Join Emma for lunch and a truly fascinating insight into her work as a textile novelist. June 2024 65p with Emma Mawston Former head of Design at Liberty Art Fabrics for 25 years Wednesday 18th September 11.00am for 11.30am – 3.30pm at The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster TA6 4BU Tickets £30, Non-members £33 Two course lunch with coffee Before Lunch: 25 years as Liberty Art Fabric Designer After lunch: working with Will Bee of Salcombe and the RNLI SCFWI ANNUAL MEETING 26th October 2024 Millfield School Butleigh Road, Street BA16 0YD We are excited to have the opportunity to host our County Annual Meeting at Millfield School in the Johnson Hall. We look forward to seeing you! TICKETS £15 Textile Novelist Lunch Call the office to pay over the phone. Tickets are limited and will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis. No refunds but tickets are transferable to another event. Lots of Emma's design workings and fabrics will be on display Emma describes herself as a Textile Novelist, as her amazing designs tell a story, dominated by both flora and bees. GREAT ACCESSIBLE VENUE | SUPERB SPEAKERS DON'T MISS OUT - BOOK THE DELICIOUS LUNCH! Only £22 for a 3-course self - service buffet meal along with tea & coffee on arrival! Call 01278 496400 to book your tickets now! Please note, Millfield School is a no smoking or vaping Campus. Thank you for your understanding. We will be joined by guest Speaker Captain Jessica Tyson, Sedgemoor District Council's Deputy Harbour Master, recipient of Merchant Navy Medal for Meritorious Service. And, Rosie Hather from ARC to present the importance of helping the homeless. Along with Craft House Chocolate, for all things chocolate! SPEAKERS
2 June 2024 FEDERATION OFFICE SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road Bridgwater TA6 4BU 01278 496400 COUNTY NEWS Editor Annie Makepeace Email [email protected] Advertising Assistant and Gallery Co-ordinator Laura Balkwill Email [email protected] Tel: 07860 531998 Editorial for COUNTY NEWS must be received by the 1st of the month preceding each issue, by Email if possible to the Editor or typewritten copy and printed photographs to the Federation Office address at top of this page Advertising and Gallery pictures Advertising and Gallery must reach the Advertising Assistant by the 1st of the month preceding each issue Lineage: Cost per word 18p for WI members 30p for non-members (or advertisements placed on behalf of non-members.) Display: Rates and sizes upon application to the Advertising Assistant SCFWI does not accept responsibility for goods or services advertised in COUNTY NEWS Tel: 07790 449529 Email: [email protected] www.thewi.org.uk/somerset OFFICE OPEN 9.30am - 3.30pm, Mon - Thurs The WI - Somerset wi_somerset Trustee Topics June is upon us and many will be thinking of sunny days and holidays. Here’s hoping for nice weather for your adventures or lazy days in the garden – I enjoy the latter. Having joined the Board of Trustees in 2021, I have been Chair of the Creative Arts Team and this last year, also Vice Chair. I have enjoyed meeting many of you at different events, sharing anecdotes and having a laugh. The Creative Arts team has been busy organising different events and have some exciting things coming up, from artists to knitting, Mandala clocks, gonks and a photography day. My thanks to those of you that took the time to email me with ideas of workshops and events in which you would like to participate. You asked and we listened, so do keep your eye on the County News and the Somerset Federation Facebook page for more information. This month, trustees and delegates from Somerset will be returning to the Royal Albert Hall for the NFWI Annual Meeting on 5th June. There are some exciting speakers with Mel B, Timothy Watson and Nazir Afzal OBE. If you’re there, do come and say “hello”. I have a love of poetry and will end by sharing one of my favourite poems by anon. Shirley Routley [email protected] Chair of Creative Arts Team The Magic of June June radiates joy Fields of daisies and gold wheat Dragonflies in flight A time of love, of new life The magic of June takes flight MANDALA CLOCKS & MACRAME GONKS Saturday 3rd August 10.30am to 3.00pm at SCFWI HQ 344 Bristol Road Bridgwater Mandala Clock £22.00 members £25.00 Non Members Macrame Gonk £15.00 members £17.50 Non Members Please bring a packed lunch Contact the office to secure your place
June 2024 3 to Louise Fullbrook, Pat Harper and Joan Osborne from Chewton Mendip WI who helped to pack the May issue of County News. 200+ CLUB WINNERS MAY 54, Anne Langford Cheddar WI £15 96, Ann Beech Taunton Deane Divas WI £10 44, Sue Phillips Hardington & Pendomer WI £5 WANT TO ADVERTISE? Please contact Laura Balkwill [email protected] or telephone 07860 531998 Duty Advisor MAY [email protected] Coach Day Trip Sunday 7th July The Castle has an interesting and chequered history dating back to the 15th Century. In the 1990’s, an American millionaire extensively restored the castle. A fascinating tour awaits you, covering hundreds of years of history. The gardens are a sheer delight – with formal gardens, a sunken garden, Dutch garden, waterfall, river walks and a 150-year-old wisteria arch. Don’t get lost in the famous maze! Bookings on a first come, first served basis. Ring the office on 01278 496400 There will be two coach pick-up points (timings and details later). Places are limited – so book yours without delay. inclusive of coach travel, entrance fees to the gardens and a 45 minute guided tour of the Castle. Cost £40 per member, non-members £42 Hampton Court Castle Hereford Joyce Meader will share her knowledge of military and historical knitting. Her collection ranges from 1817 to the present day. Monday 15th July, 1:00pm - 3:30pm at The 37 Club, Puriton. Tickets £12 members, £15 non members. Contact the office to book by 1st July. Sandra Ford 01823 333647 YOUR FEDERATION NEEDS YOU! Be more involved and help the Somerset Federation We currently have two vacancies at WI House in Bridgwater for which we are seeking volunteers. Here is your chance to become part of your County team and make a difference! The first opportunity is for an office cleaner for one hour per week, any day and time to suit you. The second is for a Federation Assistant in the office, helping with various tasks to ensure the smooth running of the operation. No computer experience required. This position is for six hours per week, between Monday and Thursday, at a time to suit you, as long as it is within office hours of 9.30am to 3.30pm. This is a wonderful way to get more involved with your WI, so please contact the office for more information.
4 June 2024 Lovely daffodils grown by Linda Sampford of Arundel WI, from bulbs bought from the WI last year. We need pictures to fill our gallery - please send digital pictures to the Editor at [email protected] and Pedwell WI enjoyed a fish and chip lunch in Knights, the award-winning fish and chip shop in Glastonbury. Hardington & Pendomer WI received tips from Sylvia Dunsdon, a former floral art teacher, on how to prepare flowers and produce a floral decoration for the flower and craft show. Haselbury Plucknett WI held a needle felting workshop, making blue tits from small fluffy bundles of carded wool. Here is their flock of part-finished birds. Trull Trendles WI welcomed speaker, John Dando and learnt about the history of Carnivals. The display of Tea is from their monthly Food Bank collection. West & Middle Chinnock WI celebrated their 75th birthday in March with a Murder Mystery set at a school reunion. The plot was penned by one of their talented members. The evening certainly tested their deduction skills as they turned amateur sleuths! Poppies made by Bridgwater Firecrackers WI for the 'Standing with Giants' appeal. The members (with a little help from neighbours!) made 194 poppies to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Coxley & District WI were taught how to line dance by member Pat Steer. Chewton Mendip WI decorated terracotta pots for use as planters, chocolate holders or seasonal decorations using different mediums to each create their own mini masterpiece. Lorraine Tilsley stood in at short notice to demonstrate needle felting to Bicknoller WI, who had great fun and produced a parliament of owls in just 90 minutes. Curry Rivel WI Walking Group pictured at the Burton Pinsent Monument on a bright and breezy day in March.
June 2024 5 om or prints to SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater TA6 4BU. We will print as many as we can each month! Leigh on Mendip WI organised two local walks from the Memorial Hall, raising £70 in aid of ACWW. Walton WI enjoyed a guided tour of Wells Museum. Above: Strawberry Line WI welcomed Emma Hill from Chapel Dance Studio of Shepton Mallet, to teach them a routine to ‘Come Alive’ from The Greatest Showman. Right: Marrison Millinary attended a meeting for Witham Friary and visiting WI's, helping all to choose a hat for Ladies Day at Ascot. Below: Mark WI hosted a 60s event for the other WI’s in the Knoll Group. Jan McNeill entertained with 60s tunes and members couldn’t resist dancing and singing along. The Mayor of Wells is raising money for charity by encouraging local people and groups to transform wedding dresses into new look dresses. 100 dresses will be on display in Wells Cathedral during August, then later sold. Wookey Hole WI worked together to transform Taunton Deane Divas and EarlyBirds WIs enjoyed a tour of Hinkley Point C. a dress using the Suffragette colours.
6 June 2024 Tickets at £5 per head are sure to be in great demand, so purchase yours from WI House in advance please on 01278 496400 An evening testing your knowledge of various genres of music over the decades, promising to be filled with fun and laughter and presided over by a very experienced quizmaster. Friends and family are welcome in teams of four to six Walton Village Hall Meadow Lane, Walton, BA16 9LA Saturday 15th June Doors open 6.30pm for 7.00pm start Bring your own drinks and nibbles! Forthcoming Events for your Diary EVENT DATES VENUE CLOSING CN ISSUE Music Quiz 15 June Walton Village Hall First come, first served P6 Golf Croquet Pairs Tournament 5 July Taunton Deane Sports Centre 1 July May Hampton Court Castle Trip 7 July Hereford First come, first served April Speakers Preview 10 July West Monkton Village Hall First come, first served P8 The Historic Knit 15 July The 37 Club, Puriton 1 July February Mandala Clocks and Macrame Gonks 3 Aug 344 Bristol Road Bridgwater First come, first served P2 Emma Mawston Talk 18 Sept The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster To be advised P1 SCFWI Annual Meeting 26 Oct Millfield School, Street To be advised P1 Thursford Christmas Spectacular 9-11 Nov Thursford First come, first served January The Manor at Okehampton trip 14 Mar '25 Okehampton First come, first served P6 PLEASE COMPLETE BOOKING FORM (available from your secretary) AND RETURN TO 344, BRISTOL ROAD We're returning to the Manor 14th - 16th March 2025 Non-member, two sharing a twin room £225 per person WI member single room £285 Non member single room £300 WI member, two sharing a twin room £195 per person Independent Examiner Training Independent Examiner Training will be held on 19th June at WI House at 10.00am If you have a head for numbers, Hilary Miller is happy to train anyone wishing to become an Independent Financial Examiner and help with the auditing of WI end of year finances. Please ring 01278 496400 without delay if you are interested as this training session is limited to six. Our 2024 trip was such a success we booked for 2025 straight away! Due to popularity we've increased the number of spaces to 60. Please contact the County Office at WI House to secure your space. The event was very popular and will be offered on a first come, first served basis so make sure you don't delay! A 50% non-refundable deposit will be required by Wednesday 31st October
June 2024 7 Community Projects Ambassador: Hazel Hillman Hard to believe that we are already half way through 2024 and the thoughts of the Community Projects Team are turning to Christmas Shoeboxes! Last year the County surpassed all expectations by producing over 600 boxes. As the Manager of the YMCA in Wells calls them – ‘boxes of love’. So, as a gentle reminder, here are the sort of items we are looking for: shower gel, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrushes, haircombs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, gloves, scarves, hats, small notepads, pens, pencils, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, biscuits or any type of sweet or savoury treats that fit in a shoebox. Anything that could be a treat for someone who has very little – maybe hand cream, body lotion, nail polish or even a face mask or a puzzle book, umbrella, shopping bag. We are often asked for more boxes for men than we can supply and there is sometimes a need for boxes for Children under the age of 10. Please check that all food items have a ‘use by’ date that is after January 2025. Some items are not suitable for these boxes: these include sharp items such as scissors or razors, candles, alcohol, used items and anything with a monetary value, such as gift vouchers, lottery tickets or cash. Please mark any boxes ‘Female’ or ‘Male’ on the outside, wrap in Christmas paper and seal with an elastic band or string. For the last time, Lydeard St Lawrence WI will be checking these boxes and we will be looking for spillages or breakages in transit. Our boxes don’t just head to YMCA’s but also to The Nelson Trust (a Charity for Women), Village Agents, Women’s Refuges and Arc. As in previous years you can bring your Boxes to the Annual Meeting this year at Millfield School on the 26th October or to WI House in Bridgwater. Next month there will be a list of other drop off points across the County. If any WI or Group of WI’s would like to get involved with this amazing annual project please get in touch. On behalf of all the grateful recipients – “thank you”. For further information please contact: Jo Stewart, Community Projects Team [email protected] 01984 636538 or 07790260112 Chair: Jo Stewart Hello ladies, I hope you are well. What a good month we have had with all your lovely creations! I have received and taken so many lovely things and you can see that they are appreciated. Keep up the good work ladies, and remember to put your Institute name inside the bags when sending. Lots of events and things to look forward to so hoping to see you at some of them. Best wishes and keep fit and well, enjoy the flora and fauna. Hazel THANK YOU'S from Weston General Hospital patient to Westbury Sub Mendip WI. ALSO from Clare Hall Nursing Home, Ston Easton: “Many thanks for your generous delivery this morning from the Women’s Institute. We really do appreciate it. Our residents commented on how wonderful it all was and how much time and effort must have gone in to them all, thank you.” Thank you to the following WI's for the lovely contributions to those in need ONCOLOGY Chewton Mendip North Petherton Lydeard St Lawrence BLANKETS Sampford Arundel Woolavington Wells (Monday) Combe Florey Unknown as not marked TWIDDLE MUFFS Lydeard St Lawrence West Buckland QUILTS Unknown as not marked MITTENS/SCARVES Chewton Mendip Alcombers BABIES (Coats and jumpers, neo-natal) Litton & Hinton Blewett Alcombers Bridgwater Firecrackers Combe Florey HAND PUPPETS Sampford Arundel TOYS Lydeard St Lawrence (see photo above) DELIVERED TO Wellington Village Agent and also Chelston Park Nursing Home BY Sampford Arundel WI NURSING HOMES Avalon, Bridgwater, Clare Hall, Ston Easton SPECIAL SCHOOLS Three Ways, Fosse Way and Mendip PROJECT LINUS Jaci Elliot, Evercreech WI West Mendip Hospital, Glastonbury - dementia ward Lovely toys by Alice Beak Fingerless mittens by Val Clare Hall Nursing Home with goodies
8 June 2024 Speakers Preview Back... is ...and on a personal level this time! 11.30am - around 4.00pm Wednesday 10th July 2024 West Monkton Village Hall Monkton Heathfield, Taunton TA2 8NE where a variety of speakers will be auditioning! If you would like to attend, please contact WI Office to book on 01278 496400. Payment will be taken at the time of booking There’s plenty of parking, so we look forward to seeing you! Refreshments will be available to purchase including a light lunch £5 There will be a full list of speakers and booking details for your information Cost is per person