Category: Womens Institute

It’s Good To Talk.

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Hopefully all members are staying safe and well, whilst enjoying the summer weather.

We are still hoping it won’t be too long before we can resume our monthly meetings, but until then members have been enjoying several social gatherings in the Wenvoe Arms garden. Another date is planned for some time in August so we hope the weather will continue to be kind on our chosen date.

In the July/August edition of WI Life we were introduced to our new National Federation Chair Anne Jones. Retiring Chair Lynne Stubbings delivered a landmark speech at the historic Annual Meeting on 8th June, with guest speakers HRH the Countess of Wessex, Dame Cressida Dick and Baroness Hale. They all gave uplifting talks which contributed towards the overwhelming success of the meeting.

The magazine also included various interesting articles such as the Federation of Wales Conference, All Hands On Deck, Meet the Toad Patrol and the story of a former ballerina who has now turned to sewing.

Recently our thoughts and prayers have been with our Secretary, Pam and her family, as Pam sadly lost her brother at the end of June.

We are still looking forward to seeing any photographs members have of “Sunflowers in Bloom”. They will be most welcome for our ongoing scrapbook and for our contribution towards the WI archives.

If you are celebrating a birthday in August please accept our warmest wishes for that special day.

We would like to extend many congratulations to our member Avril and her husband Jeff on the occasion of their Golden Wedding Anniversary at the end of August.

If you know of any member celebrating a special occasion or special birthday please let Madeleine (20593212) or Pam (20592621) know.

Until we meet again stay well, stay safe and stay in touch – it’s good to talk.

 

 

Sad Month for Our WI

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Hopefully, all members and their families and friends are still safe and well. Just as June 2020 was a sad month for our WI so June 2021 also brought us sadness, with the passing of our dear friend Gloria. Although Gloria had not re-joined us this year, we have fond memories of the times she spent with us. Our thoughts and prayers are with all Gloria’s family and friends.

At the moment there are no definite plans for our monthly meetings to begin. However, some members enjoyed an outdoor social gathering in the Wenvoe Arms Garden on Tuesday 15th June. It was so good to catch up with each other face to face, especially as some members were meeting for the first time in many months. We were all sorry to learn of Sue Webley’s recent ill health, but we were delighted to see her well enough to join us.

If you are celebrating a birthday in July, please accept our warmest wishes for that special day.

We are planning to arrange for members to come together again in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, stay well, stay safe and stay in touch

 

 

A Highly Commended Certificate

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Hopefully all members, their families and friends are remaining safe and well.

We were all delighted to learn that Paula Johnson received a highly commended certificate for her photograph of “New Life” in the WI Spring Virtual Show. Paula is one of our newer members and we would like to extend many congratulations to her – it was lovely to see the photograph of the duck with its duckling in the Glamorgan Federation Newsletter.

This year Lynne Stubbings is stepping down as NFWI Chair. We were able to share her experiences over the last four years as soon as we opened the May and June ‘21 copy of WI Life. Her proudest moment was when she represented the WI in the Remembrance Parade in 2018. (Clearly a very special honour as to date this is the only time the WI has been invited to take part.) During her time in office Lynne has attended many events and functions. Even our very own Glamorgan Federation got a mention, as she had seen the Centenary of World War I Exhibition at Margam Abbey, produced by Cwm Brombil WI. The person replacing Lynne is to be announced at the Annual Meeting on June 8th – virtual of course due to the current situation.

May10th to May16th was Mental Health Awareness Week. The most recent edition of WI Life was referred to as “The Mental Wellbeing Issue”. It had many pages of help, hope and inspiration – especially the pages devoted to the various WI members who told their stories.

As we step into June our thoughts turn to our dear friend Margaret, who passed away suddenly on June 9th 2020. The gavel is ready for the next meeting and so Margaret will always be with us.

If you are celebrating a birthday in June please accept our warmest wishes for that special day.

We are all looking forward to the time when we can come together for our monthly meetings and enjoy our WI membership for many years to come. Hopefully that special day is not too far away. In the meantime stay well, stay safe and stay in touch.

 

 

Searching Desperately for a Treasurer

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Hopefully all members, their families and friends are safe and well. May is the time of the year when we would normally hold our Annual Meeting.

It is really important that members are aware that we are still searching desperately for a Treasurer to re-place Jayne so that we can move forward and save our WI. If you feel you could fill this position Madeleine would be DELIGHTED to hear from you (02920593212). Please remember that lots of help and support will always be available.

A big thank you is extended to all members who have re-joined us. A receipt will be forwarded at a later date.

May is also “Resolutions Month”. However due to the current situation a different plan is in place regarding the voting system. WIs have until 9th July to cast their vote so members still have a considerable amount of time to decide how they want to vote. All details regarding the Resolution, which is “A Call to Increase Awareness of the Subtle Signs of Ovarian Cancer” can be found on page 17 of the April 2021 edition of WI Life.

Another special article in the same magazine is the story of four members from Peterston WI working at a vaccination centre. It was very interesting to read about Nurse Sharon Chapman’s appearance in the media both here and in the United States.

Hopefully by now our sunflower seeds have had some warmth to help them on their way. We are all curious to see who can grow the tallest sunflower and we are looking forward to seeing photographs of “Sunflowers in Bloom”.

As soon as we are able to meet up again members will be notified straight away – we are all looking forward to that special time.

If you are celebrating a birthday in May please accept our warmest wishes for that special day.

Members are still staying in touch in various ways and hoping it won’t be too long before we can have a social gathering. In the meantime –stay well and stay safe – stay in touch.

 

 

Challenging Times Ahead

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

We Could Never Have Imagined The Challenging Times Ahead Of Us

This time last year we could never have imagined the challenging times ahead of us – times that were going to cause great stress and great sadness for many people. We hope all our members, their families and their friends are keeping well and staying safe.

By the time this article is printed members will have received their Easter wishes and packet of “bee friendly” sunflower seeds. The flowers will remind us of our dear friend, Margaret, who brought a ray of sunshine to our WI with her welcoming smile and warm greeting.

Our link with each other remains ongoing via our telephone calls, e-mails, Glamorgan monthly newsletter and the WI Life magazine. No doubt members were very moved by the “Tales from the front line” featured in the recent edition of WI Life. The “Star Letter” in the same magazine was very uplifting, as it featured the President, Vice President and Secretary of Bricket Wood WI (Hertfordshire Federation) being involved with giving the vaccine to the staff of Watford General Hospital.

As soon as we are given the go-ahead for meetings to resume members will be notified straight away. In the meantime we are all looking forward to the time when we can be together again. Until then, think of happier, brighter, healthier, safer times in the days ahead.

If you are celebrating a birthday in April please accept our warmest wishes for that special day.

Until we meet again please remember – stay in touch, stay well and keep safe

 

 

Fresh Hope From the Vaccine

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Fresh Hope From the Vaccine

We hope that all members, their families and friends, are remaining safe and well. Recently Maureen Sweeney’s son passed away very suddenly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maureen and her family. We send our deepest sympathy to all of them at this very difficult time.

It has been a long, dreary winter. The pandemic has caused:-

Pain, Anxiety, Nightmares, Death, Emotion, Misery, Isolation, Challenges,

along with much sadness in many homes. However, there is fresh hope in the form of the vaccine. HOPE – such a small word that can mean so much! We are all hoping for healthier, happier, hugging days to come.

No doubt members have enjoyed reading the “Stories of Hope” featured in the latest edition of WI Life. We hope it won’t be too long before we are able to meet up and be together again. It will be such a special time – it will also be a time when we can remember our dear friend Margaret in the usual manner, when we have lost a member.

Many thanks to all members who voted for their choice of resolution. The result will be given in a future edition of “What’s On”.

If you are celebrating a birthday in March please accept our warmest wishes for that special day.

In the meantime stay well, stay safe, stay positive and stay connected.

 

 

 

What A Difference A Year Makes!

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

What A Difference A Year Makes!

Hopefully our members, their families and friends, are staying safe and well.

What a difference a year makes! This time last year we had an interesting, varied programme planned. We were all looking forward to our Summer After-noon Tea – the event when we would be raising money for “Dogs for Good”. (A Charity that sup-ports disabled people and their families.) However, “Some Day We’ll Be Together” (the title of that well known song from the 1960’s).

In fact several song titles come to mind when we stop and think about the current situation. There has been much “Tossing and Turning”, along with “Wishing and Hoping”. Many families are facing severe heartache and grief. “In thoughts of you” springs to mind as we feel deeply for them. Our self-less NHS workers certainly deserve the titles “You’re Amazing”, “You’re Special” and “Thank You”. As Vera Lynn sang so proudly “We’ll Meet Again”. When we are able to meet up we shall un-doubtedly be “Happy Together”.

As soon as we are given the go-ahead to resume our monthly meetings members will be contacted straight away.

If you are celebrating a birthday in February please accept our warmest wishes.

In the meantime always remember “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Number 1 hit from 1963 sung by the recently deceased Gerry Marsden).

This Year Has Not Been Normal

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

 

Hopefully all members, their families and friends have remained safe and well during the festive season.

This article would normally contain reference to our Christmas party and Link Carol Service – both special dates on our WI calendar. As we are all aware this year has not been a normal year and our lives have changed like nobody could ever have predicted. Hopefully 2021 will bring brighter, happier, healthier and safer days.

During 2020 many families have been faced with extreme sadness and severe heartache, including the family of our dear friend Margaret. We shall never forget Margaret and all that she did for our WI.

WI Ladies have kept their fellowship through What’s On, the monthly newsletter, WI Life, and personal telephone calls throughout these challenging times. Our heartfelt thanks must go to our Secretary Pam. Pam ordered, wrapped beautifully and organised the distribution of Christmas gifts for our members. Phyllis and Ros helped with the deliveries and we would like to extend our grateful thanks to all of them.

We would like to extend special wishes to Sue, Avril, Paula and Sandra who have all faced health issues during 2020.

If you are celebrating a birthday in January please accept our warmest wishes.

We are all looking forward to that announcement stating that it is safe for us to hold our monthly meetings.

In the meantime please remember to:-

stay Warm, Eat well, Never give up

stay Very safe, stay Optimistic, take Exercise,

stay Well, stay In touch

The Committee (Madeleine, Pam, Jayne, June, Ros and Jean) would like to extend New Year Greetings with best wishes for a healthy 2021 to all WI members, their families and their friends

 

 

Festival of Remembrance Service

Festival of Remembrance Service from the Royal Albert Hall

At the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance Service from the Royal Albert Hall on 7th November, HRH the Duchess of Cornwall paid tribute to the nursing profession and spoke of 2020 in the following way: ‘This year has been one that we could never have anticipated.’
We certainly could never have anticipated the sudden loss of our dear friend Margaret who passed away earlier this year. When we are able to come together again we shall undoubtedly miss her friendly smile and warm welcome. Margaret’s memory will always live on. Her family has kindly donated a lovely scrapbook she had made and the gavel is al-ways an important part of every meeting.
Sue Webley has had a short spell in hospital and we send our very best get well wishes for good health to her. Members will be pleased to learn that Sandra Anstee has been home for some time following her recent surgery. We also send her our very best get well wishes as she makes her way along the road to recovery.
Most of 2020 has been spent with the uncertainty and the challenging times that the pandemic has brought. As we look to the future we hope it won’t be too long before we are able to be together – but in the meantime Stay Safe, Stay Well, Stay Positive, Stay in Touch.
If you are celebrating a birthday in December please accept our warmest wishes for that special day.
The Committee (Madeleine, Pam, Jayne, June, Ros and Jean) would like to extend Season’s Greetings with peace and good health in 2021 to all Members, plus their families and friends.

 

 

ChallengingTimes

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

As we head towards the end of this very strange year our members are still staying connected through our monthly Glamorgan Federation Newsletter and the WI Life Magazine. The WI Life is the essential link to our WI family and is extra important during these uncertain, challenging times when we are unable to gather for monthly meetings or social events. Our magazine gives us a sense of “belonging”.

The latest issue saw seven members from various WIs sharing stories of finding a home in the WI – all very different stories, but all very interesting. In the same edition there was also an opportunity for members to participate in a survey. The closing date is not until 31st January 2021 so there is plenty of time still left!

As it is the month of November we have sent our usual annual donation to the British Legion, in memory of all those who gave their lives and all those who have suffered as a result of conflict.

All members will be delighted to learn that Sandra Anstee is progressing well at the Heath Hospital, following recent heart surgery in Bristol. And so we send our special wishes to Sandra, hoping that she will be home soon.

If you have a November birthday, please accept our warmest wishes. In the meantime stay safe, stay well and if you need to have a chat “It is always good to talk”.

 

 

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