January 2024 65p
2025 Photographic Calendar Competition 2 January 2024 I hope you all had a good Christmas and that the New Year will be kind to us. We shared hundreds of Christmas Shoeboxes with the YMCA Bridgwater, YMCA Wells, ARC and The Nelson Trust. The Community Projects Team Chair, Jo Stewart, got together with volunteers from Spaxton, Bishops Hull, North Petherton, Lydeard St Lawrence, Taunton Deane Divas, Early Birds and Woolavington WI's. Our task was to go through the boxes to check for any out-of-date or unsuitable items such as sharps, alcohol or medications and over 400 shoeboxes were checked. Thank you to SCFWI members for your outstanding generosity. You have provided us with so many wonderful donations and our Shoeboxes are really appreciated by the community projects which we support. WI Advisers Anne Chadwick (SCFWI Vice Chair and Membership Chair) along with WI Adviser Marilyn Symonds (Vice Chair of Membership) opened a new Minehead WI with over 70 ladies attending a meeting of interest and 40 new members signed up. A huge ‘thank you’ for all your hard work. SCFWI Annual Carol Service was held in Wells Cathedral on 13th December – always good to see so many members coming along. The SCFWI Choir sang beautifully as usual and ‘thank you’ to Carolyn Stroud, Carol Service Organiser, Conductor Robin Walker, volunteer stewards and all WI members who make the service such a success. We said farewell to Casey and Judith from our County Office who left for pastures new. Both had worked for several years for the Federation. Myself and my fellow trustees wish them well in their new ventures. January 2024 heralds new beginnings for the Federation, as we start the year with new members of staff who will join Julie Wood, our recently appointed Bookkeeper. The Board of Trustees are excited for the future and look forward to welcoming new team members. There will be some operational changes to get used to, but myself and the team will continue to support the members of our Federation of whom we are very proud. The County Teams are all forging ahead planning new events to tempt you. Look out for information in County News or in flyers sent to your Secretaries and on Somerset WI Facebook page. Contact the WI House to book your places for all events on 01278 496400. 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: 07790 449529 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 The subject for the WI 2025 Somerset County Calendar Photographic Competition is Please submit your photos in landscape format and high resolution jpegs. Send to SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater A6 4BU
January 2024 3 You will undoubtedly have heard by now that Casey, our amazing, super-efficient and much loved Federation Secretary, left us at the end of December Casey has given 10 years of her working life to SCFWI and there is nothing that she doesn’t know about the workings of the WI in general and our own federation in particular. It seems as though Casey has always been around to answer our queries, book our tickets, soothe our worries and keep the wheels turning at our HQ. I personally count Casey as a very dear friend whom I shall miss terribly. Even though we plan to keep in touch, it will still be incredibly sad that her smiling face and unflappable presence will be missing from our WI House at 344 Bristol Road. I know that whatever role Casey takes on in the future, she will make a huge success of it as she has for the past 10 years while running our County office. Casey, I shall miss you – good luck in everything you do but first, re-charge your batteries and spend a little time just ‘smelling the roses’. You deserve a break. When you take on your next challenge, please let me know so that I can let your friends throughout the federation know, through County News, how you are getting on, as I know they will wish you ‘all the best’ too. Judith also moves on Judith Laughton, our efficient Federation Administrator left us just before Christmas ready to start her new role in the new year. Judith started with SCFWI as a volunteer in 2014 when Margaret Bigg was Chair and has been an employee since July 2015. Judith has always been a reassuring presence at WI House, and a friendly and cheerful voice when members have rung with queries or to book events. She has been an invaluable help to Casey and presented a smiling face to office visitors. I wish Judith all the best in her future endeavours and I know that we shall all miss her efficiency and knowledge. Very many members will miss her as a friend too, as I certainly shall. Please do keep us up-to-date when you take up your next challenge Judith! Annie, County News Editor Fond farewell, ladies! We are saddened to announce that after ten years in post as our Federation Secretary she joined SCFWI in 2014 and started in a role she made her own. The face of the federation to visitors to WI House. Casey was always on hand with her invaluable wealth of knowledge to give advice, point in the right direction, if she didn't know, she knew who to ask! She would always try to find a solution for members. Several Board of Trustees and Chairman have come through the federation during the last 10 years and have benefited from her expertise. Casey left us the end of December 2023. Judith has also been with SCFWI for 10 years as our Federation Assistant Administrator, she will have encountered very many members during her time with us. Casey was always happy to speak to members whether on the phone or in person and more than happy to help sort their queries and bookings or just to say hello. Casey and Judith have enjoyed their time working together representing SCFWI they have both presented a professional and happy face to office visitors. Judith has decided to move on to experience new avenues and worked her last day at WI House in Bridgwater on 14th December. We are sure you will all join me and my fellow Trustees in wishing Casey and Judith well in their future ventures and thank them for the unstinting dedication to the federation. They will both be missed. Teresa Hemms, County Chairman and the SCFWI Board of Trustees A message from County News Editor, Annie A message from Teresa, County Chair and the SCFWI Board of Trustees As you may have heard, I will be leaving my post as your Federation Secretary after 10 years in the role. When I moved to Somerset, I didn’t know a soul; I now feel as though I have 3000 friends – a nightmare when it comes to remembering birthdays!! Judith, my trusted work colleague, and friend, will also be leaving – she has been the best colleague anyone could ask for and I couldn’t and wouldn’t have done it without her. Each and every one of you has made my life at the WI an absolute pleasure and I will miss it, and you all, very much indeed – you really are ‘inspiring women’! I don’t know what the future holds for me yet, but I plan to have a well-earned rest before embarking on a new venture, whatever that may be! You may not have seen the last of me though, as I will now have time to visit some WIs and may even join one, who knows; I hope that our paths will cross again sometime! Thank you again for making the last 10 years so wonderful; the time I have spent with the WI will always remain very special to me! With my very best wishes, Casey x A message from Casey
4 January 2024 Curry Rivel WI members enjoyed a craft workshop with Paula Simpson making Scandi-style Christmas decorations. We need pictures to fill our gallery - please send digital pictures to the Editor at [email protected] Stowey and Fiddington WI celebrated their 100th Birthday with a special celebration tea. The picture shows two ladies who between them have been members for 90 years! Molly (right) has been a member for 50 years and Barbara (centre, in red) for 40 years. Burnham-on-Sea WI hosted 'Strictly WI Factor Got Talent’ at Highbridge Community Centre for their Knoll Social Group meeting in October, featuring dancing leprechauns! A great time was had by all. Tatworth WI enjoyed African Drumming at their meeting inNovember with Sharon Stone and her Organic Rhythm group. A few of the shoe boxes and Christmas gifts for the YMCA which were collected by the ladies of Trull Trendles WI. Trull Trendles WI had a lovely day out, taking the bus from Taunton to Wellington and enjoying a delicious lunch when they arrived. West Buckland WI held a charity fashion show for the Tone Valley Group of eight WIs to support St. Margaret’s Hospice and promote sustainable fashion. Here are members handing over the £100 raised to the Hospice shop staff. Members of Woolavington WI have been very busy over the last two months. In September they organised a litter pick and managed to collect 10 bags of litter from around the village.
January 2024 5 Nether Stowey & Fiddington WI on their annual fundraising event on 21st October 2023 at St Mary's Church Centre, 'Soup ‘n’ Pud' day. The event was well supported by local people from the village with a successful tombola and many prizes. om or prints to SCFWI, 344 Bristol Road, Bridgwater TA6 4BU. We will print as many as we can each month! Strawberry Line WI welcomed Amber from Shepton Mallet's Aurora Kusina restaurant. Amber demonstrated how to cook Tempeh Pancit Bihon, Filipino style vegan rice noodles, which is one of the many amazing, delicious dishes she cooks in her restaurant with her husband Ross. Trull Trendles WI held a flower arranging demonstration by Rose Fisher and, after a raffle, several ladies were able to take the beautiful flowers home. Walton WI served tea, coffee and homemade cakes at the Merriman Park Fete in September. Wincanton WI enjoyed an interesting and informative afternoon with three lovely ladies from Morrisons supermarket. The floral displays were amazing, all raffled off at the end of their meeting. Wendy, the demonstrator, was brilliant: talented, easy to listen to and entertaining. In October, Woolavington WI held a free Soup and Pudding lunch in the Village Hall. This was attended by over 50 villagers. Thank you to the WI Committee members who provided tasty soups and delicious desserts for the day. Woolavington WI were taught how to make a Christmas wreath by Rhiannon from Lonsdale Garden Centre.
6 January 2024 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 Our Two-night, Leisure and Activities Break at the Manor House Hotel, Okehampton, is now fully booked for 15th March 2024. However, if you missed out, there will be another chance to go later in 2024! Be sure to check on County News each month. Two Night Leisure and Activities Break Manor House Hotel 15 March 2024 to Liz Brown, Jo Haydon, Ruth Stacey and Jenny Dunthorn from Walton WI who packed December County News WANT TO ADVERTISE? Please contact Laura Balkwill [email protected] or telephone 07860 531998 200+ CLUB WINNERS December 144, Gillian Leeder Trull Trendles WI £15 57, E Hawtin Oake WI £10 109, Sandy Mawer Huish Champflower WI £5 Christmas Draw 160, Maura Kearney, Taunton Deane Divas WI £25 154, Donna Cooper, Puriton WI £20 Afternoon Tea Fundraiser On October 4th, Crewkerne Group of WI’s held an Afternoon Tea in Hardington Mandeville. Village Hall to raise funds to support the improvement of the Car Park at WI House in Bridgwater. A magnificent total of £148.60 was raised plus a further £100 donation, making total of £248.60! Well done Crewkerne Group (Hardington & Pendomer WI, West & Middle Chinnock WI, Haselbury Plucknett WI, East Chinnock WI and Misterton WI. Your contribution is gratefully received and will make such a difference! Wishing all of our members From everyone at the County News team!
Community Projects Ambassador: Hazel Hillman Hello ladies! 2024, I can't believe it! I hope Christmas was a good one with family and friends. Let’s look forward to a creative and productive year for our Community Projects. I have made a lot of collections and, as you can see from the photos, you have made some lovely items. Jo and a group of wonderful helpers have beavered away with the shoeboxes for the YMCA. Everything goes to someone in need, so again ‘THANK YOU’. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! My very best wishes, Hazel Chair: Jo Stewart Following the collection of over 400 shoeboxes and other items from across the county, over a dozen members got together at WI House to sort through each box and label them as age and gender appropriate. No one could fail to be moved by the extraordinary generosity of the members of SCFWI who had filled the shoeboxes with such care and consideration. Thank you to the members to helped sort through the boxes. A good day was had by all and we were kept going with teas and a stop for lunch of soup, fresh bread and mince pies. Hazel filled several shoeboxes for babies in special need and the first day concluded with deliveries of boxes to YMCA’s and the Village Agent. Overall it would appear that the Somerset County Federation of WI’s will have donated in excess of 400 shoeboxes with other items also being donated to the food bank, YMCA’s and ARC. A special thank you to Jo for co-ordinating the event and to all our members for your support and help in making this project a massive success. ONCOLOGY Chewton Mendip Litton & Hinton Blewett (see photo above) Combe Florey HAND PUPPETS Litton & Hinton Blewett TWIDDLE MUFFS Chewton Mendip Woolavington Coxley Bickenhall MITTENS Chewton Mendip Litton & Hinton Blewett BLANKETS/QUILTS Litton & Hinton Blewett Sampford Arundel Bridgwater Firecrackers Woolavington North Petherton Coxley Ash Priors & Halse Lydeard St Lawrence Bickenhall BEANIES & SCARFS Puriton & District Dunster Ash Priors & Halse Woolavington CHILDREN’S WOOLIES, TEDDIES & TOYS Litton & Hinton Blewett Chewton Mendip Puriton & District I had lots of different items from you this month, but I am taking them to Special Schools and the hospital before Christmas. DELIVERIES have been made to Jaci, Project Linus and MPH. Also to Chelston Gardens N.H, Wellington. Thank you Sampford Arundel. YOU ARE MAKING SUCH A DIFFERENCE... THANK YOU TO THESE WI's January 2024 7
8 January 2024 People across Somerset with no transport of their own need help to get to important medical appointments. From routine checks to cardiology and cancer-related care, these Somerset residents benefit enormously from reliable volunteer drivers to get them there. The team also support adults and children with journeys relating to social care. Somerset Council’s current volunteer drivers are in need of new recruits, to support the NHS and the Council in ensuring patients get the care and treatment that they need. It is an ideal opportunity for anybody over 18 with a full UK driving licence and four-door car to do something for their community; particularly those who enjoy driving and meeting new people. Patients appreciate the opportunity to chat to their drivers too, since some live in socially or geographically isolated situations. Milage is paid, so you wont be out of pocket! For more information or to apply please contact Volunteer Recruitment Manager Gemma Ruffle on 07855 285464 [email protected] Jokes to tell at the party! MEMORY An elderly couple noticed that they were getting a lot more forgetful in their old age, so they went to the doctor. The doctor told them that they should start writing things down so they don't forget. They went home and the old lady asked her husband if he would get her a bowl of ice cream. "You might want to write it down," she suggested. Her husband said, "No, I can remember that – you want a bowl of ice cream." She then asked her husband to get her a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream. "Write it down," she told him, and again he said, "No, no, I can remember – you want a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream." Then the wife said she would like a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top. "Write it down," she again told her husband. Again he said, "No, I’ve got it. You want a bowl of ice cream with whipped cream and a cherry on top." So he left the room and spent an unusually long time in the kitchen. Half an hour later he came out to his wife and handed her a plate of bacon and eggs. The wife stared at the plate for a moment, then looked at her husband and asked, "Where's the toast?" MATHS TEACHER Teacher: "If I gave you 2 cats and another 2 cats and another 2, how many would you have?" Pupil: "Seven." Teacher: "No, listen carefully... If I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?" Pupil: "Seven." Teacher: "Let me put it to you differently. If I gave you two apples, and another two apples and another two, how many would you have?" Pupil: "Six." Teacher: "Good. Now if I gave you two cats, and another two cats and another two, how many would you have?" Pupil: "Seven!" Teacher: "Johnny, where do you get seven from?!" Pupil: "I've already got a cat!"