Our Chairman’s Message – October 2021

I can’t quite believe the pace that is now prevailing as events begin to take off and WIs begin meeting again. I have no time left in the week to just sit and read for an hour or so any more. It was only a few short months ago we were wondering when we would get back and now, Advisers are going out doing Annual Meetings, WIs are celebrating significant birthdays and Cresswell House is starting to buzz again which is indeed a lovely feeling.
We have already held a Paper Cutting class and Sue Malloy has delivered one of her cookery Masterclasses and of course the Public Affairs team put together an array of things made by members during lockdown for display on WI Day on 16 September. Thank you to those who contributed in whatever capacity. If you were there, you would have met Kathryn Archibald’s delightful rescue dog Laila who joined us as an associate member from Alnmouth WI. She definitely stole a few hearts.
When you read this message the heats for the quiz would have taken place, as well as the Council Meeting, and along with all WIs we really are now beginning to plan ahead to “you know what”. Yes it will only be about twelve weeks to go to Christmas and even less to our celebration at St Nicholas Cathedral on Thursday 2 December. The Board are busy planning a joyful celebration and look forward to welcoming members to the refurbished cathedral.
Later this month I will be attending the National Council Meeting of all Federations which this year will once again be held via Zoom and of course it is always interesting to find out how things are going in other Federations. One thing that seems to be an issue for all of us is the lack of fully trained WI Advisers and we in Northumberland are no different. We have one new trainee ready to begin her training very soon but we would still like to have more Advisers and so if anyone is thinking about the job and what it entails do let us know via the Office. The Board and Membership Support Committee would be more than happy to have a morning or afternoon where you could come along to find out from Advisers what the job really entails and discover how rewarding it is to start up a new WI and see it flourish as well as carrying out Annual Meetings and giving advice to WIs.
Finally a big thank you to all those WIs who have invited me to their special events. In September Barbara Kilkenny and I joined Broomhill WI in celebrating their 100th birthday. I did a flower demonstration at Lesbury and finally attended a lovely afternoon at Cullercoats WI to remember friends that they had lost during lockdown and welcome the new members that have joined them.
Whatever you have done, I hope that it was enjoyed by your members. For the first time in a long time I can say with sincerity that you have all been marvellous and I hope that I will actually see many of you before the end of 2021.
Marj x