Education & Public Affairs Sub-Committee

• Members:
• Chairman: Margaret Suddart, West Newton WI
• Vice-Chairman: to be appointed
• Jill Armsby
• Lynda Fraser, Warwick Bridge WI
• Margaret Hartley
• Anne Milburn
• Joyce Seminara, Wetheral WI
• Anne Young, Stoneraise, Wreay & District WI

Meets 5 times a year.

What we do

This newly amalgamated Sub-Committee will organise educational trips and workshops on subjects such as history, astrology, genealogy and gardening as well as dealing with campaigns, either local or from National Federation, which range over matters concerning the agricultural industry, conservation, health, public and international affairs. Events are also organised for Associated Country Women of the World ACWW.

Education Sub-Committee Report 2010

Over the last year, the Education Sub-Committee has tried to provide members with a range of events to whet their taste buds.  Our Kielder Venture proved much more successful second time around with stars aplenty in the clear dark sky and around Hallowe’en we took a spooky trip to The Pendle Heritage Centre to find out more about the Pendle Witches.  We were overawed by the splendour of Durham Cathedral and spent a pleasant afternoon in the city itself - this event was so popular we had to have a return visit.

We decided to run a talk on Birds of the Solway Coast in both WI House and in the west of the county with a follow-up walk to observe birds on the Solway Marshes and the cliffs at St. Bees.  Both talks were well attended and enjoyed but unfortunately we had to cancel the walks for a variety of reasons.  However, both speakers have agreed to lead the walks next year so there is something to look forward to.

The Border Reivers talk in Tullie House was so oversubscribed we had to do a re-run.  The second group were fortunate to be given time in the new Reiver Gallery.  There was much positive feedback from this event from both groups.  On a warm Sunday in April, members took a walk around Carlisle city centre - not a guided walk but a quizzical walk with some rather difficult clues to follow.  Several worried faces left WI House but they returned having had more fun that they’d expected to!

Unfortunately we had to cancel the trip to the National Costume Museum of Scotland but we are looking forward to our visit to Bowes Museum - especially as the Vivienne Westwood shoe exhibition opens on the day of our visit!  This is the first time for a while we have run a visit starting from the west of the county and it has proved quite popular.

These events would not run without the support of you, the members, so thank you for your continued interest.

However, without the hard work of the committee members there would not be any events to attend so I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for all the time and work they have put in to provide a successful year.

Finally, thank you to Sandra and Julia in the office for their support and patience - it is much appreciated.

Chairman: Margaret Suddart                                                                          Vice Chairman: Lynda Fraser

 

 

Public Affairs Sub-Committee Report for 2010

The Public Affairs Committee has had a busy year supporting NFWI campaigns and resolutions.  At the 2010 AGM WI members passed a resolution calling for the mandatory clear labelling of food with its true country of origin.  We wrote to MEPs requesting European Parliament legislation and decisions are awaited.  We also highlighted the proposed discontinuation of cheques.  Members were encouraged to send questionnaires to the Payments Council stating their concern and we are very grateful for the huge response.  We shall continue to monitor the situation and regular communiqués are being received from the Payments Council.  The NFWI Hon. Treasurer is now on the consultative forum continuing to stress the many difficulties we could all face should cheques be discontinued.

We also supported the Government’s Climate Change initiative and the NFWI/NFU ‘Mission Milk’ campaign.  We are all encouraged to buy local produce.  Members also completed a recycling survey.  We continued to support the on-going campaigns of Violence against Women and ‘Care not Custody’.

Following on the NFWI 2001 resolution, “Save our Honeybees”, a visit was arranged to Carlisle Beekeepers’ apiary at Walby where members had a most informative afternoon in the art of beekeeping and what plants and trees to have in our gardens.  Another ‘bee visit’ is being arranged.

Once again we provided a quiz at the Spring Council, this year with a 90th year Cumbrian theme.

Many thanks to all committee members for their hard work and support, also to Sandra and Julia at WI House.

Chairman: Sandra Hill                                                                           Vice Chairman: Eileen Wilson