KENTISBURY WI REPORT June 2012
The meeting on Monday 11 June was well attended and President Viviane spoke about the many varied events coming up this summer.
The forensic day, various walks, and a day trip to Wells are some of the things members showed an interest in. The tombola stall held during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations made £16.25, to be donated to the North Devon Hospital Chemo appeal. On Sunday 5 August there will be a car boot sale on Blackmoor Gate market field.
The speaker for the evening was Mr Dale Edwards from ELF, Exeter Leukaemia Fund, and before he gave his talk Viviane asked him to draw three names for our Denman Bursary draw. This caused much excitement, and three lucky winners are planning their visit to the WI college in March.
Dale gave us an informative talk on the work done by ELF, a charity started in 1987 to help people diagnosed with any form of leukaemia and their close family and friends. ELF provides patient care that includes aromatherapy,physiotherapy,and equipment not available on the NHS such as wi fit.Anyone over the age of 16 years old is catered for. Under 16s are looked after on children’s ward. The centre in Exeter is all under one roof and is one of the top three in Britain. Vouchers for the car park,drinks and food,toiletries and sponge bag for that initial visit to the hospital ward,are just some of the ways the money is spent. Last year £500,000 was raised by three ways, donations, events such as sky dives, and retail. Dale answered many questions and gave out literature before Viviane thanked him for his talk.
Gillian Parker told us about her trip to the NFWI AGM in London in May. Gillian was the delegate for Kentisbury, Arlington, Combe Martin and Lyn Valley WIs. Two coaches took members from all over Devon, arriving the afternoon before, giving plenty of time to explore London. There were 5,000 WI members from all over the British Isles. The meeting on Wednesday 30 May was held in the Royal Albert Hall.The result of the resolution”Employment of more midwives” was 96% for. An attempt to beat the record for the most people knitting in one place at the same time took place after lunch. It will be three months before the result is known. The guest speakers were Julian, Lord Fellowes,writer of Downton Abbey, and astronomer Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock. The meeting ended with a surprise as the Strictly Come Dancing team delighted us with some colourful dancing. Then Jerusalem, the National Anthem and Land of my Fathers,in Welsh, were sang to the magnificent accompliment of the organ played by James Davy.
The competition for the most attractive candle was won by Carol Bachell and second was Rita Bessell.
FOM 1 Christine Potter 2 Anne Dapling.
The next meeting is on Monday 2 July when the speaker will be Marilyn Puchase, an Interfaith Minister. The competition is a photograph of Farming.
The photographs show the WI enjoying London, the Royal Albert Hall and the “Strictly”team dancing.
