Ssue 13 May 2021 Our New Website Is up and Running

Don’t forget to visit the SFWI Facebook page for the latest news: https://www.facebook.com/ ssue 13 May 2021 staffordshirefederationonofwomensinstitutes

Dear Fellow Members Welcome to our May News Bulletin. I’ve received a lot of complimentary emails telling us how much you enjoy our news bulletins and how nice it is that it’s inclusive and accessible by every member via email or your committee. We are really pleased to know how well received it is. Were you hoping to come along to National Federation’s Annual Meeting as an observer? It should have been held at The Royal Albert Hall but now as with most events it will be held on an electronic platform. This then makes it so much more accessible to every member and allows for a much greater number of Observer tickets to be purchased. The speakers this year are very inspir- ing. Lady Sophie Wessex, Countess of Wessex and Dame Cressida Dick OBE. If you wish to pur- chase an observers ticket or require more information this is available on My WI. Purchasing the tickets at £9:00 each must be via My WI. If you have always wanted to attend one of Nationals An- nual Meetings but have never been a delegate, this is your opportunity; you will gain a real insight into the WI. Our delegates tickets are allocated via Federation office as is the usual process. I hope to see you there. Talk to you soon. Helen

Our New Website is up and running Please have a look by visiting https://sfwi.org —A massive thank you to Clare Copestake of Ceramic Sisters WI and her ‘inhouse Tech-Support’ husband , Gordon, who gave up their time to help set this up for us.

Ne'er cast a clout 'til May be out! But is it the month or the blossom? One thing is for sure - 'clout' is Old English for a piece of clothing.

1. May blossom is the flower of which tree 2. Children dance around it on the 1st of the month 3. Married to Anita Dobson 4. Famously said 'Come up and meet me sometime' 5. When do we celebrate VE Day? 6. Husband of Theresa, a former British Prime Minister 7. In the nursery rhyme, when are nuts gathered in May 8. Two ships of the Pilgrim Fathers which sailed in August 1620 9. The birth flower for the month of May 10.Which are the 2 signs of the Zodiac during May

How Cannock WI have Embraced Presentation of a bay tree to outgoing The Challenges of Lockdown…. President, Diane Jones April is our Annual Meeting month, the new committee are voted in, and outgoing President Di Jones welcomes in the new President Meena Khiroya. The Annual Competition winner was Janis Lomas who was presented with the Eileen Boden Badge, a certificate and £10. The Surprise Raffle prize will be delivered by Clare, to include a socially distanced and protected doorstep chat.

It is also time to reflect on the year’s events and report back to members. So, under President Di’s calming, caring, and competent leadership; and with the guaranteed support of a wonderfully ‘Gossip in the Garden’ Quilt committed committee who have responded to Lockdown challenges it is amazing just how much we have managed to achieve.

We have been pro-active, inclusive, acted on suggestions from members, engaged individuals to share their skills in competitions, responded to appeals for PPE’s and embraced the ideals of the wider WI community with ‘Show the Love’ campaign. With a weekly Zoom Chat Room, and regular Newsletter’s sharing members stories we hope members feel that the committee has kept them informed, offered friendship, provided opportunities to make new friends, participate and socialise, despite Clare Brooks with a Covid restrictions. If so, then the committee have had a successful year, “Meeting in a Bag” ensuring a vibrant, inclusive and interactive Club that have kept abreast of challenging times.

To thank members for renewing their membership the committee put together a “Meeting in a Bag” containing gifts of a cake, chocolate egg, free invitation to an Afternoon Tea, raffle ticket, bookmark and lots of information. Six of us met at Shoal Hill to share out the items into goody bags. But it was also a

good excuse to have cake and a flask of coffee. Then it was off to do doorstep deliveries to delighted members. Jill Gooch, Secretary, Cannock WI

TRYSULL & SEISDON W.I. TREE PLANTING

Last year was our 90th anniversary and we had planned a series of events and outings to celebrate. Then, of course, everything was put on hold due to the pandemic.

One of the events was to plant a commemorative tree in each of Sothe- Sewvillages. WI Last month we finally managed to achieve this. A copper beech was planted on the vil- lage green in Trysull and a flowering cherry tree in Seisdon. Thanks must go to Jo Johns for her persistence in achieving this and to Pauline Careless for sourcing the brass plaques. Several W.I. members braved a chilly morning to watch socially distanced as our President Sue Cotterell planted the trees. They were bought from Ashwood Nurseries near Kinver and we are grateful to Nick Dunne for giving up part of his day off to bring them over and help with the planting. We hope that they will give pleasure for many years to come.

Diane Birks, TrysullBroughton and WI Seisdon WI

Well Done Haughton WI!

Our President and Social Secretary have done a wonderful job keeping our WI members informed about WI. We have brought ourselves into the modern age, forced by Covid and the lack of our ability to hold monthly, live, meetings. The majority of our members now can receive emails and more than half are now willing to join us on Zoom, with all of us having very interesting practice sessions with a variety of desk top computers, laptops, iPads and phones. We began by holding committee meetings, with virtually 100% attendance, eventually! We even had a practice ‘WIngo Session’ with the committee, before having a session following our Zoom AGM. We are becoming very adventurous, learning how to press different buttons– even waving to each other now!! Our Social Secretary, Trina, has re-scheduled most of our pre-booked speakers for next year, with the hope that we will be able to return to our ‘in person’ monthly meetings. However, she has also booked a complete programme of speakers, by Zoom, from January – October, this year. What a success this has been with speakers coming from far afield. Obviously, with no travelling involved, it is a delight to have an endless supply of speakers from all over the country. January was “Watch with Mother” and Kath Reynolds, who took us on a nostalgic journey through Children’s television. February had us all singing along with Holly Reynolds and the hits from the 50s & 60s. March was Dr Ann Featherstone with a “Storm in a Teacup” detailing one of the shortest, pluckiest strikes on record, concerning the unfair dismissal of a waitress, which became an example of the Suffragette movement in 1908. April saw Sian Fox’s amusing recollections of “It shouldn’t happen to a Home Economist, but it generally has”. We are hoping to hold our, delayed, centennial celebration this year as soon as the Covid restrictions permit. Jenny Mincher-Locket

Congratulations to Swynnerton and Yarnfield WI who recently celebrated their 100th birthday. Every member received a commemorative pack and cake. They hope to have a more usual celebration later in the year and have several Centenary Projects for later.

The Ridwares celebrate St George’s Day in Style...

The Ridwares WI celebrated St George’s day in their gardens, connected via Zoom and enjoyed afternoon tea and Prosecco. Karen Wakefield said: “We also watched some clips of Morris dancing, some Shakespeare and finished off with a rendition of Jerusalem recorded at The Albert Hall at the centenary meeting which was attended by the Queen. We even managed to do some craft with Gaye showing us how to make a ‘tent box’. Great afternoon!”

SUPPORTERS CLUB Congratulations to the Winners!

1st V Rushton Shareshill WI No. 52 2nd C Smith Tillington WI No. 64 3rd F Carr Cannock Wood WI No. 157

Making a Difference…...

Like everyone else lockdown has brought our WI’s new challenges of how to look after our members whilst we are not able to meet.

We want to say a huge public thank you to our lovely secretary Gill Booth, who has met this challenge head on. Without fail not a day has gone by since April 2020 that Gill hasn’t sent us a daily email, which have been full of jokes photographs. She has organised photo competitions, including the contributions from our members. Gill has organised Christmas and Easter surprise deliveries. to all members which the committee shared between us as we are fortunate to have 66 members. She has kept an eye on members who may have needed some extra moral support through cards and phone calls.

Gill, from everyone at Anslow a great big thank you for keeping our spirits up and giving us chuckle everyday.

Barbara Goodwin Anslow President

SFWI are proud to have four of its

members featured in this months WI

Join our online talk in preparation for Life -

the voting process—if you have any The super-talented Lynn Barrow (Aka Quirky

questions please email Bird) of Let’s Make Jam WI for designing the [email protected] front cover, Pam Trafford of Broughton WI,

showcasing her stunning garden, Claire Davies of TWIlight Cannock WI for her beautiful example of Mind Craft and Kim Nash also from TWIlight Cannock WI for her inspirational book. Well done Ladies!

ACWW

Did you know you can read the magazine

produced by ACWW entitled“ The Countrywoman” digitally by visiting their website at www.acww.org.uk and then click on the membership button.

EVERY ACTION COUNTS

FACT Globally, peatlands store twice as much carbon as all the forests in the world - helping to stabilize the climate.

HOW TO ACT

Always use peat-free compost - and challenge stores where a peat-free alternative is not available.

Don’t forget to sign up for this event— THERE IS STILL Non-members welcome! TIME ......

.... to sow wildflower seeds for a wonderful display this summer. Honeybees and wildflowers have evolved together and so native species are the most beneficial to them. Don't forget to take a photo of your blooms and enter the Garden Festival Trophy photo competition ! Details and entry form are on our website. Please visit https://sfwi.org. Go to sub- committees/education and public affairs/ education and public affairs events and competitions

How are your gardening skills?

If you are anything like me you can recognise some weeds and know how to dig a big enough hole but that is it. Help is at hand thanks to the Royal Horticultural Society. They have online “A beginner’s guide to gardening”. This can be found at https://www.rhs.org.uk Jenny Crump

Apple are offering free courses………. If you have an Apple device they are offering sessions such as drawing with iPad or capturing striking photographs with iPhone. Classes are free and you don’t need an Apple device to enjoy them. The link is apple.com/today/free

We have been out and about in the virtual world attending Annual Meetings. It is so great to do things differently and still achieve so much. Lots of you are now so comfortable with zoom and so it is easy to join in with you. I was pondering again! what an opportunity the last year has been: I was lambing and had to watch a ewe as she was starting to lamb; I had a meeting at 4pm and thought shall I cancel? Then I thought no!! So, I set myself up in the barn to watch the ewe and held my meeting there on my phone. Twelve months ago, this would not have been a consideration. I feel so much more open to how things can be done and all to the good! Please get in touch, if you have not already ; we will be pleased to talk to you. We look forward to seeing you on the 11th May 2021 for the Officers catch up; we are having a short presentation and questions. Best wishes to all, Helen Mancey and Team

Another craft and chat session took place on 24th April when Janet demonstrated a Tudor Rose embroidered using knitting yarn.

Thank you for your feedback and ideas for future sessions - keep them coming. All will be considered.

The next session will take place on 29th May at 10.30 am when Dilys will demonstrate a patchwork mug rug - register by emailing [email protected] no later than 24th May. The June session will be hints and tips on Jam Making on 12th June, hoping that you will be entering your jam in this year’s County Show – sign up via Eventbrite.

Full details of all events are with your WI, on Facebook and at https://sfwi.org.

Wanted - Your County Show committee would like any unused craft items that are suitable for sale on their craft stall at this year’s County Show. Pens, pencils, paint, paper, card, stamps, inks, fabrics, yarns, threads, hoops - any craft paraphernalia that you no longer require. Must be in excellent condition. Contact County Office at [email protected] to arrange delivery/collection of items.

Don’t Forget to enter our Competitions –

Rose Deag Rose Bowl – watercolour for novices entitled ‘From my Window’ – details are with your secretaries, on Facebook and our website www.sfwi.org. Rosemary Palmer Competition for 2021 – an upcycled piece of Ladieswear – details are with your secretaries, on Facebook and on our website www.sfwi.org. Janet Moorby

It May Be Time…..

The days are long, the mornings bright Temperature is rising, I hoped it might 'Cos now is the time to shake off the gloom And banish those thoughts we had of near doom !

It's time to get ready for good times ahead.

Start with spring cleaning, vac under the bed.

Hum a tune as your work, it will soon be done Gemini & Taurus 10.

And in any case, it makes it more fun ! Valley the of Lily 9.

Speedwell & Mayflower 8.

Next, it's the garden so just get stuck in morning frosty and cold a On 7.

Once it is tidy, it'll feel like a win.

Next turn to your self, take stock of the sight May Philip 6.

And have a manicure and hairdo to put it all May 8 5.

right ! West Mae 4.

Now you are ready to face come-what-may May Brian 3.

Start small and build up in a confident way. Maypole 2.

Take a deep breath and slap on a smile Hawthorn 1.

And take that plunge - it will be worthwhile ! Answers: Quiz

RECRUITING RECRUITING RECRUITING RECRUITING RECRUITING WE NEED YOU! THE EDUCATION & PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE WE ARE A FORWARD -THINKING GROUP OF LADIES WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESOLUTIONS We meet four times a year (virtually at the moment) and are responsible for organising the Federation Quiz, the Garden Festival Trophy competition and educational outings. The Climate Ambassador, Resolutions Officer and the ACWW Representative are part of our Team. The Committee has vacancies and is looking for ladies who are as PASSIONATE AND ENTHUSIASTIC as we are ! Want to find out more? Please contact [email protected]