News

May certainly started with some glorious weather and gave a real “feel good” factor for the meeting.

This meeting deals with the debate on the resolutions that may or may not be adopted by the National Federation of WIs at the Annual General Meeting due to take place in June.

This year it is being held in Liverpool and Wendy Bell is attending as our delegate. It is traditional to hold a luncheon on this day in order to attract a good attendance for the meeting proper so that as many ladies as possible can join in the discussions. Thirty three ladies were seated for lunch and I’m pleased to report that afterwards two of our newest members volunteered to do the washing up! Thanks go to Beryl and Christine.

Now a little digression – in September we will celebrate 80 years since the formation of our WI and have decided to have a plaque made listing past Presidents, to be hung in the village hall – so funds need to be raised to pay for it! Therefore it was decided to make the luncheon a “fund raiser” and a tidy sum was made to start the ball rolling – well done “ladies who lunch”).

By 2pm our numbers had swelled and after opening the meeting with Jerusalem, a very fine rendition I have to say, Madame President wished Happy Birthday to Mesdames Jefferson, Bell, Cole, Bailey and Marshall.

There were two resolutions for consideration: “This meeting asks H.M. Government to urge the E.U. to ban bottom trawling which causes catastrophic loss of marine life” and “In view of the adverse effect on families of the imprisonment of people with severe mental health problems this meeting urges HM Government to provide treatment and therapy in a more appropriate and secure residential environment.” Both resolutions caused lively debate and both were passed by a majority vote.

The monthly competition was for “A Picture of Self when Young” and this attracted sixteen entries. It was decided that it would be turned into a mini competition by asking our ladies to identify as many of the mug shots as possible which proved an extremely difficult task; especially when one was of a baby in a layette! However, Audrey Godden was up to the challenge and won with eight correct answers. Although another general knowledge competition had been prepared the consensus was that after all that debate and every one feeling rather warm a nice cup of tea and a chat were preferable and so the afternoon ended on a very pleasant informal note.

The next meeting will take place on Tuesday 3rd June, starting at 2pm in Hawkinge Village Hall when Liz Holt will give a talk on “Quilts” – we are reliably informed that she is very good and so if you are free and would like to join us please do come along. For more information please contact Carole Seabrook on 01303 891420.

Linda Barnes
Committee Member
HAWKINGE, ACRISE & PADDLESWORTH WI