Past Events
ACWW Day - Monday 29 April 2013 - Women Walk the World
A very big THANK YOU to all 110 members who took advantage of the beautiful Lakeland countryside and completed the 4.5 mile circuit of Buttermere to support Women Walk The World. Members generously donated £520 for ACWW funds so that they can continue their vital work of supporting women in third world countries. Walkers were checked in by Joyce Seminara and Margaret Suddart followed up the walkers to make sure all returned safely.
Refreshments were welcome at the finish at Buttermere YHA (thanks to the YHA for use of premises). Alison Watt and Pam Jago did sterling work making bacon butties (bacon provided by Cranstons) and soup (courtesy of the Trustees) which were enjoyed by the walkers.
We hope everyone enjoyed the walk which was made possible through the organising ability of Helen Hinvest (many thanks Helen). If anyone has a suggestion for a walk for Women Walk The World on 29 April 2014, which would need to include a suitable venue for bacon butties and soup at the end,
please contact Helen Hinvest, ACWW Representative.
CCFWI 2012 Autumn County Meeting, on Thursday 27 September
The Autumn County Meeting of the Cumbria-Cumberland Federation of WIs was held at the Greenhill Hotel, Wigton, on Thursday 27 September 2012. Members had the opportunity to view craft work, visit the swishing stall, and purchase WI mementos before the meeting commenced.
After Jerusalem was sung, our chairman, Pam Jago, welcomed over 200 members to the meeting. The majority of the Board of Trustees are newly appointed so each member was introduced with their given responsibilities. Pam gave an account of recent events organised by the Trustees and sub-committees, including the events to celebrate the Royal Jubilee. A card of congratulation, designed by Ann Rothery, Woodend & District WI, had been sent to the Queen on behalf of members and an acknowledgement received from Buckingham Palace. Pam announced that this was to be the last Autumn County Meeting, although the Spring Council Meeting will be held as usual and an Autumn event of some sort will be held next year. This is a cost saving measure that follows the lead of other federations. She urged members to give their support to events as they are a vital way of raising funds. She then gave an update on the feasibility of selling of WI House. There has been correspondence from the Charity Commission confirming that permission for members to sell the house is not required. Full consultation with the members will now ensue.
Jennifer Baker, Federation Treasurer, informed us that investment in WI House last year is being rewarded this year, with income from the letting of the flat, and a more efficient heating system reducing use of fuel. However, the current economic climate means that income from investments is low. The Trustees are continuing to be vigilant with the budget.
A representative from the NFU, Mrs Catherine Pritt, gave a presentation outlining the plight of dairy farmers in the county. She appealed to members to buy British dairy products, including yogurts and cheeses, to hassle local supermarkets to stock British produce, and to write to our MPs advocating fair prices for milk.
Margaret Suddart then gave the notices of future events.
This month's winners for the 200 Club were drawn and this was followed by the County Raffle.
Entertainment was provided by Stagedright and entertained we were by these talented young people. The audience were very appreciative of the non-stop singing and dancing of the troupe. Helen Hinvest gave the vote of thanks.
The meeting closed with singing of the National Anthem.
NFWI 2012 Annual General Meeting, onWednesday 30 May
Those lucky delegates who had been chosen to attend the NFWI AGM at the Royal Albert Hall this year travelled from Cumbria on Tuesday 29 May in a very comfortable bus, arriving in London at around 4.00 pm. Friendships were formed on the way down, so taking the minimum of time to settle into our hotel, we set off to make the most of our time in the capital. Some had booked theatre tickets, while others wanted to catch a flavour of the jubilee celebrations to come by touring the city, and others were happy to chat over some good food.
The big day arrived and we were bussed to the Albert Hall. What a buzz there was in the building as we all found our seats and marvelled at the surroundings. And when 4,000 plus members sang Jerusalem it brought a lump to the throat. We were treated to some excellent speakers, had a long debate regarding the 'Employment of More Midwives', and hopefully knitted ourselves into the Guinness Book of World Records, and finally were surprised by the appearance of Strictly Come Dancing stars, Kristina and Artem. More detailed information on the AGM can be found on the NFWI website.
Back at the hotel by 5.00 pm, there was plenty of time for more entertainment in the evening. London Eye, theatre, sitting by the Thames or exploring the city were some of the leisure activities chosen. Thursday morning saw us travelling home with lots to talk about. What a marvellous few days - I recommend you book your place for next year now.
Federation Diamond Jubilee Celebration Luncheon - Wednesday 23 May 2012
Over one hundred members attended the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Lunch at the Greenhill Hotel. The tables had been tastefully decorated with tall vases of white carnations and sparkling sprinkles and on display were the entries for the competition for a congratulatory card to be sent to the Queen on our behalf. After a delicious lunch we enjoyed a talk on 'Diamonds' by Stephen Robson, from jewellers Beadle and Hill.
Annual Spring Council Meeting of Cumbria-Cumberland Federation of Women's Institutes, held at the Shepherds Inn, Carlisle, on Saturday 31 March 2012
The Annual Spring Council meeting began with the singing of Jerusalem led by Pat Staley.
The county chairman, Trish O'Hara, gave an account of the very busy year she had had visiting WIs and attending special events. She thanked members for their welcome and hospitality. Sadly, this was to be her last official event as she will be standing down from the board of trustees this year.
County Treasurer, Nancy Hullock, presented the statement of accounts and gave an update on membership, which was slightly down on last year. She answered questions which had been submitted in writing prior to the meeting.
Short presentations were given by each of the sub-committee chairmen, explaining the work of the seven committees.
A presentation was given by Patrick Stokes on Tracing Your Ancestry. After investigating his own family tree, he has been asked to use his experience for others and a whole new career as a genealogist had opened up for him, including writing a monthly article for Cumbria Life. He brought along some interesting family artefacts which he had found, including a WW1 death plaque and an 19th century marriage settlement document.
Skills co-ordinator, Sue Hinde, spoke about a Government initiative involving NFWI, to encourage the teaching of crafts which are being lost to future generations. Craft Club supports craft in schools, galleries, libraries, and community centres, bringing people together to pass on their craft skills and individual WIs are asked to become involved. The starting point is knitting and other yarn-based crafts and then as the club’s network grows, other crafts will be added.
During the lunch break, delegates were able to browse the stalls for stationery, WI publications, quiz sheets, raffle tickets etc.
The afternoon proceeded with George Crossman, who spoke about 'My Time as a Coastguard in Morecambe Bay'. Her Majesty’s Coastguard coordinate maritime search and rescue within the UK Search and Rescue region, using a network of volunteer teams around the coast who are equipped to deal with incidents and rescues appropriate to the local area. George joined the coastguard following a career with Cumbria Constabulary, and after his initial training in Highcliffe was based at Arnside. Many of the rescues he attends are due to the notorious sinking sands of Morecambe Bay and he gave a humorous and sometimes gruesome account of the training they undertake to enable them to release people from life threatening situations.
The notices of future events were read by Pam Jago and she then went on to introduce Rebecca Holmes and Hazel Davies, members of Langwathby & Edenhall WI, who were finalists in NFWI's 'Little Black Dress Competition'. Rebecca modelled her recycled dress that she had made using carrier bags, bin bags and cereal packets. The bodice of the dress was made from cardboard, coke cans, an old t-shirt, papier mâché and plastic milk bottles. The outfit was accessorised with a fascinator made from papier mâché, a net bag, off cuts of wire & coke cans, jewellery was made from the top of a wine bottle, wire, coke cans, ring pulls and buttons, and up-cycled 2nd hand shoes were covered in papier mâché with a buckle made from a can base and floristry wire! Hazel remodelled a dress found in a charity shop which was unpicked and re cut with a dropped waist. The bodice was cut on the cross with a v-neckline and chiffon sleeves were added. Ribbon and beads were hand sewn from shoulder to cuff. Accessories were a lavender hand-made fascinator and matching bag.
Bootle WI were presented with the trophy as winners of the team darts and Danielle Wilby, Lazonby WI, won the trophy for the highest overall score of 133. Certificates were presented to WIs who have reached 75 to 90 years old.
The new board of trustees were introduced for 2012-2014. They are Jennifer Baker, Sandra Clifford, Ilene Forsyth, Lynda Fraser, Pam Jago, Hazel McGrath, Alison Parker, Morag Parkin, Margaret Pattinson, Jean Rawstron, Margaret Suddart and Anne Young.
Trish O'Hara was thanked for an excellent meeting and all her hard work over the years. Presentations of flowers were then made to all the retiring trustees: Trish O'Hara, County Chairman 2008-2012; Nancy Hullock, County Treasurer 2010-2012; Eileen Wilson, former County Chairman 1994-2008; Thelma Cartner, former County Vice Chairman; Pat Staley, former Denman representative; Margaret Plank, ACWW representative; Elsie Bell, chairman of sport sub-committee.
The meeting came to a close with the singing of the ACWW Song of Peace and the National Anthem.
WINNERS OF 2011 DARTS PAIRS COMPETITION
The final of the 2011 Darts Pairs competition was held at Wigton Bowling Club on Friday 11 November 2011. Congratulations to the winning couple who were Vicki Everatt and Rita Wilson, from Gamblesby WI. The runners up from Lazonby WI were J Woodman and M Armstrong.
CARLISLE CATHEDRAL FLOWERBED
As part of Cumbria-Cumberland Federation's 90th Birthday celebration a special flowerbed was planted in the grounds of Carlisle Cathedral.
SOS FOR HONEY BEES - VISIT TO CARLISLE TEACHING APIARY, WALBY
On a sunny afternoon in August, twenty members were given a most interesting and informative history of beekeeping by Charlie Savage and Sid Parker. After a brief introduction, we all 'donned' protective hats and nets, provided by the Society. As you can see in the photograph, Sid Parker lifted out various trays, showing us the workers and managing to find the one queen bee, necessary for each hive. Bees are amazingly intelligent insects and there is a great deal to learn about them.
As we all know, they need our help and we are all encouraged to plant 'bee friendly' plants and trees, particularly for the summer months. If anyone is interested in keeping bees, help can be given by the members of the Carlisle Teaching Apiary who meet once a fortnight at Walby in the summer, and classes are held during the winter in Houghton Village Hall. Charlie brought along some of his delicious honey to purchase - another reason to keep bees! (Charlie Savage is the Chairman and can be contacted on 01768 896235).