HARDINGTON AND PENDOMER WI
MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY MEETING HELD ON
9th JANUARY 2008 AT 7.45PM
Present: 35 members
The meeting was chaired by President, Fiona Chadwick, who welcomed members, wishing everyone a happy New Year. Fiona then introduced our speaker, Julia Chapman, the Somerset and Dorset fundraiser for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Julia gave an informative and interesting talk about the work of Marie Curie nurses and of the various ways the charity raises money. The charity started in 1948 so this year is their 60th anniversary. They started with just £80.00 raised from the sale of an engagement ring and now have a £90 million turnover. The nurses specialise in palliative care of cancer patients in their own homes - many people prefer to spend their last days at home and the Marie Curie nurses help to make this possible. One of the popular fund raising activities is the Ladies Driving Challenge, when women of all ages (with a driving licence) get to drive various large and unusual vehicles. Brenda Bickerton had taken part in one of these events and showed us slides of her day driving everything from a steam road roller to a fire engine and a World War 2 army truck. All the vehicles, plus their drivers, are donated free by the various companies and organisations. The ladies just have to pay a £10 registration fee and raise £100 in sponsorship money. Many members were fired up with enthusiasm to "have a go"!
The vote of thanks was given by Carol Vallis, who helps as a volunteer at the Ladies Driving Challenge.
The meeting then continued with the business.
Apologies for Absence: Kay McIver, Gladys Rawlins, June Chivers, Margaret Partridge, Elaine Gilmore, Isabel Platten, Pauline Grassam, Anne Egerton and Marina Barnard.
Birthday Posies: Daphne Creed, Marina Barnard and Isabel Platten.
Minutes of last Meeting: The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read and signed by Fiona Chadwick.
Matters arising from the minutes:
AGM Delegate in Liverpool - Fiona explained that it was our turn to send a delegate to the AGM. This will involve a 2-night stay in Liverpool with all expenses being paid for. Anyone else may go as an observer but would have to pay their own expenses. Fiona asked if anyone would like to go as the delegate. One member agreed to consider the idea. (If we do not send a delegate, we go to the bottom of the list in our group).
Resolution Results - the results of the voting was as follows:
| Fairer Funding in Education | 17% |
| Ban on Bottom Trawling | 26% |
| Artificial Additives in Children's Medicines | 21% |
| Group B Streptococcus Infection in New Born Infants | 8% |
| Inappropriate Imprisonment of the Severely Mentally Ill | 20% |
| Safer routes for Non Motorised Users | 8% |
| As the results had to be submitted by 7th January, our 10 votes were allocated as follows: | |
| Ban on Bottom Trawling | 6 votes |
| Artificial Additives in Children's Medicines | 4 votes |
Finance - Sally told members that their contribution to the Wishing for a Well appeal had raised £158.00 for which Tanya Ogden was very pleased and had sent us a very nice thank you letter which was available for members to see. Sally also said she had filed our accounts with the Charity Commissioners online, thus making us eligible to be entered into a draw.
Correspondence
January County News
Early Spring Watch - trip to Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
M&S - free Bags for Life with food transactions from 13th January for 3 weeks, then customers will have to pay for bags.
News from WIs - Hardington & Pendomer mentioned.
Notice Board
Somerset @ 90 information
Computer courses at Wilton Lodge.
Event Boards
Magic, Mystery and Lunch @ Wookey Hole
Early Spring Watch trip
Village Breakfast - helpers.
Village Breakfast
This is to be held on the 1st March 2008. Fiona told members we would be catering for approximately 140 people. Donations of marmalade for the breakfast and cakes for Liz and Marina's cake stall will be appreciated. Also any donations of raffle prizes will be welcome and Fiona also asked for members' suggestions for a suitable charity to benefit from the money raised at the breakfast.
Birthday Party
Members were asked their preference or ideas for this year's birthday party in April. The committee suggested either going out for a meal or staying in the hall and having a themed evening with a meal cooked by ourselves. Daphne Creed thought members would be willing to make puddings. Judy Tucker spoke about an evening at Misterton WI where they had Thai cooks come in to cook them a meal in their hall. This did involve a contribution to the cost by the members. Fiona asked members to think about these suggestions so we can make decisions at the next meeting.
Skittles
It would seem that after many years, our great rivals, East Chinnock, have won the competition. Members gave our erstwhile captains, Audrey and Joan, a round of well deserved applause.
Any other Business
Fiona asked for a volunteer to help Audrey Marsh with the birthday posies and Joan Whiteman agreed to do this.
Rachel Moulden mentioned that the new Hardington Garden Club will have its inaugural meeting on January 16th 2008 and everyone plus their husbands will be very welcome!
Refreshments were then served and the raffle was drawn. The meeting closed at 9.45pm.
Next Meeting
13th February 2008 - Members' Night.