Great news about our book from Adeline

Adeline, a member of Winchcombe WI sends exciting news about our flood book this morning:

"Google have now scanned our Gloucestershire Floods 2007 book. They do a preview ofbooks, and ours has been previewed by them. To read the pages, click

here

I have been fortunate, as I took a copy to Google last year, when I was visiting my son, who works there, so we got a bit of a fast track.

Adeline Rucklidge


Adeline, thank you so much for doing this for us - and please convey our sincere thanks to your son, too.

Lovely to see you!

It was lovely to see so many friends at the Textile Treasures Exhibition yesterday, and one or two more at other times during the show. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.

I think one or two have been inspired to create something for their WI as a result of seeing the marvellous work on show. That's the best outcome of all!

Our book on Google

Adeline Rucklidge, from Winchcombe WI has a family connections with Google, so it's thanks to her that our book has been taken up by them for their digital library. All very exciting!

She emailed me this morning, however, to say:

"The WI flood book is on Google, with the WI reference, but we are behind Amazon and Blackwell, and have gone to page 2. I think if more of our members were aware of the listing of our book under GFWI, they might just hit on it, and we would go up the page. There is more money for the flood relief from us than the bookstores."

Perhaps we might do that and see what happens?

Adeline, thank you and your "Google Connection" for doing what you can to promote our book worldwide. How many of us are fortunate enough to have that kind of influence?!

Oh my....

..the words spoken by the publisher's sales manager were "unprecedented demand"!

Our book is selling so well, they can hardly print them fast enough. I wonder if this is partly due to Liz popping into Waterstones Gloucester each day, making sure there are plenty on display by the downstairs tills?

Thanks Liz! And thank you everyone who is buying a copy of "The Gloucestershire Floods 2007", the perfect Christmas present! Further supplies are now available from GFWI and they will be on sale at Cheltenham Town Hall on the 5th December, too.

In the news

So exciting to have the launch of our book today and to see ourselves in the media. A quick google turned up a page on the BBC news site and then, an online recording of Points West, recorded live at the launch party in Tewkesbury tonight (sorry don't seem to be able to fix up a link to that one)

We were told by publisher Matilda that we are into the THIRD print run - that's more than 2500 copies and really quite something, considering the Booker Prizewinner this year had sold just 3500 copies on the eve of the competition final.

Not that I'm going to draw comparisons, you understand ;-)

(Oh, and it's three months to the day since I made the initial phone call to Suttons, enquiring if they'd be interested in working on a Flood book with us)

Book publicity

Sue and I have just done an interview with John Rockley of BBC Radio Gloucestershire which will be aired tomorrow morning (Tuesday), so if you're around, then do listen in.

The sales are quite amazing - the 750 copies of the initial order are already sold and orders continue to "flood in" (sorry...couldn't resist that one) A further order has been placed with Suttons to ensure we have enough to satisfy all needs for Christmas presents! Watch for plenty of press coverage this week as the book is officially launched.

One word...

"Terrific"!

That's what the first person to see the finished book said when I showed it to her this morning. I had an email to say that the books had arrived from the printers and hot-footed it down to the distributor to pick up some inspection copies, hot off the press.

You will not be disappointed, I am certain.

Our book will be delivered to WI House on Monday and those who have pre-ordered copies will be able to collect them from there from Tuesday. If you haven't placed your order yet, then hurry hurry hurry.....

To be published shortly

Look what I found at Amazon.co.uk today! In my excitement I emailed Sue, who had a further look around and emailed me back with this and this and this and this

Actually, the advance information sent out a while back, which appears on these sites is incorrect. Our book will have 120 pages (because you responded so well to the challenge!), recommended cost £9.99 in the shops (10% royalties to the Gloucestershire Flood Relief Fund) but can be obtained from WI House for £8.50, all profits (£3.50 per copy) to the GFRF.

Enquiries re advance orders can be emailed to liz@gfwi.org.uk

We hope to have delivery of the first edition (!) later this month, with the grand launch at Abbey House Tewkesbury on 7th November.

Remarkable friends

I went to Newtown WI last night, one of the worst hit by the floods with several members having to deal with the aftermath, living in caravans and other temporary accommodation. You might have expected a rather sombre meeting after the events of the summer, but not a bit of it! This was a gathering of good friends, of women who are not easily downhearted and who have been there for one another throughout the last few weeks. It was great to see everyone in such good spirits in spite of so many challenges right now and I spent a lovely evening in their company.

What's really interesting is that a remarkable friendship has developed with Amesbury WI in Wiltshire Federation. who contacted the ladies of Newtown WI at the height of the crisis and pitched in to help. They drove over to Tewkesbury with car fulls of gifts - household linens, cleaning materials, small personal things which were so gratefully received and which meant so much. Not only that, but the small messages and little thoughtful touches tucked inside the towels and blankets revealed the sincerity of their kindness. Lots of treasures had been gathered into a scrapbook which was circulated for all to see - recording the start of what I'm sure will be a long standing friendship.

At the meeting last night, President June opened wine and chocolates, further kindnesses from their Amesbury WI friends and plans were made for a get together in Wiltshire soon.

At the printers!!

I can't believe how quickly everyone has worked together to get this amazing book in print so soon after the events. The cover is now at the printers, the manuscript and photographs are with the publisher, Matilda (of Suttons, Ltd) and we anticipate that it will go on sale in mid-November. Sue has done an amazing job of preparing it all for printing, of collating all your contributions (there was enough for three books in the end, but sadly only room for one!) It's been a long and time consuming task and I'm sure Sue breathed a huge sigh of relief as she packed it up to hand it over.

I was thrilled that our requests to write forewords were accepted by both HRH The Duchess of Cornwall and the Chief Constable. It meant a great deal to me that so many busy people have gone to great lengths to create a very special record of the flood, thereby raising funds for the Gloucestershire Flood Relief Fund.

You'll understand, then, why I'm slightly embarrassed to see my name on the front cover alongside Her Royal Highness, Tim Brain and Sue Wilson. I really felt that of all people, I was the one least warranting a mention. It seems, however, that it isn't possible to credit a collaborative effort for a variety of reasons - but on this occasion, more than ever, when you read my name, you know that it's very much on behalf of you, the GFWI members, who are quite rightly credited throughout the book as you'd expect.

You have sent the most amazing contributions, Sue has done a wonderful job of compiling an interesting and readable text and Matilda has produced a stunning cover. When I signed the contract on your behalf I knew it would be good, but I think,

together we have created a masterpiece.

Thank you!!

So many contributions for the Flood Book, it's going to be hard to pare it down to the necessary size. I think Gloucestershire members could fill a book the size of War and Peace with their anecdotes, their stories and experiences of these last few weeks.

This is going to be a very special book indeed and I can't wait for you to see it!! Thank you to everyone who has sent a photograph or wtitten contribution. Every single one was marvellous and we hope to include as many as we can.

Flood book

Though I'm on holiday right now, I hear that contributions to the book we're working on are coming in all the time. Thank you for your support on this - we really need all your stories, photographs and appreciate the tight time scale doesn't make it easy.

If you've still got something to send, please email Sue Wilson, or post it to her or the office as soon as possible. We want to make sure that everything makes publication!!

Back to normal!

Isn't it good to have running tap water to drink again?

Good wishes from Banffshire

Sharing kind thoughts sent from our friends in Banffshire, Scotland, this morning. Lorna, their Federation Secretary emailed to say they were thinking of everyone affected by the floods and hoping that things are improving.

Lorna said:
"I am busy getting ready for our show at the weekend. It is a big part of our local farming scene. It will be a strange show as there won't be any livestock but in true British spirit it is going ahead and I hope the sun shines as that brings people out.
Several agricultual Shows have been cancelled due to the weather, but the one thing about Keith show is that it will never be flooded as it is held on a hill - but it can get very muddy so it may be wellies all the way.

What a summer! Surely it can only get better. Best wishes to all.

GFWI have a particular friendship with Banffshire members and share news on a regular basis. It's always good to hear from our friends up there in Scotland!

Floods in Fairford

Marion Lloyd, secretary of Fairford WI emailed me this morning with their news :

"Several of our ladies have had to move out of their homes, with 6 months being the time they have been told they can move back, although in some cases it will be before then. Fairford was cut off from both ends, I was doing a first aid course and had to travel over 10 miles to do 2 miles, some of our members offered help wherever possible as our old people's home was flooded and there was no electricity/hot meals but, as usual, the 'Dunkirk' spirit came through. It is was very sad to see carpeting and furniture etc. being loaded up outside houses, and a couple of members are very upset, but when we think of Worcester and Tewkesbury we were very, very lucky."

Marion went on to encourage everyone to support Fairford Steam Rally/horticultural tent on the 18th/19th August, please. Both Marion and Kathy Lewis, Secretary of Meysey Hampton WI will be there all Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon and look forward to seeing you there.

Lending a hand in Quedgeley

After the call for volunteers to help with the water distribution went out, I telephoned a few WIs to ask for their help on this. Members of Glevum WI helped out in the morning and the evening sessions, and Vice-Chairman May and I joined members of Frampton on Severn WI in the afternoon. As you can see, a couple of WI husbands joined us too - thank you both. We worked alongside Severn Trent employees, a couple of plumbers who had been brought in from South Staffordshire, City and County Council staff and Debbie Llewellyn, City Councillor for Quedgeley and her family, all of whom have spent hours in Tesco car park this last week!

It was actually quite fun helping out and gave us a new opportunity to see how things are. It could still be several days before much of the tap water in the county is drinkable, so this water distribution will continue for the foreseeable future. Chedworth WI have offered to help out next week and perhaps your WI might consider lending a hand? Any offer would be greatly appreciated to relieve the people who have been working non-stop for over a week now. In just over four hours we gave out somewhere between fifteen and twenty pallets of bottled water and were pleased to see how responsible people are when it comes to taking only what they need.

Pam, Frampton on Severn President, explained to Mums that boiled bowser water is better for their youngsters than the bottled water, much of which has high sodium levels. We read the labels carefully so we could ensure that families with babies and young children took home the lowest-sodium brands.

A bonus in the form of a visit from Dr Tim Brain, Chief Constable, in the afternoon. He arrived to thank everyone for their community effort and spoke highly of the generous spirit throughout the county in the last few days. As head of Gold Command, the multi-agency committee which organised the operation to get the county through the crisis, he has done a wonderful job of keeping everyone together.

More good wishes

On returning to the office this morning (where water has been restored, hooray!) we were touched to find yet more messages from our friends around the country. There was a lovely email from our neighbours in Oxfordshire, who send good wishes and offered support. Another email was from the members of East Sussex Federation who also offered support to the people of Gloucestershire. Jana Osborne, NFWI General Secretary sent her good wishes and drew our attention to a page of information on the NFWI website which may be of interest to anyone looking for ways to aid the process of rebuilding.

Newly elected NFWI Board member Stephanie Fort, from North Yorkshire, sent good wishes to everyone affected by the floods too and her colleague from the NFWI Board, Joy Thomson emailed to say how she hopes things are getting back to normal for us all. I replied to each of these emails on your behalf, thanking everyone for such kind thoughts and saying how very much we appreciated them.

Shortly after reading the emails, I had a telephone call from Joan, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Federation, who is now in touch with members of Sandhurst WI. Members of Amesbury WI in neighbouring Wiltshire Federation are also making contact with their colleagues in Newtown, Tewkesbury WI.




On a more personal level, there was also a small parcel for me from a Norfolk member. I had admired Jane's bracelet when she was at one of the taster days at Denman a couple of weeks ago - it was a rather unusual design and just "my" colour. Inside the parcel was one of these fun bracelets for me with a delightful hand made card - how very generous of her! I often remark on how fortunate I am to have so many lovely WI friends and count myself one lovely friend the richer this afternoon. And yes, I love my bracelet - thank you, Jane.

Volunteers needed

I've had a request for volunteers to help with the distribution of drinking water during the next few days. If you could offer around four hours one day to lend a hand, please get in touch with me via the GFWI office 01452 523966 or send me an email. This offer isn't only restricted to WI members - please get your partners, friends, sons and daughters involved in this community effort too!

I'd really appreciate your support on this one, please!

Gradually getting back to normal

The GFWI office in Brunswick Square will reopen from today, Monday, but until the water supply is reinstated, will close at lunchtime each day. The Executive will meet on Wednesday, 1st August at 9.30am for the rearranged July meeting.

Watch for further information here or on our website www.gfwi.org.uk

Thank you all for your patience, but most of all, thanks to Liz, Carolyn and Bev for keeping things ticking over during the last week. We really appreciate their commitment.

When the worst is over

We're trying to think how GFWI members can offer help once the crisis stage of the floods is over. So far, getting about the county and reaching those most in need hasn't been possible, so offers of hot meals and other assistance have been a challenge to communicate. However, the WI will be here long after many of the other support agencies have gone home, moved on to work on other priorities and I think we could make a difference in the clean up operation which will surely go on for several months.

If you have ideas how your WI could offer to help, by actually going along and offering elbow grease, providing food and drinks or other respite from the long haul which will surely follow this weeks events, please let me know. You can email me, or leave a comment by clicking "comment" at the foot of this message. I suggest we use our WI network to put people in touch with one another - I am happy to help you do that.