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 2^nd 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 5^th June 2024.

Emma Gillinder
Red Rose Editorial Team

On 1^st 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:

1. Save our water – every drop matters
2. Women to women – turning over a new leaf in the lives of women tea workers
3. Online gambling harm: time for action
4. 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.

Colour Me Rainbow

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.

Luckily for us, this year’s National Federation Annual Meeting was held in Liverpool, on 11th June, so Elaine, Pauline, Emma and I were able to hop onto the train for a jolly day out. It was a powerful start to the meeting, the M&S Arena filled with the sound of hundreds of women singing Jerusalem together. The total attendance was 3,000, though asthis was the first ‘hybrid’ meeting, some ladies took the opportunity to attend virtually.

Ann Jones, the NFWI Chair, welcomed us all with a warm and engaging address, telling us that there are currently 26,000 more WI members than there were this time last year, though with several WIs having closed since the pandemic, we need to encourage more ladies to join. Then it was on to WI business: appointment of returning officers and treasurer’s statement, followed by updates from Margaret Broom, chair of Northern Ireland federation, and Ann Kerr, president of Scottish WI.

The first guest speaker was Kate Garbers, author of Unseen Lives and founder of the UK-based modern anti-slavery charity Unseen, which she was inspired to set up after working in an orphanage in Ukraine. In her pre-recorded talkshe spoke movingly of the plight of the victims ‘hidden in plain sight’ and about the ways to recognise when this is happening.

After lunch and an opportunity to visit the variety of stalls in the venue, there was the prizegiving followed by the resolution vote, which involved an interesting debate about this year’s nominee: the diagnosis of ASD and ADHD in girls and women. The first speaker on the subject was the proposer Alison Long, who spoke from the heart about her own experience of autism. Next up was Rebecca Chauhan, who also put forward an impassioned argument as she seconded the proposal, but not until she had overcome her obvious nerves with the help of a supportive round of applause from the audience and some kind words of encouragement from the president. Professor Francesca Happé provided her expert opinion in favour of the resolution via video link, and then, for the sake of balance, Professor Ginny Russell gallantly took to the stage to reason against it, or at least its wording, her argument being that it is more beneficial to focus on support rather than diagnosis. After that, it was over to the audience, with several members gathering at the microphones dotted around the auditorium to give their views on the subject. Votes were then cast by the delegates.

While the votes were being counted, we were treated to an excellent talk by Sarah Clarke, former championships director of Wimbledon and now Parliament’s Black Rod; the first woman in either post. We heard that she rarely gives interviews or speeches but, for her Mum’s sake, this was one she couldn’t turn down. And we were so lucky. For the next hour Sarah entertained us with the lessons she had learnt during her fascinating career, giving out helpful tips along the way. My favourite was to make sure you have a good laugh every day (and pay attention to those that aren’t able to join in).

The day rounded off with the results of the vote – theresolution was passed by 96.5% – and along with a (slightly less confident) rendition of Land of My Fathers, the meeting was brought to a close with a challenge from the Chair: go to every woman you know, and if she isn’t in the WI, ask her why. After a day spent immersed in the support, friendship, humour and stimulation that is the WI at its best, it’s hard to understand why not.

Karen Marland

Along with WI’s up and down country Southport Scarlets held a indoor party for their June meeting, and had a brilliant night celebrating the Queens Platinum Jubilee – can you spot our right royal guest among the members?
Scarlets were encouraged to come along for a night of quizzing and crown crafting wearing anything red, white and blue.
After the Pimms on arrival Tina kicked the evening off with a Royal Family Tree Quiz – well done Scarlets, you do seem to know your royals. Chris Laverty was awarded the best crown, you can see her hiding on the back row! It was like a back to school night with sticking and glueing ……. Then it was time for Josie M’s Platinum pudding, strawberries, scones, cream and jam and more royal knowledge revelations from Pauline.

In behalf of all members I want to pass on huge thanks to our committee for putting the evening together. Ladies you pulled it out the bag.

Tucked away down a quiet country lane, Bluebell Cottage Gardens and Nursery is one of Cheshire’s best kept secrets.

Nancy arranged a lovely morning out to visit Bluebell Cottage Gardens and what a perfect break from the whirlwind of modern life. It was bluebell season so we had to take a stroll through their natural bluebell woods, and then onto the walled garden which was amazing. Truly a beautiful rural setting.

We then moved onto Cholmondeley Castle for the afternoon, it’s designed by English Heritage and built at the start of the 19th Century, for George Cholmondeley, 1st Marquess of Cholmoneley. There were gorgeous grounds to stroll around, beautiful lily lakes and flower gardens. A brief walk to the chapel and round the outskirts of the castle with some lovely views. We decided to take a picnic but there was a great little coffee shop serving food, drinks and ice cream.
Great day out with good company!

What better way could there have been to celebrate International Womens Day on 8^th March 2022, than attending the Lancashire AGM in Bolton. I was asked to help represent the Editorial Team with some other amazing ladies and the atmosphere was fantastic. I saw friends I had made at previous events and even from other Federations as well as speaking to some lovely and committed ladies I had never seen before but hope of bump into in the future. 

The first keynote speakers gave us a hysterical look into the History of Wardrobe, I mean who even knew you could knit a wedding dress? It must weigh a ton and I can only hope it was a winter wedding or the bride and her similarly attired bridesmaids may had expired quite quickly!

For the second half I had been given the immense and terrifying honour of joining Nisha Katona on the stage for a live question and answer session. All I can say is that she is a superwoman. Passionate and dedicated to what she does, even if she had no respect at all for the questions I had prepped and sent weeks worrying about and we were off script within about 30 seconds but she is so friendly and down to earth and absolutely knows her stuff. She was also very interested in what we did as a WI and the campaigns and other work we do as a collective all female group.

I have said it before, but I will say it again, the WI can offer you so much if you reach out and take it. There is also lots of scope to make contributions of your own and they will always be welcomed.  Please have a look at the Lancashire website you just never know what you will find.

Emma G

We, when I say we I actually mean Nancy, Elaine and Anne, from our WI allotment group have added their Jubilee Red William Pear Tree to The Queen’s Green Canopy map. Her Majesty and The Prince of Wales planted the first Jubilee tree in the grounds of Windsor Castle. Towns, villages and community groups up and down the country were invited and encouraged to get involved in Planting a Tree for the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of The Queen’s 70 years of Service to the Nation.

A big thank you to all of those who took part in the knit Shropshire Way challenge. Throughout the year ladies across the country have been busy knitting, sewing and crocheting scraves to try and match the length of the Shropshire Way, no less than 202 miles, and the results were to be donated to charities to give to those in need. 

A total of 247 miles of yarn has so far been used to make over 2000 scarves and the challenge runs until January, so there will probably be more miles to come. 

Lancashire donations have been handed out all over the county with a big bag going to Shoreline Church to be distributed to those they feel will appreciate them, and another following at the beginning of next month. Some of the scarves have been sewn into blankets for homeless shelters and Age Concern by some very enterprising ladies.

To those of you who haven’t had time to contribute yet you have until 31^st December, just get in touch with emmagillinder@googlemail.com if you want to make some necks warm in a totally tasteful way this winter.