One Step Further walk leaflet

By June Humphry 01639 881588

Congratulations to Cwmafan WI whose walk leaflet 'Furnace to Forest' has been selected to represent Glamorgan in the NFWI competition. The triple fold leaflet describes in detail a 3hr walk, mostly along old railway tracks from Cwmafan to Afan Forest Park. Good luck to Cwmafan in the next part of the competition. Other excellent leaflets were those from Cockett WI, Llanmorlais WI, Tongwynlais & Taffs Well WI and Tonteg WI. You have all produced a professional walk leaflet which is a useful local resource and is a credit to the members who worked on design and production.

News from Federation House

By June Humphry 01639 881588

Glamorgan's Spring Council Meeting will be held at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea on Tuesday 28 April 2009. Each WI in Glamorgan is entitled to send one WI Delegate to the meeting. Other members may attend as Observers. Observer tickets £4.00 each.
Election of NFWI Board of Trustees 2009-2011 ballot papers should have reached all WIs by now. The ballot paper should reach the tellers, in the official envelope, no later than Friday 3 April 2009. The result of the election will be announced at the AGM on Wednesday 3 June 2009.
Election of Chair of Federations of Wales 2009-2011 Margaret Lloyd Jones has been elected Welsh-speaking Chair of the Federations of Wales Committee 2009-2011. This means that she will become the ex-officio member of the NFWI Board of Trustees from 3 June 2009.

Our new-look Glamorgan Newsletter has prompted many of you to let us know how much you like the new format. Comments have included 'easier to read', 'clearer', and 'things can be picked out straight away'

If your WI Officers changed at your annual meeting, any changes should be entered on to the Membership Communication System (MCS). Sally Mabey, our MCS co-ordinator, points out that it is important that MCS information is kept up-to-date.

Resolution Briefing Day

By Angela Bending

Are you leading the Resolution discussion at your WI in May? The resolution selected for 2009 is about increased funding for bee health research. Come along to meet the experts who will put both sides of the argument and answer your questions. Resolution Briefing Day will be held on Monday 6 April at Briton Ferry Community Hall at 10.30am and at Miskin Roman Catholic Church Hall at 7.30pm. £1.50 per head, including coffee. Application form enclosed with this month's mailing.

News from Organisation

By Angela Bending

Does your WI need to de-register? The Charity Commission has confirmed that WIs with annual incomes below £5,000 may now apply for de-registration. Accordingly, our Glamorgan independent financial examiners will shortly be sending to eligible WIs forms which must be signed and then returned to the Federation office without delay.
De-registered WIs will no longer have a charity number but all WIs, whether or not de-registered, will continue to be bound by charity legislation. In circumstances where proof of charity status may be required, for example when applying for grant money, a copy of the signed constitution will be acceptable. De-registration will not affect a WI's eligibility for gift aid but it will be necessary to inform the tax authority of your change in status.
Now, a word about press releases. When advertising your WI events in your local paper it would be advisable not to include contact numbers without the permission of the persons concerned - just to be on the safe side.

News from Home Economics

By Ann Jones

Entries for Rosebowl and Brecon Cup Competition are now in. We are looking forward to a funpacked 'Fire & Ice' day with excellent hospitality at Swansea Grand Theatre.

Events to look forward to are: bell-ringing (applications by 1 May) and, later in the year, a beginners' floral arrangement day school. Look out for publicity about 'Deck the Hall' when we will be taking over all the levels and use of the restaurant at St David's Hall, Cardiff on Monday 23 November 2009. There will be competitions and stands on a Christmas theme plus a Christmas cake decoration competition. More exciting information about this event next month.

News from Sport & Leisure

By Teg Curnell

Congratulations to the winners of the Whist Competition played on Saturday 24 January. Jean Bryant (Aberkenfig WI) was the winning 'gent' and Eunice Williams (Aberkenfig WI) was the winning 'lady'.
You may wish to practise croquet to be ready for the competition on 18 June 2009 or wish to play croquet on a local lawn or sports field. Our Federation croquet set is available for hire. It contains all you require for four players at a time. Cost of hire is £10 plus a refundable deposit of £50. Please contact June Humphry at Federation House 01639 881588 to book.
Do you take digital photographs? Would you like to learn how to take more interesting photographs? A day in and around the ancient St Illtud's Church in Llantwit Major is planned for a small group of members on Monday 22 June 2009. Cost is £10 per member. Application form enclosed with this month's mailing. Closing date is 15 May 2009.

News from Public Affairs

By Wendy Wilson

Women Reaching Women is an NFWI project running over 3 years. It aims to focus on global poverty. On Sunday 28 June 2009 at 2.30pm in conjunction with Oxfam, we are holding an Awareness Afternoon at Taliesin Theatre, Swansea University. This will be your opportunity to show your concern about the causes of extreme poverty & learn how you can help. Tickets will be available to WI members, family & friends. Please support us: awareness raising is as important as fund raising.

There will be a Public Affairs Conference at Theatr Hafren, Newton, Powys on Tuesday 23 June 2009. Anyone interested in public affairs is welcome to attend. More information is available from Wendy Wilson.

News from Shows

By Angela Bending

At last! The 2009 schedule for Margam Show is in print. Our grateful thanks to all the sponsors and advertisers. Without them we would not be able to organise a WI marquee at this prestigious event. We are particularly pleased to welcome Edwards Coaches as our chief sponsor for 2009. We enclosed four copies of the schedule for each WI in the last mailing. More copies are available from Show committee members if required. We do hope you enjoy the 'On the Box' theme. We look forward to receiving your entries.

Yorkshire Tea competition
Well known as the birthplace of Paddington Bear, which country holds the second largest area of rainforest after the Brazilian Amazon?

A) BOLIVIA B) ECUADOR C) PERU

The first correct entry out of the teapot will win a Yorkshire Tea Teatime Treat.

Please send your Yorkshire Tea entry to Federation House by Friday 13 April 2009. Only one entry per WI member will be accepted.

Mrs M Walters, Lisvane WI was the winner of the last competition with the correct answer a) True.

Donations
Thanks to Bryn WI for their recent donation. Donations to Federation Funds make a big difference to us. We are always appreciative of donations from WIs at any time of year.

GFWI 500 Club winners
The two winners this month are 006 Llanharry WI & 078 Pontypridd WI. Cheques are on their way to you.

News from Combined Arts
By Win Gronow
Our Friday Night Hop is always a popular event. Please get your ticket applications in as soon as possible as places are limited.

Arrangements are in hand for our Federation Carol Festival 2009. This will be held on Monday 7 December 2009.

Next issue
Mar/April issue of Glamorgan Newsletter will be sent out on Friday 20 March 2009. If you wish this e-mailed to you, send your request e-mail to glamorgan@btconnect.com

Diary Dates 2009 - please see 'Diary dates' in main menu on left hand side of main pages.