WI County News JUNE 2022 8pp flipbook

28th NOVEMBER- June 2022 40p
2nd DECEMBER 2022
Lunch with
TOORAK HOTEL, TORQUAY
Includes bed, breakfast and The Rt Hon. Ann Widdecombe
evening meal, plus daily trips
at
£315

Members

£345 ex-MP, ex-MEP, Political Commentator,
Author and TV Personality
Non-Members
Wednesday 19th October,
A limited number of 12 noon for 12.30 pm
single rooms available
at £60 supplement The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, TA19 9AR

Holiday insurance 2 Course Lunch with coffee
available at £25 Pre-dinner drinks available from the bar
£50 deposit required
Book Signing | Raffle
upon booking
Tickets £25 members £27.50 non-members
Apply to the office by 31st August
for booking form and full details Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please apply to Casey at the office

FEDERATION OFFICE Trustee Topics

SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road As I write this the sun is shining, the temperature is
Bridgwater TA6 4BU rising and it’s certainly a day to be outside!
01278 496400
I hope that you all make the most of the summer
Email: [email protected] weather. After having been stuck inside over the winter,
www.thewi.org.uk/somerset now is the time to get your large dose of Vitamin D and
also your dose of fun and laughter with your fellow WI
The WI – Somerset members. Enjoyment is what WI is all about but please remember those that put
in the hard work to bring you that enjoyment and don’t let them carry the load all
OFFICE OPEN the time – share it.
9.30am - 3.30pm, Mon - Thurs
We know that some of our WIs have closed due to lack of members coming
Federation Secretary forward to help out with the officers roles. I find this very sad because the jobs
Casey Worrall need not be onerous and can be shared between two or three. Your WI Adviser
will help you to scale down on various things so please get in touch with her and
Federation Administrator she will talk you through it and make life a bit easier for you all. If the word
Judith Laughton ‘Committee’ puts you off then you can still carry out roles which mean you need
not be on the committee.
COUNTY NEWS
There is always an answer to most situations and remember that the Membership
Editor Team are always on hand to guide you through. The most important thing
Annie Makepeace however is to enjoy your WI and sympathise with those who sometimes don’t get
things done to your satisfaction. We can’t please all the people all the time!
Email
Anne Chadwick, Chair, Membership Team [email protected]
[email protected]
Tel: 01823 433393 I am sorry to be starting my chat on Again, I say a BIG ‘thank you’ to all the
a sad note but the Jubilee Platinum volunteers and cake bakers who came along
Advertising Assistant Tea had to be cancelled in May due and did a sterling job, showcasing some of
and Gallery Co-ordinator to lack of support from members. the things that the WI does best at the Bath
& West Show.
Laura Balkwill The Event was to be a great celebration of
Email our wonderful Queen’s Jubilee, something June also marks the start of Pride Festivities
many of us would never witness again! such as a WI Pride Picnic. Please see details
[email protected] An exceptional monarch who has truly from Lynda Norton in the Public Affairs
Tel: 07860 531998 dedicated herself to our country. The Vice piece.
Lord Lieutenant expressed his surprise
Editorial for COUNTY NEWS that we had to cancel him, he thought of Look out for information for the Somerset
must be received by the 1st of the all the Groups celebrating the Jubilee, the County Show in September at Taunton
WI were top of his list to be celebrating Racecourse. We will be asking for
month preceding each issue, together. Ann Jones, NFWI Chairman, volunteers to help there.
by Email if possible to the Editor sent her best wishes and hoped we would
invite her to another event. We even had I have thoroughly enjoyed my recent visits
or typewritten copy and printed a mention in WI Life from her, saying to WI’s – Long Sutton, Shipham Rowberrow
photographs to the Federation Office she was looking forward to ringing in & Star’s 100th Birthday, North Curry,
the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations at our Hardington & Pendomer, Combwich &
address at top of this page Afternoon Tea. District, Litton and Hinton Blewitt, Cheddar,
Castle Cary & Ansford and East Coker. It was
THERE IS NO ISSUE IN AUGUST Judy Glossop and the Events Team were so good to meet you all. We have also been
extremely disappointed to have to cancel. delighted with the creation of new WI’s in
Advertising and A lot of hard work goes into organising Yeovil and Wells, which I visited.
Gallery pictures events and cancellation can also have
a financial consequence, as we have to Finally, I should like to welcome Lesley
Advertising and Gallery must reach the pay deposits to our venues etc. Please do Porter of Taunton Deane Divas WI to the
Advertising Assistant by the 1st of your best to support all the teams in their SCFWI Board of Trustees.
the month preceding each issue sterling efforts to keep you all entertained
and up-to-date. Feedback would be Enjoy the warmer weather and lighter
Lineage: Cost per word welcomed and useful for future planning mornings and evenings.
18p for WI members as to why members were unable to join in
30p for non-members this event. We only had 17 members who Teresa, SCFWI County Chairman
paid to join us. [email protected]
(or advertisements placed on behalf
of non-members.) On a happier note, THANK YOU to all
WI’s who sent in Cards for the Queen and
Display: Rates and sizes upon also Bunting. What a beautiful array of
application to the Advertising Assistant work you have all produced. All the cards
were sent to Buckingham Palace after we
SCFWI does not accept responsibility had photographed them so that we could
for goods or services advertised in display them at the Bath & West Show,
along with the spectacular bunting.
COUNTY NEWS

2 June 2022

Food & Garden

Chair: Annie Makepeace

June 12th to 19th is British Flower Week, season let some of the flowers set seed and Leigh-on-Mendip WI members
an opportunity to celebrate British grown collect it to sow next year. answered the call ‘Ladies, we
flowers and floral designers. Look out for Roses are less fussy and will usually need your support!’
local events such as workshops and visits produce a good first flush of flowers without Members were asked to bring along
to local flower growers and, if you happen much effort on behalf of the gardener. any used or new bras they no longer
to be in London, there will be spectacular Deadheading is, of course, beneficial but in needed to donate to this worthwhile
floral arrangements displayed at the Garden order to get a good second flowering later in charity, funding research in the UK
Museum. June is also the month when summer or early autumn (except for some and helping ladies in Africa.
we can bring the colour and scent of the older ramblers) it is beneficial to apply a
summer garden indoors with bowls of roses rose food towards the end of the month or This bra recycling scheme takes
and vases of sweet peas on every surface. early July. Remember to water it in well if unwanted or unloved bras and,
applying solid granules and the soil is dry. through a network of bra banks, raises
If you have (and I hope you vital funds for pioneering breast
have) sown sweet peas and Other jobs to keep you busy in June include cancer research.
finishing pruning of spring flowering The same bras also help to support
they are now climbing up shrubs, starting to sow biennial flowers small businesses in developing
their supports and starting such as foxgloves, keeping on top of countries in Africa and around the
to flower, here are a few tips watering pots and baskets and, when the world. Together with their recycling
on keeping the blooms going weather is hot, making sure the greenhouse partners, the textile recovery project
for as long as possible. First, or conservatory is well ventilated and/or prevents these bras going into landfill
sweet peas, like all peas, need shaded. Well you didn’t think you would before giving them a new lease of life
thorough watering. If they dry have time to sit and relax did you? in countries such as Togo, Ghana and
out they suffer stress and stop Martin Jones Kenya, where bras remain expensive
producing flowers. A potash to produce locally.
rich fertiliser such as tomato Successful ventures like this
feed given every two to three provide an income for families in
weeks also helps to keep the developing countries whilst providing
display going but the most important employment for people living in the
thing you can do is to keep picking! Sweet UK. For every tonne of bras collected,
peas are desperate to produce seed and Against Breast Cancer receives £700
once they have achieved this they will say to fund their research. With over 30
‘job done’ and stop making new flowers. million women in the UK, you could
With a little effort you should be able to really help make a difference!
have lovely fragrant blooms until the end of A total of 41 bras were donated
August or even beyond. At the end of the creating a novel sort of WI logo!
www.againstbreastcancer.org.uk
Summer Garden Visit /recycling/bra-recycling

2.30pm, Wednesday 6th July Want to advertise?

Spend a leisurely summer afternoon visiting the garden at Please contact
Laura Balkwill on
Wellfield Barn countynews.somwi

Walcombe Lane, Wells, BA5 3AG @gmail.com
or telephone 07860 531998
The visit will offer an opportunity for 25 ladies to stroll around this gorgeous garden,
planted to provide colour and form for year-round enjoyment. Following a short June 2022 3
talk by the owner, Virginia, you will be able to admire the wonderful views and
mixed borders of this half acre garden which 25 years ago was a bustling, concrete
farmyard! This lovely garden has clearly signed field parking and, of course, a loo!

Tea and cake will be included in the cost of £10 per person,

with garden seating or indoor space if the weather isn’t kind to us.

Bookings will be taken by the office on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED
basis, by Friday 17th June at the latest.

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

Twelve members of Taunton Deane Divas On a lovely sunny day in April, a group of East Coker WI President, Audrey Spurr
WI attended Ladies Race Day at Taunton ladies from the West Quantock Group visited presented Ruth Hann with a flower
Racecourse. Debbie Tyzack won a tipster Volis Farm where farmer Caroline explained arrangement in celebration of her 60th
competition, as well as a bottle of Prosecco, the workings of the farm, including milking wedding anniversary last month. She also
and was asked to present the prize to the and calving, and introduced us to many presented Cathrine Denney with an orchid pot
Winning jockey of a race. Pictured here gorgeous little black calves! There followed plant in recognition of her 18 years serving as
with some of the Divas, presenting the prize a delicious cream tea in Kingston St Mary treasurer.
In the paddock. A very enjoyable day out. Village Hall. Our thanks to Kathryn Pugh for
organising.

Glastonbury WI members at Kilver Court Trull Trendles WI craft group, showing the Some East Coker WI members rose to the
Gardens, Shepton Mallet, beside the recently bunting they have made to celebrate the challenge of making knitted hats for smoothie
restored Babycham. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. bottles for sale in supermarkets.
For each bottle sold, the smoothie company
will donate 25p to Somerset Age UK. The
picture shows almost 300 hats.

Burnham on Sea WI held a tree planting ceremony for the Queen's Jubilee on 26th April at the Shipham, Rowberrow and Star WI celebrated
Sea Cadets Hall in Highbridge, where they hold their meetings. The tree is a crab apple, called their centenary with a party where they
Indian Magic, donated by Sanders Garden Centre and planted by their representative, Chester raised £364 for Ukraine. The picture shows
Allen. Thanks go to the Sea Cadets trustees for permission to plant the tree on their land. President Audrey Birch cutting the cake with
County Chair Teresa Hemms, who came to
4 June 2022 support the event.

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

Members of Walton WI enjoyed a guided tour
of the Rural Life Museum in February.

Castle Cary & Ansford WI celebrated their
100th Birthday in May. President Irene and
fellow members, with the aid of a gardener
from Castle Gardens, planted a Rowan tree in
the local funfair field.

Burrowbridge WI gifted a tree to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee to Burrowbridge Members of Walton WI walked along Maunsel
Parish Council for their Coach House Garden. The ceremony was attended by the Lord- Lock in March.
Lieutenant of Somerset Mrs Annie Maw, pictured with Chairman Steve Kirk, WI Secretary Sue
Heyes and members of Burrowbridge WI and the Parish Council. The WI presented Winnie the
corgi to Mrs Maw with details of the NFWI's fun project.

Buy tickets online or onsite Guided tours,
live music,
The Bishop's Palace, Wells
expert speakers,
GARDEN delicious food,

skills, crafts and
stalls

FESTIVAL

17th, 18th & 19th June 2022 Buy
tickets
online

at:

www.bishopspalace.org.uk

June 2022 5

2022 200+ CLUB WINNERS
MAY
SUMMER COUNTY
128 - Sheila Cleeve
This year the County Huish Champflower WI £15 THANK YOU
Quiz will be held on
Wednesday 29th June 168 - Ginny Hearn A big Thank You to Donna Davies,
Bridgwater Penny Cooper and Carole Waters
7.00pm start (AKA ‘The Dream Team’) from
Firecrackers WI £10
Held at venues near you Hatch Beauchamp WI who helped to
across the county! 33 - Ruth Andrews pack the May edition of County News.
West Huntspill WI £5
£9.50 Booking forms Your celebration,
are with your VOLUNTEERS your way.
per team Secretary NEEDED!
member www.jenthecelebrant.co.uk
(Quiz open to SOMERSET COUNTY SHOW @JenWhitworthCelebrant
(includes a WI members only!) Taunton Racecourse
light supper) 07967 006362 - [email protected]
Venues Saturday 17th - Sunday 18th Sept
 We have been invited to participate THE UNITED KINGDOM
The Lamb & Lion Pub, Hambridge in the Show to be held at Taunton SOCIETY OF CELEBRANTS
The Bird in Hand Pub, Henstridge
Lydeard St Lawrence Village Hall, Nr Taunton Racecourse
Volunteers are needed in the
The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster refreshment area, inside, in the bar
The Windmill Inn, Williton If you are interested, please contact
Casey at County Office 01278 496400
West Bagborough Village Hall, Nr Taunton
West Buckland Village Hall, Nr Wellington And
TAUNTON FLOWER SHOW
Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil
Kingston St Mary Village Hall, Nr Taunton Vivary Park, Taunton
Friday 5th - Saturday 6th August
Witham Friary Village Hall
Balliol Hall, West Huntspill, Highbridge Would you like to volunteer to sell
The Waldegrave Arms, Chewton Mendip Raffle Tickets? Contact Casey at County

37 Club, Puriton Office 01278 496400

Please return forms
by Wednesday 15th June

Forthcoming Events for your Diary

EVENT DATES VENUE CLOSING CN ISSUE
5 May MAY
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bunting May/June Displayed at all Celebrations 25 May MAY
8 June Page 8
Jewellery Secrets Lunch 15 June Long Road, Langport TA10 9JU 15 June Page 6
17 June Page 3
Come & Sing 22 June St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells 20 June Page 8
21 June Page 8
Summer County Quiz 29 June Various Venues 21 June Page 8
13 July Page 8
Summer Garden Visit 6 July Wellfield Barn, Wells 5 Aug Page 8
13 July Page 1
Wells Readers’ Auditions 4 July St Cuthbert’s Church Wells 31 Aug Page 1

Fun Golf Croquet 28 June Dowlish Wake

Craft Taster Day 5 July Horton Village Hall

Pairs Golf Croquet 20 July Taunton Deane Sports Centre

Federation Skittles Tournament TBA TBA

Lunch with Ann Widdecombe 19 Oct The Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster

Turkey & Tinsel 28 Nov - 2 Dec Toorak Hotel, Torquay

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

6 June 2022

Community Projects Public Affairs

Chair: Jo Stewart Chair: Lynda Norton

Christmas Shoeboxes This month Pride celebrations will be
in full swing across the country. At the
By the time this issue of County News Everyone likes a sweet treat, no matter time of writing, May and June WI Life
reaches you it will be June with the longest what age, either chocolates, sweets or had just arrived and included articles
day fast approaching. Christmas Shoeboxes biscuits. Savoury snacks are also popular. which show how WI’s have in the past
will not be at the forefront of your thoughts. Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cup-a-soup or shown their support for the LGBTQ+
pot noodles. Some people are housed in community, be it holding Pride Picnics
But maybe, just maybe, you will be thinking temporary accommodation where the only or taking part in the many Pride
ahead, just like the members of Lydeard way of heating something up is a kettle and Parades. This year, we will be taking
St. Lawrence WI. We plan in advance how sometimes a toaster. Maybe a pocket size part in Taunton Live and Pride festival
to store the boxes, when to bring in tables torch or a fold up umbrella. Nothing will go 2022 being held on 16th July. This
for sorting and what sort of little extras we to waste. will be a fun-filled day with live music,
can add to some of the boxes we have made. stalls and art to name a few. As this has
Don’t worry if you don’t have a Shoebox, a As in previous years we will be collecting only just been decided upon in the last
bag will do and we have a supply of extra the boxes at the Annual Meeting, which will 24hrs, further details will be sent to all
boxes here. be held in Taunton this year. As before, we WI Secretaries. Our stall will include
can also collect or arrange for items to be not only crafts but information on the
Last year we were asked for more ‘Male’ delivered here to Lydeard St. Lawrence. support that the WI give. If you would
boxes and boxes for children. We are be interested in helping on the day or
assuming that, with the escalating cost of We hope this year, with your inventive spirit would like to contribute in some way
living, the demand for boxes for children and generosity, to provide boxes for the please contact me on the email below.
will be greater than ever. YMCA, the Women’s Refuge, The Nelson
Trust, The Besom Trust, ARC and maybe In addition to this event we are hoping
So, with that in mind, here are some Sparkle, which is a charity that provides to hold a Federation Pride Picnic. Once
suggestions for what can be added to boxes: Christmas Shoeboxes for Children. again details to follow as soon as plans
are verified.
regular items of shampoo/conditioner, If anyone has kitchen items, cushions,
shower gel/soap, hand cream/body lotion, towels, bedding that they want to find new I do hope everyone has managed to hold
deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, homes for, please get in touch. These will a successful Jubilee event and, of course,
nail brushes, tissues, flannels or cotton form part of our half yearly deliveries to the one that was as green and sustainable
wool pads, notebooks, pens/crayons, maybe YMCA’s, The Besom Trust and the Women’s as possible and that wherever you are
even a puzzle book. For female boxes, little Refuge. in the county, the weather was kind to
extras, nail polish, emery boards, lip gloss, you. Talking of the weather, spring is
(we already have some beautifully made Thank you! most definitely here so many will now
cosmetic bags we could fill) plus all the be busy in their gardens and allotments
regular items such as socks, gloves, hats, Jo Stewart – Chair, Community so could I please ask, where possible,
scarves. Many of these items don’t have to Projects Team to again think of the planet. Try not to
be specific to male or female. use harmful pesticides, leave a patch
01984 667267 [email protected] of garden for wildlife or build a bug
house. When potting up plants try to
Ambassador: Hazel Hillman use a peat-free compost. There will be
a talk on the benefits of our Somerset
Thank you for all your creations, I never PROJECT LINUS peat marshes coming soon.
get tired of receiving them. Certainly they
are always welcome wherever I take them Jaci Elliott, a member Information on the latest WI campaign
as you can see from this message: of Evercreech WI, is now available online and in hard
is also a Project copy for you to become familiar with
"Give the ladies our thanks again Linus representative the subject if this is of interest to you,
for all the hard work and time for Somerset. which I hope it will be.
spent gifting donations. x"
Jaci has just delivered her 600th quilt or I had hoped to have a date for the open
ONCOLOGY blanket since she started. morning at Federation HQ but with the
Jubilee celebrations and, of course, the
Thank you to: Jaci is needing quilts - 3ft square or 3ft x upcoming Bath and West event, this
Chewton Mendip WI 4ft is the size most useful at the moment. will be held later in the month. I am, of
Litton & Hinton Blewett WI course, still open to offers of help on the
These can be used on the end of the bed, Public Affairs Team, Betsy and myself
I have delivered to the RUH Breast Care. they can also be used as a lap quilt or a need your support.
play quilt on the floor.
Lynda Norton
BLANKETS All your blankets or quilts will go to a good
Thank you to: home, whether you knit, crochet or sew Lyndanortonwi-publicaffairs
Litton & Hinton Blewett WI them. Just get them to 344 or to myself. @outlook.com
I have taken some of these to the RUH.
Not forgetting all the other beautiful June 2022 7
HAND PUPPETS things you make, which will be donated to
Thank you to: those in need.

Litton & Hinton Blewett WI I hope to see some of you soon.

My very best wishes, Hazel

Chair: Shirley Routley

The Creative Arts Team is organising a Christmas themed
craft day in November and are looking for ladies who
would like to share/teach any craft or art around the
Christmas theme.

If you have a talent you would like to share, please contact me at
your earliest for more information.

Shirley Routley, Chair Creative Arts Team –
[email protected] or call 07739 611383

2024 Photographic Calendar Competition FUN GOLF CROQUET

The subject for the WI 2024 Somerset County Calendar Photographic Competition is Dowlish Wake
10.00am Tuesday, 28th June
‘Somerset Waters’
COST £8.00 each
Send to SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater TA6 4BU PAIRS GOLF CROQUET
by the end of January 2023
Taunton Deane Sports Centre
Entries for the 2023 calendar have been judged and the winners will be notified shortly. 10.00am Wednesday, 20th July

COME AND SING! Could you give a reading COST £11.00 each
in Wells Cathedral?
Do come and join us for a joyful Bring your own lunch
sing on Wednesday 22nd June in Well the answer is “probably”, but – tea, coffee etc. provided
the lovely St. Cuthbert’s Church in how will you know if you don’t try?! Please apply to the office
Wells. We are fortunate to have the at least one week prior
services again of Robin Walker, our If you can read clearly and fluently, why to the event
kindly conductor, and Gill Tucker, not come along to our readers' auditions
super accompanist, on the piano. afternoon in St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells Federation Skittles
and try it out on Monday, July 4th at 2pm? Knockout Tournament
We will meet at 11.00am, and finish at You’ll be sent two pieces of prose to is back for 2022/2023!
about 3.30pm. Teas and coffees will be practice reading at home beforehand, so no
available to buy, and you’re welcome to nasty surprises, and you will get the chance Get a team together and send
eat a packed lunch there if you wish. (If to read each one from the pulpit with a your application to the office by
you don’t already know the church, it has microphone to assist you. You may well be Friday 5th August.
toilets!) agreeably surprised! We regret that applications received
We can promise you a giggle if nothing else, after this date will not be included in
This day is open to all who enjoy a good and you’ll be free to leave once you’ve given this tournament.
sing; if you read music that’s great, if your reading if you wish. Do come along Note: Care should be taken by all team
you don’t it won’t be a problem. We’re and see how it goes, you could just be in for members when participating that the
not looking for operatic voices here but a treat, and experience the thrill of reading correct clothing and footwear is worn,
singing for fun – whether you can or at our WI Carol service on December 7th! and that the correct equipment is used
whether you think you can’t (no such Please send your details to Casey, with at the venue.
thing!). It is open to all WI members, and email address if possible, by June 20th to Kathryn Pugh, Organiser
to any non-WI friends who’d enjoy it too. receive your readings (so you have enough
time to practice). We shall look forward to
We all know by now that music lifts the seeing and hearing you on July 4th.
spirits, it’s good for us both physically Carolyn Stroud
and mentally, so come along and let rip –
you’ll feel all the better for it afterwards!

Cost is £16 for WI members,
and £18 for non-members.

Please register with Casey at HQ by 8th
June at the latest, to allow us time to put
sufficient music packs together.

We could all do with a morale booster
right now, so come along and sing!

8 June 2022