Reports from Leigh On Mendip AGM in May 2022

 

LEIGH ON MENDIP WI

SECRETARY’S REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2021 – MAY 2022

Happily since August, we’ve been able to leave the on-line world behind us and gather each Month in The Memorial Hall. Enjoying each other’s company, feeling connected and able to appreciate a wide variety of events.

But despite the lifting of restrictions, as an organization we have remained cautious. Being conscious of the well-being of all members, we have continued to advise everyone to be aware of their own health and to follow sensible self-regulation when together.

We held our AGM in September, with Barbara Turner kindly running the ballot for the role of President, along with the re-election of the committee.

Mary Mears stepped down after 3 plus years and Caroline Harris was elected. Mary was warmly thanked and Caroline enthusiastically welcomed!

We also agreed on changes in personnel for our other essential housekeeping roles/tasks.

(Such as the Running of the Raffle: Press officer: Birthday/Get Well cards: Fair Rep: Our monthly Blog: Tea Rota Rep: Cleaning/Hall Layout Rep etc.)

It has indeed been very welcome for us all, to once again enjoy our Monthly Speakers, in the Hall.

We’ve heard a great variety of subjects with some very inspiring speakers.

So far, we’ve enjoyed a talk on the History of the Privvy; A fascinating and absorbing talk on the little known Bristol Channel islands; A young adventurer talking about her brilliant business taking women on unexpected exploits, all inspired by her own adventure trekking 1,000 klm down one of Israel’s National trails; And in March, a very enjoyable, entertaining talk on the highs and lows of being a designer in the Fashion Industry.

We’ve continued too with other activities. Last month our very own Rosita ‘Ginger Rogers’ Sparks, patiently took some of us through our paces, with an evening of Line Dancing! For our December meeting, we had the opportunity to make a beautiful Christmas Table Decoration with Karen. And in January we all took part in a great Picture Quiz, put together by Mary.

We’ve enjoyed a couple of events in The Pub, celebrating with our Christmas Meal together and in January our 73rd Birthday with Cake and Skittles. Great Fun!

It’s interesting to note that a number of ‘Sub Groups’ are opening up within our group. These seem to have happened spontaneously and give members the chance to pursue specific interests.

We now have; A Craft Group, twice monthly in the Hall; our re-launched Lunch Group, once per month at The Bell Inn; A new Book Group, just getting started, once per month, possibly in the pub; Tai Chi, once per week in the Hall but as the weather improves, on the Rec Field; And newest of all, Line Dancing, in the Hall, possibly weekly.

We continue to support Charities, both local and further afield. Our donations to the Christmas Food Bank in 2021 was excellent with, across the whole County, over 400 shoe boxes sent out. And in April, some members completed a walk for The ACWW, raising £34.

We are too, very firmly at the centre of Village Activities. Initiating and organizing The Village Litter Pick Day.

Its been very rewarding seeing younger people and families get involved. Again with Tea/Cake afterwards we are able to donate the funds to our charities.

For this, The Jubilee Year, we are very much involved at both a Village level and with the wider SCFWI.

We have contributed to The County initiative by producing Jubilee Bunting to be used at The Bath & West Show. Caroline has also volunteered to help on the stand and we’ve had numerous offers of baking cakes.

We’ve also sent off a Celebration Jubilee Card in honor of Her Majesty.

Within The Village we are very much part of the arrangements for the weekend pic-nic celebration. Running 2 events for the children, a ‘Name the King & Queen Rabbits’ and a Royal Map Treasure Hunt with a treasure chest as the prize.

Our WI here in Leigh is thriving. We are a community made up from 4 other villages around Leigh, which in itself is very rewarding, opening up and expanding our view.

We have recently welcomed some new members, again very uplifting and great to get to know others.

We are adding to our interests and capabilities with the new Sub Groups and continue to search for new ways we can come together.

Finally, many thanks to everyone who has helped to put the program together.

We all look forward to continuing to meet up throughout the coming year.

 

President’s Report 9 May 2022

Having only been President for 8 months, as last year’s AGM was delayed by lockdown, I shall only speak briefly here.  I would like to thank all our members who have continued with their membership during the past turbulent two years, during which we have been unable to meet up for months at a time, though we did try to keep in contact with you as much as possible.  It has been a pleasure to welcome new members during this time. 

We resumed monthly in-person meetings in August last year and barring any further imposed lockdowns we will continue to meet.  We have an exciting programme of meetings planned for the rest of this calendar year and will meet in the autumn to plan our 2023 programme.  As ever, any suggestions for speakers or activities are welcome.  I’m thrilled that we now have a number of sub-groups so that members can meet up between monthly meetings to pursue an activity or simply enjoy lunch together.

I would like to pay tribute to our fantastic committee of eight dedicated members who have been working hard alongside me to make sure that everything runs smoothly for us all.  They have been full of good ideas and there is always someone willing to volunteer for any task that arises, which has made my role so much easier.

Thank you everybody.