southall Black Sisters. It was thought provoking to hear about some of the issues faced and a very spirited discussion ensued with Ann Jones very quickly jumping on us if questions became too political!

We then headed off for pictures in Cavendish Square Gardens where I got chatting to other members from Bridport, Hackney, Nottingham and Manchester, before arriving at Selfridges where the March was starting from.

We were lucky to be behind another women's group who all had drums, so it made a great rhythm to dance to whilst we were waiting to start and a great counterpoint to chanting and singing once we were on our way. Spectators were supportive and the only negative came from a woman who was getting frustrated that she couldn't get across the road.

It felt awesome to be marching with other women, to fight against the issue with all ages represented.

We moved slowly down to Trafalgar Square where the rally was held. It started with poetry and rapping and was calling out strongly the misogyny of the police force. It was a safe place for women to express their pain and be supported by other women and if I had been able to stay longer I'm sure other aspects would have also been discussed. However, by then I was freezing and had a train to catch.

Would I get involved again – absolutely

What would I do differently - wear warmer clothes!"

At a recent meeting we had briefly discussed this year's Resolutions.  All members are given a chance to vote on the Resolution they would like to see go forward.  Results have been announced – Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife had the most National votes with 39%, and 30% of ours.  We will talk more about this over the coming months.  Voting is in May and Caroline will attend the AGM in Cardiff and vote on our behalf and also for other local WIs.  Meanwhile do look on the MyWI website for a lot more information.  If you haven't already done so it is very easy to join up.  Just follow the link:

https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/ 

The Litter Pick was well supported by other people living in Leigh on Mendip.  34 people came during the afternoon.  Rubbish was collected from the lanes, footpaths and open areas in and around the village.  

Thank you to those who made cakes and served refreshments. It was lovely to see people enjoying themselves in the Hall at the end.  £15.80 was raised for Frome Foodbank.

We continue with our usual monthly events.  8 ladies attended the lunch at The Bell on Wednesday 15 March.  Line Dancing is always popular on a Friday – we were joined by some other ladies from Buckland Dinham and Frome.  Thank you to Rosita for being such an excellent and patient teacher!  The Book Club have had a rather weighty book this month – 771 pages.  Not a book to pack in your suitcase when going on holiday!  It met with very mixed views – but it's great we can all feel free to express our views - and agree to disagree!!  Craft Group meet on the first and third Monday afternoon of each month.  Do come along and see if you are interested.

Note the changes to our April Meeting.  It will be held on the THIRD Monday (17 April) due to the Easter weekend.  We will also be in the Recreational Field Clubhouse.  Same time 7.30pm.  We are keenly looking forward to our speaker this month, one of our very own knowledgeable members Noelle Leigh.  She is giving us a talk "Do Trees Talk?", very apt when the trees all around are showing signs of life and bursting into leaf. 

With Spring just arriving the Bulb Order Catalogues for next year are available.  Please see Mary if you wish to place an order.  Also the WI Raffle Tickets are on sale at £1 each with some fabulous prizes to be won.  Subs (£40) are due in April.  Please pay by bank transfer, cheque or cash.

On Thursday 27 April there will be an outing to Radstock Museum, leaving the village at 6pm.  Friends and family very welcome.  Please speak to Mary if you are interested.

 

 

February brings us the hope of Spring.  Lighter afternoons and seeing many snowdrops and a few early daffodils.  Certainly raises the spirits.  On the 14^th many people celebrate Valentine's Day with loved ones and friends.  At our meeting on the 13^th we encouraged members to wear something red as we were supporting the British Heart foundation.  Everyone was given a cardboard red heart on which they could write a message.  It was lovely that so many ladies from other WIs were able to join us.

Our Speaker was Keith Lodwick.  He started with a brief outline of his career before taking up the role of a Curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.  A 'behind the scenes' view was really interesting and learning about how long it takes to make the contacts and acquire permissions to borrow the items they wish to display.  He focussed on the Hollywood Exhibition, which had a record ¼ million visitors over 14 weeks when the museum was open 24 hours.  It was also an opportunity for us to see pictures of some of the clothes worn by unforgettable characters such as Dorothy Gale in the Wizard of Oz, Indiana Hones, Scarlett O'Hara and Darth Vader.  He has also contributed to the forthcoming Diva to coincide with the V&A exhibition in June.

Members were reminded that we have a Bursary available for Educational courses.  One of our members is going next month to learn about bag making and will come back to share with others who are interested what she has learned.  The County Easter Craft Taster Day at Draycott on 4 March will now be for just 2 choices of activities but they can be booked in advance. Several members were interested.  Booked on a first come first served basis.

We were reminded that Annual Subs are due at the beginning of April.  Members were asked to bring £40 (or arrange to make payment).  This is a reduction of £6 (for this year only) as the funds we hold have allowed for this decision to be made and voted on by all those who were present.

Lunch at The Bell was supported by some of our members on Wednesday 15^th.  Why not give it a try – we meet on the third Wednesday of every month.

And a date for your diaries (not just WI members!!).  Village Litter Pick on Saturday 11 March, 2-4pm.  Meet at the Village Hall.  Refreshments provided afterwards. Last year it was lovely to see whole families involved in tidying our lovely village and making it a nicer place to live.

We were reminded of the Community Survey that will take place in February.  This is your chance to have your say about what it is to live here and how you might like to see what the future can bring.

If you would like to find out more about our WI please come along to the Village Hall on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm or contact Caroline Harris on 01373 812889.

 

Yay!  74 years young this year – WI started in Leigh on Mendip in January 1949.  We celebrated on Saturday 28 January with an afternoon of film, "Mrs Harris Goes to Paris" and tea & cake in our lovely warm village hall. 

Good fun and good company.  Enjoyed by about 20 of our members.  Great team effort – thank you to everyone who helped.

And if you got a taste for "Fashion" in the above film do come along to our meeting on Monday 13 February.  Our Speaker will be Keith Lodwick who is a writer and film & theatre historian.  He is the former Curator of Theatre & Screen Arts at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.  At the V&A, Keith curated Vivien Leigh: Public Faces, Privates Lives and was the V&A curator for the 2012 major exhibition Hollywood Costume.  I could say more but will leave him to tell you the rest of his story - and maybe share some celebrity gossip!

At our meeting on 9 January, Martin Horler from Kilmersdon, gave us a very enlightening talk on "Bygone Days.  It's not all Beer & Skittles". 

He spoke of his deep, local knowledge of the community and its various Drinking Houses, Pubs and Inns.  He explained how they were the general hub and centre of Village Life and how traditions such as Wassailing kept communities together. 

It was a very enjoyable evening, including being entertained with a song or two.

Members were reminded to make their choice on the 4 Resolutions being put forward this year.  A wide variety from "Save our water – every drop matters", "Women to women – turning over a new leaf in the lives of women tea workers", "Online gambling harm – time for action" and "Clean rivers for people and wildlife".  Plenty to think about. 

The subgroups have restarted – wide range to choose from, with hopefully something for everyone.  "Craft", "Line Dancing", "Tai Chi", "Book Club" and later in the year when the weather is more settled "Walking".  If you have an interest that is not covered by these why not speak to one of the Committee and set up a group.  We also meet for lunch in The Bell on the third Wednesday of the month – 5 ladies came in January.  Maybe you would just like to join for a drink or pud!

A date for your diaries (not just WI members!!).  Village Litter Pick on Saturday 11 March, 2-4pm.  Meet at the Village Hall.  Refreshments provided afterwards.

The Programme for the year ahead has been put together with a good mix of interesting and varied speakers and outings arranged to keep us entertained and informed.  If you would like to find out more please come along to the Village Hall on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm or contact Caroline Harris on 01373 812889.

 

Well maybe not a white Christmas but we definitely had snow in December.  It must have been one of the coldest spells for many a year!  However, although numbers were a little low for our monthly meeting I'm glad to say that the weather was fine for our members coming to the Christmas Meal at The Bell on Monday 5 December. 

30 ladies booked and it was great to see so many enjoying the food and company in the Skittle Alley.  Ann was presented with a small gift for being the best attendee during the year.

The Church looked lovely for the weekend of the Christmas Tree Festival.  It was great to see this event back in the village calendar.  Thanks to all our members involved with their ideas, creating things, the loan of the tree and for setting up, clearing away and helping at the event.  We won Best Tree by a Village Organisation and Best as voted by those who visited the Festival.  We won a bundle of Christmas goodies and held a free ticket raffle for all members at our December meeting – many ladies went home with a prize and the rest have been delivered!

Mary took the Christmas donations to the Frome Foodbank.  They were delighted and sent a letter of thanks, mentioning the increased demand and reported we had sent 30kg of goodies (one or two heavier items) but an increase from 19kg in 2019.  Thanks to everyone.

Our December meeting was a Christmas Social.  Five members, in appropriate headgear, performed a short version of Cinderella with minimal words, and monotone voices – very amusing and enjoyed by all present.  We then started to play/show videos of the music choices that members had requested – either their first, favourite or another meaningful piece.  Some added a story or reason for their choices which were well received – 19 pieces played ranging from Status Quo to a Violin Concerto.

Members were reminded of the 2023 Resolutions.  Four to choose from which are detailed in the November WI Life Magazine.  Please make your personal preference and return your voting slip at the January meeting or e-mail Mary by the end of January.

Forthcoming events.  Our Meeting on Monday 9^th January 2023 will be a talk by Kilmersdon local Martin Horler on "Bygone Days – not all Beer & Skittles".  I'm sure it will be very amusing and entertaining.

Our Birthday Party celebration is on 28 January in the Village Hall, 2-4pm, showing a film and afternoon tea.  More details to follow.

If there are ladies (young and old!) who are looking for new interests in 2023 in the Village please contact Caroline on 01373 812889 or come to our January meeting.  No obligation to join immediately.

Here is a link for a WI survey for any non-members to complete.  We would be interested in your views.  Please complete before 15 January 2023.  Thank you.

https://sprw.io/stt-xwsByTfSPd3Jomcuza74KF

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR MEMBERS!