Southport Scarlets visited the River of Light on Liverpool’s waterfront this month. We followed the self guide trail which included participating with a couple of the interactive light installations. After completing the trail the group visited a city centre restaurant for much needed refreshments.
The February outing began with coffee at Hartley’s Nurseries in Maghull. We then went onto the Veolia Recycling Centre, Aintree where we discovered what should be put in the recycling bin, how it is sorted, separated and then sent onto a range of reprocessing companies to use items to produce new items or quality recycled products. Several questions were asked and answered by Rachel, the Veolia visitor guide who accompanied the group.
Wow Southport Scarlets WI is 10 years old- where did that time go! Quite a few of us were there at our first meeting and It seems we are growing from strength to strength. Thirty nine members managed to brave the miserable weather and attended our November 10th birthday party night meeting. As with all WI events, there was cake, and what a beautiful one it was too. Baked by our President Elaine, and decorated by our member Kim, who managed to incorporate our sub groups (cinema, book clubs and allotment lasses). The theme was a cheese and wine evening, what a great cheese cake Josie made.
All our Presidents to date – Andrea, Ali, Elaine and Emma.
Once again the WI’ s of Lancashire showed off their very skill full abilities to the theme of Deck the Halls. As in recent years the show was held at the Best Western Garstang Country Hotel. I am very proud to add that after 6 months of preparation and 63 entries the Scarlets came in a worthy 7th place. We had lots of positive comments on the entries too.
I recently took advantage of another great opportunity offered by the Lancashire Federation, thank you for organizing by the way, as always you did an amazing job, and went along to the AGM, which was held in St Davids Hall in Cardiff this year and what a meeting it was. As part of the new commitment to inclusion it was a hybrid meeting, broadcast live to members around the country.
After the singing of Jerusalem Ann Jones, our NFWI chair welcomed everyone and the standing orders and tellers were agreed before the meeting went into full swing.
Ann Jones gave her address, saying the WI is strong and getting stronger as numbers swell, but we need to keep reaching out with the continued development of virtual WI’s and supporters.
She placed a particular emphasis on education and announced an exciting new initiative, the WI Learning Hub, which is going to provide FREE nationally available on line education to all WI members, as well as offering grants to federations to regionally expand their educational network.
The National Board were introduced and the treasurer, Jeryl Stone gave her report, showing the WI is still in net profit. She urged WI’s to promote gift aid amongst their members, with the profit going towards grants for Conversation Cafes.
We then had the first speaker, Ebony Rainford Brent MBE and England cricketer, speaker, broadcaster and life coach who inspired us with her story about overcoming injury as well as diversity and gender issues. She recommended that we rely on courage rather than confidence to get us to where we want to be, which is an excellent mantra.
Following this there was a very robust debate around the proposed resolution, particularly after the expert speakers. The resolution was passed with a 4007/742 majority announced after lunch, and the resolution process as well as the wording of this years resolution were both raised.
After lunch this years prizes were awarded for the Denman Cup and the Huxley Cup, as well as an award for the highest percentage of new members which was awarded to Formby. Well done Formby who won the 14-25 class with a huge increase in numbers.
Emma Holland-Lindsay, head of public affairs then gave a talk about the collective power of the WI and how we can get things done, and the new million women rise video was played following on from the march earlier in the year.
The second speaker, Laura McAllister, who is an ex Welsh footballer as well as currently standing as Vice Chair and UEFA told us how important it is to not be a … well for reason of decency I can’t tell you what she told us not to be, I will say idiot, don’t be an idiot to those around you, and also know when you should step back and let someone else take over, again very good advice.
After last years challenge of asking why you are not in the WI this years challenge is to review the constitution and assess where the institution wants to be next, as well as focusing on girls and young women and what we can do to make ourselves relevant to them.
Ann Jones then announced that the WI have been invited to take part in a coronation initiative along with the National Trust, which will be announced later this year.
Finally 2nd July is Thank You Day, and institutes are being invited to get together and perform the song I’ll Be There For You in flash mobs, choirs and community events, so get practicing.
After the singing of Jerusalem, Land of My Fathers and God save the King the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting with be at the Albert Hall on 5th June 2024.
On 1st April I had the privilege of attending the first of the new look LFWI AGM’s in Lytham.
The Pavillion was a lovely venue and although it was only half a day it was a packed half a day.
It had all the usual business, and by the way there are some great events planned for 2023/24 as well as a rival to Denman here in Lancashire with residential courses soon to be announced.
The main speaker was Figan Murray, the mother of one of the Manchester Arena bombing victims, who is trying to push through a new law making Councils and venues liable for terrorism checks and as to be expected her tale was harrowing but also inspiring.
This speaker was surrounded by some of the greatest and best from Lancashire, with talks from a couple of ladies who seem to be single handedly trying to save the local fleece trade, an ex-head mistress and new WI advisor who has written a childrens book, a contestant in the Sewing Bee and a runner up in the Lady Denman cup. Well done Lancashire for celebrating our own talent.
If you get the chance next year go, perhaps you can be the next inspiring WI member. Emma Gillinder
At the NFWI Resolution Shortlist Selection meeting on 4 October 2022 members shortlisted four resolutions which will now be taken forward for further debate and selection by members.
The shortlisted resolutions are:
Save our water – every drop matters
Women to women – turning over a new leaf in the lives of women tea workers
Online gambling harm: time for action
Clean rivers for people and wildlife
Next steps
Every member now has the opportunity to cast their individual selection on the resolution they support the most. WIs are encouraged to hold meetings to provide members with the opportunity to discuss and learn more about each resolution.
The deadline for members’ selections to reach their federations is 14 February 2023.
The annual Lancashire County Show provides a ‘Showcase’ for all the Women ‘s Institute members of Lancashire WIs and gives them a chance to exhibit their skills in flower arranging, art, photography, cookery, preserves and crafts.
Talented members from across The Lancashire area, not to mention our own WI members have been working hard preparing individual and co-operative exhibits to the theme of ‘Colour Me a Rainbow’ in making this year’s show extra special. Suffice it to say that our visitors are in for a treat.
We are delighted to be part of The Lancashire County Show and thank the Lancashire committee for inviting us to be part of this event.
