Category: Womens Institute

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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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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