Middlesex Federation’s July Newsletter is here: please click here to read, and please share with your family and friends (and, of course, potential WI members)!
MFWI News
NFWI Annual Meeting 2021
This year the Annual Meeting was screened to our homes as it was virtual, and what an inspiring meeting it was, as we listened to recording of Jerusalem and saw some slides of previous meetings, Oh how we missed the 4,000 women singing Jerusalem.
Speakers were Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex, who touched on a few concerns that we are all experiencing during this dreadful pandemic and lockdown restrictions. Dame Cressida Dick, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, outlined new legislation brought in to protect women in domestic violence situations, also a new trial in Croydon to make the streets safer for women to walk. Baroness Hale of Richmond outlined her career in Law and had just recently retired from the Supreme Court of Justice.
This year, one resolution, A call to increase awareness of the subtle signs of ovarian cancer, was presented to the Annual meeting for debate, with voting taking place in the month after the meeting.
Resolution proposer, Cathy Heathcote from Kitchen Dancers WI, Hampshire Federation, outlined the reasons for the resolution stating would like the WI to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer among women and healthcare professionals, to help ensure that women receive early treatment where necessary. The scale of the problem Ovarian cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, mainly affecting those who have been through the menopause. According to Cancer Research UK, there are around 7,400 new ovarian cancer cases in the UK each year, and 4,100 deaths. The symptoms of ovarian cancer include: feeling constantly bloated; a swollen tummy; discomfort in your tummy or pelvic area; feeling full quickly when eating; and/or loss of appetite; and needing to pee more often than normal. The earlier ovarian cancer is diagnosed the easier it is to treat and so public awareness and understanding of the symptoms is really important.
Cancer Research UK states that when ovarian cancer is diagnosed early, nine out of ten women will survive for five years or more. This compares to less than three in 20 women when diagnosed at the latest stage. However, because the early signs of ovarian cancer are similar to conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), it is often not diagnosed until it has spread. More information can be found on MyWI, or speak to your WI Secretary.
Ruby Adler of Sotonettes WI, Hampshire Federation, seconded the proposed resolution.
John Butler, Cancer Surgeon and Consultant in Gynaecological Oncology at Royal Marden Hospital, then spoke about his work with ovarian and other cancers and the need for the resolution.
NFWI Trustee Toto James of Barnes WI, Surrey Federation, raised some points to consider, which were not her personal views, regarding the timing of this resolution and how useful would the WI campaigning resources be used on this very important issue. In 1999 the NFWI passed a resolution calling for further research into a test for ovarian cancer. This resolution would therefore offer an opportunity to build on the WI’s earlier work on this issue.
This resolution focusses on the need for greater awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer, which is recognised as vital for improving early diagnosis. WI members are well connected in their communities, and could use their existing networks to reach more people with the key messages on this issue. There are several organisations campaigning to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.
How could the WI build on this and spread the word further?
Images courtesy of NFWI.
Crafty ideas
If you are looking for something to do and donate when finished, we are still in need of: Emotion Dolls (see page 6), Twiddle Muffs, Trauma Teddies (the 6-8” ones), Knitted Boobs, Baby blankets, Mors Bags all of which can be sent to Lorraine’s home (email Lorraine at craft@mfwi.org.uk for details and patterns).
Ruislip Crafters – Postbox Toppers
Thanks once more to Gill Wildman for spotting the crafty crocheted postbox toppers while out and about in Ruislip and Ickenham.
The makers, Ruislip Crafters, includes our very own MFWI Chair, Lorraine, who has contributed to the project.
They were featured on the BBC, ITV and Channel 5 in early June—did you catch them?
Hayes Town Crafting – Emotion Dolls
One of our ‘crafty members’ Jan Presland has been busy on some of her latest knitting project, Emotion Dolls. These dolls are used by many professionals, including teachers and social workers, as a resource for managing/alleviating fear in a child in various scenarios. They allow children to point to the doll’s face to help express their feelings, whether they are happy, sad, angry, and so on.
We have patterns to share if you’d like to have a go making these: email Lorraine at craft@mfwi.org.uk.
Hayes Town Update
Nine of us hardy souls met in Barra Hall Park for our May Meeting.
It made a welcome change from Zoom, but with the weather more like winter, the gusting winds were showering us in blossom from all the trees, so we moved to the bandstand… but being up higher we did not have the best acoustics for Jerusalem!
We are praying our June meeting, which is our 28th birthday, the sun will appear.
Summer’s got to come sometime!
Harlington Update
Harlington ladies held their May meeting via Zoom as weather prohibited outside socially distanced meeting. We had hoped to have both, a Zoom and an outside meeting but fingers crossed for June and better weather.
Most of our group are growing in confidence with Zoom and we had a good attendance.
It was great fun! Sarah, our invaluable Secretary gave a fascinating and most informative talk on coffee: its history, how it was introduced to Western societies and how its popularity grew. Very interesting how it started in the USA and its dominance in that country as a direct result of War of Independence.
We also did a Scavenger Hunt with a twist: some of the objects to find were a candle, a cushion and a pen. This revealed what sumptuous and elegant environments our members reside in! Everyone was able to participate and it was concluded as a most enjoyable evening.
Chair’s Message – July 2021
Hi everyone
Are you all well?
I am happy as I have seen a few members of my family for the first time in over a year, but I am also sad that we are in the fourth month of our centenary year and yet have not been able to have any of the planned Spring/Summer celebratory events that would have brought many of us together.
I was hoping that my last year in office as Chair would be a memorable, celebratory one for us all, but it is not to be, and I must accept that. We do have time though (until the end of March 2022) to have some fun, so let’s hope it will/can happen. In the meantime, as you can see from the photo, I’m prepped for outdoor gatherings in all sorts of changeable weather!
We do have our Annual Council Meeting on 22nd July at 10:30 where normally each WI would be galvanising their members to attend where possible, promoting, purchasing tickets, booking transport, and preparing to meet up with some old friends. Sadly, this year, the meeting will be online again which we understand restricts some of you from attending.
Maybe this is an opportunity to meet up in a small group where at least one person has internet access, and join us that way (if the government restrictions allow us to do so)? See below for the booking link.
If you cannot register yourself, one person is able to register a group so can do it for you. We are lucky to have the new NFWI Chair, Ann Jones joining us and also Dr Katy Willis, an Ambassador for Hope For Justice talking on Modern Slavery. The meeting will be no more than three hours so with no travel involved it is the ideal opportunity to have a cuppa and catch up with friends either face to face or online. It is also at no cost to yourselves as attendance is free for all.
With my Climate Ambassador’s hat on, I did some litter picking which is to become a monthly event if I get the time to do so. It is surprising what people leave behind, particularly in a picnic type area and despite the number of bins around, they are usually full. I found a child’s scooter with a broken wheel and a whole bag of disposable picnic items that had not been used! It always amazes me how people are happy to take bags and boxes to a picnic but do not like to take it home – why?
The Board of Trustees and Membership would love to join you at meetings or events that you take part in once we are allowed to do so. Remember, unless Federation officiates at an AGM, we do not get to see your members unless we are invited to visit you (diaries permitting of course).
As ever, my door is still open to all. We are coming out of the various lockdown phases, please do so carefully, keep safe and stay well.
Lorraine x
200+ Club Winners – May 2021
Here are or May 200+ Club winners—Congratulations to you!
1st prize – £35
Doreen Smith, Hayes Town
2nd prize – £20
Heather Hall, Clay Hill
3rd prize – £15
Sunbury on Thames WI
Happy Birthday – July & August 2021
There are no Middlesex birthdays in the summer months of July and August: guess we were all too busy doing summery things to be setting up Women’s Institutes!