Women’s Institutes

Here we have reports from some of our local Women’s Institutes in the area.

What’s your WI been up to? Email our editor Belinda at news@timesandecho.co.uk.

Cheddleton WI

President Mal welcomed members and visitors to the February meeting. Good wishes were sent to those unable to be with us, and birthday greetings were given to Pam.

Jeff Eardley then entertained with his guitar, a mixture of songs, instrumental pieces, and his own poems about local life, such as potholes and pet pheasants. This was much enjoyed. The competition for a small musical item was won by Mal.

After tea, coffee and biscuits next month’s Annual Meeting, with a Pie and Pea supper followed by trifle or lemon drizzle cake was discussed, and members signed a sheet to indicate attendance.

For the benefit of new members Doreen explained about the Annual General Meeting, to be held in Liverpool in June. Our delegate will come from Ceramic Sisters WI. County events to look forward to are the Homes and Gardens day in April, a Science Day at Keele University in June, and the County Show.

Four members won raffle prizes, and this and the Bring and Buy stall raised a useful sum of funds.

A happy and enjoyable evening was had by all.

Report by Mary Worwood

Ipstones WI

Our February meeting was our Members Night. As always Joy welcomed us and Jane read the minutes of the January meeting, reminding us that we should make sure that they are correct since they may be read in another 100 years, as we sometimes read those from 1921.

Joy had once again printed each of us a very detailed newsletter itemising any correspondence and coming activities – no excuse for forgetting anything ladies. We were reminded that we should by then have returned our forms voting for our chosen resolution.

We went on to discuss the arrangements for the forthcoming Jubilee, both in our village and our own Institute. These, of course, will be discussed at greater detail in the coming months, as will our suggestions for a fashion show and an

Wetley Rocks WI

What a great turn out we had for our February meeting. We started off with a bit of a switch up as Cynthia the Secretary was unable to attend, so June the Vice President stepped in and read the minutes from last month. All the members agreed on the minutes and President Pat signed them before sharing the news from Stafford and introducing the speaker, Val Alcock.

Val works for the Alzheimer’s Society and gave us a talk on her role and how singing benefits people suffering from Dementia but also their carers. It was insightful in to how a simple activity can help improve people’s quality of life whilst also providing a social aspect. The evening wasn’t just a talk there was also a fun session where we sang songs (the lyrics were provided on a sheet). What made it enjoyable, as it didn’t matter if you could sing – all that mattered was you enjoyed it.

We sang some songs in rounds and Val gave some background to each and why she had picked them, most of the songs were well known and it was lovely to hear members stories about what certain songs meant to each person. There were songs with actions, and songs where we had to miss a word. The “miss a word” songs were fun as it is harder than you think, so we all laughed together when we got it wrong, they had actions as well so that did help in skipping the word as it were.

Val was brave and gave the members musical instruments like maracas and tambourines, it is strangely satisfying to shake things and sing. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening with plenty of laughter.

After all the singing, we put the instruments back and then settled down for some well-deserved drinks and cakes. As ever, it was great catching up on everyone’s news and getting ideas for social outings later in the year.

We look forward to welcoming Penny Wheat on March 8 for a talk on Silver Smithing at 7.30pm in Wetley Rocks Village Hall.

outing.

The whole meaning of ‘Members’ Night” is that members provide a buffet and entertainment and it never ceases to surprise us that, without any discussion, a great variety of food arrives and is eagerly eaten and enjoyed by us all.

The entertainment was again thoroughly enjoyed with the committee singing their version of the 12 days of Christmas, illustrated with a variety of items to suit the new and interesting words. This was followed by a Quiz based on the sixties. This resulted in a tie break question but since no team had won outright, the round the world cruise was not won but all seemed suitably pleased with a Time Out Bar.

Raffle winners this month were Carla Otter and Kath Johnson. Another good meeting. Our speaker in March will be Ruby Hammer on Women of the World.

Report by Joan Mitchell