Yes we really are in the last third of 2025 and it’s very hard to believe. The new academic year begins and for those of you involved in any way I hope that the year ahead will give pupils (especially in new schools), new undergraduates, teachers, parents and grandparents a fulfilling and successful year ahead in all that they do.
On the subject of academia, I hope that you now know that one of our former Bursary winners, Libby Pollard, graduated in July with a first class honours degree from Sunderland University, received an award for best dissertation in film and media and has been nominated for student of the year, quite an achievement. We have of course sent on the congratulations and good wishes from Northumberland Federation Members.
Up at Cresswell House the Board of Trustees held a planning meeting to discuss thoughts and ideas for events, speakers and activities for the coming year. We looked at events/activities etc that were well supported this year and discussed new ideas for next year and there will be more news of this at the Annual Council Meeting at the Royal Grammar School in October.
I am sure that many of you know that Pauline Patrick sadly died in July. Pauline was a former Federation Treasurer, WI Adviser and Chair of Membership Support as well as being a very active member of the Arts and Leisure team. Pauline interviewed me as a prospective adviser many years ago and I will always have lovely memories of her smiling face. Her funeral was attended by many WI members including past Chairman Hilary Robson who had a very good relationship with Pauline over their years together on the Board. As you can imagine the rendition of Jerusalem from the congregation was indeed first class.
I hope that you are all signing up for the various events coming up with the different committees and the two Federation events, the overnight trip to Castle Howard and York in November and the next lunch with the Chairman at Hexham Mart in October as both of these have closing dates of 30th September. Details for the Cathedral Service will be with your secretary in their mailing this month.
As previously touched upon, The Annual Council Meeting will be held on Saturday 4th October where our morning speaker will be Theresa Cave who set up a foundation after her son was tragically stabbed to death over a decade ago,in the afternoon, someone many of you already know, Meredith Towne will “Sew the Sixties” with us. She is a costume historian and her talks (with relevant accessories) are always amusing and educational.
There is also the Christmas event at Cresswell House to look forward to in November where there will be different stalls, such as tombola, unlocking the Teddy (but she might be a Christmas fairy?), Buying a Box! (you’ll have to come along to see what that is) and much more with games, gifts, morning refreshments and a lovely lunch and of course see the lovely baubles made by members as part of my challenge.
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