Published at 11:05, Thursday, 02 August 2012

ELEANOR Graham welcomed members and guests Valerie Axe, Joan Holland, Carol Smith, Anna Shikasha and Yvonne McGrady to our July meeting.

Chris Stubbings revealed that our mileage walked and swum is now 145, before adding the holiday totals of Ruth Banks and Barbara Reid. Mary Dunlop told us of the enjoyable walk in St Bees.

Ann Walker is taking part in the Run For Life in Carlisle. Sheila Halley gave out jumper patterns for HIV “Fish and Chip” babies in Africa; Havel Boddy donated two lovely garments. The Gosforth Show WI entry is organised. Arrangements for the coffee evening were finalised.

The trip to Levens Hall will leave Egremont at 9am on Tuesday, August 7. Louise Hetherington told us that the strawberry tea at Keekle WI had been good fun, despite the weather. The group meeting will be on September 13 at Moresby Church Hall, when Lamplugh WI will host. The speaker will be George Crossman, and the competitions will be for a seascape and a sea shell.

The County News told us that the Autumn Council Meeting is on September 27 at Greenhill, two members will attend. Attention was drawn to the public liability insurance. There will be a WI stall at the Crab Fair in September; and there is a Sing for your Supper on October 19. We also noted that Moresby WI have a Jubilee supper and talk on September 26, members will buy their own tickets.

There were a lot of invitations. Cleator WI have a coffee evening on September 25, and Lamplugh WI have an evening with the Gilbert and Sullivan Singers on September 28. Cleator WI has an outing to see the Calendar Girls on October 3 at the cost of £25. Victim Support thanked us for our donation, and the Living With Loss Bereavement Group is meeting in Egremont.

Eleanor introduced Stuart Burgess who spoke on Cumbria County Council wildlife crime. Although not the dedicated wildlife officer, Stuart had a lot of experience in the field, due to his rural beat. Some animals have laws relating to them, but a lot of legislation is very old, and still used. Stuart told us of his experiences and showed us legal traps, which were still horrid. He had a protected freshwater pearl mussel which he legally acquired several years ago when investigating a crime on the River Ehen. We were puzzled and intrigued when we examined it. This was an interesting and lively talk.

Jan Gilbert won the competition for a wild animal ornament, with Enid Smith runner-up.

President Eleanor Graham welcomed members to our June meeting, with a special welcome to visitors Joan Holland and Anna Shikasha.

Louise Hetherington reported that the Jubilee garden party was greatly enjoyed, even though it was held indoors due to the rain. Many members wore “posh” hats; Louise’s hat was judged the best, with Sally Thomas runner-up. Chris Stubbings has asked if we can give her photographs of “Big Walk Little Splash” activities. Five members took part in the WI walk at Moor Row which was good fun. Kathleen Hodgeson reported that the Federation Lunch at Greenhill was lovely; three members attended. They were very pleased to see that Ann Rothery had won the Federation Jubilee card competition; Ann’s card has been sent to Buckingham Palace. She was presented with flowers to mark such a memorable event. Margaret Hartley, president of Moresby WI, was the delegate for the National AGM. She informed Eleanor the resolution for more midwives was passed by 96.5 per cent.

Eleanor thanked us for her birthday flowers and Ann Walker for her happy home card. We were asked to comment on the venue for the centenary AGM in 2015, most members thought that the Wembley Arena would be the most suitable. There is to be a Federation visit to the Theatre by the Lake on January 5 to see The Railway Children.

Eleanor introduced Sally Kennedy who told us of her childhood memories whilst hop picking in Kent. Sally was born in south London a few years before the start of the war. Her mother used to take the family hop picking during August and September until she was 11 years old. Sally is a wonderful story teller, and held us engrossed with her stories.

Ann Rothery won the competition for a holiday photograph, with Ruth Banks runner-up.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk