Indian Block Printing workshop, anyone?

This has just popped up from the Wild About Crafts FB page - from Tracy, who recently ran our mosaic workshop. Would any of our members be interested in a workshop on indian block printing?

Please let us know by email or on the WhatsApp group.

 

Report of the NFWI National Annual Meeting

 REPORT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING  25TH MAY 2023 (from Devon Federation of WI)

 

15 Delegates from Devon travelled to the Annual Meeting whilst 5 attended virtually.  St Davids Hall was nearly full with some 2500 members and guests attending.  The Chairman , Ann Jones, welcomed us all to Cardiff and gave her address.  Ann said she had been very pleased to visit so many Wis and Federations during the last year but had found travelling very challenging around the country and islands. Ann was very pleased to advise us that there were just under 21,000 new members in the last year.  National had been pleased to see the launching of virtual Wis, conversation cafes to support refugees.  National are working on a new model of the way we offer education to our members, however there will be a learning hub from Denman on line which in due course offering  free on line education.  They have released 2.75 million from the Denman Trust to support Federations in their training and education courses.

Next was the Treasurers statement in which she told us we were experiencing external factors influencing our figures.  However thanks to the support we received from WI enterprises, Denman Trust and legacies our figures remain in a good position.  The treasurer then thanked the Board for their help and support.

We proceeded with the appointment of Auditors and Standing Orders none of which were opposed.

Our first guest speaker Ebony Rainford was excellent and inspiring as to how she persevered to reach her goal of playing for England Ladies Cricket Team.  This was achieved along a long and difficult road.  A full transcript of her talk will be in the next WI Life, I do recommend a read of it, a fascinating story.

We then proceeded to debate the resolution.  The resolution was proposed by a member from Herefordshire Federation because she was becoming increasingly concerned about the state of the River Wye. The river and wildlife within it are dying mainly because of pollution. As Wis we need to promote awareness re polluted rivers.  There was a very good and enthusiastic seconder from Yorkshire Federation.  The first speaker in the following debate was James Wallace from River Action a small charity working to improve water quality. There was a sewage spillage into our waterways of 1.7 million hours in the last year and a lot of phosphate spillage from our farms.. River Action take the Environment Agency to task over this disgraceful happening.  James believes the Government are being very lethargic over this matter.  James feels WI Members are key to, working locally to try and highlight the plight of our rivers and push for more designated clean river swimming places with meaningful monitoring.   No other organisation has our powers to ask Politicians to commit to clean rivers in their manifestos next year.

It was not easy to speak against this resolution however he feltwe had to be very careful we did not use all the resources to instigate more bathing areas as this could impact on cleaning other areas for wildlife to exist in our rivers. There are many toxic chemicals from water running off roads which need to be addressed. These were mor harmful to aquatic vertebrates.There were then several comments from the floor and once again it was queried if we had the wording right for the resolution as it was felt the emphasis should not have been on clean waters for swimming areas but should have encompassed both people and wildlife.  The votes were then collected and counted and the overwhelming result was FOR the Resolution so it was passed.

Our lunch break followed out into a very hot and sunny Cardiff.

Following lunch break the Chair of NFWI Public Affairs spoke about the work they do  and how the power they have to change things.  There is a well tested process to get projects into the public domain.  This was followed by The Cup presentations and Devon once again was very proud to have the winners of the Huxley Cup amongst us.  It was a team of members from Primley WI East Devon who had won the challenge to design a community garden, which we understand has grown a little since the competition and is about to come to fruition.

Our afternoon guest speaker was Laura McAllister whose career had been in football and she is now an executive member of UEFA.  It was very interesting how she achieved this and again the transcript from her talk will be in WI Life.#

The Chairman then summed up the meeting with a few ‘Don’ts’:

​Don’t be a ‘dick’, treat others as we like to be treated.

​Don’t forget to help others

​Don’t stop learning – create a healthy appetite

​Don’t forget your roots – know what you need to do to keep your aim

​Balance yourself

Ann then set us a new challenge – we need to review our constitution, especially featuring on the younger women joining the WI.

The meeting then concluded with a little community singing and the Anthems.  We were in Wales of course, with a Welsh Chairman, the land of Song.

May 2023.

Wednesday Craft

 We had a lovely afternoon making art with seaglass. We were all concentrating so well that at times you could hear a pin drop. Thanks to

Barbara who shared her equipment and helped us along.

Busy Monday!

 Today we took the open top bus to Babbacombe, down to Oddicombe beach for lunch. A stroll along to Babbacombe beach and back. Thank you ladies had a lovely day

Thank you Mary W for the post.

Sew Mondays. We sewed, we chattered, we swapped information, and we caught up with news. A nice afternoon, thanks Jill Haslam.

Thank you Tina for the post!

What’s On?

Another week, another ’What’s On’ post for our busy Brixham WI members!

Monday: walk as usual, catching the 12 bus at 9.30 am for an out of town walk.

Sew Mondays meet at 2pm at Jill Haslam’s. Please let her know you will be there.

Tuesday: Meet at the Man and Boy statue at 10.30 for a lovely walk in Brixham.

Wednesday: Craft at 2pm. Barbara says you are attempting to make sea glass pictures and to bring your craft kit. (See earlier post with all the details).

Thursday: swimming

Friday: 10.30 another glorious time drinking coffee at the Berry Head hotel. (Maybe some chat going on, too!)

Craft next week:

Hello Everyone, if you are coming to craft next Wednesday afternoon. We are going to attempt ’sea glass’ picture making. Please could you bring your work mat, craft kit (tweezers and things), pencil, fine line pens or black biro, super glue or PVA or white / dries clear silicon. Plus a generous dollop of inspiration and enjoyment. I will bring seaglass and cards. Looking forward to it. Barbara

Our June birthday party - from Tina

 We had a great birthday meeting today at Brixham Cricket Club. Bob Thompson entertained with good tunes and we sang along, clapped and danced.

They was a super and sticky cake to go with our tea. And we caught up with friends, admired the blooms in the flower competition, got all the news and signed up for some great activities.

Thank you to everyone for all your hard work organising this afternoon. It was really enjoyable

“It was a lovely afternoon , thank you for organising it.“

“What a super afternoon, thank you committee “

And Tina won a hamper in the raffle. Yay! Lovely lot of garden equipment, and 2 beautifully decorated plant pots. Thank you, Carol, Pat and Susan.

What’s On this week?

For our very sociable Brixham WI members!

 Monday: meet at 9.30 to catch the no 12 bus

(Advance warning:- next Monday, 26th, will be Sew Mondays at Jill Haslam’s)

Tuesday: 10.30 In town stroll to a café (let’s be honest…!) meet at the Man and Boy statue

Wednesday: It’s Official Birthday month, and 21st June is our Official Birthday this year! Happy Birthday Brixham WI! Are we 52? Have a great birthday celebration, 2 pm (doors open at 1.45)

Thursday: there may be some swimming?

Friday: 10.30 coffee on the terrace at the Berry Head Hotel - you might be on the Mediterranean!

This photo was taken of Kathy’s garden on Bryher, with donations towards funding access to educational activities for the children.

Bookworms

 Bookworms met on Wednesday. We talked about our read, the first Richard Osman book ‘the Thursday Murder club’ enjoyed by most as an easy, light read and funny even the second time round although some of us found it harder to read and predictable.

We have 2 spaces available if you’d like to join our friendly group. This months read is past imperfect by Julian Fellowes.

Books discussed 

The sisters by Claire Douglas 

Two brothers by Ben Elton

A gathering storm by Rachel shore

Unforgettable by Steve Thompson 

Paris in love by Eloisa James

Five French hens by Judy Leigh 

The vacancy by JK Rowling

The memory keeper of Kyiv

And Jeffrey Archer

Mosaic Workshop today!

 About 20 members spent a very busy morning under the expert guidance of Tracy Johnson from Wild About Crafts. Some gorgeous beach huts, hearts, birds and fish were created, to mention but a few! Thank you to Sheila for organising and to everyone who came along, helped and enjoyed themselves! 

Please bring your creation to the meeting next week for everyone to see! 

Silver workshop

 Bangles to make at the silver workshop on September 29th, 10 until 1pm Space for 10 people . WI members only please. Details at a monthly meeting, prices similar to previous workshops

What’s On! (Sorry this is late!)

On Sunday I tried to post but we were moored in Newlyn harbour, tide out at the bottom of thick, granite walls and fog as well! That meant the WiFi just didn’t work! So! Tina, Jayne and Ann P all stepped in to do the job: 

Monday walk,

Anyone doing a Tuesday walk? Is it 10.30 at the Man and Boy?

Friday morning Berryhead coffee 10.30

Friday 10.00 til 1.00 RC mosaic course (pre booked)

Friday evening quiz in the Library. If you’d like to join a team ring Jayne 

On this week...... Monday walk. 9.30 bus station.

Tuesday amble. Man and boy 10.30

Wednesday bookworm at golf club....spaces available ask Rebecca Carpenter

Wednesday 2pm INSTITUTE MEETING at Cricket Club

Thursday swimming ask Wendy Coote.

Friday coffee morning Berry Head Hotel. Usual time!

PLEASE CORRECT INACCURACIES, AS I'M WINGING IT, COS Sparks Beattie IS IN A WIFI BLACKSPOT AND SURROUNDED BY FOG.

Friday 16th June Mosaic course 10 -1pm Brixham Rugby Club

Wi meeting Wed. 21st. June

2pm Brixham Cricket Club

Book Share

 Busy bookshare preceded by a very chatty lunch. 

Most Deborah Moggach books , the Miniaturist, the Black Dress, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel were greatly enjoyed; but this month’s book (Tulip Fever) was in a different category

Lots of recommendations:
The Cinnamon Garden, Impossibly to Forget, the Midnight House, Coastliners, the Silence of the Girls, Shardlake series, Julie Water’s autobiography, How to Kill Your Family, DCSmith series.

Bookshare also discussed putting together a team(s) for the library quiz 16/6, 6.30. Tickets from the library

What’s On?

 Beautiful, sunny June! What is in store for Brixham WI members this week?

Monday: 9.30 meet to catch the bus for an out of town walk.

2pm committee meeting

Tuesday: 10.30 meet for coffee at Lupton House café

Thursday: 2pm Book Share.

Friday: coffee morning at the Berry Head Hotel.