September/October 2009

News from Federation House

By June Humphry 01639 881588

We are looking forward to hearing food writer Angela Gray speak at our Autumn Council Meeting on Monday 26 October 2009 at Barry Memorial Hall. Angela is a well known food consultant and former chef to the rich and famous with many stories to tell.  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 Glamorgan Board of Trustees 2010-2012 will take place in the New Year so now is the time for Board nominations. Any WI member is eligible to stand but no-one may be nominated without first gaining their permission. Each WI is able to nominate up to 12 names.

If your WI Officers change at your Annual Meeting, any changes should be entered on to the Membership Communication System (MCS). It is important that MCS information is kept up-to-date either by your own WI or by asking June Humphry.

Operation Christmas Child do not need any jumpers this year but are desperate for knitted scarves, beanie hats and knitted hand puppets. Patterns are available at www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk Click on 'Gift Ideas' then click on 'Knitting' under 'How to Pack Your Box' to see the patterns. Copies of the patterns are also available by phoning June at Federation House 01639 881588.

Glamorgan Board of Trustees 2010-12


Are you committed to WI?

Are you a creative thinker?

Are you a team worker?
Do you have leadership qualities?

You could be just the person we need - why don't you consider nomination for Glamorgan's Board of Trustees?

Application form with your WI Secretary now.









 RWS Winter Fair
30 November - 1 December

Elves and chutneys
for entry in the Winter Fair
competitions need to be brought to Federation House by Monday 5 October.

 Please enclose the entry fee of 75p
in an envelope with your name, address, phone number and WI written on the front.

News from Shows

By Angela Bending

A huge thank you to everyone who supported the New Glamorgan WI Show at North Cornelly - contributors, visitors & Show committee (not forgetting husbands).

This year we were uncertain how the event would run, especially as we were not part of a larger Margam Show. We need not have worried! You arrived in your hundreds, marvelled at the standard of entries & enjoyed a good cup of WI cup of tea with delicious cakes. The sun shone that day & you dressed for the occasion. Well over 1250 entries were received & competition was rife.

We look forward to letting you have news of the 2010 schedule when we've had a few weeks rest! WI Life was present over the whole Show so watch for coverage in the next editions.

Congratulations to the winners. They are all listed on a separate sheet which is with your WI Secretary now. The photographs of the Show are on www.pembrokeshirephotography.com/events/ GFWI, and on this website (click).

News from Organisation

By Angela Bending

'One member one vote' for Resolution Selection voting is about to happen in WI. The November issue of WI Life will contain the complete short list of the resolutions submitted for selection, together with a paragraph of essential facts about each one. A voting form will also be included in WI Life. Wls will record voting results and these will be forwarded to Federation House. The final resolutions for our AGM will be chosen according to the voting preferences of all our members. Democracy in action!

Please inform the Federation Office if your WI has been successful in a funding application for your projects & activities.

News from Skills Co-ordinator

By Sheila Brice

Congratulations to all those of you who attended Daphne Furneaux's NFWI flower certificate classes - everybody passed. The successful candidates in 'Flowers for the Home' were Ann Evans (Margam WI), Ann Button, Gloria Jones, (both Port Talbot WI) Val Capel & Jill Watkins (both Penllyn WI), & Jennifer Roberts (Llangennith WI). Successful candidates in 'Flowers for Special Occasions' were Alvira Beynon, Margaret Martin, Doreen John (all Port Talbot WI), Anne Evans (Margam WI) & Jennifer Roberts (Llangennith WI).

Having gained the necessary NFWI flower arranging certificates, Jennifer Roberts (Llangennith WI) & Margaret Martin (Port Talbot WI) and Anne Evans (Margam WI) are now going forward to train as NFWI Floral Art Judges.

The next floral art training classes will be arranged soon. Any members wishing to extend their skills or wishing to train as a judge in craft or flowers should contact Sheila Brice

News from Sport & Leisure

By Teg Curnell

It's not too late to apply to play BRIDGE on the afternoon of Saturday 31 October at Ystradowen Village Hall. Contact Liz Williams

Now is the time to start practicing your WHIST & DARTS, ready for the competitions next year! The WHIST is, as usual, at Ystradowen Village Hall on Saturday 23 January 2010. Application form enclosed with this month's mailing.

There is a change of venue for the DARTS competition. In order to accommodate more teams the competition will be held at Llanharry Workingmen's Club on Saturday 20 February 2010. You may enter a team of four (one team per WI). Application form next month.

Another of our popular CITY WALKS has been arranged for Thursday 29 April 2010 when we will visit Cheltenham. Application form next month.

Other events early in 2010 include a Spring Walk on 6 March, a Table-Tennis Taster Day on 30 March, Annual Indoor Bowls on 24 April and a Taste of Nordic Walking.

Wl Subscription 2010 £29.50

WI £12.85

Federation £6.30

NFWI £10.35.


Royal Welsh Show 2009

Glamorgan Federation had a most successful few days at the Royal Welsh Show.

It was a real pleasure to meet so many Glamorgan members each day

Our knitters and crocheters were kept busy throughout the Show with a constant stream of visitors wanting
to learn new skills.

You may be interested to know that our most popular Question of the Day at the Show was whether or not we should be charged for carrier bags.
The answer was 'YES.

News from Public Affairs

By Wendy Wilson

Due to the tremendous response to 'Leeches to Daffodils' on 7/8 October 2009, the venue has been changed to accommodate the extra numbers. Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club is the new venue. A covering note will be included with your tickets explaining the change. We look forward to meeting you there.

Have you got a Public Affairs Contact in your WI? If not, why not? Find out what you're missing by contacting Wendy Wilson, I look forward to hearing from you.

News from GFWI Treasurer

By Claire Atherton

You can imagine the large number of cheques that are sent into Federation House each month. We are happy to receive one cheque as payment for multiple items but please would you ensure that all payments are itemised on the back of the cheque? It would also help our financial controls if even cheques for single items could have the item noted on the back of the cheque.

News about Wales Conference 2010

By June Humphry tel. 01639 881588

Now is the time to order tickets for 2010 NFWI-Wales Conference at Christ College, Brecon on 24/25 March. Eve-of-Conference tickets for 24 March at 7.45pm are £6 - please apply to Federation House. Conference Agendas are £7 These can be ordered through Federation House. Accommodation is available at Christ College on 24 March in single, twin & triple rooms but accommodation is NOT en-suite. Lunch boxes are £4.00 each. The closing date for all requests is 8 January 2010. Please apply through June Humphry at Federation House.

Yorkshire Tea competition

Which country, a former Belgian colony, has a capital city called Kinshasa and is home to the largest area of African tropical forest?

A) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO B) CAMEROON C) KENYA

Please send your Yorkshire Tea entry to Federation House by Friday 6 November 2009. Only one entry per WI member will be accepted.

The winner of the May competition with the correct answer A) Columbia was Jean Mullins, Tir Iarll WI. The winner of the June competition was Eironwy Rees, Llansawel WI with the correct answer A) Madagascar.

Donations

Thanks to the following Wls have sent donations to Federation Funds:

Pennard WI, Merthyr Mawr WI,  St Hilary WI,  Neath Abbey WI, Tonyrefail WI,  and to Gwaelod-y-Garth WI whose donation was for the Glamorgan Room at Denman College. We are always appreciative of donations from Wls at any time of year.

GFWI 500 Club winners

The two winners for August are 279 Rae Roberts, Margam WI & 146 Boverton WI.

September winners are 207 Ton Pentre Golden Oldies and 109 Mrs E Wilson, St Fagans WI.

Cheques are on their way to you.

News from Combined Arts

By Win Gronow

Carol Festival 2009 rehearsals are underway and everyone is really getting to grips with the music, both familiar and unfamiliar. We really enjoy the massed rehearsals when we meet up with friends both old and new. Last time we had an almost full house and the comments we've received so far look as if it will be a sell-out. Please get your ticket applications in as soon as possible. Ticket price (£10) includes a programme. Many Wls will do some Christmas shopping in Swansea in the afternoon and then come to the Carol Festival in the evening.

Next issue

Oct/Nov issue of Glamorgan Newsletter will be sent out on Friday 23 Oct 2009. If you wish this e-mailed to you, send your request e-mail to glamorgan@btconnect.com

Glamorgan Federation of Women's Institutes,

13 Courtland Place, Port Talbot SA13 1JJ www.theWl.org.uk/glamorgan glamorgan@btconnect.com 01639 881588

charity registration number 232102