Middlesex Federation of Women’s Institutes
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Middlesex Federation of Women's Institutes

MFWI News

Stone Rangers update

On 6 November SR sisters joined in action on the march in central London.

Closer to home, our Read and Recycle stall at the Climate Action Fair in St John’s Churchyard Leytonstone raised £88 for Solace Women’s Aid, our charity in 2021. We met and shared ideas with other stall holders representing a range of environmental charities. The stall provided a great opportunity to recycle books as well as provoking a lot of interest in SRWI and the action the WI supports on Climate Change.

 

At our benefit on 13 November, Fliss of the Cajun band Joli Blon played and offered up a special hat she had got there, designed by satirical artist and climate activist Darren Cullen. The auction for it was fiercely competitive and raised another £35 for Solace!

So after all this action, what’s next in 2022 for SR climate activists? Waltham Forest Council has developed a Retrofit Home with Aston Group; we are planning a visit for February 2022. And of course we continue our ‘Climate Corner’ hints and tips in our own monthly Stone Rangers newsletter.

The Alexandra update

The Alexandra WI finally celebrated its 10th anniversary, albeit a year late, in October. We held a slimmed down event due to uncertainty with Covid restrictions, though we wouldn’t have guessed that we would also have to contend with a fuel crisis!

Our theme was ‘Celebrating Wonderful Women’ and members were asked to dress up as well-known women or to just come as themselves, as indeed we are all wonderful women! Members and guests had a welcome glass of prosecco. Our first game ‘Who Stays in the Balloon’ involved Beatrice Shilling, Emmeline Pankhurst, Sarah Gilbert and the Fairy Godmother. Each passenger stated their case to remain in a hot air balloon, with one evicted to save the other three!

We had food and more prosecco and of course no meeting is complete without cake, which was beautifully made and decorated by June Lewis. Our previous president, Emma Watson, did the honours in the cutting of the cake for us.

Cantamus choir, of which one of our members is part of, provided great entertainment. Also on display was our anniversary quilt made by members and sewn together by Maggie.

West Ealing update

Our meeting in November was very exciting as it was the very first time that we had held the main meeting away from the community centre. We were delighted to have the opportunity to visit the newly refurbished Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing Broadway for a private view and a talk from the director about the history and refurbishment. Pitzhanger Manor was the country house of the architect John Soane and a lot of work has gone into returning it to its former glory. The house was beautiful and the talk was fascinating—we were delighted that 41 members were able to join us for this, our biggest meeting since before the pandemic.

Our walking group braved the miserable weather of the coldest weekend of the winter so far and headed into the city of London to see the sculptures currently on display. They had a lovely time despite the weather and headed to a pub afterwards to thaw out.

Sunbury On Thames update

At long last we had a face to face WI meeting this month in our usual meeting place. During the pandemic we have been limited, like every other WI, to Zoom meetings. However, for the last couple of months we were able to meet in a local church or in the local park where we took our own seating and drinks.

This month we met in The Orangery. All masked, suitably distanced, drinking our tea out of plastic cups and all windows and doors were open which meant we were all well wrapped up!

The speaker, Steve Packwood, was most informative. He gave us a talk on three of the names on the Sunbury on Thames War Memorial. Of particular interest to us was Marjorie Croysdale, the only woman whose name is on the Memorial. Marjorie served as a nurse overseas in very difficult conditions. She survived the war but sadly succumbed to Spanish Flu. Not only is she commemorated on the Memorial but there is also an avenue in Sunbury named after her.

Norwood Green update

Preceded by a rousing rendition of the WI anthem Jerusalem, our annual meeting took place with some members joining via Zoom. The usual business was conducted at a brisk pace; accounts brought to us courtesy of our Treasurer, Sarah, in Spain; Annual report on the year’s activities courtesy of Secretary Angeline; Michele gave a few words as outgoing President; committee/president elected with our WI adviser Yvette conducting the official business efficiently… all so we could move on to…our speaker.

We had been warned. Fun but rude… not for the prude! Sarah Slater, a Guide Lecturer at Historic Royal Palaces and a costumed tour guide at Hampton Court Palace, dressed in a beautiful period costume, Zoom-visited us to talk about the naughty bits of history we definitely didn’t learn at school. Sex, Secrets, Scandal and Salacious Gossip of the Royal Court, 1660 to 1830 covered royal mistresses, prostitution, sexual diseases of the time and the methods used to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies…. all in the space of one hour.

Sarah also took us on a whistle-stop tour of sex toys, contraceptives and aids to abortion that prevailed during the period. We were enthralled! Smelling salts all round as the talk and the meeting came to an end.

Stroud Green update

Preceded by a rousing rendition of the WI anthem Jerusalem, our annual meeting took place with some members joining via Zoom. The usual business was conducted at a brisk pace; accounts brought to us courtesy of our Treasurer, Sarah, in Spain; Annual report on the year’s activities courtesy of Secretary Angeline; Michele gave a few words as outgoing President; committee/president elected with our WI adviser Yvette conducting the official business efficiently… all so we could move on to…our speaker.

We had been warned. Fun but rude… not for the prude! Sarah Slater, a Guide Lecturer at Historic Royal Palaces and a costumed tour guide at Hampton Court Palace, dressed in a beautiful period costume, Zoom-visited us to talk about the naughty bits of history we definitely didn’t learn at school. Sex, Secrets, Scandal and Salacious Gossip of the Royal Court, 1660 to 1830 covered royal mistresses, prostitution, sexual diseases of the time and the methods used to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies…. all in the space of one hour.

Sarah also took us on a whistle-stop tour of sex toys, contraceptives and aids to abortion that prevailed during the period. We were enthralled! Smelling salts all round as the talk and the meeting came to an end.

Stanwell update

Stanwell WI attended Remembrance Sunday at the War Memorial in the village. The Memorial was decorated with poppies and white doves by Mary Jeffery and Maureen Stone, and newly elected President Tracey Mercer laid a wreath. Attending the service was Councillor Robert Evans, along with Sue Doran and many local school children and residents, with a strong presence of ladies from Stanwell WI .It was a very moving service, in respect for all our who lost their lives for our liberty.

Bedfont Belles update

Another Grand Day Out was organised for us by Chris Smither. We visited the Museum of London at Canary Wharf, which tells the history of the London Dockland area.

Our 7th Birthday Party included guests from Stanwell and Ashford WIs. Games, food and laughter were the order of the day, all organised by our fabulous committee. Chris insisted that it was more difficult teaching us the balloon game than it was her Brownies in days gone by. Jeannie had great problems bursting her balloon for her team and pass the parcel had a prize every time. The Grab Raffle was a little less boisterous than usual and Elaine claimed the favourite mystery prize.

The Remembrance service was held at Bedfont memorial this year with no parade due to restrictions. Marion laid a wreath on our behalf.

Southbourne update

At our Annual Meeting for 2021, evenly spaced chairs were quickly filled with WI members. Sarah Wilson from the Federation sitting at the top table with Secretary Shirley Keefe, and Treasurer Rose Watson. There was no President as Ann Bennett had stepped down. Our second meeting since March 2020 brought lots of conversation and unsettled thoughts about the future of Southbourne. Minutes & business were read, then Sarah took the floor.

Who will stand for President?

Silence.

No President, no Southbourne.

Silence.

What a shame; you have such a lively & interesting WI.

Silence.

You know that Southbourne will close, tonight.

Silence.

Not a sound; not a murmur.

Then… a voice.

I will do it.

Everyone applauded. Barbara Betterton had agreed to stand as President for Southbourne WI. Time for a well deserved cup of tea and congratulations rained on Barbara for taking the chair.

Southbourne survives!

And aren’t they sweet? Pictured, knitted Christmas puddings containing a Tunnock’s Teacake, made by Barbara Betterton.

 

Laleham update

There was a good turnout for our Annual Meeting on 23 November this year and members heard Secretary Val Griffiths and Treasurer Anne Furst deliver their reports from this unusual year.

Helen Hurst was re-elected as President and reflected on the past year as well as looking forward to a busy year ahead. Members brought items for a bring and buy sale and the evening closed with a lively game of bingo and a raffle.