Our Chairman’s Message – July 2022

Now we all know what the most famous handbag in the world contains! But I do hope there are some tissues too for any sticky fingers! What a marvellous opening to the Jubilee Party at the Palace! I hope that all your celebrations went well and if you just enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend quietly then I hope you had time to enjoy whatever you did.
I want to thank Cullercoats, Blyth Spirit and Newbiggin by the Sea WIs for inviting me to their events around the Jubilee and a quick mention to my own WI, Southridge for a splendid afternoon tea at Tynemouth Golf club.
The Northumberland contingent for the Annual Meeting in Liverpool (both in person attendees and virtual ones) all thoroughly enjoyed the meeting. Those attending for the first time got that special buzz that the others have experienced over the years and the virtual ones certainly felt included in the events of the day. Black Rod (Sarah Clarke) was one of the most inspirational speakers I have ever heard and she said that we were her first and only audience as she does not speak to conferences. But, she said, her mum is a WI member and would not forgive her if she didn’t! We all cheered loudly when Liz Kirkbride and Jill Walker from Hexham Town WI went up to receive the Huxley Cup, don’t forget to keep it polished girls!
You will of course all know by now that the resolution on under-identification and under-diagnosis of ASD and ADHD in girls and women was passed. You will hear more about this and the rest of the meeting from the reports from your delegates.
We have now finalised our speakers and arrangements for the Annual Council Meeting at the RGS on Saturday 24 September. I have to inform you that there will be a vote on the ending of the Centenary Bursary after this year’s recipient is announced and each WI’s delegate will be required to bring your vote on the day. Every WI should discuss this at one of the meetings before September so that your delegate (when selected) knows how she will be required to vote on the day.
I hope that those of you who came along to the Jubilee Competition Day enjoyed seeing all the wonderful entries and congratulations of course to all the winners in the various classes along with a huge thank you to Karen and her team for organising the day. A lot of work goes in to all of our events and don’t forget that, like you, they and we the Board are all volunteers.
Finally, I do hope that I shall see some of you at my Bamburgh Chairman’s Roadshow on Thursday 21 July from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. What a fabulous month!!!
Marj x