Sunny Days Walkers

It was a beautiful walk to Berry Head this morning, with a short refreshment break at the delectable Guardhouse Café.

We’ll choose a sunny day for the next walk! 

Feeling Crafty?

Easy-sew teddy

Make our cute teddy for someone to cuddle this Christmas! Made from fluffy fleece or towelling, he’s quick to make and an ideal first sewing pattern for children or beginners...

Go to thewi.org.uk and sign in to the my WI pages to find the pattern and all of the instructions

Start planning now to ‘Show the Love’

The NFWI is taking part again in Show the Love with the Climate Coalitionin February 2019.

Show the Love is all about making and sharing a green heart around Valentine’s Day to create important conversations about climate change in your community.

2018 saw WIs crafting green heart badges and sending them to their MPs, green heart ‘bombing’ local areas, taking part in green heart treasure hunts with other organisations and going on nature walks to notice early signs of spring.

A pack of resources that outlines how to take part, including craft and baking guides and stickers, will be available for members either via email or post.

Please sign up to receive the pack here: thewi.org.uk/s/stlresources

2019 Resolutions Shortlist

Below is the final shortlist for the 2018/19 resolutions process. This list was developed by representatives from federations at the Resolution Shortlist Selection Meeting on 2 October 2018.

1. Improving Plant Biosecurity in the UK

In recent years, trees and plants in the United Kingdom have come under threat from diseases introduced from imported and infected plants. The NFWI calls on the government to implement a mandatory plant certification scheme to assure the public that the plants they buy and the soil and containers in which they are sold have been screened and are infection free.

2. Trees – Improving the Natural Landscape

To improve air quality, mitigate climate change, reduce flooding and erosion, and visually enhance the environments where we live, work and visit, the NFWI calls on WI members to take action and plant trees, protect trees and woodland, enjoy the opportunities for nature in their local environment – and inspire others to do the same. The NFWI also calls on the government at both national and local levels to make a strenuous effort (and legislate where necessary) to increase the number of trees planted.

3. Pelvic Floor Education

Incontinence and prolapse are common conditions experienced by many women, especially after childbirth and the menopause. The NFWI calls upon the government to provide increased pelvic floor education and treatment of related conditions, and to ensure parity of access to services across the UK.

4. Suffering in silence; end the taboo around menstrual health

The taboo around menstrual health, coupled with a lack of awareness, means that many women and girls are living with painful yet treatable menstrual conditions for years. The NFWI calls on the government, schools and health service providers to improve menstrual health education and gynaecological services, thereby increasing early diagnosis and prompt treatment of any problems.

5. A Call Against the Decline in Local Bus Services

Over the last decade there has been a massive decline in the number of bus services, particularly of those in rural and semi-rural areas. In order to alleviate loneliness, improve health and wellbeing, as well as promoting sustainable development, the NFWI calls on the government and local authorities to increase subsidies and work in partnership with bus companies and community transport operators to enable an adequate provision of services.

6. Don’t fear the smear

Cervical screening saves around 5,000 lives a year, yet attendance is currently at its lowest for a decade. The NFWI urges WI members to attend routine screening, to take action to raise awareness of the importance of cervical screening and address barriers to attendance to help eradicate cervical cancer.

Record of October Institute Meeting

Our President welcomed 5 new-comers to the meeting, and asked everyone to look at the crafts made in previous workshops (pottery and mosaic).  The upcoming glass fusion workshop was discussed.

 Mary welcomed Christine Saunders who gave a very interesting talk on working with silk fibre, and the life cycle of the silk worm.  This has inspired several ladies to try this technique at home.

 After tea, we were lead in seated exercises by Val, followed by the business meeting

 Mary has had several calls thanking Brixham WI for our hospitality at the Autumn Group Meeting on the 10th October.  

We had a lovely lunch at Paignton Club, and she thanked Ann for arranging it.
Next month, bring in your items for the Kingswear Cup on the theme
 ‘I must go down to the sea again’.

The raffle this month is in support of Denman.
Mary and Tina went along to the speakers day recently and saw some very interesting speakers one or two of whom we are hoping to book for next year.
The Group Carol service will now be on Friday 14th December which is the day after our Christmas party.
There will be a walk on Tuesday 30th October.  10am Centry Rd.  Depending on the weather and peoples’ preferences we can walk the top path or the coast path. We plan to have coffee at the Guardhouse Café afterwards.
We have had a suggestion of 10 pin bowling – we will see if there is interest at 

the next meeting.

 Tina itemised the activities that needed to be applied for today.  
She took a count of hands for making posies for World Kindness Day.  Sparks said we could meet at her house to make them, at 10:30.
There has been an invitation for food producers to join a Devon Federation group

 Barbara showed us the PATH blanket. (People Assisting Torbay’s Homeless)

Craft next Tuesday has been cancelled.
Christmas Crackers will be made for sale at the Coffee Morning (1 Dec) at the next Craft Group.  Thanks to Virginia we have an instructor and lots of the makings for them.  Bring small presents for the middle (to fit inside a toilet roll holder).

Flower Competition winners 1. Tina 2. Kate 3. Ellie

October Institute Meeting - Action packed!

It was an action packed meeting this week at WI.  The results of various workshops were on display, pottery, mosaic and crochet; the latter was made up into a blanket and will be donated to PATH (People Assisting Torbay’s Homeless)

We then had a very interesting talk and demonstration from Christine Saunders showing Silk Fibre Craft with the lifecycle of the silk worms, various other fibres and techniques to make paper, collages and silk decorated glass.

Following tea and biscuits Val lead exercises and we moved onto the normal meeting’s business, culminating in the Denman raffle and flower competition results.  Action packed indeed!

Ladies who lunch.....

Well, I really should have worn a frock today! As you can see from the photos below, the Paignton Club arranged a simply gorgeous setting for our lunch! The food was very good, too! Thank you very much to Ann, who organised it all so well.  What do I need to say about the company.... was there a game of rock, paper, scissors over a delectable macaroon? Surely not....

Group Meeting - lots of fun!

A delicious lunch, some fun exercises and an excellent talk about the Suffragettes and Suffragists in Devon. There were some very creative competition entries - sampled and greatly enjoyed by some members! All rounded off with a super raffle!
Thank you to all of our lovely guests from Galmpton, Paignton and Stoke Gabriel WIs, and a huge thank you to all of the wonderful Brixham WI members who made it all so successful.

Mental Health Day today

As part of our #WIMakeTime for Mental Health campaign, the NFWI has launched a postcard action to encourage healthcare professionals to ask people about their mental health and physical health. 

To get involved, please visit: https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/…/mark-world-mental-health-day-wi…

#WorldMentalHealthDay