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

MFWI News

Chair’s Chat – November 2022

Hello all

I hope you are all well and enjoying this mild Autumn weather. The seasons really are changing, and they are no longer as clear cut as they used to be; I must confess that I enjoy the lingering summers.

However, as winter approaches, I know a lot of us will be thinking about the cost of living—especially, maybe, the cost of heating our homes, and if we will be able to keep warm.

Please have a look at The Cost of Living Hub in MyWI, where you will find information about the government support for energy bills.

The WI also supports the Warm this Winter Campaign, which calls on the Government to address this crisis.

This will be a difficult time for many people, so it’s important to know what help is available.

We are well into the Annual Meeting ‘season’—many of Middlesex WIs have their AMs at this time of year. Most meetings will be chaired by one of our WI Advisers, so do take this opportunity to talk to them about any queries you may have, and let them know what you have been doing to encourage new members. It is good to share ideas.

WIs will also be getting their accounts audited and many now take advantage of the County’s IFEs (Independent Financial Examiners) to do this. Is this something you might be Interested in doing? Full training will be given—if you think this is something you might enjoy please get in touch with our Treasurer, Sarah Endersby.

October marked the new year for the 200+ Club. As you will see later in the newsletter (refer page 3), we have increased the number of prizes and the prize amounts! Good luck to everyone who has a share.

You will know by now that the shortlist for next year’s Resolutions has been published. All of the information, guides and discussion points will be available on My WI and will be published in WI Life and I am sure that your WI will set aside some time to discuss them at one of your forthcoming meetings.

Resolutions are an important part of your WI Membership, so please do get involved.

Just a reminder that County Office is now open Mondays and Wednesdays, 9am to 1pm, as well as for Craft Dabble days. Hope to see you there sometime.

Kind regards

Angela

We’re online each week for craft chat

Craft Inn

A weekly craft get-together on a Monday, hosted by members of the MFWI Craft Committee. Bring along your unfinished objects (UFOs) or your current project to craft and chat, maybe bring along a glass, cup or mug of something…

Every Monday evening, 19:30

Zoom link

Meeting ID: 845 2969 7238; Passcode: 829648

Welcome to our Federation Secretary

Middlesex Federation welcomed its new secretary Georgina Glynn in September 2022. Welcome, Georgina! We’re glad to have you as part of the team and also to have our federation office open again on a regular basis. The office is now open 9am-1pm Mondays and Wednesdays, plus for scheduled craft and training sessions.

Georgina in a black tshirt standing in front of the Federation banner

Hello!

My name is Georgina Glynn, but you can call me George (just don’t tell my mum) and I am the newly-appointed secretary for the Middlesex Federation of Women’s Institutes.

So who am I? I’m a recently graduated financial economics student who managed to mix my love for food sustainability with my economic knowledge to obtain a very expensive piece of paper (otherwise known as a degree).

My love for the environment extends far beyond just studying it as I try do my small part everyday to help protect our wonderful planet.

Another passion I have is cooking. I love to experiment with recipes from around the world, to try and find the ultimate dinner menu. If I’m not in the kitchen, I’ll probably be participating or watching sports, in particular rugby. I am a huge rugby fan and am very excited for the Women’s Rugby World Cup coming up very soon.

I look forward to interacting with many of you, be it via the phone or by email and potentially meeting some of you in person, too.

Chair’s Chat – October 2022

Hello

Angela Chessman wearing a white sweater standing in front of the Middlesex Federation banner

I am writing this in the days following the funeral of our dear Queen, Elizabeth II.

What an awful shock her death was—I am sure none of us was expecting it; I think deep down we all felt that she would be there forever, guiding us with her quiet dedication. I am sure that we all agree that we will miss our fellow-member very much.

However, we must now look to the future with our new King Charles III and I know you will all join with me in sending him our deepest condolences and our good wishes for the future.

You will probably have seen that most of the events that National Office had planned for September were cancelled or postponed, including the annual celebrations for WI Day on 16th September. As soon as we have more information on the revised dates we will let you know.

As an extra thought, if you log in to MyWI on the National website, you will find lots of ideas for crafts and recipes in memory of Her Majesty, including a floral corsage and some Scottish shortbread with rose petals.

We have some good news to share: we now have a Secretary for County Office! It has taken a while, but we are sure that our new colleague, Georgina Glynn, will be an excellent addition to the team. Georgina has written a little bit about herself—see page 3. I know you will all welcome her to Middlesex Federation. The Office will now be open 9am-1pm on Monday and Wednesday, as well as for Craft Days and County training sessions.

At long last it feels like we are getting back to normal.

As we look towards the Autumn days, I wonder what your Wis will be doing.

Do you have a Halloween Coffee morning fundraiser planned? Do your walking groups brave the mist and frosts and keep going? Are your crafty ladies knitting or stitching wreaths and pumpkins? Do let us know – and don’t forget the photos!

We will soon be receiving the shortlist for next year’s Resolutions. Please look out for the information so that your WI can make your selection.


Kind regards

Angela

Chair’s Chat – September 2022

Photo of Angela Chessman

Hello

By the time this reaches you Summer will have peaked and we will probably be looking forward to the crisper days of Autumn.

I know that the Autumnal colours are beautiful and there is something special in the crisper morning air, but I really love the long days of Summer and will miss them when they’ve passed.

I have spent a quiet few weeks but I suppose it’s time now to get back to work!

I am sure that your WIs have had a busy Summer, do let us know what you have been up to—and don’t forget the photos! We love to include them in Middlesex News—it’s your magazine—do help us to fill it with interesting articles.

We are moving into the busy season for WI Annual meetings and our WI Advisers will be looking forward to coming to your meetings and seeing you all.

Can I ask you let them know if there is something you would like us to be doing for you—we are always open to new ideas and welcome your views.

Don’t forget it’s time to renew your shares in the 200+ Club. The cost remains at £6 and we have had lots of winners; but as they say, you have to be in it to win it!

Your Secretary will have a copy of the application form, so just fill it in and send your payment to Sarah and we will let you know your unique number(s). More information, including the application form, is here.

Finally, NFWI has let us know that next year’s Annual Meeting will be in Cardiff on 25 May 2023. Maybe we will see you there next year?


Kind regards

Angela

Platinum Jubilee reaches Hanwell

The Platinum Jubilee celebrations continued at Hanwell WI when we gathered together for a festive evening of fun and frivolity. 

Keen gardeners amongst us planted a tub with a beautiful display of purple scabia and campanula which not only brightened up the area outside our hall but seemed to attract many bees too!

Next, we sat down to a splendid feast of homemade scones, clotted cream, jam and fresh strawberries along with a cup or two of tea. 

A little later, Kim Broadbent, our President and one-time quizmaster tested our knowledge on all things royal. It’s amazing how much we found we didn’t know! Before too long, it was time to go home. We had had a most enjoyable and memorable evening!

Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Sunbury

On the afternoon of Saturday 21st May 2022, Sunbury Village and Sunbury on Thames WIs hosted a Platinum Jubilee Tea Party in partnership with Sunbury Neighbours for local elderly residents.

The event was held at St Mary’s Parish hall, volunteers from both WIs baked, dress tables, decorated the hall, made sandwiches, served the tables and chatted to the guests.

A huge thanks goes to Shelagh Bonnichon (Sunbury Village WI member) who was a total star planning and co-ordinating the whole event, including linking in with Sunbury Neighbours and all the volunteers.