| Report to members
Speaker Members who attended the October meeting heard a really fascinating talk by Tracie Fulton entitled ‘Tales From The Labour Ward’. Tracie talked about the changes in midwifery and the profile across the UK of births. In the 1950s, you had to obtain permission to go into hospital to give birth whereas now it is where nearly all babies are born. Possibly due to ‘older mums’, Caesareans now account for more than 35% of all births and the birth rate is falling – from 600,00 a year in the 1950s to now less than 500,00. With the aid of a plastic pelvis and a hand knitted baby ( worryingly slightly grey in colour!) Tracie’s talk was informative, fascinating and somewhat evocative! Business Part of Meeting The President welcomed members to the October meeting and commented how very good it was to have such a full hall – nearly all the chairs were taken! She started the meeting with a number of reminders:- ● If possible, could members make a small donation to the collection pot on the entry table to help cover the cost of refreshments ● Could members please refrain from talking when others are addressing the meeting including the speaker so that all members can hear properly ● Members should not allow any obstacles to be on the floor so that there are no trip hazards. Walking aids, coats and bags should either be hung up or pushed under a chair and no one should be in the kitchen except those allocated to do so on the night. ● Members attention was drawn to the new notice board where all up to date info is housed ● The MCS which is a requirement of the WI needs to be kept up to date so if there are any changes to your personal information pl inform Barbara ● Finally, an urgent reminder -The Milstead and Frinsted WI Christmas Tree, to be on show at the tree festival in St Michael’s in the town and Tunstall Church, has the theme of ‘Inspirational Women’. Sophia is organising this and members are asked to supply her with a photo of their choice of an inspirational woman alongside a brief write up on them – to be returned to Sophia by the November meeting so that she can create the tree decorations. The Minutes of the last meeting were signed off as an accurate record. There are a number of birthdays to celebrate Sophia, Lesley & Wendy, whose birthday coincided with the meeting The President alerted members to the WI lottery – a good means of making money for the WI – 40% of the income goes to the organisers of which half is then redistributed as prizes. The remaining 60% is distributed to various charities as nominated by WI members taking part in the lottery. Please look to support this fund raiser by going to https://www.thelottery.co.uk and hopefully win a share of the profits. At their last meeting the Committee agreed that our WI could do more to support other charities and so once a year, money raised at a fundraiser will be in aid of an outside charity. Members are invited to nominate a charity – in line with the WI regulations ie charities around women, children and education. The first donation will come from the WI Quiz in April Please do look at the newsletters which are emailed out to you – especially the information on various courses which you can access. Elaine reminded members that she is collecting any unwanted bras to pass on to Oxfam for redistribution to the third world. Elaine will not be at the November meeting so please bring them to the meeting in December. Finally a thank you to the hostesses for this meeting – Viv, Eileen and Sam. The President took this opportunity to remind members that no one should feel under any obligation to do anything special for refreshments – it is up to you whether you cook something or buy something eg a packet of biscuits. Planned Meetings / Speakers At the November meeting, the speaker will be Audrey White talking about hedgehogs. She would welcome any donations of poultry based kitten food for her hedgehogs and also will be selling various items to raise funds. At this meeting, there will also be a collection of childrens’ socks and pants for children whose mothers have escaped abusive homes. The hostesses for this meeting are Helen Poole, Sue Pennells and Val Payne. The WI’s 102nd Birthday Party is on 21st November starting at 7:00pm. Outside hostesses will provide an Italian meal ( lasagne, vegetable lasagne and garlic bread) and entertainment will be by Cameo Opera. Please bring your own drinks. As outside caterers are being booked for this event, it is imperative that you sign the list to say that you are coming to the birthday party, or food won’t be ordered for you. At the December meeting, there will be a collection of dental items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes Finally. heads up for January’s meeting – just in case you spot that ideal item – a fish and chip supper is planned with a challenge to wear something bought in a charity shop for less that £10.00. It can be something sensible that you could wear out and about or something silly – just a bit of fun whilst raising some money for the charity shops.
Words by Claire wood |