No WI Life

Well, here we are on Saturday and no WI Life for me - I think some of you have had your copies. Have emailed today to ask, 'where is mine?'. Frustratingly, I have an ACWW Penfriend letter in it and have had queries from Beds, and E. Kent plus phone calls and even letters but I don't even know if they printed the whole letter or cut some out (as normal). Ah well I will just have to wait - and the postman has been everyday so no problem with deliveries!!! They were due to arrive by 22nd June!

Sue at Chewton Mendip WI 90th celebration

Good picture in the Wells Journal of our President, Sue Stone, at the 90th celebrations at Chewton Mendip Village Hall . It will be in our 'picture book'. This day was held on the 22nd June the same day as the county 'Spotlight' day which was a shame but with long-term planning it is inevitable that there are occasional clashes.

After Spotlight on Africa

Some members of Binegar WI went to this day at Compton Dundon. Moira in lilac is looking at the Strode College Stall. It was quite a varied day and incorporated Oxfam / WRW / ACWW / individual projects. Our speakers were Hannah Durrant from Oxfam in Bristol, John Halls from Miles Tea, Jackie Gregory - ACWW project in Gambia and Roger Stoakley talking about the Sanburu tribe in Kenya. Beads and throw from S. Africa admired. A teapot of Fairtrade roses from Kenya were luxuriant at the front - of course, I forgot to tell everyone that the teapot was because of our Tea Man talking - so I suppose, if they noticed, they probably thought, ' why the teapot?' It seemed amusing to me and and an ideal sized container - haven't made a pot of tea for years!!

Members night tonight!!

Well we had a man called Adrian talking about badgers - I can tell you lots about badger poo and I will look for it next time I walk in the woods. Some of the older members couldn't hear very well - but it was members night and they did let him talk for a long time. Supper was grand - usual excellent food - meringues lucious and extra touch a chocolate fountain was another treat. Many thanks to members. Perhaps we should pick another month for members night - too many events to collect money for - which kept several of us busy a lot of the free time!!! I don't think I'd buy a fountain but enjoyed the marshmallow and strawberry and wiping chocolate off my chin - hmm.. yummy!!

What Fay actually said!!

Well you might have read the 'blurb' further down the blog - my version of what Fay said!! Below is what I wrote down at the AGM:

1. Enjoy yourself. 2. Extend Yourself - try something new. 3. Discover and exploit your creativity. 4. Get involved (why not join the committee). 5. Think Big and Change the World. 6. Grasp opportunities.

Shall we see a dynamic new WI now at Binegar? Watch this space!!!

Committee meeting

Interesting meeting at Kaths. Lots of decisions made and lots of chatter!!

Members returning from Swanage trip

1. Wendy and Frances get off the coach.

2. 5 members and 2 hubbies (coach departing in the background). Sunniest part of the day when we got to Gurney Slade.

A Grey Day outing to Swanage

6 members and 2 husbands joined Farrington Gurney WI for a trip to Swanage - partly by coach and partly by a short steam train ride. After 3+ hours in Swanage itself - we had a WI tea on the way home at Winterbourne Kingston. A very pleasant day - quite breezy but dry - some took a longish walk around the coast, some spent time near the beach. All agreed we had seen a real variety of countryside and the day was very enjoyable. Some bought some tomato plants sold by the hostess WI.

Comments from Fay's last speech

Well, I had the paperwork from the AGM - but will have to fill in properly later. I think my motto this year will have to be - try and put those papers away - somewhere that you will later be able to find them!!! SO suggestions to think about in your WI:

1. Enjoy the friendship and have fun 2. Enthuse - share that fun - bring your friends along 3. Get involved - the more you know the more interesting it all is. Look at the Calendar Girls - little did they think they would raise 2million plus pounds for Charity. 4. Be creative - by trying new crafts - just having a go - you may discover a new you!! 5. Extend yourself - take that extra step - try something completely different. Never say NO - think about it - you don't know where a new interest will lead.

Well that's not quite what she said - but it covers most of it!!! Very interesting thoughts and tips - she did say something very similar when she came to our county 90th anniversary lunch!!! It is still very sound advice.

New National Chair announced

I went on the NFWI site tonight and on 'twitter' and see that the new chair is Ruth Bond - she was the chair of Public Affairs and has travelled a lot and met a real variety of people involved with Public Affairs - so it should make an interesting change. The three year changeover of Chair brings fresh ideas to the WI - although, I think, Fay has done an excellent job (especially as she took over after the unexpected death of Barbara Gill).

1st week of June

Pictures: 1. Maureen Lipman

2. Hotel bedrooms

3. View of Windsor Castle from the Wheel.

I went to the AGM in London - had a great two days - The AGM was a real roller coaster of emotions and interest - one of the best for years and I thought Liverpool was excellent!!! Maureen Lipman was the main speaker - very good BUT we also had Eve Pollard, John Law, The Yorkshire Tea Man, CAF etc. The final 'act' was Richard Stillgoe with his Phoenix Group - they were fantastic - some tears shed over these handicapped children and their songs!! SOS Honey Bees got through - it was inevitable and the vote was 99.4% in favour but interesting points from the floor during the debate. Saw some ACWW friends lunchtime, also had a good chat to Sue Bridger and afterwards with Maggie Simons. Very good hotel, good visit to Windsor - went on the wheel with two other girls Reidan and Dianne from Somerset - lovely views of Windsor Castle and we went around 4 times for our money!!!

The walking group enjoyed an evening amble on the 2nd June - lovely day - so hot - evening was the best time from this walk.