WI County News NOVEMBER 2022 8pp flipbook

November 2022 40p

SCFWI Tribute to our Queen

Carol Festival Our sadly-missed Queen Elizabeth II devoted her life to the service
of us all, willingly and conscientiously for 70 years.
2022 She will long be remembered affectionately by her subjects, most of whom
remember no other monarch before her. She is the last Queen to reign for
Wells Cathedral generations, with King Charles III her successor and Kings William and George
to follow.
7th December at 2.30pm May she Rest in Peace.

Let’s make this year's The book of Remembrance which was at the Somerset County Show
Carol Festival a joyful and
Members of Chewton Mendip WI
uplifting event for our gathered flowers from their gardens,
Somerset Federation! took them to Wells and placed them
in the Cathedral in Memory of our
Spend a fun morning in Wells with late Queen Elizabeth II. Each signed
friends, indulging in some Christmas the condolence book to pay tribute to
shopping, wandering around the quirky our fellow SaMnderminbgehrasmofWChI emwetmonbeMr.endip WI gathered flowers from

market and treating yourself to a their gardens, took them to Wells and placed them in
celebratory lunch. the Cathedral in Memory of our late Queen Elizabeth II.
Each signed the condolence book to pay tribute to our
In the afternoon join with others from fellow Sandringham WI member.
across the county in the Cathedral
to sing your favourite carols, hear
readings by WI members and listen

to our amazing choir, led as always by
conductor Robin Walker.

Programmes are
priced at £3.50 each

They must be ordered from
the office for collection or
postal delivery by Thursday 1st
December at the absolute latest

(subject to availability).

Trustee Topics

My name is Lesley and am the newest Trustee to join the
Board.

FEDERATION OFFICE Although I have completed my online training and gained my
certificate, I still have a lot to learn but am looking forward to
SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road the challenge and meeting more of you at Events in the future.
Bridgwater TA6 4BU
01278 496400 I joined the Taunton Deane Divas WI in May 2015. When I told work colleagues I
had joined the WI they all kept asking me when I would be making some jam! The
Email: [email protected] answer was never as my attempts in the past have been dismal so no jam for me,
www.thewi.org.uk/somerset however I do know all the words to Jerusalem! Since joining the WI I have enjoyed
listening to lots of interesting speakers, attended various events, literary lunches,
The WI – Somerset craft taster days as well as the annual Carol Festival at Wells Cathedral and the
Federation AGM. After a couple of difficult years, I hope we can again be confident
OFFICE OPEN and meet and support future events.
9.30am - 3.30pm, Mon - Thurs
Paper crafting is one of my favourite pastimes but I love to try all different types
Federation Secretary of craft and after attempting crochet (never tried before) at the recent Craft Taster
Casey Worrall Day, am now keenly learning to crochet. Over the last few years, I have helped to
run the 200 Club and, as a Trustee, will now continue to do so. I would like to say
Federation Administrator a huge ‘thank you’ to all of you who have purchased a ticket in the past. A special
Judith Laughton thank you to all secretaries who promoted the club to their members in 2020/21
when we were not having physical monthly meetings. The Club does add funds to
COUNTY NEWS the federation as well as the monthly prize draws. By the time you are reading this
the tickets for 2023 will be on sale, so please support us if you can.
Editor
Annie Makepeace Lesley Porter [email protected]

Email I’m sure, like me, you were all saddened by against Women and Girls. We were
the death of our beloved Queen Elizabeth ll. certainly well entertained.
[email protected]
Tel: 01823 433393 A Queen, a mother, a grandmother and a Did you buy from the Fabric and Craft Item
great-grandmother who will be missed by sale stall and have you decided what you
Advertising Assistant so many. A lifetime spent in dedication and will make?
and Gallery Co-ordinator service to all during her reign.
There are a few Turkey and Tinsel tickets
Laura Balkwill What a spectacular funeral she was still available and time to book for a fun
Email accorded, with our armed forces carrying holiday. Contact Casey in County office.
out their ceremonial duties so well. RIP
[email protected] Elizabeth II. I mentioned in my last chat I was awaiting
Tel: 07860 531998 the birth of my first great grandchild
The Somerset County Show at Taunton in August. Since then I have had lots of
Editorial for COUNTY NEWS Racecourse, 17/18th September, was a great cuddles with Emmett and changed a few of
must be received by the 1st of the success. The show was a first for Somerset his nappies!
WI as we were asked to participate by the
month preceding each issue, organisers to provide refreshments. Of I unfortunately had to miss out on some
by Email if possible to the Editor course it consisted of our renowned bacon birthday celebrations to which I had been
rolls, cream teas and cakes. Once again, a invited in early October with Standerwick
or typewritten copy and printed big thanks to cake makers and volunteers, and Beckington WI 80th and Trull
photographs to the Federation Office who all told me they had a great time at the Trendles 70th as well as a Choral Evensong
racecourse. We hope to participate next in Wells Cathedral, a celebration for Mrs
address at top of this page year and will need volunteers then, so come Annie Maw for her time as Somerset Lord
along and join in, we hope to expand on Lieutenant. I was scheduled to have my gall
Advertising and what we provided this year. bladder removed and felt it wise to isolate
Gallery pictures from large groups until afterwards. I will be
The Annual Meeting at Wellsprings on 22nd fully recovered by the time you read this.
Advertising and Gallery must reach the October was enjoyed by all who attended.
Advertising Assistant by the 1st of As always, please invite me to visit your
the month preceding each issue Our two Inspiring speakers were The Rev’d WI’s. I love getting out and about to meet
Canon Kate Bottley plus Sarah Crew, first you all.
Lineage: Cost per word female Chief Constable of Avon & Somerset
18p for WI members Police, who gave an insight into her work Dare I mention the ‘C’ word? Christmas
30p for non-members and her interest in stopping Violence is looming! Are you making Christmas
decorations, Christmas puddings or
(or advertisements placed on behalf Christmas cakes? Are the latter already
of non-members.) made and in the tins or are you just thinking
about it?
Display: Rates and sizes upon
application to the Advertising Assistant Enjoy all you are doing.

SCFWI does not accept responsibility Teresa,
for goods or services advertised in
SCFWI County Chairman
COUNTY NEWS [email protected]

2 November 2022

Education

Chair: Judith Laughton

A very successful day was held at Ash This event will be repeated in the THANK YOU
Priors Village Hall when 17 members spring, so please keep an eye on
'foraged' for their flora/fauna in the local to the members of East Coker WI who
hedgerows. They received expert tuition County News for details helped to pack the October edition of
from Liz Robertson and made their own
arrangements, either in a vase or as a If any member knows of tuition available County News.
wreath. The following is an email of thanks in their area I will be only too happy to
received the same day: arrange a session! 200+ CLUB WINNERS
October
“Just sending a big thank you to the Any other ideas for 'educational' events
organisers of Walking With Blooms would be most welcome - we hope to spread 98 Isabel Ham
at Ash Priors today. It was a great the courses far and wide in Somerset but it Nether Stowey
day out, good value and I learnt so needs YOUR input to make this a success. & Fiddington WI £15
much from our excellent teacher.” 118 Mollie Purse
Thanks Evercreech WI £10
78 Yvonne Aitken
Judith Long Sutton WI £5

Members from Taunton Deane Divas WI, Alcombers WI, Wells Tuesday WI, Monkton Evening
WI, Ash Priors & Halse WI, Oake & District WI and Wellington WI hard at work arranging their
'foraged' foliage at Ash Priors.

Something new COMING SOON!
for Christmas!
Sugar Paste
Somerset WI Demonstration
GIFT VOUCHERS Sue Applegate
from Polden Wines
We can now supply beautiful
WATCH OUT FOR
£5 WI Gift Vouchers DETAILS IN COUNTY NEWS!

as presents for friends (or to buy for yourself!) to use in full or part payment against Want to
SCFWI events or merchandise. advertise?

Available all year round and valid for 2 years from date of issue. Please contact
Contact the office on 01278 496400 Laura Balkwill on

countynews.somwi
@gmail.com

or telephone

07860 531998

November 2022 3

We need pictures to fill our gallery - please send digital pictures to the Editor at [email protected]

Above and right: Volunteer WI ladies served
bacon rolls and home-made cake at the
Somerset County Show.

Stoke St Gregory WI enjoyed a ‘Walking with
Alpacas’ experience. It was wonderful and the
alpacas were friendly but very driven by food!

Bruton WI enjoyed their summer tea party Woolavington WI on their annual outing.
held at the beginning of August at the height The ladies and some of their husbands
of the hottest summer trying to keep in the pictured here aboard a horse drawn barge
shade! courtesy of Tiverton Canal Company.

West & Middle Chinnock WI enjoyed an
afternoon with Dr. Karen Stead-Dexter, an
Animal & Nature Assisted Therapist, and her
birds of prey, learning much about each of the
birds and how to handle and fly them. A truly
amazing and humbling experience.

Yeovil Wraxhill WI Craft Group enjoyed a morning session of pastel painting with their tutor Coxley WI enjoyed an outing to the Emma
Hazel Hillman. Dukes studio at Crowcombe.

4 November 2022

om or prints to SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater TA6 4BU. We will print as many as we can each month!

Walton WI on their annual outing in August at Bicton Gardens in Devon.

Talking now can make life better at the end

Supported by

We’re all unique, and a good end of life will look Marie Curie Companions can help you put
different for everyone. But one thing’s the same together an advance care plan for free.
– that thinking about what we want our end of Call 0800 304 7412
life to be like, and recording those things ahead Email [email protected]
of time, makes it more likely our wishes, care Search: Somerset End of Life
preferences and personal goals will be met.
Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland) J447g
It’ll also support our loved ones to make decisions
for us if needed, safe in the knowledge they’re
doing right by us.

November 2022 5

Your celebration, Officers Coffee and Chat sessions
your way.
The WI Advisers are holding informal sessions for Presidents, Secretaries and
www.jenthecelebrant.co.uk Treasurers at four different locations within the County. These are get-togethers for
@JenWhitworthCelebrant officers to chat amongst themselves, to exchange ideas, to find out how other WIs
tackle certain situations and to share successes with us.
07967 006362 - [email protected]
They will not be training sessions but Advisers will be on hand to answer your
THE UNITED KINGDOM questions and work around any problems you may have. We have found in the past
SOCIETY OF CELEBRANTS that the most useful information is that gleaned at the informal discussions that take
place after training! Also joining us will be Board of Trustee members, so an ideal
Christmas Craft opportunity to get to know them and ask them questions too.
& Make Day
Do come along, enjoy the coffee/tea and meeting with fellow officers. The venues and
Wednesday 23rd November 2022 times are as follows:
10am – 4.30pm
Wednesday 2nd November 2022
37 Club, Puriton, Bridgwater, TA7 8AD
Cheddar – 10.00am Evercreech – 2.00pm
Choose 2 projects on the day:
Christmas Crochet Catholic Church Hall Village Hall
Christmas Boxes Tweentown, Cheddar BS27 3HU Victoria Lane
Christmas Cards Evercreech, BA4 6JP
Christmas Wreaths (This hall has a max of 40)

Christmas Tree Decorations (Beads) Wednesday 16th November 2022
Christmas Picture (Pastels)
Christmas Decorations (MDF) Ilminster – 10.00am Taunton – 2.00pm

You will make 1 item in the morning, Best Western Shrubbery Hotel West Monkton Village Hall
1 item in the afternoon Ilminster Monkton Heathfield
TA19 9AR TA2 8NE
and take home 2 finished projects.
All materials will be provided. Please let County Office know your preferred date and venue no later than
• Tea, Coffee, Cake & Raffle will all be available 24th October 2022 and which Officers will be attending.
• Please bring a packed lunch We look forward to seeing you all.
• Free Parking The Membership Team and Federation Trustees
Members £18 / Non-members £20
Closing Date 2nd November STUCK FOR CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS?
Apply to the office: 01278 496400
GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE FOR SOLUTION FOCUSED HYPNOTHERAPY

Help your loved one’s well-being

www.ljpsolutionfocusedhypnotherapy.co.uk
Tel: Lisa 07889 747512 [email protected]

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

EVENT DATES VENUE CLOSING CN ISSUE
Turkey & Tinsel 31 Aug Page 8
Dillington Residential 28 Nov - 2 Dec Toorak Hotel, Torquay
Coffee & Chat
Singing in Harmony 29th - 30th Oct Dillington House, Ilminster 14 Oct October
Christmas Craft & Make Day
SCFWI Carol Festival 2 Nov & 16 Nov Various 24 Oct Page 6

8 Nov Wedmore Village Hall 1 Nov Page 8

23 Nov 37 Club, Puriton, Bridgwater 2 Nov Page 6

7 Dec Wells Cathedral, Wells 1 Dec Page 1

PLEASE COMPLETE BOOKING FORM (available from your secretary) AND RETURN TO 344, BRISTOL ROAD

6 November 2022

Community Projects Public Affairs

Chair: Jo Stewart Chair: Lynda Norton

The Autumn Equinox has been and gone Community Projects Team will be busy – The Big Green Week
and the nights are drawing in, and the collecting, storing, checking and delivering
balance has tipped into shorter days and the amazing boxes you fill and give us every This last week has been the big
longer nights. year. I think this might be our 10th Year Green Week. I had hoped to
of running the Shoebox Appeal, which has have organised an event but
The Community Projects Team is still brought so much pleasure to young people circumstances have not allowed
busy with the Ukrainian Appeal, preparing in need across the County. Shoeboxes were me to do so. However, did any of
Christmas Gift Bags with the donations described as ‘Boxes of Love’, by the Adult your groups do any activities?
of money we have received from our very Services Manager at the YMCA in Wells.
generous members, not to mention their Woolavington WI had a team of ladies
families, friends and neighbours. We hope in the New Year to feature more who turned into the village Wombles
of the projects that members and their for an hour and went on a litterpick,
This in itself takes co-ordination. Assessing WI’s are involved with across the County. something that I started last year and
how many bags are needed and for what For example… Bag full of Hugs – Shapwick we possibly will do it more often to
age group, Starlets WI; Project Linus - Evercreech WI try and keep our village a little tidier
and Dunster WI; TDDWI are involved with and also safer for wildlife. In just an
The Village Agents feel that teenage boys Baby Basics. hour, nine of us collected a substantial
are a neglected group of refugees, so we will amount and got soaked in the process,
definitely be making bags for them. Hazel and her wonderful team of but it’s a satisfying feeling I must admit!
craftswomen have been busy too, as you So if you have done something and have
Shoeboxes are coming up, by the time can see! taken photographs , could you possibly
this article is in County News we will have send them to me at the email below as
held our Annual Meeting and Lydeard So, there is much to look forward to. Jo I’m hoping to compile a folder to put
St. Lawrence WI and Members of the on display at WI events So please send
any photos and articles you wish to be
Ambassador: Hazel Hillman included.

Hello Ladies
By now I will have met up with some of you at our Annual Meeting.
It is so good to see you to talk about our creative skills and making lovely things to

pass on. Thank you to the following WI's

Oncology Hand Puppets Quilts for
Chewton Mendip Evercreech Project Linus

Litton & Blankets Dunster
Hinton Blewett Alcombers
Monkton Elm Walking Frame Bags
Twiddle Muffs Litton & Hinton Blewett
Walton
Ash Priors & Halse

Thank you for some lovely toys for the Mendip Special School,
Special Schools, made by members Shepton Mallet
of Litton & Hinton Blewett WI and
Williton WI. On the subject of asking, can I just once
again put a call out for anyone who is
I have also been to two of our Special interested in public affairs to think
Schools with blankets, twiddle muffs, about joining the team. We are only
hand puppets and toys. a small group and have really been
unable to get off the ground yet but
Three Ways Special School, Bath my head is full of ideas which I cannot
put into action without some backup.
Katrina with teddies in a bag Emma with some other toys And of course, I can always promise a
relaxed atmosphere and cake!
I expect your Christmas arrangements
are well in hand, so enjoy! Hazel So, if you are able to help with any of
the above, please email me on

lyndanortonwi-publicaffairs@
outlook.com

Lynda Norton

November 2022 7

THERE ARE STILL A You Think You Can't Sing? You Can Now!
FEW PLACES REMAINING
28th November to 2nd December 2022 'SINGING IN HARMONY'

Toorak Hotel, Torquay with Yvette Staelens
Ring the office NOW if you’d like to go on this
TUESDAY 8th NOVEMBER
great holiday!
£315 for members, Wedmore Village Hall
£345 for non-members
10.00am - 1.00pm (short break at 11.30am)
2024 Photographic Coffee/tea on arrival from 9.30am
Calendar Competition
£15.00 members  £16.50 non members
The subject for the WI 2024 Somerset County Calendar
Photographic Competition is Suitable for all abilities, with everything taught aurally,
no need to read music - uplifting songs, chants, rounds:
‘Somerset Waters’ A short joyful experience with a 'natural voice practitioner,
choir director and workshop leader' - based in Somerset
Send to SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater TA6 4BU
by the end of Jan 2023 Closing date 1st November

Know any good Speakers?

We need your ideas!

As a WI Adviser, I always ask WI members what they like most
about their meetings. I frequently hear comments about the
speakers being the most interesting part along with the social side
of friendship, coffee and cake and even a glass of wine!

Most successful WIs try to find good and interesting speakers or
demonstrators but, with rising costs and reluctance to travel, filling
the forthcoming year’s programme is challenging.

In order to help you, the Membership Committee arranges Speakers
Previews each year and publishes a list containing the details of
those who have auditioned successfully and been approved by the
members. Additional information about the speakers gives details
of their charges and other costs, including travel and the areas they
are prepared to visit. Some still prefer to speak virtually, others
have been on the list for a few years and will be known to quite a
number of members.

It is not necessary for you to only invite speakers from the
Federation list. Many potential speakers do not apply to audition.

We know that lots of you find excellent local speakers and we would
like to hear about them. Please let us know so we can share their
details with other WIs and invite them to audition.

If you are successful in obtaining the services of a more prominent
speaker it gives you the opportunity to open the meeting to the
public, defray costs and show your WI off to good advantage.
Always an excellent source for new members too.

Now that NFWI has relaxed the rules about supporting charities,
there may be local charities which are willing to speak at your
meetings for a small donation.

Don’t hold back, please let us know the details of speakers you
would recommend! Thank you.

Email me at: [email protected]
Marilyn Symonds,
Vice-Chair Membership

8 November 2022