Presidents Post
Presidents Post August 2024
Good morning from what I hoped was going to be a sunny Wales.
In fact, it is raining here but never mind as a quote on my granddaughter Olive’s T-shirt says – See Good in All Things. Today we will go to an indoor science museum in Cardiff and hope the sun shines tomorrow or Tuesday for a trip to Barry Island and a visit to the penny arcades with fish and chips! Back to all things WI! Thank you to those who joined us for our walk around Farnborough. I think there was more chatting than learning about the history- but we had a good time and finished the evening with Pimms in my garden.
We meet this Wednesday to hear Ian Porter talk to us about the use of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson. Who I am sure that she would have been a WI member had she been alive today. We are looking forward to welcoming some new visitors. Please help them feel welcome.
The new Breaking Bread dining group got off to a great start on 15 th August. Emma booked a table at Chalk in Wokingham. Ten of us had a lovely meal out (except those of us who felt our lamb chops were overdone!). Never mind, we all had a good evening. If you are a member of the WI-Flyers Chat Facebook group, you might have seen some photos of the evening. If you are on Facebook and are not in the group, go and search for us and ask to join. On Thursday 10th October we will be meeting at Debbie’s choice of restaurant which is Troy click here for website in Camberley. If you are interested just scroll back on the Whats App group and find the poll. All we ask foryou to do is pay a £10 deposit into the WI-Flyers bank account to secure your place
Good news for the WI-Flyers is that we are planning on starting a Craft Group. Karen Robinson has offered to take the lead on the group. Look out for the page on the website (coming soon) with ideas of what we will start with. When we have an idea of how many of you might be interested, we will agree a venue – but October 1st is the date for your diary.
We have had to move our October speaker to next year as unfortunately Hayley is unable to make the date and we are looking for something to replace her.
We are looking for ideas for our Christmas Charity. We usually look for a local charity to support. Do you have a favoured one? Perhaps you would let us know?
Thank you all for your positive responses to us purchasing a card machine for use at meetings. It was an overall majority in favour. Don’t worry we have no plans to go cashless yet. It maybe we don’t manage this until September – we will see!
The date of the next book club is September 5 th see here for details, hopefully Carole will be fit and well to join you by then.
Looking forward to seeing you all Wednesday evening.
Rachel
Presidents Post July 2024
Good Morning everyone
I hope this finds you all well?
I hope you all felt as relaxed as I did after our last meeting with Kathryn? I think I had a really good night’s sleep that night.
Thank you for all your post-it note ideas. The Committee have looked at them and are looking at what we can put in place. Some of the ideas we have already covered in the last couple of years but there are some things to research.
There were lots of craft ideas mentioned. We would love to have a craft group. If anyone would like to start one - we would welcome you with open arms! Please let myself or anyone on the committee know.
Our next meeting is a walk around historic Farnborough. As mentioned before we will be using the Farnborough Heritage Trail to head over to the site and download We will be following The St Peter’s Trail. We will start at 7pm from the Church and we will finish with Pimms (non- alcoholic drinks too) at my house - 11 Pirbright Road , Farnborough. Feel free to park in Pirbright Road and walk up to the Church or park near the church.
There will be th
Emma has come up with a venue and date for our first fine dining group ‘Breaking Bread’.
Date: Thursday 15th August
Venue: ‘Chalk’, Broad Street, Wokingham
Time: 7pm
Website: Chalk, Wokingham
Emma has a poll on the WhatsApp group for you to indicate whether you are interested!
We will ask you for a deposit if the restaurant requires one. This will need be paid into the WI-Flyers account.
We wish Carole all the best on her recovery from knee surgery and hope its a speedy one!
ill be fo
Presidents Post June 2024
Good evening all
I hope you have all had a good weekend even if the weather has not been as we would expect for June.
The new committee has had their first meeting. The officers are as follows:
President - Rachel Neudegg (as elected at the Annual Meeting)
Secretary - Tricia Dunne
Treasurer - Sue Blake.
We have been looking at the programme and making additions for the rest of the year. Head over here to see the programme. At the next meeting in June we will be handing you all a post it note! We would like you to put an idea on the note of a programme idea - speaker subject, craft idea, local charity for Christmas 2024. Have a think before you come. We are always happy to research ideas.
Our June meeting is with Kathryn Schlieben who is going to talk to us about health and well being. She will also do some seated yoga in her last 15 minutes.
In July we are going to try one of the Farnborough Heritage trails. We are going the St Peter’s Trail. This route will take 1.5 - 2 hours. More details to follow.
You all are welcome to have tea / coffee and cake at every meeting. For this we have a suggested donation. The suggested amount has not changed since 2012. As a committee we have decided to increase this donation to £2 from June 2024.
Although we use WhatsApp as a great method of communication - we do have a Facebook Page called WI-Flyers Chat. Feel free to head on over to Facebook. and search for us - so we will happily accept you!
I was very pleased to have had the opportunity to attend The NFWI Annual Meeting at The Royal Albert Hall on June 5th - what an amazing day. If you would like to read about it in more detail click here! It will give you an update on the resolution we voted for at the last meeting.
The committee and I look forward to seeing you on June 26th at the usual place ..Cove Cricket Club!
Have a good few days
Rachel
Secretary’s Spot May 2024
Good morning All
Welcome to your Secretary Spot for May.
Next week is our Annual Meeting and we are still looking for new Committee members! We meet once a month (usually on 2nd Tuesday but open to change to suit new committee!). At the meeting we discuss the up and coming programme ,plan the new programme, what’s new in the Hart Group, Hampshire Federation and NFWI.
The committee meet at the venue early and help set up - usually we serve the teas / coffees / cakes (this does not have to be a committee job - can be a volunteer). We stay for a few minutes to tidy up.
You do not have to be a long term WI-Flyer to join the committee - as we were all new once and in fact started the WI-Flyers as newbies! It is a great way of getting to know everyone.
Please volunteer to join the committee - we’d make you very welcome. Of course we are still looking for someone to take over the secretary role. I have been doing this role and really enjoy it. There is training available and I am happy to do a handover. The role can be shared between 2 members (or more). In fact each officer role can be shared!
As I mentioned above next week is the Annual Meeting and for the second year running we are combining this with our popular ‘Evening Tea’. We still have a few food items that we would like members to donate and I will put these on our WhatsApp group.
The NFWI Annual Meeting is fast approaching and as a WI we need to discuss whether we are supporting this year’s resolution. Our vote will be taken to there Annual Meeting by a Eversley WI member.
I am adding a link to this years resolution information for you to take a look and see if you think it is something we should support. Dental Health Matters Please click the link!
Some things to consider though! (notes from a recent webinar)
There is no disagreement about the state of NHS Dentistry and that improvement is needed to make dental care available for all…the question is about the achievability of the resolution
The government BELIEVES dental health care should be available to all…so that bit of the resolution is in a sense not in doubt but it is about the practical reality.
If the resolution is not achievable would it be a NO?
But a Yes if we believe action on the resolution can make a difference.
Is anyone interested in Tai Chi? Graham is a Tai Chi Instructor for a number of years and is open to offering Tai Chi to another WI (he already teaches Tai Chi to the Tilly WIdgets WI). If anyone is interested in starting the group or indeed interested in joining) please let me know and I can pass on the information.
Rushmoor in Bloom is taking place again this year
Here are the categories for this year's competition:
Best Front Garden (sponsored by Wellesley Aldershot)
Most Unusual Planted Container
Best Wildlife Friendly Garden (sponsored by Kebur)
Best Community Garden
Best Hanging Basket
Best Primary School Garden
The Hampshire Quiz (Hart round) is on Monday 10th June. We may be 2 members short on the team - can I have any volunteers please. Church Crookham Memorial Hall at 7:45.
A message from the production meeting at the BBC
We are keen to hear from anyone 18+ who has a passion for sewing and creating clothes for themselves or others, so if you or someone you know is a talented amateur sewer then please do encourage them to apply at www.applyforsewingbee.co.uk
Looking forward to seeing you all next week!
Watch out for an email from me with all the Annual Report / Financial Statement and Agenda - promise the official bits do not take long!
Rachel
Secretary’s Spot April 2024
Good afternoon all - if you are reading this there is a good chance that you have signed up for another year with the WI-Flyers! Thank you for that. We are looking forward to the rest of the year and the programme we have planned for you.
We all hope you enjoyed the Easter Egg decorating and eating them afterwards. Mine melted in the sun (yes we did have a bit) but it tasted even more delicious. There are some photos here on the website.
Our next meeting on 24th April will be Roger Cansdale from The Basingstoke Canal Society. Roger will tell us some of the history of the canal (and society) before we go on our trip on 18th May. If you are quick there are still tickets available £15 including a cream tea!
In May we will be holding the WI-Flyers Annual Meeting. Dropping into your inboxes in May will be a copy of our Annual Report and Financial Report for the past year. As you have already been made aware new committee members will be needed. There is scope for a job share for Officer roles or ‘Vice chair’ roles. Committee meetings are monthly and usually take about 1 1/2 hours (depending how much chat there is!). Usually in the evening - but that can be changed to suit.
After the official part of the meeting we will have our yearly ‘Evening Tea’. In April Rose will ask you to choose an item to bring along in May - from 1/2 a loaf of sandwiches, some cupcakes or sausage rolls for example. It’s one of our favourite evenings!
It is the Hampshire Quiz - Hart round in June. We have a team ready to go - all we need now is some good luck!
Lots to look forward to for the rest of the year.
There were several members interested in starting a Games group. If anyone would like to suggest a date and venue - please use WhatsApp (a great way to communicate with other members) to see if anyone else can make that night. I will definitely be there if my calendar allows!
See you all soon
Rachel
March 2024 Presidents Post
We have started the year well. After a very successful January meeting where we learnt all about the process of choosing and electing the Resolutions from our Advisor Helen Tyson, I would like to say a big thank you to you all for taking the time to vote. It was a very welcome contrast therefore when our February meeting was a board games night which was a lot of fun. We learnt to play some new games and it gave us all the chance to sit together and use our brain power. We will have another night with games, maybe the next one can be in the summer months, and we can use the outside of the club house.
The tickets for the canal trip are selling well and I could tell most of you were looking forward to spending a few hours on the boat with a cream tea on board. We will also have the talk in April just before our trip where we will hopefully learn about the canal and the surrounding area. Tickets are still available!
We have also decided to start up the walking group again and are using the theme of Farnborough Heritage to base the walks on. Our first date is April 20th which is a Saturday – and the idea is to spend a few hours walking round and hopefully ending up at a cafe for a cup of tea and cake.
May will bring our annual meeting, and this will be at the cricket club with a cream tea. We will also be looking for committee members. So, if anyone would like to join us, please feel free to come and have a talk with me. Rachel has been on the committee for many years in either the role of President or Secretary and feels it is now time to allow someone else the pleasure of the role! She has decided to step down as our secretary so if anyone would like a chance at taking this on or if you would like to be a member of our committee and help to run the group then let us know. I think we are an amazing group of ladies and feel we all enjoy the meetings and the company and I am sure there are lots of new ideas out there just waiting to be taken on.
Hopefully the weather will warm up and we can start getting outside and enjoying ourselves more. Easter is next and we have an easter egg decorating evening for March. I hope this will be another enjoyable evening with a delicious treat to have at the end.
Take care and see you in a few weeks
Anne
Presidents Post January 2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. Hope you are all keeping safe well and warm. We are getting ready to commence a new year which I hope will be an exciting and informative year for us all.
We start in January with our Resolutions meeting which is our chance to focus on the causes the WI will support. We have Helen Tyson joining our meeting to give us a talk on the process of choosing, electing and supporting the Resolution for this coming year. I am looking forward to hearing her talk and learning the system the WI has in place. It will give us the opportunity to ask any questions and answer any queries we may have. We will have the papers at the meeting so we can all vote for our choice from the 4 options.
Moving on through the following months we have a Board games meeting in February, a chance to show your craft skills in March when we will be decorating Easter Eggs and in April we will have a talk on the Basingstoke Canal. We have booked an afternoon on the John Pinkerton which will be Saturday 18th May at 2pm. A cream tea and tea and coffee will be provided, and the tickets will cost £15. Please can you add your name to the list which will be on the welcome table at our meeting, and we will require a £5 deposit to secure your place.
Our annual general meeting will be in May, and we will have an evening cream tea as well. June brings a wellbeing talk and July a chance to enjoy some outside games at our club.
If you can provide a cake for any of our meetings, please can you add your name to the clipboard.
Don’t forget we have the Book club which meets at the Prince of Wales pub and our Knit and Natter group as well. Click the link for this years books We can also arrange for the occasional ad hoc meeting for a drink/coffee at different locations.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss any things our meetings please feel free to chat to me. See you on the 24th.
Anne
WI Flyers President
Presidents Post August 2023
I hope you are all enjoying the summer and have you have probably had your holidays by now. The weather has just been so unpredictable lately. The evening of our July was very wet. The rain was relentless. Our meeting was in the Farnborough Ambulance Station which I can honestly say was one of the most inspiring visits. We were given a talk by Kirsty Pullen who is the Guildford Area Fleet Manager and is responsible for the five sites and 35 Ambulances. She gave us a detailed account of her career for the last 21 years which was very interesting. We also learnt of the daily operations and regulations. Knowing we have this service in our community makes me feel re-assured in times of need there is help at hand. We should all fully appreciate our emergency services and feel proud.
I would also like to thank the Penny, Hazel and Margaret for your cakes which we left in the crew room and were very much appreciated
As the time moves on to our August meeting, I am looking forward to meeting Angela Forster from Sacha’s project who will giving us a talk about her charity which I feel will be emotional. We have therefore decided to have this as our Christmas charity and will be making gift bags in our October meeting. I will ask Angela to give us some ideas of items we can donate to fill these bags. If you have any creative ideas or materials or accessories to add then please come and talk to me at our meeting.
September we will be making seed bombs which is such an economical way of promoting nature.
October will be a craft evening for us with our gift bags which we will ask to be returned at our November meeting once filled with our donations, then we can deliver them to Sacha’s project ready for Christmas. Our November meeting will be Christmas themed too.
Don’t forget if you want to have a crafty day out then keep Saturday 18th November for our Dabble Day which has lots of craft ideas to try out for Christmas. The day also includes lunch and refreshments and should be a lot of fun.
Look out for random dates on the WhatsApp chat. We will be inviting you to join us for Tea – Drinks or maybe a walk. If you are free and fancy joining in for any of them, just let us know. Alternatively, if you have anything you would like to add or suggest please come and talk to me at our meetings or put it on the What Apps chat.
See you on the 23rd
Anne
Presidents Post July 2023
Well, here I am in my second month as President. July is upon us and once again we had a lovely meeting at the end of June. Siobhan Daniels came to visit, and she gave an inspirational talk about retiring. There were plenty of slides showing us the amazing things she has done, and we shared her life through being in a working environment as a woman, losing the ones we love and throwing caution to the wind and living some of her dreams. I purchased her book as well which is a really good read too.
This month we have a visit to the Ambulance station in Farnborough which I am sure we will all find interesting. Kirsty who is a Manager with the Southeast Coast Ambulance Service will give us a talk about the service. There will also be a chance to look at one of the trucks just to see the amount of equipment needed to make sure they can deal with any emergency.
Thank you to- the three ladies who will make cakes which will be shared with the crew
I attended the meeting of the Hart Group on the 10th of this month and one of the items on the agenda was the Christmas Dabble Day which was hard to think about as we sat in the blazing heat of summer. The event promises round 12 different dabbles ranging from beading, embroidery, card making, quilting and sewing. To be held on Saturday 18th November in the Crookham Village Hall. We have been allocated 10 tickets which I am hoping will sell fast. it’s a great opportunity to try out several crafts and who knows it could be the start of a new hobby
As your President I would like to see a few groups being formed to give us all more chances to socialise and maybe create at the same time. Maybe we have some hidden talents within the Wi-Flyers.
August will bring our speaker Angela Forster to talk about Sacha’s Project. A heart-warming account of how the charity came to evolve. An inspirational lady giving to others through the loss of her daughter. Might need our hankies
September brings Seed bombs which will be fun. October we will be making Christmas bags for our chosen charity which will be Sacha’s project. I am working on November’s meeting which will be all out Christmas, I love that time of year and so I am hoping to share plenty of glitter and sparkle to get us in the spirit.
The Committee are putting together the next year and we have a few ideas. If anyone has someone or something they think the rest of us would like to see, please feel free to talk to me at our meetings. I try to mingle and chat with you all each month so grab me if you can
Take care and continue to enjoy the sunshine in between the showers and the excitement at Wimbledon
See you at the next meeting
Anne
Anne Jarvis
President WI-Flyers (Farnborough)
Presidents Post June 2023
This is my first post as President. I would like to thank the Committee and members for voting me in and giving me this wonderful opportunity. I have been a member for over a year which is not long compared to other members. I have enjoyed the meetings very much and am hoping for a good year ahead.
May was our annual general meeting which I hope you all enjoyed. We also said hello to Carole who joined the Committee and said goodbye to Penny and Martine and thank them for all their hard work. I hope you all enjoyed the cream tea we had afterwards which was only made possible by the contributions by everyone. I think a good evening was had by all
This month we have “The Retirement Rebel” Siobhan Daniels which I am looking forward to. A chance to listen to her adventures across the country in her campervan. As she is extremely popular, we have decided to invite you to bring along a friend to join in.
Amazon link to Siobhan’s book Retirement Rebel
I would also like to thank those of you who helped with the stall in Princes Mead on Thursday 15th June. A big thank you to Rose for arranging it and a big thank you to Rachel for the bags and the boards which were amazing. Let's hope we attract some new members.
I hope you have all been enjoying the lovely weather and getting out in the garden to enjoy either working in it or just relaxing. The many colours of the flowers are uplifting to see, and I am pleased we listened to King Charles when he asked the nation to plant trees and flowers. Our Coronation containers were a success and I hope you are enjoying them. It was lovely to watch The Trooping of the Colour this weekend too.
We have some good meetings planned which I hope you will enjoy. We are also planning Saturday morning coffee mornings or evening drinks at a different venue each time and hope you will all want to come along for a drink if one takes your fancy
Best wishes
Anne
Presidents Post May 2023
May has come round again, and with it our Annual Meeting, which makes this my last Presidents Post. This year we are combining the meeting with our evening tea, thank you in advance for your contributions.
The main business side of the meeting is to introduce the new committee, and to elect a new President. We have one nomination for President, if anyone else would like to be nominated, or join the committee, please let myself or Rachel know. We really need a few more for the committee.
Sadly, we have lost some members this year, mostly due to their other commitments. We are looking at ways to increase our membership, and hope you will be able to support us with this. we are still looking to you all to join us on the committee, as Rachel said in her email - it is not an onerous task - and a great way to get to know your WI friends. Please think about it as it would be sad to see the WI-Flyers close.
The committee are trying to raise our profile, and are hoping to get involved with some community events, the first one is on the 15th June, when we will be having a stall in Princes Mead, if you are able to, please let us know if you can come along and help?
The committee have a great programme for you, and now I am not on the committee, I am hoping to start a few more social events, including setting up knit and natter again in the Autumn.
Looking forward to seeing you on the 24th May.
Best wishes
Penny
Presidents Post April 2023
Dear All
Firstly, on behalf of all our members I would like to congratulate Rachel, in being voted as second Vice Chair on the Hampshire Board of Trustees. It is an exciting but demanding role, and we wish you all the best Rachel.
I hope everyone had a good Easter, made even better by the lovely sunshine. Bit of a change now, and cold nights as well. This month we are asking you to bring an outdoor, or an indoor pot, with a few crocks for drainage, which we will plant up in royal colours. They might need protecting for a couple of weeks from the cold, but hopefully by the summer will give you a lovely display.
Our Annual Meeting is coming up in May. I haven’t been successful in finding an alternative venue this year, but after the business part of the meeting, we thought we would bring our evening tea forward a month. In June Rose has secured a talk with journalist Shiobhan She has an incredible back story, having given up conventional living, she travels around the country in her camper van, and yes, she will be bringing her camper van.
For up-to-date information on our programme, and book club dates, you can check out our Programme, or our WI bookmark. Pick one up at the next meeting if you don’t have one.
As usual there is lots going on in Hampshire and Hart. I understand that the John Lewis evening was very successful, and they are hoping to repeat it for Christmas shopping.
Please think about helping on the committee, I will be stepping down this year, and Rachel really needs someone to shadow her as her Hampshire commitments increase.
Best wishes
Penny
Presidents Post March 2023
Dear All
I hope everyone enjoyed Bob’s talk last week, and his amazing selection of chocolates. Bob donates his fee to the British legion, and we were happy to make out a cheque for him to pass on.
At last, the clocks have gone forward, and the evenings are getting lighter, and although today has been drizzly, I was able to get out and do some tidying in the garden and pick some beautiful spring flowers.
Planting is our theme for April's meeting. Bring along an outdoor container, we’ll supply the compost and plants for you to make up your own display. As the Kings Coronation will soon be with us we were wondering if you might find a red / white or blue container to fill with your plants (no worries if not!).
May is our Annual meeting, where we will be electing our new committee. Please do think about helping on the committee. So far no one has come forward to replace the two members who are stepping down.
We meet once a month to plan meetings and discuss upcoming events. The committee is an important part of your WI and without it we just cannot run. Help our WI to move forward into the future, encourage new members and become the WI you want it to be. Email Rachel here to let her know you are interested.
The Hampshire Federation Quiz is coming up in May (date to be confirmed). Please let Rachel know if you are a ’brain of Britain’ (or you just love quizzing! and you’d like to join
As usual there is lots going on in Hampshire so check out HCFWI website, and our own website for updates. Hart Group has two meeting a year and a carol service in December. Rachel and I are working with other Hart Group members to bring you a Christmas Dabble Day. Some may remember the summer one we did in 2018. This one will be smaller, but you will still get a chance to dabble at various crafts on a festive theme.
I am getting ahead of myself, talking about Christmas!! Easter will soon be upon us, so have a lovely Easter weekend everyone.
Penny
Crookham Village WI have a skittle alley and ‘The Crookhams’ have arranged a skittles tournament at Crookham Village WI Hall on Monday 24th April 7:30 pm - teams of four, £5 each to enter (including pizza). Are you interested? Please let Rachel know
The Hampshire Federation Quiz is coming up in May (date to be confirmed). Please let Rachel know if you are a ’brain of Britain’ (or you just love quizzing! and you’d like to join
As usual there is lots going on in Hampshire so check out HCFWI website, and our own website for updates. Hart Group has two meeting a year and a carol service in December. Rachel and I are working with other Hart Group members to bring you a Christmas Dabble Day. Some may remember the summer one we did in 2018. This one will be smaller, but you will still get a chance to dabble at various crafts on a festive theme.
I am getting ahead of myself, talking about Christmas!! Easter will soon be upon us, so have a lovely Easter weekend everyone.
Penny
It is that time of year when we are asking if you will be joining us for another WI year.
Sue our Treasurer has been handing out forms (and I think emailing them to ladies who were not at the last meeting. The subs are £46 for the year for which you get 11 free meetings, WI Life magazines, digital Hampshire magazines and the chance to go to Hart events and Hampshire Events.
Please send over your subs to Sue via BACS as soon after 1st April (tomorrow ) as possible!
We look forward to you joining us for another year…….and do remember we always welcome new members
Presidents Post February 2023
Dear all,
I am sure you will all join me in thanking Theresa for last Wednesday's meeting, ably assisted by Ann G. Not only did we get to make a very pretty paper flower, but also had a lovely talk about her craft with some beautiful examples. You have a very lucky family, Theresa. Thank you also for our goodie pack, I’m saving mine for a special present for someone. Theresa (who is originally from Malta), sells her beautiful craft items to raise funds The Sovereign Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem. https://www.sosjinternational.org/
Although the days are getting a bit longer now, some of you have been off to sunnier destinations in the last few weeks. Hope you are all having a great time, and we look forward to hearing about your travels when you get back.
For those of us not giving up chocolate for Lent (How could you?) we are welcoming Bob Whelpton, who is going to talk about the origins of chocolate, and his career in it. Bring along a bit of money if you would like to buy from his extensive range of chocolate. Would make great Easter gifts. Bob donates his fee to the British Legion Poppy Appeal
Have a look now for a pot or container that you would like to bring to our April meeting, no bath tubs please, but a nice planter that can go outside, and we will provide the compost and plants for you to pot up for the spring.
The committee have been very inventive with the programme, trying to cover all interests. If you have an idea for our meetings, please let one of us know, and we will try to put it in the programme. May is our Annual meeting, and the re-election of the committee, please think if you could spare a bit of time to join the committee. We do have members standing down this year including myself, and Rachel would like someone to shadow her over the next year. There are some things that each WI has to do, but there is much we do out of choice, and things can be changed and run differently, it is up to the committee how they organise themselves.
Rachel is also a Trustee of Hampshire Federation, and is organising The John Lewis evening in Southampton. It did occur to me would you like to make it a WI outing? We could go on the train, and yes, I checked there are trains back in the evening. Numbers are limited, and there are lots of talks and demonstrations to enjoy. Could be a fun group trip. Let me know as soon as you can.
Also, to add I’ve just dropped of your foodbank donations to The Church of the Good Shephard. Dianne was volunteering today, and it was nice to see her and see where your donations go. It makes such a difference to people's lives, so if you can, please remember the foodbank at our monthly meetings.
January 2023 Presidents Post
Happy New Year everyone, I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas break.
I know that some of you suffered with this cold/flu that has been going around, I hope that you (and your families) are recovering well, and you will be able to join us at our January meeting, when we will be taking a look at this year's resolution shortlist. Please take time to look at the Resolutions and we will vote at the meeting. I know that resolutions seem to come round very quickly each year, but the resolution that passes at the National Annual meeting will become a campaign, and not for just a year, they are ongoing and do make a difference. We can also reject all the resolutions if we don’t think them worthy of a campaign.
After the vote we will get the dice out for our old favourite the “Beetle Drive.”
Please have a look at our website for this year's programme, and book club dates and books this is subject to change. Let the committee know if there are any activities you would like to do, or feel free to put out a meet for coffee or the cinema on WhatsApp.
There is lots going on in Hampshire, if you haven’t visited WI House in Eastleigh, then take a look at the courses available there, you will be made very welcome. Hampshire WI
Watch out for an exclusive John Lewis / Hampshire WI event on 29th March.
Let's all have a good 2023 in the WI, and pull together to make it the best year yet.
Postscript, since writing this we have had our Bingo night which everyone who attended enjoyed, despite our stand - in bingo callers! Thank you to the committee and Wendy for making it run so well.
November 2022 Presidents Post
We hope you all enjoyed discovering your inner artist last month. Judging from the lovely WhatsApp comments it sounds as though you did. Check out Quirky Birds sessions online, or there are more you tube videos to follow for free. See our photos in the photo album…..
It's that time of year again! Clocks gone back, dark evenings, staying in, falling asleep at nine O'clock........ but we do hope you will get yourselves out to join us for our Christmas meeting on the 23rd November. Come and have a fun, gentle exercise class, in the style of Bollywood, please wear comfortable clothing and trainers, but feel free to brighten it up with pretty scarves and glitter.
We will finish the evening with some Indian snacks, and a glass of wine or fruit juice. We will be having a short presentation from Tracy at the vine in Aldershot, The Vine which is our nominated charity this year. I will prepare some hamper boxes, and if you feel you could donate items for their community cupboard, Tracy will take it away with her. You can either bring item on the night or drop them to my house anytime from now - Message me on WhatsApp for my address.
Suggested items are:
Any tinned packet foods, such as rice and pasta, but Tracy would like to add some Christmas items to the packs, so if you can add a festive treat to your shopping and bring it along it would be much appreciated. If you would like to donate a non-food item the The Vine is also handing out gloves, scarves and small fleecy blankets.
We will also be sending Christmas cards to local care homes where some residents do not get cards. Rachel has kindly printed off some labels, so bring along a few cards to sign. They are very much welcomed by the Residents who do not receive many (if any) cards.
At our committee meeting last night we were making plans for next year and have some exciting things planned. As usual with the WI-Flyers we try to plan our meeting with an eye on the budget, and a variety of activities, the easiest option for us is to book speakers every month, but these can be expensive and a bit predicable.
The meetings where we opt for something a bit different, often involves more effort from the committee, so on behalf of you all I would like to thank them for all their hard work this year and for them to have a have a good break at Christmas.
There are a lot of things going on in Hart Group for you to enjoy, and I hope to see some of you at the Hart Carol service on the 5th December. The service is at 2:30 pm at Christ Church, Gally Hill, Church Crookham. Please let us know if you can come on WhatsApp and we can try and organise lift shares. It is always a lovely service and a good start to feeling Christmassy!
Hampshire also have lots of activities, the committee liked the look of the Dorset button Angels. Dorset Button details
I have been asked by the committee, to remind you to let us know if you are coming to Christmas Bollywood, as this is a catered event, and we want to provide enough refreshments without over catering. Please let us know in the usual way - WhatsApp!
Penny
Dear All,
I hope you all enjoyed our little bit of Bollywood last month, our last meeting of 2022.
If you would like to continue dancing, Annabel's January class is 6 weeks 21 January to 25 February 2023 inclusive at North Camp Methodist Church. She can be found on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Bollywood-dancercise-with-Annabel-Hampshire-Surrey-164374440642942/) or her website (https://bbfitnessanddance.wordpress.com/) .
Tracey, from the Vine was delighted with all your kind donations, and we passed on some Christmas cards to her as well as to Lavender Lodge and Knellwood care homes.
Four members of the WI-Flyers (Rachel, Dianne, Carole and Margaret) attended the Hart Group Carol Service at Christ Church Gally Hill in Church Crookham. Dianne read our bible reading for us (and did it beautifully).
We have recently received an email from a lady called Janine Walker. Janine is a Support Worker for a Mother and Baby Hostel in Farnborough which is run by Life charity. Part of her role is to teach the Mums all manner of life skills. She is desperately looking for someone to help her with cooking skills and wondered if any of our WI ladies would be interested in volunteering? It doesn't need to be a regular commitment, it could just be a one off event to pass on your culinary specialty! If any of you would like to help then please let Rachel know and she will pass on Janine’s details to you. If several of you show interest we could ask Janine to come and talk to us.
The committee would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to meeting up with you in January for Bingo on the 13th, and our meeting on the 25th January, where we will be voting on next year's resolutions and enjoying a Beetle drive.
Penny
December 2022 Presidents Post
Dear All
Last month we enjoyed the fruits of Autumn. Thank you to everyone who made apple recipes, and special thanks to the committee for providing apples and a great tasting quiz.
Do you remember those dim and distant days of lockdown? Well one of the meetings we had then was watercolour painting with the Quirky Bird. So, dig out those paints and brushes again (other things like an old plate or palette for paint mixing might be useful too), and bring them along to our October meeting where we will be painting a Quirky picture together in person this time.
I hate to say this, but it’s only ten weeks until Christmas!! We are having a slightly different Christmas celebration this year, but we will still keep up our tradition of supporting a local charity. This year at Trish’s request it is the Vine in Aldershot, further details in next month's President's Post.
http://www.thevinecentre.org.uk/
As before we will be sending Christmas cards to local care homes. So if you are buying your Christmas cards - please put a spare pack in your shopping bag.
There are lots of things going on within our Hart Group for you to enjoy, it would be lovely to see you on 5th December at the Carol Service.
Hampshire Federation also has some great things for you to do, and as a fundraiser they will be selling baskets in Winchester on Saturday 10th December, so pop along for some Christmas shopping. All Hampshire WI’s are asked to provide hampers to sell. We thought it would be nice to do one or two baskets suitable for a baby, if anybody feels they are able to provide items for the hamper, please bring them along in October. Ideas such as bibs / baby wipes / socks / just about anything you think a new mum might find useful!
Penny
October 2022 Presidents Post
September 2022 Presidents Post
Dear All,
It is still difficult to believe that our Queen and fellow WI member has passed away. She has been a constant presence in all our lives, and whether you are a Royalist or not, she will be much missed. Sarah is making us a card to put into Hampshire's book of condolence.
Yesterday, our Book Club went up to London to do a walking tour of Shakespeare’s London. Surprisingly, it was only the four of us on the tour, so very exclusive! After lunch we walked to Green Park to lay flowers. All the flowers had been removed from Buckingham Palace, and had been arranged in an area of the park into small groups, around trees, and into various shapes. All plastic had to be removed although the odd Paddington Bear had sneaked in. We were glad we had taken the extra time to go.
After our glorious summer, autumn is now taking hold and we are enjoying the fruits of the season. Which brings me to our September meeting. The committee are hoping you will take part in our Apple fayre by bringing along your favourite apple recipes, chutney, cakes and bakes. We will provide apple-based drinks, cheese and biscuits, and a variety of apples for you to try.
I hope to see you at the Hart Group meeting on Saturday 1st October at 11:30 am. The speaker is Suzette Jones and she will be speaking on Modern Day Slavery there will be a light lunch.
Only three meetings before Christmas!! Get out your paint brushes for October when we will be painting Quirky Bird style, if you were with us during lock down you will remember the lovely evening we had on zoom creating some lovely pictures. If you still have your paint and brushes please bring them along. We will have some paper available and paint and brushes if you don’t have any. Although Hobbycraft do have them quite cheaply!
We will be having a non-traditional Christmas celebration in November.
Kind regards
Penny
July 2022 Presidents Post
Dear all,
What a lovely evening we had for our 10th Birthday celebrations. I hope you all enjoyed making your Birthday present. Special thanks to Debbie, for making us such a beautiful Birthday Cake, with a wonderful rainbow surprise inside, it was really delicious. As always big thanks to the committee, they really did you proud, especially on such a hot day. It is always the behind the scenes preparation and attention to detail, that makes these events so special, and which we really appreciate.
Next month, get your trainers and trackies on for a games evening outside at Cove Cricket club. No cricket teas this time, but I know Anne will be looking for offers to bring cakes, and another pair of hands in the kitchen. You will be able to join in whatever you like, from rounders to bowls, or if wet darts and scrabble.
August should be an interesting talk on the Suffragettes, and look out those apple recipes for September. My apples and figs are doing quite well this year, and I am eyeing them up for chutney making.
Enjoy the lovely weather, see you on the 27th.
Penny
June 2022 Presidents Post
Dear all,
Welcome to the start of another WI year. Thank you for attending our Annual Meeting last Month, and thank you to Rachel- Secretary, Sue -Treasurer, Rose, Dianne, Anne, Martine, and Liz, for agreeing to be on the committee. It seems that many of you enjoyed the centrifuge, and Sue’s talk on her work there. There are so many of these hidden buildings around Farnborough, particularly around the old wind tunnel. They are often used in film locations.
I hope you all had a good Jubilee week-end, so glad the rain kept off!! Ten years ago, at the time of another Jubilee the WI-Flyers was started by our founding members, who, because we were all working, wanted an evening WI, so we started one ourselves. Next Wednesday will be the nearest date to our first meeting. Our first talk was by Jean Johnson, who bought along her shoe collection and the stories behind them.
Ten years on and we are celebrating with a party at Reg’s Garden, you may remember we met there last summer. It will be nice to see how the garden has progressed, and we have a special talk by local bee keepers, you will be able to taste a selection of honey, as well as making your own WI-Flyers Birthday candle.
Reg’s garden, is in the old Station House, at Farnborough North Train station GU14 8BX. It is situated at the end of Farnborough Street. To get to the garden you will need to cross the railway crossing by foot. Please observe the crossing signals. The garden is immediately on the right.
Please bring your agreed food items for the Birthday tea, and sandwiches uncut please. You will also need to bring a bottle of water, for the honey tasting, and if you would like to buy any honey you will need to bring £6 in cash.
Parking is limited so you might have to park in Highgate Lane. The committee might be a bit low in numbers next week, so if anyone can come early to help set up at 6.30 that would be appreciated. Everyone else, the gates will be open from 7pm for 7.30pm start.
In July we are having an outdoors games evening, or indoors (different games) if it rains!!
If you are on holiday, hope you are having a great time. Happy 10th Birthday WI-Flyers.
Penny
2022
May 2022 Presidents Post
Dear All,
I hope you all enjoyed making your lovely bouquets with Martine last month. My flowers are still lovely, I’ll definitely have another go. Thank you, Martine, for organising.
May 25th is our Annual Meeting, and this year we are holding it at The Farnborough Man-Carrying Centrifuge. This was a working building from 1955 to 2019, and is now a protected historical site. We are very privileged to be able to use this building for our Annual Meeting. As such we do have to consider a few health and safety issues. Please wear warm (it can be chilly) sensible clothing and I wouldn’t advise high heels! Although we do have insurance, we do all need to be mindful of our individual safety.
Parking is limited, so please do not park in a Resident's bay (White edged with a number on it.) Please try to car share if you can, a member of the committee or a Centrifuge volunteer will be outside to direct you.
Please see accompanying directions, or use google maps, enter Farnborough Centrifuge. Don’t worry if you find yourself in the middle of a housing estate! The houses have been built around it.
We would like to start the meeting promptly at 7.30pm, so join us for a drink and nibbles a bit earlier if you can.
The existing committee is willing to stand for another year, and at our last committee meeting we also welcomed Anne Cooper. The following WI-Flyers Officers are also willing to be re-elected,
President Penny Dunford
Treasurer Sue Blake
Secretary Rachel Neudegg
This does not mean that anyone else who wishes to join the committee cannot do so, we would be pleased for other members to join us, and if anyone else would like to fill one of the officers' roles please let me know. Wiflyerspres@hampshirewi.org.uk 07970 269 797
The Annual Report and Finance papers, will be emailed out to you prior to the meeting, please take time to read them, questions can be asked, either by email or on the night.
After the business side of the meeting, our speaker is Sue Adcock, who worked at the centrifuge, and is now involved in its preservation. A very nice book is available to purchase, if you think this is something you would like, please bring £5 in cash, unfortunately there is no card facility.
We will also be asking you to pick up a refreshment card for our 10th Birthday in June. Many of you will remember that you pick up a card, (for example egg sandwiches,) and then bring them along to the tea, that way we all contribute to the celebration. Feel free to pick up more than one card!
Looking ahead, we are planning an Apple Fayre in September. So, if all you chutney/jam makers can spare an extra jar for us to try, and everyone else dig out those favourite apple recipes. We will provide a selection of different apples and apple drinks to sample.
The Book Club read Girl Women Other, and discussed it on the 20th April. The next book is At First Light by Vanessa Lafaye. You are welcome to join in the discussion on Wednesday 1st June at the Prince Of Wales, Rectory Lane, Farnborough.
Anyone wishing to go along to a craft/chat afternoon, please see Annette.
Thank you all for re-joining the WI-Flyers, ideas for future meetings are always welcome. Presidents Post and loads of other information is on our web-site, please do have a look.
Penny
April Presidents Post
Dear All,
At Tuesdays committee meeting we couldn’t believe we were in the middle of April already, and starting to plan the programme for next year!! please let us know if there is anything you would like to do, and we will do our best to include it.
If for any reason you will not be rejoining - can you let our Treasurer Sue know by emailing her at wiflyerstreas@hampshirewi.org.uk
As I said last month May is our Annual Meeting, let us know if you would like to join the committee, we do have one new member joining us, but there always room for more. I am pleased to say that we will be holding the meeting at the Centrifuge in Farnborough. This little-known and unusual building is in the middle of a housing estate and has a fascinating history. However, it has very little parking, so if you could think about it now, and plan to share lifts, even better arrange to get someone to drop you off.
https://farnboroughcentrifuge.org.uk/
Have a lovely Easter weekend. Thank you to those that are making cakes and helping to serve refreshments at Cove Cricket club open day. Pop along if you can.
This month we are making a hand tied posy with Martine, you will be able to take your creations home with you to enjoy, please make sure you bring along a pair of scissors and secateurs. Looking forward to seeing you on the 27th April at Cove Cricket Club.
Penny
Presidents Post March 2022
Dear all, As we all watch the news in shock, and after two years of the Covid pandemic, it would seem we are back in a world of uncertainty. Please be kind to yourselves, and hopefully our WI will be able to provide a bit of a distraction.
Following on from my last Presidents Post, I am pleased to say that Anne Jarvis has kindly taken on the refreshment rota. Each week we need two people to serve refreshments and three cakes. It would make the job much easier for Anne if you would sign up in advance and put it in your diary so you don’t forget.
Annette is hosting a Knit & Natter/craft group, which is meeting for the first time in April to work on their own projects. I always knew there was a lot of talent in our WI, and Irina is a patchwork/quilting teacher, this is something I have always wanted to learn how to do, and if it would be of interest to you let me know, and we will work with Irina to perhaps do a taster session during the day.
Talking of craft, in this months WI Life there is a knitting pattern for a Platinum Jubilee Corgi. If you fancy making one, leave it for someone to find with our WI details. .
Cove Cricket Club have got a community/fun day planned on Easter Saturday 16th April 1-4.00 pm This could be an opportunity for us to fund raise with a stall, maybe tea / coffee and cakes. Rachel has agreed to lead, so could we get a small sub group together, I think it will be a fun afternoon. Please let Rachel know via the WhatsApp Group or at the next meeting.
As we are now in March, it won’t be long to our Annual meeting in May and the election of our committee and Officers. If you would like to join the committee there is always room for new faces, or come along to a committee meeting to try it out first.
We will be welcoming back Kerrie Ellis for our March meeting. Kerrie is a colour stylist, and will be showing us how to choose the colours that suit us the best. We had a lovely evening with Kerrie a few years ago, so I hope you will enjoy her presentation.
https://www.kerrieellis.co.uk/
In April we will be making a spring hand tied bouquet, under the guidance of Martine. We will provide everything you need, but please bring a pair of garden secateurs and gloves.
So that we have enough flowers, can you let us know if you will be attending in April, you can tell us at March meeting, or email me wiflyerspres@hampshirewi.org
Subs for 2022/2023 are £44, that money is divided up as £12.10 to National, £10.30 to Federation (Hampshire) and we get £21.60.
For that we have 11 free meetings a year and a monthly NFWI magazine. We also have access to MY WI, which is the members only section of the National web-site, this has a wealth of ideas from recipes, crafts, campaigns and meeting ideas.
Currently our Funds are in a healthy position, we try to have a mix of do it ourselves meetings and speakers, (which tend to be more expensive.) So please support our monthly tea, cakes and raffle, and a bit of extra fundraising at Easter.
Please do not pay your subs before the 1st April. Sue will have all the paperwork ready for the next meeting, including the form for gift aid if you pay tax.
Many thanks
Penny
Knit and natter
WInnie the Corgi
Presidents Post February 2022
Dear All,
I am sure, like me, you enjoyed our First Hybrid meeting. It was the third time I had heard Mary give her talk, but each time she managed to make it a little bit different, and just as interesting. I am looking forward to her book arriving.
Hopefully now with the possibility of all COVID rules being abolished at the end of this month, we can get back to some normality. I also think it would be nice if we could have some extra activities, which would give us the opportunity to get to know each other a bit better.
As a WI we have to provide eleven meetings a year, but our WI could be so much more that. For instance, we could have a supper club, or a monthly coffee morning in a local café or garden centre, a craft group, or a regular walk together, it doesn’t have to be too far, we have lots of walks locally.
But rather than the committee organising everything, could someone else take the initiative? If you don’t want to organise a regular activity, then I am sure a one-off get-together would be much appreciated. Please let me know.
Thank you to Carol, for organising book club, I can’t put March’s book down. The book we are reading for March is The Appeal by Janice Hallet and we are meeting on 2nd March at The Prince of Wales Pub in North Farnborough.
I am also looking for someone to take responsibility for the tea/coffee/cake rota. Please WhatsApp or message me if you could help with this.
Trish and Annette are kindly doing the refreshments for our February meeting and Anne is providing a cake, but I still need two more cakes.
The donations to refreshments and the raffle help to pay for our speakers and activities, so please support this.
As you know, we had to close our web-site this year, but Sandra and Rachel have been busy setting up a new one, and I am sure it won’t be long before it is up and running. In the meantime, please keep the Presidents Post, and check out our face book page and WhatsApp, as they are our current means of communicating.
Our Christmas Charity this year will be The Vine Centre, and they would like us to support their Art Therapy room.
It is now 3.30 pm, and the sun is just about still shining on this Saturday afternoon so I might get chance to get out to do a bit of gardening. This has been a WI day for me today, paperwork started this morning, then Rachel and I were at a Hart meeting in Aldershot until lunchtime, back to do President's post and emails.
If you feel you could offer more to The WI-Flyers – please let me know
Penny
Presidents Post January 2022
Happy New Year everyone.
The WI is unique in putting members at the heart of all campaigning activity, it is the campaigns that differentiates us from other Women’s Groups. From the Suffragettes to Keep Britain Tidy, Climate Change and stopping Modern Slavery.
This month it is your chance to vote for the resolution we would like to forward for further discussion, and voting, at the Annual meeting in 2022.
There are five resolutions:
Fit for purpose: fit for girls
Appropriate sentencing of non-violent women offenders
Equality in Law for the menopause
Women and girls with ASD and ADHD : under identified, under diagnosed, under-supported.
Tackling digital exclusion.
All the resolutions are to be found in December's edition of WI life, other resources can be found at thewi.org.uk or log into MY WI. You will also be receiving another post giving you further information. Please take time to read to help you make your decision.
The Mailchimp post will send you to a link in which to vote.
Thank you all for your stockings and sacks that you decorated, filled and brought to the November meeting.
We received this email from Deirdre Joy:
Penny,
Many thanks to you and your team for creating such amazing stockings for the young people supported by Step by Step. I know from chatting to your members that a lot of thought and creative work had gone into making and filling the stockings and I am sure the young people will enjoy them.
The stockings will be given to young people in the foyer and supported lodgings for Christmas Day and I am sure they will enjoy them.
Please pass on our thanks to the team,
Many thanks,
Deirdre
We also had a thank you email from Lavender Lodge - one of the care homes I delivered your signed Christmas Cards to.....
Dear Rachel
On behalf of all the residents and staff, we would like to thank you for all the Christmas cards that you sent to our Residents in the home. These cards have given them as well as our staff great pleasure in receiving.
We would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Best Wishes
Due to a technical issue, we have lost our website, so for now it is very important that you keep your Presidents Post to refer to. Rachel and Sandra are looking into setting up a new website, so, if you have turned off WhatsApp it might be a good idea to set it up again for the WI-Flyers, as it is a good quick way for us to get information to you, as well as Facebook.
Thank you for the meeting suggestions, we will look into them for next year.
In January our speaker is Mary Smith, who lives in Kent, so she will be giving the talk on zoom. We are planning this as a Hybrid meeting so you can either come to the Club in person, or you can join on Zoom. We will be having a practice session, with the speaker beforehand, so hopefully it will work.
Trish and Theresa, have kindly put their names down to do teas, and Hazel has offered a cake, a couple of extra cakes would be appreciated, (homemade if possible). Let me know if you can provide one.
February is a talk on Hypnotherapy by Toni Barnes. Toni's website is here
In March, we will be sorting out what to wear with colour stylist Kerrie Ellis. Some of you will remember Kerry from one of our early meetings Check Kerry's website here
In April, we are going to have a go at a hand tied bouquet with Martine.
May is our Annual Meeting and going back to a previous tradition we will be holding this meeting at a very unusual venue in Farnborough.
June 2022 will be our 10th Birthday, which we aim to celebrate in style.
The rest of the year is still in the planning stage, so if you know of anyone we can book, please let us know.
Penny
Check out upcoming events with Hampshire Federation WI
Competitions
Mary Smith - 'A Schoolgirls War'
David Chapman - Photographer
Spring Council Meeting
Click below for details
Events (hampshirewi.org.uk)
Then click here to head over to the NFWI website