HARDINGTON AND PENDOMER WI
MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY MEETING HELD ON
11th February 2009 at 7.45 pm in the Village Hall
Present: 28 members and one guest.
As this evening was Members’ Night, President Jenny Dodd, after welcoming the members, handed the meeting over to Ann Lunt who introduced the speaker for the evening, Mr David Andrews.
Mr Andrews brought back lots of memories by giving a history of Rock ‘n Roll throughout the 1950s and playing many of the songs from that era on his guitar with the help of some of the members on the drums and xylophones.
After Ann Lunt had given the vote of thanks Jenny thanked Ann and the members for arranging such enjoyable entertainment.
Tea and tasty refreshments were provided by Angela Brooks, Daphne Creed and Sue Phillips.
The business meeting followed.
Apologies for absence: Fiona Chadwick, Phyllis Leach, June Chivers, Audrey Marsh, Carol Vallis and Sue de Boehmler.
Birthday posies: These were presented to Helen Parrott, Kay McIver, Margaret Partridge and Rosemary Richards.
Minutes of the last meeting: These were approved and signed and a copy was on the notice board for the members to read.
Matters arising from the minutes:
- Food Hygiene Course. A new date had been arranged for this on 1st April. Fiona Chadwick had agreed to attend and she is now booked on the Course.
- Angela Brooks’s course. Angela had not yet found a course to attend.
- Members who are unwell. A planted pot of flowers and a card had been sent to Janet Cuff, Phyllis Leach, Gladys Rawlins and Dorothy Read on behalf of WI friends. Phyllis had conveyed her thanks to the meeting and Janet had sent word that she would appreciate short visits from members.
Village Breakfast: Jenny told the members that the Breakfast had been a great success and thanked everyone for all their hard work. Brenda had taken many lovely photos which she had brought to the meeting for everyone to see. A letter of thanks and appreciation had been received from Joyce O’Hearn.
Treasurer’s Report: Sally reported that the Village Breakfast had raised £634, the Cake Stall making £81.35 and the Raffle £141.50. When all expenses had been paid there would be about £570.00 profit; 124 full breakfasts had been served plus 14 continental ones.
A total of £83 had been raised for ACWW, the Christmas Charity.
She asked if there were any more members who would like to sign up for Gift Aid.
Tickets for the M&S Ladies Night were selling well.
Correspondence:
- February County News
- SCFWI Spring Roadshows. The nearest ones will be at Wincanton on Tuesday 28th April and at Otterford on Friday 8th May.
- 2011 Calendar. The theme will be Farming and Fields.
- WI Membership Survey 2008. A form for this could be found in February’s WI Life.
- Golf Croquet Fun Day. To be held on Friday 15th May at Dowlish Wake.
- Visit to Worcester and Malvern Spring Gardening Show 6th – 8th May. Cost £220. Rachel has full details.
- An invitation from West and Middle Chinnock to their Birthday Party on Thursday 19th March. Two of our members are invited and the theme will be Country and Western.
- Group Events – details on Notice Board.
Resolution Votes: Results of the Resolutions Votes were:-
- SOS for Honey Bees – 3 votes
- Action on Flooding – 1 vote
- Residential care fees for the elderly – 2 votes
- Effect of GP led practices on doctors and customers in rural areas in particular – 2 votes
- Review of systems in Family Courts – 0 votes
- Calling for the reinstatement of hospital in-house cleaning services – 2 votes.
Event Boards:
- Ideas for Interest Groups and Activity Days
- M&S Ladies Evening – tickets and models
Setting up of Interest Groups and Activity Days: These were progressing well. The Lunch Group had already had one lunch and another was due to be held at Broadwindsor Craft Centre on 26th February. The Walking Group’s first event had had to be changed from Friday 6th March to Friday 13th March, meeting at the Village Hall at 1.30pm. The Theatre Group was also up and running and a Book Club and Bridge Group were about to be set up.
M&S Ladies’ Night: Elaine reported that 36 letters had been sent out asking for raffle prizes and several responses had already been received. About 380 tickets had already been sold. There had been a good response for models. They would have to be at the store at 6.30pm on the night and they would also have to go to the store between 5pm and 7pm on Tuesday 17th March to choose the outfits. Rosemary Richards had won the ballot for the Makeover.
Jenny informed the meeting that Elaine had received a letter from Thelma Milbank, County Chairman, about the Evening expressing her surprise and disappointment that the event was still proceeding. Elaine had passed this letter on to Jenny. In her letter Thelma outlined all the reasons why the event could not go ahead under the auspices of the WI. Jenny said that she had contacted the National Federation about the contents of this letter and she was told that all the points mentioned in it were incorrect. On checking Jenny had also realised that the WI logo, when used, must have the word “Women’s Institute” written underneath the tree. Jenny went on to say that the Committee had proposed that she should write a letter to the National Federation expressing disappointment in the lack of support received from the Somerset Federation. In this letter she would explain the porblems encountered and forward them a copy of Thelma's letter. The Committee also proposed that this letter be followed closely by a letter to the County Chairman thanking her for her concerns mentioning that a copy of the letter would be sent to National. A vote was taken and the members were unanimously in favour of these proposals.
Any Other Business:
- Brenda informed the members that a Hospice Walk would be taking place on 17th May. It would be a staged walk from Yeovil to Taunton and she thought that perhaps some of the members would be interested in taking part.
- Ann Egerton would be grateful for donations of wool for the Knitting Group which she runs at the Hospice.
Flower of the Month Competition: Winner - Rosemary Richards.
Date of the next Meeting: Wednesday 11th March 2009 - Fun and Games.
The meeting ended at 10 pm.