REPORT FOR NOVEMBER - AGM
In the absence of President Jenny Dodd, who was still enjoying the sunny climes of Australia, Elaine Gilmore welcomed 24 members and one guest - our new Federation contact Sheena Holloway - to the meeting. This was our Annual General Meeting and members enjoyed glasses of wine while the business took place.
Birthday posies were presented to Brenda Bickerton and Sue de Boehmler (in absentia) and Rachel, our delegate at the Somerset Annual Meeting at Westlands, gave the members an informative report about the day’s proceedings.
We are losing 3 members of the committee this year – President Jenny Dodd, Treasurer Sally Norris and Val Radford who has been a stalwart of the committee for many years. Elaine Gilmore was unanimously elected President for the coming year; Carol Vallis, already a committee member, has kindly agreed to take over the job of Treasurer; and Kate Curtis and Helen Parrott will be joining the committee. The new officers of the committee are:
- President: Elaine Gilmore
- Secretary: Rachel Moulden
- Treasurer: Carol Vallis
President Jenny Dodd in her address thanked the committee for all their hard work during a busy year and all those members who had also contributed so much in different ways throughout the year.
Sally Norris, Treasurer, in her report made special mention of the £5,000 raised through the Marks and Spencer Ladies Night and was pleased to say that the balance in hand was £82.25 more than last year.
Rachel Moulden, Secretary, in her comprehensive report told the members that our membership had been 40 but we had now lost June Chivers, a loyal and long time supporter of our WI, as she has moved away from the village, and she reminded members of the various events which had taken place throughout another busy year. She mentioned that several members were among the prize winners at the Village Flower and Craft Show, both the skittles teams continued to do well, and several new interest groups had been instigated. Three of our members – Ruth Penn, Gladys Rawlins and Dorothy Read - were now in care or nursing homes but we keep in touch and wish them all well. Rachel ended her report by paying tribute to retiring President Jenny Dodd who has been on the committee for the past five years and who as our President has worked tirelessly on our behalf with her usual good cheer throughout the year.
Elaine presented pot plants to Sally Norris and Val Radford who were leaving the committee and also to Daphne Creed for all her help throughout the year.
The evening continued with members enjoying social time, and tea, coffee and biscuits were served by tea hostesses, Margaret Wilkins and Marina Barnard.
Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9th December – “Ready Steady Christmas” with Liz Sawtell who will be showing us how to make a festive decoration. Mulled wine, mince pies and other festive nibbles will be served. If you have not been to a WI meeting before, why not come along as a guest to this meeting where you will be made most welcome.
A date for your diary:
The Village Breakfast will be held on Saturday 6th February 2010 in the Village Hall.
Kay McIver, 17th November 2009