Category: Womens Institute

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Who could ever have imagined that our “Musical Moments with Maria” evening on 5th March would be the last time we would be together for a long time. As we are all aware there are no immediate plans for our monthly meetings to commence, but as soon as we are given the go-ahead from our Federation all members will be notified immediately. However we remain connected in these challenging times through our WI Life magazine (No Newsletter this month), combined with our own thoughts and prayers.

Our very best Get Well wishes go to Judy Marsh as she convalesces at home following recent knee surgery.

Similarly good wishes are extended to all members celebrating their birthdays during September.

In the meantime Stay well, Stay safe, Stay in touch, Stay positive

 

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WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Madeleine and the Committee hope that all members, their families and friends are keeping safe and well as we attempt to move forward during these challenging times.

Undoubtedly all WI ladies who watched Songs of Praise on 12th July were delighted to hear that “Jerusalem” had been voted the Nation’s favourite hymn.

The summer would normally have seen us hosting our “Charity Afternoon Tea”. This year we were supporting Assistance Dogs. The Charity creates exceptional partnerships between people and dogs – helping many children and adults with physical disabilities and autism. Hopefully we will be able to raise money for this wonderful charity in 2021.

Although WI meetings have not yet resumed, our bond still continues. Special birthday wishes are extended to members celebrating birthdays during August. We are all looking forward to the time when we can come together again – sadly without our dear friend Margaret. Our thoughts and prayers remain with her daughters and their families.

 

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WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

The Ladies of Wenvoe were extremely saddened and shocked to learn of the recent sudden passing of their Vice President, Margaret Morant.

Margaret was a former President, a former Treasurer and a much valued member of our Institute. She was very proud to be our only founder member – which was something very special – and she will be very sadly missed. Our heartfelt sympathy is extended to Kathryn, Ceri, Helen and their families. They are all in our thoughts and prayers. On the day of Margaret’s funeral members joined others as they lined Gwenfo Drive and Old Port Road to pay their last respects to Margaret – a very special lady.

WI Members will be contacted as soon as we are able to come together. In the meantime stay safe, keep well and if you are celebrating a birthday in July please accept our warmest wishes.

Many congratulations must go to Janet Young and her husband, Russell, on the occasion of their forthcoming Golden Wedding Anniversary.

As always, please remember, if you need a chat we are only a phone call away.

 

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WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Madeleine and the Committee sincerely hope that all members and their families are staying safe and well during these extremely uncertain times.

As we are unable to come together for some months we can stay connected via the Glamorgan Newsletter (available to all by e-mail or post).

We would like to extend belated birthday wishes to all members who have had birthdays in April and May. And birthday greetings go to those who are having a June birthday.

We are all looking forward to being together again. But in the meantime – special thoughts are with Margaret and her family on their recent sad loss. Our deepest sympathy is extended to them all.

Remember everyone – if you need a chat your WI is only a phone call away – please take care of yourselves.

 

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Meetings And Events Are Cancelled

As expected all WI meetings and events are cancelled for several months as we all struggle to get through these anxious and challenging times in the current situation.

When we are given the go-ahead to resume meetings every member will be notified in good time and we look forward to catching up with everyone once again.

Madeleine and the Committee sincerely hope that all members and their families stay safe and well.

Please remember that if any member needs to chat we are just a phone call away.

 

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March Meeting Report

 

President Madeleine welcomed us all to the meeting. She was delighted to welcome 6 guests – Pauline, Katie, Debbie, Alex, Debbie and Nicola. We certainly hope they will visit again soon.

Our growing WI has 7 new members this year – Pam, Pat, Paula, Diane, Ann, Debbie and Sandra – and we are very pleased to have them in our branch.

The speaker on this occasion was our very own Pam Cockerill. Pam has always enjoyed writing and joined a local creative writing group when her children were young. We heard of her excitement when she had her first paid article published – it was a story about a family camping holiday – and a telegram had arrived to give her the good news.

Over the years, Pam has had various poems and stories published in magazines. Her wonderful ability has enabled her to write books for children and adults. Some examples are “Winter Ponies” (her very first one), “Donkey Rescue” and “The Good Taste Café”. “The Seven Year Hitch” is Pam’s autobiography and is yet another story that demonstrates the wonderful talent of its writer. We all thoroughly enjoyed Pam’s interesting and informative talk about her creative writing journey – clearly the journey of a very talented lady!

After refreshments we carried on with WI business. Glamorgan events were read out and Members signed up for the coffee morning at Dinas Powys on 14th March and the quiz at Culverhouse Cross on 6th April. We are planning a carvery lunch on 22nd April at Dinas Powys Golf Club. Final numbers will be needed at our April meeting.

The date of our Charity Tea will be announced later in the year. Members can begin to bring donated items, ready for the Tombola, to the next meeting when they will be gratefully received. Members were asked to search for any wartime stories ready for the exhibition on the weekend of 8th May to 10th May when we shall be remembering VE Day.

Next month’s meeting is on Thursday, 2nd April at 7pm at Wenvoe Church Hall. The speaker is Rachel Griffiths, talking about “Personalised Medicines”. Guests can always be assured of a warm welcome and there is no charge.

This is an accurate reflection of the meeting. However, developments surrounding coronavirus have since meant that all planned events have now been cancelled until further notice. Take care and we look forward to seeing you soon.

 

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President Madeleine welcomed everyone to the meeting on 6th February and gave a special welcome to several new members, especially Ann Daniel, who was celebrating her 80th birthday that day.

Our speaker for the evening was our very own Maria Williams. Maria is a professional musician and teacher. She has sung in various parts of the world during an extremely successful career. Music is beneficial to physical and mental wellbeing – this was stressed as we travelled through various breathing exercises. With her amazing voice Maria sang a popular love song, a spiritual song and a third song about peace, war and freedom. We all enjoyed joining in with Maria’s singing and then we all sang HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ann.

Maria concluded her talk with a story about her recent visit to a church in the centre of London. She has visited this church regularly and has sung there. This church has been involved in the founding of many charitable organisations, such as Shelter and Amnesty International. It has a reputation for compassion gained through many years of engaging with poverty and deprivation. Hence the story we heard was very moving.

During refreshments we all thoroughly enjoyed the delicious cake kindly donated by Ann to celebrate her 80th.

WI business began with the announcement of the Glamorgan Federation events. Members were informed of a quiz to be held on 6th April at Culverhouse Cross and a board will be available next month for signing up.

A letter has been received from the charity “Dogs For Good” confirming that a local speaker will attend our September meeting, when we shall present a cheque – the result of our fundraising efforts this year.

Next month’s meeting will be on Thursday, 5th March at 7pm at Wenvoe Church Hall. Our speaker on this occasion will be Pam Cockerill. She will be talking about “Telling Tales”. Any visitors can always be assured of a warm welcome and there is no charge.

 

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Planning For the New Year

President Madeleine welcomed everyone and extended New Year greetings to all present. We were delighted to have 3 visitors – Sandra, Debbie and Diane. We certainly hope they will visit again.

Our speaker for the evening was Stephen Allen. Stephen is the Chief Officer of South Glamorgan Community Health Council (the Patients’ Watchdog). His wonderful talk was packed with information and stories regarding the work of the Community Health Council – from its involvement in “Save the Sam Davies Ward” campaign (Barry Hospital) to advice on submitting complaints about the NHS.

Changes will soon be taking place. The Community Health Council will become a new Citizens Advice Bureau. The new body will cover social care as well as health care – something which can only be a positive move forward.

After refreshments we proceeded with WI business. Members were thanked for all their contributions towards our December Christmas party evening. It was announced that a Christmas card had been sent to Pat Williams at the home in Porthcawl where she is still spending time. Glamorgan events were read out. Then each member voted for one of the five resolutions listed and explained in the recent edition of WI life.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 6th February at 7pm at Wenvoe Church Hall, when we will be enjoying “Musical Moments with Maria”. Any visitors can always be assured of a warm welcome and there is no charge

 

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November Activities

Madeleine welcomed everyone to the meeting. Members were very sorry to learn that Margaret was having a spell in hospital. We all wished her well and hoped that she would be back with us soon. Judy recently had a knee operation and she is progressing well. Hopefully Gloria will be able to join us in the near future too and we look forward to seeing our unwell members on the road to recovery.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the fish and chips, very kindly collected and delivered by Pam and Terry Ewington, and we are very grateful to them.

WI business involved collecting names for our trip to the Garden Centre at St Mellons on Monday 25 November (leaving Wenvoe shop at 10.30am) and for our Christmas lunch at the Wenvoe Arms on Monday 2 December at 12.30 for 1.00pm.

Our next meeting will be our Christmas Celebration on Thursday 5 December at 7pm at Wenvoe Church Hall. Members are requested to bring a plate of food each for the buffet table. Any raffle prizes (please wrap) will be gratefully received.

Subs are £43 for 2020 (cheques only please and made payable to Wenvoe WI) and we are starting to collect these now ready for January.

Could members please note that since our meeting the Link Carol Service is now Tuesday 10 December and NOT Thursday 19 December as previously given (location and time remain unchanged).

The President and Committee would like to extend a Peaceful Christmas and Healthy 2020 to all members and their families

 

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