What can I say… another month has passed us by, and a lot has been happening despite Tier 4 lockdown which was followed swiftly by more restrictions when a stricter lockdown was put in place.
Many of you are finding a Zoom meeting of all sorts both interesting and beneficial, for some, I appreciate, it is not so easy. The good news is the roll out of the vaccine is in full swing. I do hope that those of you that have been invited to have your vaccine jabs have done so, or at least booked the appointment and those that have not yet been contacted, will not have too long to wait.
Despite the vaccine, I am sure we will be using video technology for quite some time. If you have an iPad, smart phone, laptop etc and you are unsure how to set up and use Zoom, Skype, Facetime, please do contact our digital team on digital@mfwi.org.uk. There is no need to fear technology and if you give it a go, it will help connect you to your loved ones no matter how far away they are.
For those who can, have you tried the regular Monday craft night chats, Craft Pop Ins, Denman at Home demonstrations/talks or joined the WI Wanderers Facebook Group yet? Why not join us for our regular member chats? There is always something to do to while away the hours if there is nothing else going on around you. See page 3 for details.
Our thanks go to all of you who voted on the Resolution Shortlist, it was much appreciated that around a third of MFWI members were able to vote in some form or other. Results can be found on page 5 along with further notes on the resolution process.
Things are not ideal right now, but let’s look on the bright side with positive thoughts and hope that this virus is controlled sooner rather than later but please, if anyone is isolated and feels like a chat, give me a call on my usual number.
Stay safe and keep well
Lorraine x
he NFWI’s annual horticultural competition is back with a twist in 2021. WIs are invited to design a planting plan for a raised 3m x 3m bed that will be displayed within the Community Allotment area at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, 5–11 July 2021.
This annual campaign is run by the Climate Coalition of which the WI are an integral part. Every year it is the biggest conversation opportunity to raise awareness of climate change. Why not make some Green hearts/pompoms to hang on your doors/in windows or give one to your neighbours. There are resources on MyWI that your members can create items to raise awareness. In 2021 campaign runs from 1-21 February.
Bicarbonate of Soda, or Sodium bicarbonate, or Baking Soda, or Bread Soda, or carb soda, is a chemical compound composed of a sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion. It is a white solid that is crystalline, but often appears as a fine powder. Slightly salty in taste, its natural mineral form is nahcolite and components of this mineral are often found in many natural springs. Naturally occurring deposits of nahcolite are found in the Green River formation in Colorado, US. It is deposited as ‘beds’ during periods of high evaporation, ie drought. It is commercially mined using common mining techniques, such as used in coal mining. It can also be a solution, mined by pumping hot water through previously mined beds, and reconstituting dissolved nahcolite through a natural cooling crystallisation process.