As the evenings begin to get lighter and all the spring flowers and blossoms are making us smile there is quite a lot of news for you this month.
I think I must begin by telling you the names of the four lucky members who will each be receiving one of the bursaries for Betty’s Cookery School so kindly donated by Sue Malloy. There were in fact 196 entries and the draw was made at the February Board meeting. So without further ado the four lucky winners are: Eleanor Hedley of Hepscott WI, Janet Murphy of Warkworth WI, Val Johnston of Newbrough WI and Karen Scott of Shotley WI. These ladies have now all been given the good news and are no doubt checking up and deciding on which course to attend. As the bursaries are non transferable we have also drawn four reserve names just in case and these members have also been informed. I know that the rest of you who applied will be disappointed but thank you for applying and again our thanks to Sue Malloy for making it happen.
I am now going to move on to a few dates for your diaries. For this year’s Roadshows, entitled – Marj on a Mission, that mission is to once again raise money for Federation funds but this year to split whatever is made with ACWW. The Roadshows are: Beadnell WI – Wednesday 19 June (2.00 to 4.00pm); Cresswell House – Wednesday 17 July (7.00 to 9.00pm); Shotley WI – Wednesday 21 August (2.00 to 4.00pm); Hedgley WI – Wednesday 18 September (2.00 to 4.00pm). There will be full details later but at least you can make a note of the dates.
I am sure that you will remember in last month’s Newsletter Moira Bengtson once again mentioned the need for funds and mentioned the need to update the lighting at Cresswell House. I am delighted and very grateful to report that we have received more donations from Bedlington, Riding Mill, Clousden Hill and Cullercoats WIs. Thank you so much ladies for your generosity. I can now report to you all that work has in fact begun on updating the lighting
to make it more cost effective and eco friendly. We hope to do all the ground floor this year, in fact the kitchen area has already been completed and it is much lighter in there now.
On the subject of funds we have looked very closely at the cost of speakers for our Annual Council Meeting. Costs have spiralled almost out of control and some of the names suggested, although well known, are in excess of £1,500 and some around £2,000. We have cut our cloth accordingly and our entertainment budget will be a fraction of that cost but will still be super. I am sure you will all understand and agree with what we are doing.
We also now have our speaker for the Literary Lunch all sorted and it’s Mel Gibson! No, of course it isn’t that Mel Gibson, but it is Dr Mel Gibson who will talk to us on the History of Girls Comics and she will be bringing some along with her for us to look at and reminisce over issues of Bunty and Judy and many more. The date for the lunch is Wednesday 2 October at Hexham Mart Banqueting Suite and as usual there will be a bottle raffle.
I am sure that you would all wish His Majesty King Charles a full recovery from his cancer diagnosis. This leads me to a final story on the importance of check ups which he himself has stressed. One of our WI members attended a talk on health issues and was told by the nurse doing the talk that although routine breast screening finished at 70 years of age, ladies can still request a screening. This member did do that and cancer was indeed detected. This prompt action has seen swift treatment and a patient well on the recovery road. She has asked me to urge everyone over 70 to make the call to 0191 282 0202 and ask for an appointment. She did and so should all of us over 70. Our thanks go to her for telling us and I am sure that you will all wish her well for the future.
Well I think that’s it for this month. Lots for you to put in your diaries, think about and act upon.
Wishing you all a very happy Easter.
Marj x
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