Hot cross buns. after pizza and chips, with three of us WI ladies briefly squeezing together for a picture at the Ruislip Lido, on a grey Good Friday.
We also did a bit of postbox topper spotting: here’s an Easter bunny from the Ruislip Crafters.
MFWI News
Ashford WI Update
Members rose to the challenge of presenting a zoom pantomime (Oh no they didn’t, Oh yes they did!) which was greatly enjoyed, for our monthly meeting. The following month we enjoyed a nostalgic journey through the music of the early 1960s, proving that we do still remember all the words.
Between the meetings, the friendship of the WI continues to be paramount. Zoom coffee mornings and book club, as well as the amazing newsletters, are helping provide some essential social contact, as are phone calls. The craft group has gone from strength to strength and is not only making cards for birthdays and events but is now making Easter cards as many members are wanting to reach out to family and friends with a card as we cannot yet greet them for real. Some have got involved making scrubs. Those without internet are being included as they are getting postal or hand delivery of news (which usually involves a safely distanced doorstep chat).
We are waiting with bated breath, firstly for our vaccine, and then for chances to begin meeting for walks and in gardens, but until then we’re grateful for our WI friends to help us through.
Chair’s Message – May 2021
The weather has been a little bizarre, but it’s been nice to sit outside in my garden for lunch on a couple of days, despite unpredictable weather; it has been much appreciated to get away from the screen. It has also given many an opportunity to get out and see people outside without hiding under all the hats and scarves.
It was lovely to see some of you for our first Centenary Afternoon Tea—albeit via Zoom, and even nicer to see more than two Zoom screens of members. As you can see on my photo here, we were joined by our three roving members: Millie, Mollie & Mandy. The trio will be following me around throughout the year to attend any events that they we might be invited to. And…. yes, it was tea in my cup although was soon replaced by bubbly and muffins (I had already eaten the sandwiches!).
I am looking forward to some real face-to-face afternoon teas in the coming year though—it is not the same when you have to be your own waitress!
Getting back to ‘normal’ will be such a bonus for everyone. However, we are in the hands of our own personal health and family circumstances and of course, government guidelines. We must continue to take care of ourselves and others around us, so if that means we take longer to get back to ‘normal’ then so be it, but we can see a glimmer of light, so ever hopeful. My glass is always half full!
At the time of writing, I have no idea what is going to happen but we all now have the security of the new CIO Constitution (3a) that was adopted at the end of March at the Special General Meeting. It enables us to be flexible and conform to the charity commission legalities accommodating online meetings as the emergency legislation stopped at the end of March. What this means is there are options going forward to help all WIs as well as us as a Federation.
Keep smiling and take care.
Lorraine
Middlesex News – May 2021
Middlesex Federation’s May Newsletter is here: please click here to read, and please share with your family and friends!
Happy 100th Birthday Middlesex Federation!
Today we kick off our Centenary year at Middlesex Federation, and a year of looking back at our achievements and forward to our future.
Happy 100th birthday Middlesex Federation!
Is our centenary afternoon tea in your diary?
Lockdown Salons
Sally Greenbrook of West Ealing WI shares some lockdown positivity
My husband Chris and I have long known that our friends are all interesting and intelligent people, and we have for years toyed with the idea of hosting salons – gatherings of like minded individuals discussing things that are of interest to them. Of course, life gets in the way and we never actually got around to doing it.
Until, that is, March 2020 came along and we were locked down for the first time. We decided to try hosting the salons online via Zoom. The idea was that for each salon someone would give a short presentation about something that interests them and then we’d have a discussion about it. We weren’t really sure how it would go or whether people would be keen but nothing ventured, nothing gained and we kicked off with a presentation from me about the Halifax Explosion.
To our slight amazement, the salons have been a resounding success and we’ve hosted them every Saturday night since late March last year. By the time you read this, we will have been going for a year. We’ve had some incredible presentations about some fascinating subjects including (to name just a few) witches of Scotland, the history of profanity, the A55 in North Wales, British school dinners and John Singer Sargent.
For us, it’s also provided a way to keep in touch with our friends and actually to make new friends. People have joined us who we vaguely knew pre-lockdown but are now friends. We’ve even gone international with one of my husband’s school friends joining us from New Zealand, eating his breakfast while the rest of us enjoy a drink.
At a time when a lot of people have been quite lonely and isolated, we’ve managed to build a little community. We’re all looking forward to the day when we can meet in person, some of us for the first time.
Adventures in Craft
This new crafting adventure began with an event to celebrate 46 years of teaching.
I selected a six week cruise visiting many countries but the main focus was cruising the Amazon river which proved to be a wonderful experience.
I enjoyed the art and craft classes on board the ship and attended on a regular basis. Unfortunately this was brought to a rather abrupt end when I became extremely unwell and spent more time in the hospital, not my most favoured destination.
However another passenger was always on deck painting, her art work immediately caught my attention. It was vibrant, interesting and something quite out of the ordinary.
After pretending just to pass by as frequently as possible, I plucked up the courage to inquire, flooding her with questions. This was the start of a beautiful friendship and for me the opening of a whole new enterprise.
I needed a quiet place to recover, sitting with her, watching the art work unfold was the best remedy. I eagerly followed her advice, listened carefully to her instructions and tips. The first opportunity I encountered when ashore, I purchased something I could paint and with her guidance completed my first assignment. She kindly let me use her brushes and paints, suggesting colours, style and designs.
We have remained in touch via the e mail and I send her pictures of my completed art projects.
Whilst not proclaiming to be an artist, this caught my attention and throughout the entire pandemic I have enjoyed spending many hours painting.
This has been a new ‘crafty’ adventure for me. Meeting this artist and personalising her craft has certainly added a new and interesting dimension to my hobbies.
Keeping busy since March 2020 I have painted 17 items, ranging from cats, fish, dogs and birds.
One of my favourites was a cat I designed for my son. As he is a clinical psychologist and was extremely busy in the hospital I had to add a rainbow.
Happy Birthday – April 2021
A happy birthday to our Middlesex WIs celebrating in April
De Beauvoir
3 April 2015
Sunbury on Thames
15 April 1980
East End
16 April 2007
And to us, of course: Middlesex Federation turns 100 on 6 April 2021!
Middlesex News – April 2021
It’s almost April, and here at Middlesex Federation we’re creeping ever closer to our 100th birthday! We kick off the celebrations with our first newsletter for the centenary year.
Please click here to read, and please share with your family and friends!