Milstead with Frinsted Newsletter January 2026
We hope that you all had a lovely Christmas and wish you all the best New Year. We had a great year in 2025. If you are on Facebook, do look at some of the photos I have posted.
This month we start the year with a fascinating talk on the life and work of Clarice Cliff – interesting fact, she was born in Tunstall – but not our Tunstall.
We are continuing to collect empty blister medication packs which are taken to Lady Dane vets for recycling. We are also still doing the Flower of the Month – it will be interesting to see what we get this month.
The collection of dental supplies and children’s socks and pants were delivered to New Leaf before Christmas, and they were very grateful as always.
Once again if you would like to read last month’s minutes (or any others) please ask Jen or Angela and we can send them whichever way suits you. There is always a copy at the monthly meetings.
At this week’s meeting we are asking for nominations or self-nominations for the committee. As you know I am standing down this year after nearly 15 years on the committee as are a couple of other ladies. This is the time for you to step up. There is nothing too complicated or difficult about the role – it just requires a few hours every other month and a bit of help when we run events. If you want to feel a part of the WI, there is no better way to do it. It is rewarding, and you get to shape the direction and feel of the Group. If you want to know more, please call me and have a chat. The Committee needs you!
This month’s birthday girls are Mandy Wilkinson and Rose-Marie Gordon-Webb. Hope you both have something lovely to do on your special days.
This month’s coffee will be on Tuesday 13th at 2pm at Sentado lounge. Please let Sophia know if you are coming.
The following dates for your diaries are Thursday 19th February 10.30 and Tuesday 17th March at 2pm – venues to be decided. Let us know where you prefer to meet.
The first of our fundraisers this year is the Fabulous Quiz by Sue and Steve. Put Friday 27th March 7pm on your calendar. It will be a great evening as always. There is a great buffet and bring your own drinks. The cost remains at £10, which is great value. There is a list going out this week so make sure your name and exact total number of your group are on it.
The Saturday lunch club resumes on Saturday 28th March at 1pm at the Red Lion pub Milstead. Please put your name on the list on Thursday or let Sophia or me know.
East Kent Federation events;
All events are in your East Kent News. There is no copy in January but keep a look out for the February edition. If you do not receive this, please let us know. Most of the events are all bookable on ticket source, via Alison in the EKFWI office or via Dilys.
Speaker Auditions are at Sheldwich VH on Friday 27th 1.30-5pm. £5 on the door. There are 7 speakers giving a small snapshot of their talk. This will be an interesting afternoon. You do not need to book but do let us know if you are going so, we can arrange car sharing. The successful candidates are then put in the East Kent Speaker book which programme secretaries use to book the speakers for your monthly meetings. This is a local one for us so please come along – it’ll be a good afternoon.
The East Kent annual meeting will be taking place on Thursday 2nd April 11-4pm at Kent College, Canterbury. There are two inspiring speakers. Keji Moses Lord Mayor of Canterbury and Ms. Cherry Bombe. Please come along and find out what the WI is all about. Surrey Federation no longer holds meetings in person, which is a massive loss. Please support the Federation. Tickets are on sale on ticket source £18 for early bird bookings. If you haven’t been to one before I urge you to come along now – they are so interesting with great entertainment. The WI is so much better when members come together and sing Jerusalem!
The Resolution discussion meeting is on Tuesday 14th April 10-12. It is being held at the ARCA hall in Thannington Without. There is easy parking at the hall. This is always an interesting meeting. We will be discussing the resolution that has been chosen by the members nationally. I will let you know as soon as we hear ourselves. Please let Dilys know and she can book the tickets which are just £10 each.
The NFWI annual meeting will be virtual again this year. We have booked a watch party at the Alexander Centre, Faversham, on Thursday 4th June. The room we are using is unaffected by the fire – thank goodness. Tickets will be available from ticket source shortly. It’s a great way of attending an AGM without traveling across the country! There are some very interesting speakers this year, too! We have Anne Boden and Professor Michele Dougherty CBE FRS FRAS. Anne is the founder of Starling Bank and much more, and Professor Dougherty is Executive Chair of the Science and Technology Facilities Council. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a Professor of Space Physics at Imperial. She led unmanned exploratory missions to Saturn and Jupiter and holds the title of the UKs first female Astronomer Royal in 350 years! These speakers are extraordinary women – what the WI is all about. Do come along and see them at the Watch Party in Faversham.
If you haven’t signed up for the WI lottery which just paid £25K to a Cheshire member and need some help, please just ask. This is just £1 a week with the funds going to support the WI. It is very easy to sign up to.
The revamped Online Learning Space VIA will be relaunched in February. If you have not checked it out yet, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is all FREE for members. It is set to become the destination for all online learning, and we have free access as a member. You can do anything from online Pilates to sign language and much much more. Please have a look at The Learning Hub on My WI. If you need any help, just ask one of us. It is a great resource.
The hostesses in February are Di, Jackie and Elaine S. The speaker will be Trevor Sayer, an amazing man from Blood Runners. If you think you know what they do, I think you will be surprised!
The subs are due for next year at the end of February, but you can give Dilys a postdated cheque or set up your online payment now if you wish. This year it is £54. We can accept cash if that’s easier for you – but please put your cash in a named envelope.
Don’t forget if there is anything you are keen to learn, visit or do please let the committee know. It is YOUR WI; we want to hear from you. Can I urge you to support the events organized by the committee? It is always more fun when there are more of us!
Angela
07729828959
Words by Angela Coleman
President