What a day! Weeks of planning and negotiations with the venue certainly paid off. Our trustees and staff arrived early, setting up the sales tables, stage and raffle all before 9am. Everyone was in position to welcome the early arrivals and the seats soon began to fill. The beautiful flower arrangement in vibrant autumn colours was arranged and delivered by Joan Quinland from the Heatons. The room soon began to fill with chatter and laughter and most people managed to get a coffee before the meeting began.
Viv Evans from Timbersbrook accompanied the 700 members there on the piano to a resounding rendition of Jerusalem. Jean Harding our Federation Chairman then welcomed our visitors from Shropshire, Staffordshire and Lancashire Federation and gave the apologies from Clywd Flint and Clywd Denbygh Federation. Jean then went on to briefly tell us all of some of the events planned for next year’s Centenary and of the centenary merchandise now on sale. There are some fantastic events to look forward to. Jean kindly thanked the Trustees, Advisers and IFEs and all those who give so much of their time and energy to make our Federation what it is.
We were on a tight schedule but we were pleased to listen to Rob Bashforth of The Children’s Farm Adventure Trust talk about the work they do providing day trips and holidays for children who through no fault of their own miss out on some of the normalities of childhood. Some are carers, some have complex and severe physical disabilities or learning difficulties, some have sensory impairments some have suffered bereavement of have been abused. Rob spoke about the joy in seeing the children blossom during their visits and of the number now who return as adults remembering the wonderful time they had and wanting to support the charity. Lyn Hand gave the vote of thanks to Rob.
We then heard briefly from our Sub Committees. Selina told us about the super prizes on the raffle that had been purchased by the generous act of Adam Hamdy our speaker at our March Literary Lunch who donated his fee back the Federation. £20 Book tokens were purchased and put with a beautiful plant and we had 11 happy winners later in the day.
Lyn Hand then had the pleasure to announce the Beryl Hood Bursary for £350 plus a generous travel allowance. A moment of suspense as a name was pulled from the bag which turned out to belong to Karen Catchpole of the Heatons WI. She was absolutely delighted.
Ann Daughtrey, our Federation Treasurer then spoke briefly about some of the changes to the accounting system which some WIs have struggled with but she encouraged them to keep going and seek help if necessary. Ann mentioned our sales table which is always a great place to catch a bargain, purchase your WI diary and all our Centenary memorabilia which is now on sale. Everything for the Centenary is priced at just £1.50 and includes a tote bag designed by a member, a pen, notelets also designed by members and after popular demand a very chic centenary badge.
Chris Bailey spoke briefly about the Cheshire News which continues to be a popular medium for disseminating information. She asked members to continue to submit their news and to ensure any photos are sent in high resolution.
Diane Coulton gave us a complete run down of the Cheshire Show schedule but don’t worry if you missed it as it will be with your secretaries soon and on our website. Our 2020 Cheshire show looks like being a memorable event so do come along and make a day of it and don’t be put off entering – there are classes for those who have never entered before. Just have a go.
Bev Langham, chair of Archives asked WIs to send in items that might be used for a living archive to be collated for display next year. Ideally this would represent some meaningful moment in the life of the WI to show what vibrant, varied WIs we have. The archive committee only hold archives for WIs that are suspended but want to highlight current WIs and their history.
Georgina Denny, Chair of Public Affairs spoke movingly of our recent PALs meeting where we hosted a meeting about Modern Slavery. The speakers were very impressed with our members and have been spreading the word on social media. They are keen to involve us in a launch of an App to report suspect nail bars. More information can be found in the Public Affairs section.
Georgina then spoke about our Climate Change Ambassadors who are offering to come to speak to WIs or Groups either giving a 20 minute presentation or a more bespoke talk. Members were able to sign up to express their interest.
Alia el Asmar, our Resolutions Adviser and one of the Climate Change Ambassadors then spoke about the resources available on MY WI to help members support our current resolutions and those going back for the last 10 years. She was able to announce the Shortlist for the 2020 Annual Meeting and encouraged all members to have a good discussion about them and return their votes to Federation to be collated and sent to National. Alia asked everyone to encourage their members to vote for their choice from the shortlist to try to ensure that everyone has their say. (see resolution section of website for shortlist)
Wendy Morris, Chair of the Website and Social Media subgroup then talked about all the ways we have to communicate. Our new website, Facebook, Twitter, our monthly Cheshire News and face to face. Wendy said she realises that not everyone is able to or wants to access social media but likened it to reading the local news and provided members have internet access they should be able to read it freely without joining or signing up to anything.
Wendy also advised members that they would soon be receiving through their secretaries a feedback survey which will allow them to let the trustees know what members want from their Federation. This will be available as a paper copy and as an on-line version. If members are able to complete the form electronically it reduces the amount of inputting of data that will need to be done and would be appreciated but clearly we will be delighted to receive paper copies too.
Wendy’s talk brought the morning to a close and it was time for lunch.
Members were able to wander the grounds, have a drink in the bar or eat their lunches in the hall. It was no mean feat to feed everyone and one of the perks of sitting at the back was to get to the ‘butties’ first!
There was plenty of chatter and mingling going on as members met up with old friends but the highlight of the day was to meet our afternoon speaker, The Reverend Kate Bottley. From the moment she came into the room she entertained us. Once Jean had presented Jean Smith of Cheadle & Gatley with a trophy for her winning photo in the Cheshire calendar and presented our newly qualified Ifes (Independent Financial Examiners) Sue Furness, Donna Johnstone, Marian Nixon, Jane Rawlings, Jane Percival, Karen Taylor and Norma Dent with their certificates Kate got stuck in and drew the raffle prizes. She said it was the first thing they teach a vicar and she certainly got through it with enthusiasm and humour.
Kate talked of her background and childhood and that the idea of being a vicar had never crossed her mind. From a non-religious family she first became interested in the church because she rather liked the vicar’s son who she later married.
She told us of her early career as an RE teacher and had us in fits of laughter with some of the stories she shared. One member described her as “a ball of energy and a breath of fresh air”.
Kate did talk about with some poignancy about her mother’s illness and the difficulties faced by her son and many a member was seen to be drying a tear. But like a roller-coaster ride we were soon all wiping away tears of laughter.
Kate talked about births, marriages and death and said the saddest funerals she attends are the ones where there isnothing to say about the person. She advised us that this life is not a rehearsal and whatever age we are to try to make sure there is something to say about us at our funerals! To be honest as members of the WI, with all the opportunities that affords there is a strong chance we all fill our lives with plenty of different interests.
Kate took questions from the floor and when asked about her love of cold water swimming she said this had begun about a year ago but how she had learnt that the technique used to breathe and slow your breathing down really helps to manage the stresses of life. It had also taught her to love her body as we should all try to do rather than being too hung up with the images presented to us in the media. She was on route to a 4 day break which would include outdoor swimming every day.
Georgina Denny did the vote of thanks to Kate and members showed their appreciation of Kate by affording her a standing ovation. In such a large hall there were clearly members who struggled to see the platform and your trustees will take on board feedback from members as to the venue and staging. It is a real problem to find a venue big enough to accommodate the growing number of members wishing to attend these meetings.
Overall it was a wonderful day. Wendy Morris thanked Jean on everyone’s behalf for her enthusiasm and hard work, joking that with the amount of miles she covers travelling across the Federation to visit everyone perhaps she lives in her car! Viv Evans then accompanied us to God Save the Queen and we were wished a safe journey home.
Some of the comments we have received will give you a flavour of the day.
“Brilliant day, lovely venue. Children’s activity speaker, inspiring such great work,.. I could have listened to (Kate) for days not hours, inspiring, funny, honest and most of all made me think”
“I’m home, exhausted from laughing so much”
“One of the best meetings I’ve attended, lovely venue and the Rev Kate Bottley was just great, real life humour and down to earth person, need more of her sort in the world, a real good day”
“I wouldn’t have been able to see anyway because crying with laughter. Brilliant day”
“What a woman Reverend Kate is.”
“Laughter is supposed to be the best medicine and I think we all had a good dose”
“Can’t wait to tell members what they missed.”
