We were so delighted to welcome so many people to, not only our first ‘CoCo’ morning but also our ‘Wilder Westerby’ event, that once again we are inviting everyone to join us for Coffee and Conversation (and of course cake!) at Smeeton Village Hall on Wednesday 17 July, 10.30am - 12 noon, when we will also have more information about our wildlife project. Hopefully, this time the sun will be shining and we will be able to sit in our hall’s gorgeous little garden.
On arrival at our meeting on 9 May, members were invited to look at photo albums, minute books and some of our more recent yearbooks, including one which recorded our different life during the Covid pandemic and two special, ornate yearbooks celebrating Leicestershire and Rutland Federation’s and our own centenaries. Some of the minute books and the photographs are decades old and it is so interesting to read about those meetings and to note the more formal style of reporting. For example, members were addressed as Mrs… or Miss…
We began the business of the meeting with this year’s Resolution. In the past, this involved presentations of a number of suggested campaigns to present to the Government, and then members voted for their favoured resolution. Nowadays, the process is much simpler. Members can access information online or in the national WI Life magazine. The top resolution is presented to WIs and they vote either for or against. This year’s resolution is ‘Dental Health Matters’ which urges the Government to address the chronic shortage of NHS dentists and to ensure that everyone can access an NHS dentist, wherever they live.
In May, we were treated to a fantastic and entertaining afternoon. Roger Prescott recreated ‘Juke Box Jury’ for us. He was David Jacobs and four members of the audience were selected as panels members. It was great fun.
Retirement? Not yet, months, years, even decades! Some time ago a colleague passed by on his way home after a day at work. If I was within hearing distance he would say ‘that is another day nearer retirement’. To continue the story he was somewhat eccentric, writing steamy novels in his lunch break which were never published; also he was an amateur wrestler! Some time later I met a former working colleague and asked the inevitable question – he had finally retired.
In community life few events hold as much significance as the Women’s Institute meetings. Not just a forum for business discussions, these gatherings are a celebration of camaraderie, shared passions and of course a dash of fun.
This event was organised by The Friends of St Wilfrids. Cream teas, (with homemade scones to die for), real Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam, were provided by the ladies of the church.
Join us for this free multi service event where you can access support and information from a range of different local charities, services, and organisations.
We are celebrating 90 years of drama in 2024 and will be performing ‘Neighbourhood Watch’ by Alan Ayckbourn on Wednesday 20 - Saturday 23 November 2024.
