Jean Harding, Federation Chairman welcomed WI members to Winsford Academy and the members sang Jerusalem accompanied by Hilary Totten, Comberbach WI, who played the piano splendidly.

Neighbouring Federation Guests from Clwyd-Denbigh, Shropshire and Staffordshire were welcomed alongside Chris Bailey, Margery Hall, Helen Carey, Frances Woollam and former Federation Treasurer Diane Coulton.  Apologies had been received from past-Chairman, representatives from Clwyd-Flint Federation and Lancashire Federation.  Mike Griffiths, Mitchell Charlesworth was welcomed to the meeting.  All delegates and members from WIs throughout Cheshire were also welcomed.

The Record of the previous meeting was agreed and signed.

The Chairman proposed the Adoption of the Standing Orders on pages 18 and 19 and these were approved and adopted by WIs raising their Financial Statements.  No objections received.

Pam Stringer-Smith, Middle Wyches WI was thanked for her beautiful flowers which were presented to Kath Willis, Dutton WI, long-standing member who had been invited to play the piano at the event but had just returned from a spell in hospital.  Thanks were given to the organisation of the raffle prizes by the Selina Prescott and Lyn Hand.  Ann Daughtrey and Paula Threlfall were thanked for organising the publications table.

The sound engineer at Winsford Academy was thanked together with Jamal, Owen and Paul for their help and going above and beyond when needed on the night.Hazel, Jane and Paula at WI House were thanked for all their hard work.  The Chairman thanked all those who could not attend tonight for their contributions to the well being of the Federation.

Thanks were made to each individual sub-committee and their members and also Chris Bailey, editor of Cheshire News and her team who works tirelessly to keep our members up to date with what is going on throughout the Federation.  Lyn Hand, Denman ambassador was thanked for all her work done with Denman as she is stepping down from the Board this year.  All the volunteer Board members who are and have worked tirelessly throughout the year gone by and with the up and coming year ahead were thanked also.  Mention was also made of our new website, which is now more up to date and easier to navigate.

Maureen Walmsley, former Federation Chairman was remembered on the evening for all her hard work within Cheshire Federation as she has passed away late last year.

Congratulations were given to the WIs who reached their 100th year anniversary over the previous year and these are Aldersley&Cuddington WI, Audlem WI, Barrow WI, Dunham Massey WI, Kingsley WI and Ludworth& Mellor WI.

The Chairman spoke warmly of the recent Chester Cathedral Concert in which 1400 members attended the event and each received a piece of celebratory cake with some lucky winners also receiving a Centenary pin badge.  She has recently received so many compliments from members saying how much they enjoyed the concert.  Mary Hignett who organised the cake and Lyn Hand who made all the arrangements for the Cathedral were thanked.

The Royal Cheshire County Show will be going ahead, Coronavirus permitting, and will showcase our wonderful baubles which have been sent in by various WIs throughout Cheshire and thus will be returned to WI House to showcase again during our Christmas event.  Members were encouraged to have a go at making the baubles and to send them into the House as all will be welcome.

Veronica Gough proposed the appointment of Mitchell Charlesworth for 2018-2019 and it was seconded by Frances Woollam, Tarvin WI.

Ann Daughtrey, Federation Treasurer presented the Trustees Report and 2019 accounts.  She highlighted the surplus of £5281.00 and £3601.00 has been made by CFWI investments. Affiliated fees are up from last year and Ann thanked the WI Advisers for their continued hard work with Cheshire WIs.  Cheshire Federation is now the largest Federation in the country.  Mention was made of the Treasurer Workshops which were a success, complete with new Treasurer Guides which was written by CFWI to help Treasurers.  Ann stressed the importance of sending a reply back to WI House whether they can attend or not the workshops.  The past year has been focused on education and training with x2 new WI advisers, x7 new Independent Financial Advisers and 7 newly qualified judges. A new more up to date website has been purchased for the benefit of members and is easily navigated.  A reminder was given that one cheque is required from WIs to cover members wanting to apply for an event to cut the cost of banking fees and postage.  The figure for stock was unusually higher than last year and this is due to the purchasing of centenary items which were launched at Capesthorne Hall last September.  Agnes Salter Funds will be available for individuals attending the Denman College and a few Denman Dips throughout the year will go toward a course at Denman, hopefully they will raise £300-£400 per course, and the Agnes Salter Fund will provide approximately £50 towards travel.

The Adoption of the Financial Statement was proposed and was seconded by Diane Coulton, Lymm Jubilee WI.

Several Sub-committee Chairmen stood and made announcements about their events taking place over 2020.  All can be found in previous Cheshire News which have gone out to WIs.  Norma Dent stood and thanked all those who have sent cards, telephone messages and came and visited her during her time in hospital, she was very grateful.

The raffle took place with Selina, Hazel and Wendy Morris helping with drawing out the tickets and allocating the prizes and as it is election year for Board of Trustees for 2020 – 2022 the re-elected Trustees were read out by Hazel along with the WIs they belong to.

Annabel Tiffin was introduced by the Chairman who gave a very light hearted account of her career where she began in Moss Side, Manchester and coming from down South she did not know about the it’s past history but she never witnessed any crime during her time there.  She regaled stories about her time in Birmingham and she spoke about the inspirational people who she has met over the years and in particular Martyn Hett’s mother Figen

Murray who has worked tirelessly about safety around big events.  A personal mention was made of the late Dianne Oxberry who was a close friend and colleague.  Members were given the opportunity to ask questions at the end with special interest in the new weather presenter OwainWyn Evans.Lyn Hand gave a vote of thanks to Annabel and thanked her for coming to our meeting.

Alia el Asmar gave a vote of thanks to the Chairman.

Jean Harding thanked everyone who attended the evening ‘s event and wished everyone a safe journey home.

The National Anthem was sung to bring the meeting to an end.