Category: Womens Institute

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

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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

 

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WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

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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.

 

 

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WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

What A Difference A Year Makes!

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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).

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WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

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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

 

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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.

 

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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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WOMEN’S INSTITUTE – September

Our September meeting would normally have seen us presenting a cheque to a speaker representing our chosen charity. Unfortunately this was not to be this year, due to the challenging times we are living through. Hopefully we will be hosting a charity afternoon tea in the summer of 2021 to raise funds for Assistance Dogs – this year’s chosen charity.

Assistance Dogs provide support, hope and happiness, as well as being loyal friends. Anyone who saw 12 year old Molly featured in Countryfile on Sunday, 13th September could sense the bond between her and her assistance dog, Chess. Since his arrival Molly has grown in confidence and she has become much stronger with Chess by her side.

As soon as we are given the go-ahead to resume monthly meetings members will be contacted immediately. In the meantime we remain connected via our newsletter, our WI Life Magazine and our individual thoughts.

Members will be pleased to learn that Judy Marsh is progressing well after her knee surgery at the beginning of August. Unfortunately Sandra Anstee has been in hospital for some weeks and we send our sincere get well wishes to her with our special thoughts.

Similarly, good wishes are extended to all members celebrating their birthdays in October

It is hoped that all members and their families stay safe and well, with a positive outlook. Don’t forget that if you need to chat please pick up the phone – “It’s good to talk”.

 

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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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