December 2023 65p from the County News team, County Chair Teresa Hemms, the Board of Trustees and everyone at the SCFWI Office Wishing you all a very
2 December 2023 Our Annual Meeting was a great success! A huge ‘thank you’ to all who made this possible. Members felt that our two speakers were truly inspirational and Jan McNeill once again had you all dancing in the aisles! Congratulations to WI’s who celebrated special birthdays and also to competition winners. Our question “Do you want a Virtual Annual Meeting next year?” resulted in a resounding “NO”! You also wanted to book it earlier than we do at present. However ladies here is a challenge for you all: We have listened to you and the meeting will be in person, back to a Saturday, and we will give you plenty of time to get all your WI friends involved in the 2024 Annual Meeting and to book your place when we go live with the details. Over to you… We need you to come along and support the meeting as it takes a lot of organising and at a cost, from reserving the venue to booking speakers and all the admin work that goes with it. Following the Annual Meeting we always hold the Executive Meeting to appoint County Chairman and Vice Chairs. We stayed behind after our Annual Meeting and held this meeting, which saved us convening a meeting on another day. I am happy to say that I was voted in for a 4th term. Shirley Routley and Anne Chadwick remain as Vice Chairs. I look forward to continuing to work with our dedicated team of trustees. We have combined the Events, Education and Food & Garden Teams, several new ventures are already in the pipeline. The 2024 trip to Manor House Activity holiday is fully booked. If you wanted to go and missed out, we are pleased to say we are going to repeat it in October 2024, so look out for information in County News. Shirley and the Creative Arts Team are also busy organising events for you to come along and enjoy. December 13th sees our Annual visit to Wells Cathedral for our Christmas Carol Festival. I look forward to seeing you there. The ‘Just Giving’ page is open for donations to help raise the funds we need to keep the federation in good shape. Share the link below with your WI, friends, family and your social media pages. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/somerset-countyfederation-of-womens-institutes-1022578 Every little helps! Thank you. Teresa, County Chairman [email protected]. FEDERATION OFFICE SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road Bridgwater TA6 4BU 01278 496400 Email: [email protected] www.thewi.org.uk/somerset OFFICE OPEN 9.30am - 3.30pm, Mon - Thurs Federation Secretary Casey Worrall Federation Administrator Judith Laughton COUNTY NEWS Editor Annie Makepeace Email [email protected] Tel: 01823 433393 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 The WI - Somerset wi_somerset Chairman's Chat Contact WI House to book your places for all events on 01278 496400 Farewell and ‘Thank You’ Annie At our Annual meeting I introduced Annie Makepeace as our longest serving trustee. Annie joined the Board of Trustees (BoT) in 2012 and has unstintingly given her time and energy as a Trustee, Food & Garden Team Chair along with many years as County News Editor. Annie has now decided it is time to step down as a Trustee and give herself more time to do other things. I have always admired the stunning outfits that she has made and worn to so many events (and her gorgeous svelte figure). Annie says she has thoroughly enjoyed her time as a Trustee and will now spend some of her time in her new role as a Church Steward. As she says, she will “not be idle”! Annie will continue as County News Editor having revamped County News many years ago to the brilliant editorial we have now, admired by other Federations on our circulation list. She has also kindly agreed to continue helping us with her fabulous graphics for posters, leaflets etc. We thank Annie for her valuable expertise and immeasurable talent in all she has done in her years as a Trustee and Chair of the Food & Garden Team Annie will not be forgotten and will periodically pop into our BoT meetings to update on County News. Well done Annie!
2025 Photographic Calendar Competition DECEMBER 2023 Garden Illuminations, Festive Decorations, Music, Father Christmas, Festive Food & Drink at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells Check the website for details: www.bishopspalace.org.uk CHRISTMAS AT THE PALACE Send to SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater TA6 4BU by the end of Jan 2024. December 2023 3 The subject for the WI 2025 Somerset County Calendar Photographic Competition is Please submit your photos in landscape format and high resolution jpegs.
4 December 2023 We need pictures to fill our gallery - please send digital pictures to the Editor at [email protected] & Pendomer WI enjoyed a beautiful September day on their annual visit to Lyme Regis. A record number of members took to the water and enjoyed a late summer swim. Fifteen members of Ashcott & Pedwell WI enjoyed their monthly Ladies who Lunch at The Levels Country Kitchen. Pitney Lortie WI members about to embark on a boat trip along the River Parrett at Langport aboard The Duchess of Cocklemoor. Bruton WI made these wonderful poppies at their craft meeting in October. Somerton WI friendly invitation skittles evening with Long Sutton WI members. Somerton was well and truly beaten, but an enjoyable evening was had by all. Members of the CERDIC group (Chard, Horton & District, Ilminster and Tatworth) recently met for a lovely catch up and to discuss joint plans for the forthcoming year. Of course, in true WI style, tea and cake were at the top of the agenda! The Royal Horticultural Society and Britain in Bloom South West presented Lympsham WI with a certificate “2023 ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ Award level 4 Thriving”. Eileen, Angela, Sue and Margaret proudly received this award for planting and looking after the plant displays and Swap Shop telephone box on Memorial Corner, Lympsham. Some of the Trull & Staplehay WI ladies at their regular monthly coffee morning in The Hive, Trull Church Community Centre. Walton WI visited Fragrant Earth in Glastonbury and made individual perfumes.
December 2023 5 om or prints to SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater TA6 4BU. We will print as many as we can each month! Marston Magna WI's entry for the annual October village Scarecrow Competition. Named Willow and Ivy! Kingston St Mary WI celebrated their 100th birthday with a lovely meal at Ciao Amore. The talented ladies of Wincanton WI knitted a beautiful remembrance wreath. This was presented on Remembrance Sunday to the local Branch of the Royal British Legion, on behalf of the WI. Coxley & District WI pictured in Axbridge Market Square. They enjoyed a lovely walk from Cheddar to Axbridge taking in the reservoir too. Yeovil Wraxhill WI planted a rowan tree for the Platinum Jubilee - now full of berries! Some of the 20 members from across the county who visited the Police Headquarters at Portishead, together with the receptionist and William, who co-ordinated the visit. Members worked hard at the Copper Foil workshop held at WI House during October.
6 December 2023 The Board of Trustees would like to welcome Julie Wood to the team. Julie is our new bookkeeper and has been kept very busy transferring our accounts to a new system. Our new bookkeeper On behalf of the WI Advisers and helpers we wish all our members a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope you all have everything you wish for, enjoy time with friends and family and that the New Year will be a healthy one for you. On a more serious note, may I just remind delegates for the National Annual Meeting in London that they are expected to write a report on the day’s events and resolution outcome. They must then report this back to their link WI’s. We don’t expect you to visit those WI’s but, in this age of technology, it is important that you email them your report which can then be read out at their meeting. This is a vital part of the Delegate’s duties. Don’t forget that your WI Adviser is here to help out at any time. Happy Christmas all Anne Chadwick Chair, Membership Team Membership Chair: Anne Chadwick The resolution selection process for 2024 has begun. By now you should have seen the shortlist and supporting information which have been published on MyWI and in the November/December issue of WI Life. Now is the time for individual members to consider which of the four options they would like to see go forward. The four shortlisted resolutions are: Although it’s always useful to discuss resolutions at meetings, this is the individual vote stage when members from across the whole of the WI get the opportunity to have their say. Your secretary will be collecting your vote and sending the total number for each option to me or to WI House by the 11th February. Resolutions are vital to the WI in shaping our campaigns and in showing what the largest women’s organisation in the nation is concerned about and would like to see changed. They are a force for good in the lives of women and their families and come from individual members themselves, not from the national office. We owe those members who have gone to the great effort of putting forward a resolution, the respect of casting our votes. In addition, voting for resolutions gives you a say in the direction this organisation will take. There is no obligation for WIs to campaign on every issue each year. Institutes can pick and choose the campaigns that their members want to focus on, if any, or they may choose to support a more local cause that’s important to them. It’s good to keep abreast of the campaigning work of the WI and participate as appropriate, but there is no need to keep up with it all. What is important is that the WI continues to address issues that impact our lives, so be sure to be part of the process by voting. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected] and if you’re interested in writing your own resolution in the future, please do get in touch for guidance. Resolutions – Your Vote Matters! Dental Health Matters Impacts of Poor Housing Conditions Say NO to Gambling Advertising Improving Outcomes for Women in the Criminal System Forthcoming Events for your Diary EVENT DATES VENUE CLOSING CN ISSUE Leisure and Activities Break 15 Mar '24 Manor House Hotel, Okehampton Fully booked! October PLEASE COMPLETE BOOKING FORM (available from your secretary) AND RETURN TO 344, BRISTOL ROAD to Gill Townsend, Gwen Fothergill, Gail Wills, Hilary Preedy and Wendy Ransome from North Petherton WI who helped pack the November edition of County News. WANT TO ADVERTISE? Please contact Laura Balkwill on [email protected] or telephone 07860 531998 200+ CLUB WINNERS November 82 – Jackie Thomas Hardington & Pendomer WI £15 90 – Kathryn Brown Chard WI £10 85 – Amelia Holt Stoke St Gregory WI £5
Community Projects Ambassador: Hazel Hillman Hello ladies! The clocks have gone back, halloween and fireworks have passed – where does the time go? BUT we have Wells Cathedral and Christmas to look forward to, spending time with friends and family. It was so good to catch up with members at the Annual Meeting, and what a lovely time I have had unpacking all the beautiful things you have made for those in need. (see photo). I would like to reiterate my thanks to you, as I gave at our annual meeting on behalf of SCFWI. Your gifts over many years have been much appreciated by the recipients. Photos and thanks have made it possible for you to see the need to continue and the help and pleasure you are giving. Also to see my enjoyment in receiving these from you and my pleasure at seeing recipients’ faces when I call on them. I have delivered to: Avalon Dementia Care, West Mendip Hospital and the RUH, Breast Care, Head & Neck and Princess Anne Neo Natal. REMINDER: Please put your name on delivery bags. I still have some bags with no names attached so can't record them beside your Institute! Looking forward to seeing you at Wells Cathedral where I shall be meeting and greeting with fellow members. My very best wishes for Xmas and the New Year. Keep fit and well. Hazel Chair: Jo Stewart Here are some of the 300 boxes we collected from our Annual Meeting on 15th October in Shepton Mallet. What an amazing collection! Beautifully wrapped and filled to the brim. These boxes have been safely transported to WI House in Bridgwater and on the 18th/19th November we will check, sort and get them ready for delivery in early December. Thank you so much. Oncology Cushions Westbury sub Mendip Litton & Hinton Blewett (See photo of members sewing cushions) Chewton Mendip Driver Bags Litton & Hinton Blewett Westbury sub Mendip Chewton Mendip Twiddle Muffs Bridgwater Firecrackers Cannington West Coker Yeovil Wyvern Yeovil Bucklers Mead Coxley & District Hand Puppets Kilmerston Walking Frame Bags Chard Blankets Lydeard St Lawrence Ash Priors & Halse Puriton Bridgwater Firecrackers Combe Florey Litton & Hinton Blewett Alcombers Ilminster Coxley & District Chard Quilts Woolavington Combe Florey Beanies, Scarfs and Mittens Bridgwater Firecrackers Combe Florey Alcombers Evercreech Litton & Hinton Blewett Yeovil Bucklers Mead Babies Bishops Hull & District Combe Florey Ilminster Toys Lydeard St Lawrence YOU ARE MAKING SUCH A DIFFERENCE... THANK YOU TO THESE WI's December 2023 7
8 December 2023 So that’s our summer done and dusted for another year! Across the globe there have been some extreme weathers and some horrific disasters, and yet people still question climate change and are blind to the impact their behaviour has on the planet. We have the opportunity to make our voice heard but this doesn’t mean having to go on demonstrations or lobbying our MP’s (though these can be effective). Have you heard about “Craftivism”, the art of gentle protest, founded by Sarah Corbett? I am hoping ladies would join me, once a month at County HQ for sessions on Craftivism and also sustainability, upcycling clothes, curtains etc, rather than heading for landfill. These would be held on a Saturday, enabling those that work in the the week to attend. So what does this involve you may ask? Well, if you can knit, sew, crochet etc. you can take part. Already ladies are, unbeknownst to them, craftivists. For example, below is Gill Cummings from Woolavington WI, who painstakingly recorded the weather every day by an assigned colour of wool. Resulting in an amazing Climate Change blanket. You can find a pattern for a climate change blanket on My WI but that one is a record taken over the years. So Gill decided to make her own. Earlier this year you may have seen in County News an article regarding Rose Sanders from Combe Florey WI, who made a fantastic banner depicting many of the resolutions that we have supported. National were so impressed that Rose was asked to take the banner to London to be part of the Anya Hindmarch London Fashion Week project, featuring protest pouches and original WI banners. This was such an honour and we are all so very proud of her. Rose very kindly presented the banner to me at County HQ, where it will be displayed and also can be seen at events throughout the year. Rose herself admitted to me that she was not a quilter but I beg to differ and I’m sure you will agree! If you would like to get involved or find out more, please contact me on my email below. Places will be limited and a start date has yet to be confirmed. Talking of resolutions, have you done anything about our latest resolution, Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife? After a discussion with a volunteer from Secret World Animal Rescue, I have decided to hold several litter picks along some of our beautiful stretches of river around the Bridgwater area. Charlotte had informed me that she had been to one area which is an actual nature reserve and the waste was abhorrent. So ladies of Somerset, let’s do our bit! I will schedule a timetable once confirmation from the local council has been received (they hopefully will provide pickers, bags etc). Look out for a notice in the next couple of weeks and again, any questions – don’t hesitate to ask. I am also in talks with Surfers Against Sewage, with regards to an event and what we can do to help. Finally, I am organising a trip to the Houses of Parliament early next year. It’s a fascinating day, you can find out how our political debates work and also the history of this magnificent building. You may also be lucky enough to bump into some interesting people. I was there back in the late 90’s as a guest of my MP and was lucky enough to meet with the late Lord Hailsham and Gyles Brandreth! Again, numbers will be limited so please watch out for notices sent to your WI Secretaries. Please contact me with any questions and, of course, if you would like to be part of the team, I would welcome you with open arms. I am also available for talks on climate change and how we can make a difference. My email is: Lyndanortonwi-publicaffairs @outlook.com Public Affairs Chair: Lynda Norton Chair of the Public Affairs team, Lynda Norton, with Rose Sanders and her fabulous banner! Gill Cummings from Woolavington W