Chat from the Chair – Sept 2026

Hello ladies, here we are back after the break where the weather has been fabulous and there is a lot of exciting news, so much I am not sure where to start!

Firstly we have been approached by three (yes really, THREE) members who have shown interest in joining the Board of Trustees. All three of them have now been to one meeting as Observers and are all eager to come along to the next one. They are Judith Kirby from Newbrough WI, Joy Williams from Clousden Hill WI and Susan Wilkinson from Pegswood with Bothal WI.

I can also announce the winner of this year’s bursary following interviews with the girls, who were all delightful young ladies. It is Mya Reveley. who is going to study law at The University of York. We wish her well and will give you more news later.

The Service of Celebration at Newcastle Cathedral is well under way as is the Annual council Meeting at the Royal Grammar School on Saturday 3rd October where I hope to see a delegate from every WI and lots of observers.

The agenda and other information about the Annual Council Meeting went out to secretaries in the last mailing and I am asking you all to make sure that you know about the two resolutions which will be voted upon at that meeting. The first one is quite straightforward and is to adopt the Articles of Association that all WIs have to do and the second one is to decide on whether or not you wish to continue with the bi-annual bursary to a young woman going in to some form of further education, and if so you are happy for the amount to be raised from £10 per year for each WI to £15 per year. The Board very much wish to continue with this scheme but as you will be aware we are not allowed to use the members’ Annual Subscription money for this purpose. When we started this we had well over 100 WIs and the money given easily covered the outgoings including any postage etc but we are now standing at 90 WIs and it has been down to the generosity of money from a fundraising raffle that has allowed us to meet our obligation for the last recipient. So your decision is important and your delegate must be told how to vote. 

The Federation Quiz is nearly completed and under lock and key at The Coast sub Office. Applications are coming in for Chatsworth House at Christmas but please remember the closing date is 14th September. Last year’s trip to Castle Howard was fabulous, despite the weather which managed to be cold, wet and windy.

My last bit of news is about the fundraising Christmas Cracker Day at Cresswell House and full details of what it entails, how to get a ticket, book a table etc are all enclosed with the secretary’s mailing this month. 

I must now add something that was missed in the last Newsletter. It is always a special occasion when any organisation reaches a milestone birthday, but as you all know, my message for each month is actually often ready to go before some events are reported. I am therefore saying a belated Happy 100th to Stannington WI who held a lovely party at the beginning of June to which myself and the Advisers were invited. Also, I would like to mention that Dilston WI will celebrate their 100th in October this year, also with a party.

Happy Birthday to all other WIs whose birthday was a tombola one (ending in a 5 or a 0) and don’t forget you can send a short report and pictures to our website.

Well, I am quite exhausted just looking at what we have coming up but it will be fun, I promise.