Thrilled and delighted

Those two words more or less sum up the response at the Executive meeting yesterday when Marjorie Vaughan agreed to be co-opted and join the team!! Marjorie has been our ACWW Representative for several years, visiting WIs to explain how we can contribute to our international sister organisation and the inspiration behind the very successful project, now completed, in India. Marjorie had been invited to the Executive meeting to report on this successful outcome and to ask approval for a new project in Romania, which the members of the Executive were pleased to support and voted unanimously in favour.

Marjorie is a member of Gretton WI and has also been working as the Federation Archivist for some time, lately with the assistance of Pat Stephens.

We are delighted to have her join the Executive and look forward to having her input on the team. Her wide experience and generous nature - not to mention her delightful sense of humour - will be greatly appreciated as we take the Federation forward into our 87th year.

Dumbleton's Birthday Party

What a night! Dumbleton Village Hall, ladies from seven neighbouring WIs and Dick Brice. I've seldom received a warmer welcome - arriving together with Liz and Rosemary - Delphina was on hand to make sure we knew what's what and were comfortable. But no sooner had we stepped inside the door than we were surrounded by so many friends, all of whom wanted to say hello - delightful!

We caught up with news, heard how very much members had enjoyed last week's meeting in Winchcombe and chatted about this and that in such a happy atmosphere. So many familiar faces, so many friends to catch up with - the evening was too short. It was great to see Sheila there, making a good recovery from the dreadful accident in the Summer when three of our oldest members lost their lives. Good to learn too, that Wendy is making good progress and the opportunity was taken to send love and best wishes. Several members referred to the Echo article, expressing concern and confusion - this was not their experience of the WI at all, and they wanted to express their support, which was great.

Dick Brice was - well, Dick Brice! Fantastic entertainment, some were laughing so much that tears rolled down their faces. Jo gave a wonderful thank you and told Dick that he could return home a proud man, for he had made 100 women very happy in one evening. I believe he blushed!!

Although we'd been sitting around tables, cabaret-style, nibbling little savouries all evening, there was a surprise in store - a birthday cake was brought to each table and if ours was anything to go by, there are some fantastic cooks in Dumbleton. It was yummy! With a glass of wine in hand, we celebrated Dumbleton's 40th and looked forward to their 50th when we hope to persuade them to do it all again.

(You had some really great ideas, Jenny: the "surprise raffle", the spot prizes on the chairs and of course, the yummy cake on every table! Thank you so much for a terrific evening)

Self Defence

Contrary to what you might think, this blog entry is totally unconnected to the previous one!

On Wednesday night, Avening WI held the first of our Autumn classes with Kim, teacher of Martial Arts, but for us, some simple Self Defence. We didn't get off to a good start since the key broke in the lock of the village hall, but hey, we're resourceful and Beryl offered us the use of her sitting room and rushed off to move the furniture!

We learned how to use simple actions to defend ourselves against those who wished to harm us and found that these basic moves did not need strength or any degree of fitness at all. Rather than alarm us, Kim showed us how knowing what to do could enable us to stay safe if we found ourselves confronted. During the next four weeks we'll practise so that those actions become familiar and instinctive - and yes, this is one occasion when we do hope we'll never have to use what we've learned.

Needless to say, there was much hilarity involved and at times I think Kim wondered what she'd let herself in for! We look forward to our next lesson, when the village hall will give us room to really move about - no excuses then!

Setting the record straight

On the way to the fantastic group meeting at Dumbleton last night (their 40th birthday party) I stopped to pick up a copy of the Echo, since I'd had a message from a member to say that there was an article about GFWI in there.

The piece contains several inaccuracies which anyone familiar with Gloucestershire Federation will pick up immediately, as had the member who emailed me. For a more accurate view of what's going on in the WI in Gloucestershire, read on to the next blog entry where I'll tell all about the last two WI activities I've been involved in - a WI class and a Group meeting. Nothing unusual - two routine events which are happening week in week out in the county but which explain why I think members have no intention of leaving the WI. They are having far too much fun!

What it's all about

Sometimes we forget the simple pleasures of being a WI member. Yesterday afternoon, in the company of Sandhurst WI members, I thought how lucky I was to have the chance to experience the WI at its very best.
We sat together in Jenny's lovely sitting room, knitting and nattering about this and that - some WI things, but also broadband connections, farming, village life and everything but the kitchen sink. I believe there was even mention of football! There must have been several hundred membership years in that room - I think I might have been the newest member with just 23 years!
The thing is, until yesterday afternoon, I had only met some of those ladies briefly - others not at all. Yet, by the time I left I had made another bunch of good friends and spent a happy time in their company. Isn't that what WI is all about?

Thank you, Barbara, for inviting me to knit and natter, and thank you all for giving me the warmest of welcomes. It was very much appreciated!

Super Speaker!

We had a great evening with Nicky Smedley, aka Teletubby LaLa, last week. Such a delight to listen to, her infectious giggle had us all smiling. We really appreciated Nicky's patience too, as she tirelessly signed Teletubby cards for members, grandchildren and at least one 21 year old!

Knitting together

Winchcombe WI have done really well getting everyone knitting hats, scarves and mittens for their appeal to help the children of Romania. I took several bags along to the Autumn meeting there last week and I don't think I was the only one - just look at this amazing collection of beautifully knitted sweaters, hats and so on - lovely bright colours and each one so carefully made.

Thank you Winchcombe members for co-ordinating this fantastic project.