WI County News JANUARY 2022 8pp anyflip

January 2022 FREE

Saturday, 26th March, 2pm

Walton Village Hall
Meadow Lane, Walton, Street BA16 9LA

Come and enjoy an afternoon tea
of dainty sandwiches, scones and jam,
Victoria sponge and delicious cakes.

Listen to Yvonne Bell’s
fascinating talk on gardens

in Edwardian times

£1C5o.s0t 0
member £1C7o.s0t0

non member

Walton Village Hall

Apply to the Office by 12th March

FEDERATION OFFICE Trustee Topics

SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road Hello ladies, another year has slipped by – a year
Bridgwater TA6 4BU where we in the WI have tried to forge ahead, keep
01278 496400 in touch with friends and organise our WI activities
to the best of our abilities under varying degrees of
Email: [email protected] restriction.
www.womens-institute.org.uk/somerset
As Chair of the Food & Garden Team, I hope that you will support our Edwardian
OFFICE OPEN Tea and Talk in March (featured on the front page this month) as well as other
events in the pipeline. Look out for a repeat of our hugely successful Zoom
9.30am - 3.30pm, Mon - Thurs Gardeners’ Question Time, scheduled for 4th May and various other garden visits
Closed Friday etc later in the year. Further details to follow in February County News.

Federation Secretary The new Events Team has a full programme for you for the year ahead too, so let’s
Casey Worrall hope that we can all fulfil our aim for a busy and rewarding WI year.

Federation Administrator Annie Makepeace – County News Editor [email protected]
Judith Laughton Chair, Food & Garden Committee

COUNTY NEWS Happy New Year everyone – here we are in My WI year starts with meetings with the
January 2022! I hope everyone's Christmas Bath and West Show’s organisers and
Editor was a good one and you managed to catch looking for inspirational speakers for our
Annie Makepeace up with friends and family. Annual Meeting in the Autumn.

Email A massive thank you for all your generosity. Are you raring to go this year and get back
Over 400 shoeboxes filled with fabulous to doing what we do best – meeting people
[email protected] goodies were donated, which the YMCA and serving our delicious cakes? As usual
Tel: 01823 433393 and Women’s Refuge are always so pleased we are asking for volunteers to work in
to have. I’m sure this small gesture means the Bath & West Show’s refreshments
Advertising Assistant so much to the people who received one of marquee and, of course, keeping us
and Gallery Co-ordinator your shoeboxes. supplied with your delicious cakes and
scones. Please let me or Casey know if you
Laura Balkwill Attending the Carol Festival at Wells would like to help. (See details below). We
Email Cathedral is always a special time for me. shall have a coffee morning shortly to chat
It was so good to see so many members there. with all volunteers.
[email protected] I am looking forward to joining as many of you
Tel: 07860 531998 as possible at meetings throughout the year. The County Teams are all arranging lots
of exciting events for you to enjoy. One of
Editorial for COUNTY NEWS the first on offer from the Events Team is
must be received by the 1st of the in February, the Crocodile Lunch. Have you
been tempted to join in? I have tried it out,
month preceding each issue, it was deliciously different. Treat yourself,
by Email if possible to the Editor it is worth it!

or typewritten copy and printed Next up is an Edwardian Tea in March with
photographs to the Federation Office Food and Garden Team, so book early.
Check them out in this issue of County
address at top of this page News.

THERE IS NO ISSUE IN AUGUST Best wishes

Advertising and Teresa
Gallery pictures [email protected]

Advertising and Gallery must reach the 2nd June - 4th June 2022 
Advertising Assistant by the 1st of
the month preceding each issue We are pleased to announce that we will once again be running the
refreshment stand at the Bath & West Show in 2022.
Lineage: Cost per word
18p for WI members If you would like to bake cakes or volunteer to help on any of the days, we would be
30p for non-members delighted to hear from you. 2022 volunteer form from: 

(or advertisements placed on behalf Teresa Hemms 01278 683947 or email [email protected]
of non-members.)
or Casey Worral Federation Secretary County Office
Display: Rates and sizes upon 01278 496400 [email protected]
application to the Advertising Assistant

SCFWI does not accept responsibility
for goods or services advertised in

COUNTY NEWS

2 January 2022

Events

Chair: Judy Glossop

Nine course South African Taster Menu

Wednesday, February 23nd

The Monkton Inn, Blundells Lane, West Monkton, Taunton, TA2 8NP

12 noon for 12.30pm

ThhoewLaannddlworhde/rCehheefsPoeutrecrewsitlhl eexfpoloadin £25.00

per person

(drinks not included)

£28.00

non members

(drinks not included)

Numbers are limited
so don’t delay, apply today!!

Please apply to the office for tickets
Closing date

24th January

January 2022 3

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

Bicknoller WI enjoyed making origami
Christmas gift boxes.

Three members of East Coker WI begged and Lympsham WI celebrated three members reaching 50 years of membership! Ann Tincknell
bought wool during the lockdown to knit and Isabel Wall (pictured) were both presented with gifts from the Committee by Angela
outfits for the ‘Fish and Chip’ babies of South York, President. Unfortunately Margaret Luff was unable to join the celebration. Members
Africa, hoping that they would find a way recently knitted and crocheted 1000 poppies for our Remembrance Display. This year
of delivering them. On the 1st of November Geraldine Jones was the star knitter, making 201 poppies and beat Isabel Wall, the reigning
2021 a friend was persuaded to find room star knitter, by just 1! Well done Geraldine.
in her suitcase for them when she took the
first opportunity to travel there after the
restrictions to that country were lifted. She
was unable to personally deliver them to the
maternity units because of Covid restrictions,
but they were divided between two units.

Shipham, Rowberrow and Star WI members
delivering Christmas donations to the Cheddar
Food Bank.

4 January 2022

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

Dunster WI provided all members a 'welcome Knoll group held a 3 craft day at North Petherton in October. The 3 crafts were beading, a paper
back to meetings’ bag. It includes a mask, craft box and learning to crochet a Granny Square. The squares have now been made up into
drawstring bag for rubbish, both made by blankets for dementia patients.
members Jackie Meakes and Mary Neighbour,
plus pencil, hand gel, tissues, programme and
name badge.

In October Shepton Mallet WI tried their hand Sampford Arundel WI enjoyed a guided walk Linda from Glastonbury WI selling poppies at
at flower arranging. with Ann and Reg Hendy through the 40 acre Morrisons Supermarket.
Middle Hill Farm/Langford Lakes Christmas
Tree Farm, Langford Budville.

Walton WI on an 'Explore Your Local Area' tour, this time in September at Bere Cider in Aller. Trull Trendles WI had a really fun evening at
their October meeting when the Sweet Coppin
ladies came along.

They are a Clog Dance team based in Taunton
who dance a mixture of Clog Stepping, North
West Team Dances and a selection of other
soft shoe dances from across the British Isles.

January 2022 5

200+ CLUB WINNERS 2023 Public Affairs
Annual Meeting Photographic
Chair: Lynda Norton
175, Teresa Hemms Calendar
Woolavington WI £100 Competition As the New Chair of the Public
Affairs team, I am looking for ladies
71, June Irving The subject for the WI 2023 to join the committee. Do you have
Williton WI £50 Somerset County Calendar a passion for women’s rights, the
Photographic Competition is environment or any current, past or
159, Kaye Farmer even future resolutions? Do you want
Sampford Arundel WI £25 ‘Somerset Towns to make a difference? Can you spare
& Villages’ a few hours a month? Then please get
December in touch.
Send to SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Somerset is a wonderful county so let’s get
70, June Irving, Bridgwater TA6 4BU out there and show what our WI is about.
Williton WI £15 We need a voice to protect this wonderful
by the end of January 2022 county. For example, as things stand we
24, Anne Langford, have had the poorest record of recycling,
Cheddar WI £10 be it due to the individual households or
the ability to actually recycle certain items.
Meeting room for Hire Many more families are struggling due to
the COVID pandemic. Domestic violence
SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater TA6 4BU numbers have risen and more people are
homeless. All these are areas we can look
We have a pleasant and comfortable meeting room to suit up to into and address.
10 people available for hire at our SCFWI headquarters Somerset also needs more active Climate
at 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater. Ambassadors. I have sat in on several zoom
We also have a conservatory suitable for larger numbers meetings from smaller federations whose
Disabled access and WC – Kitchen facilities included ladies are so passionate about our planet,
so it would be lovely to see our own county
£5 per hour for WI members, represented more.
£7.50 per hour for non-members
So please, if you feel you can spare some
For more information contact Casey on time and have the drive to get out there
and make your voice heard, get in touch at
[email protected] [email protected].
or ring 01278 496400 Many thanks and may I take this chance to
wish you all a happy and sustainable New
Want to advertise? Year.
Lynda Norton
Please contact Laura Balkwill on Chair, Public Affairs
[email protected] or telephone 07860 531998

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

EVENT DATES VENUE CLOSING CN ISSUE
Crocodile Lunch 23 Feb Monkton Inn, West Monkton, Taunton 24 Jan Page 3

Edwardian Tea and Garden Talk 26 Mar Walton Village Hall, Street 12 Mar Page 1

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

6 January 2022

Community Projects

Chair: Jo Stewart

SCFWI Christmas Shoebox Appeal

This is a glimpse of the journey of our The remaining boxes will be delivered in we wouldn’t be able to
Christmas Shoeboxes – from collection the next week. The Federation couldn’t do provide 420 Christmas
at the Annual Meeting, transporting to this without the support of our Members. boxes across the county.
It is a pleasure to be involved with this
Lydeard St Lawrence and sorting and project which brings so much pleasure If it’s anything like
stacking by members of Lydeard St to those less fortunate than ourselves. At last year, there
Lawrence WI. the YMCA in Wells, the manager, Carol will be a heartfelt
Plenty said “these were boxes filled with ‘THANK YOU’ from
love!”. She also had invited the Mayor of all the recipients
Wells along who took photographs to be of these fabulous
published in the local Wells Newspaper. Shoeboxes.
Without your ingenuity and generosity
It’s interesting that the YMCA was formed
in 1844 by George Williams the son of a
Dulverton farmer.

As I write this on the at the beginning of I hope you all had a happy and healthy
December, we have so far delivered 90 Christmas and wish you a peaceful New
boxes to the YMCA in Bridgwater, 50 Year!
boxes to the Women’s Refuge, 150 boxes
to the YMCA in Wells (which covers From the Members of Lydeard St.
Street, Glastonbury, Frome and Yeovil).  Lawrence WI and the Community
Projects Team

County Chair Teresa Hemms took 35 shoeboxes to the Nelson Trust Women’s Centre and
met Sophie Duggan, Manager of the Centre, which supports girls and women who have
addictions or are at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system.

Ambassador Hazel Hillman

I do hope you had the chance to enjoy the things you make in the boot of my car, this is possible, so just keep making these
meeting up with family and friends over the as I am then able to give to an unexpected lovely things.
Festive Season. patient on your behalf.
A Happy New Year to you all!
ANNUAL MEETING It is only because of you and your skills that Hazel

Totals made to date, wow! THANK YOU to the following WI's.
Please attach the name of your Institute to delivery bags)
Oncology - 3387
ONCOLOGY TWIDDLE MUFFS Deliveries to:
Twiddle Muffs - 1497 Chewton Mendip Leigh-on-Mendip
Litton & Hinton Blewett Children's Hospice
Hand Puppets - 538 North Petherton Taunton Deane Divas SW, Wells
Yeovil Wraxhill
Blankets - 312 BLANKETS Alcombers West Mendip Hospital,
Leigh-on-Mendip North Petherton Glastonbury
This picture shows just
how busy you have all Puriton HAND PUPPETS Avalon Dementia Care
been! Thank you, a Yeovil Wraxhill Sampford Arundel Home, Bridgwater
mountain of creativity, Taunton Deane Divas
most of which I have Alcombers Selworthy Special
delivered, as you will see Litton & Hinton Blewett Kilmersdon School, Taunton
below. North Petherton (photo on their
Horton & District Facebook page)
A special oncology cushion and driver North Petherton
bag were recently given to a friend with a
young family member about to have breast
surgery. I am so glad I keep a supply of all

January 2022 7

Creative Arts Team SCFWI Annual Meeting 2021

Chair: Shirley Routley SCFWI enjoyed a very successful Annual Meeting on November 6th 2021.
We were entertained with a slideshow featuring all the varied aspects of our
great Somerset Federation and introduced to the members of the Board of
Trustees, the new Teams, staff and Advisers etc.

The Creative Arts Team (note the Members from across the County watched The winners were:
new name) is now back up and as Alan Stewart, Estate Chef at The Newt,
running! We have met to discuss told us about this journey of discovery with Class 24, Photograph of Your garden
what we can bring to you, the food and his passion about what we eat, Lesley Porter,
members, in 2022. matched by his great respect for the source
of our ingredients. Taunton Deane Divas WI
Due to Covid 19, the scheduled Taster
Days in 2019 and 2020 were cancelled, Sue McDonnell of Taunton Scrubbers was Class 25, Upcycled Garment
disappointing many members. The inspiring as she described how a desire to Susan Latimer,
good news is however, we have help the NHS on a personal level by sewing
decided to revisit them for 2022! scrubs during lockdown, grew into a huge Henstridge Flyers WI
operation spanning counties, age groups
Taster days will be held in three and skills. People helped by sewing, driving, Class 26, Picture in Pastel, Floral Theme
different towns – Street, Taunton and delivering, stitching on buttons and co- Mary Olive,
Ilminster in different venues during ordinating groups. Sue showed pictures of
March, May and July, venues to be scrubs in amazing floral patterns, which South Petherton WI
confirmed. proved to be eagerly sought after over the
more traditional plain colours! Class 27, Patchwork Cushion Cover
Members will be invited to try their Susan Latimer,
hand at an exciting line up of crafts Ladies from several WI’s brought craft
including Pastel Art, Embroidery, items which they were unable to exhibit Henstridge Flyers WI
Card Making, Beading, Crochet and at the Flower, Food and Craft Show, sadly
Pinflair. If you would like to learn or cancelled in September. Class 28, Poem entitled 'Autumn’
refresh your skills in any of these, do Jan Kemp,
sign up to our small friendly groups I deeply regret not having a picture of
as soon as the dates are confirmed in these lovely items for you, but they were South Petherton WI
future issues of County News! beautiful and much admired by those ladies
in attendance. Class 29, Beaded Necklace
Jan Kemp,

South Petherton WI

Everybody enjoyed this coming-together
of friends and acquaintances after so many
months of separation and isolation.

The WI – really ‘Inspiring Women’!

Vi Myram Vi Myram has been a
member of Montacute WI
years for more than 30 years
old! and on October 13th 2021
celebrated her 100th
birthday!

Vi was previously a member
on the Isle of Wight and
is pictured with her 100th
Birthday Message from Her
Majesty the Queen.

Many congratulations Vi, you
look amazing and bring joy to
our hearts after the last two
difficult years!

8 January 2022