THE TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT ON WATNALL WI 2014-2015
President Melanie Clay, with a committee of seven, has led Watnall WI through a busy and interesting year. During the year December 9th to November 17th there were 12 committee meetings and 11 monthly meetings and one outing.
2015 has been a special year with the WI celebrating its Centenary both at National, County and local level. Two members went to the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and three members attended the National General Meeting in London where the Queen gave a speech and praised the WI for remaining relevant and forward thinking. The Queen was accompanied by HRH the Princess Royal and HRH the Countess of Wessex. National also hosted a Centennial Fair celebrating 100 years of the WI’s achievements in Harrogate, Yorkshire, which several members attended and enjoyed a day out.
Nottinghamshire Federation’s main event through the year was a Flower and Craft Festival held in Newstead Abbey, the home of Lord Byron. Each Institute was invited to produce a Floral Display on the theme “Inspiring Women”. Watnall’s display depicted Lady Maude Rolleston, their first President. Our President was also invited to a Civic reception at the Council House in Nottingham by the Lady Mayoress with other Presidents from Nottinghamshire WI’s and WI Trustees. County also hosted many lunches and tea parties in celebration during the year.
Watnall for the second year running won the Violet Baumber Award for the Beauvale Group Competition of a collage in any medium depicting ”Ada Lovelace” the daughter of Lord Byron.
Themes for monthly meetings have been very varied with members being asked to guess what the articles were used for in Pandora’s Box, taking part in a Four corners craft night and Wine tasting. A demonstration was given by a dog showing how it helped its disabled owner, and two members wrote a Doggy Poem about their own dog, and on World Book Night four members dressed up as Book characters. Members also learned on how to plan a garden and keep hens, and were entertained by a talk with audience participation singing to the Guitar. The annual outing in August to Burleigh House in Lincolnshire was enjoyed by all although it was a very wet day.
Watnall have gained five new members this year but we were very sad early in the year to hear of the death of a long standing member Doreen Hunt.
During the year members enjoyed a Film Night with Fish and Chip supper, Afternoon tea to celebrate the WI’s Centenary and a Craft morning doing paper folding.
The Luncheon Club, Scottish Country Dancing and Tai Chi continue to flourish.
Members have attended many County events including the Annual Meeting in London, Spring and Autumn Council Meetings, County Quiz, Federation holidays, Apple Day and various lunches.
The wider community have been helped by the WI organising a talk on the use of a Defibrillator open to the residents of Watnall, and collections of non-perishable food for the food banks at the Eastwood Volunteer Bureau and the Engage Food Project in Hucknall
The President would like to thank the committee members for all their hard work helping to run the meetings, organising the programme and helping with the smooth running of the WI, and also the members for all their help selling raffle tickets, serving refreshments, giving votes of thanks, collating the diary and organising the Archives. Many thanks also to the Hall committee for their continued support looking after the running and general maintenance of the Hall.
Watnall WI has had a very busy and interesting year and we look forward to the next year with confidence that we can fulfil the aims and objects of the WI.
President Melanie Clay, with a committee of seven, has led Watnall WI through a busy and interesting year. During the year December 9th to November 17th there were 12 committee meetings and 11 monthly meetings and one outing.
2015 has been a special year with the WI celebrating its Centenary both at National, County and local level. Two members went to the Garden Party at Buckingham Palace and three members attended the National General Meeting in London where the Queen gave a speech and praised the WI for remaining relevant and forward thinking. The Queen was accompanied by HRH the Princess Royal and HRH the Countess of Wessex. National also hosted a Centennial Fair celebrating 100 years of the WI’s achievements in Harrogate, Yorkshire, which several members attended and enjoyed a day out.
Nottinghamshire Federation’s main event through the year was a Flower and Craft Festival held in Newstead Abbey, the home of Lord Byron. Each Institute was invited to produce a Floral Display on the theme “Inspiring Women”. Watnall’s display depicted Lady Maude Rolleston, their first President. Our President was also invited to a Civic reception at the Council House in Nottingham by the Lady Mayoress with other Presidents from Nottinghamshire WI’s and WI Trustees. County also hosted many lunches and tea parties in celebration during the year.
Watnall for the second year running won the Violet Baumber Award for the Beauvale Group Competition of a collage in any medium depicting ”Ada Lovelace” the daughter of Lord Byron.
Themes for monthly meetings have been very varied with members being asked to guess what the articles were used for in Pandora’s Box, taking part in a Four corners craft night and Wine tasting. A demonstration was given by a dog showing how it helped its disabled owner, and two members wrote a Doggy Poem about their own dog, and on World Book Night four members dressed up as Book characters. Members also learned on how to plan a garden and keep hens, and were entertained by a talk with audience participation singing to the Guitar. The annual outing in August to Burleigh House in Lincolnshire was enjoyed by all although it was a very wet day.
Watnall have gained five new members this year but we were very sad early in the year to hear of the death of a long standing member Doreen Hunt.
During the year members enjoyed a Film Night with Fish and Chip supper, Afternoon tea to celebrate the WI’s Centenary and a Craft morning doing paper folding.
The Luncheon Club, Scottish Country Dancing and Tai Chi continue to flourish.
Members have attended many County events including the Annual Meeting in London, Spring and Autumn Council Meetings, County Quiz, Federation holidays, Apple Day and various lunches.
The wider community have been helped by the WI organising a talk on the use of a Defibrillator open to the residents of Watnall, and collections of non-perishable food for the food banks at the Eastwood Volunteer Bureau and the Engage Food Project in Hucknall
The President would like to thank the committee members for all their hard work helping to run the meetings, organising the programme and helping with the smooth running of the WI, and also the members for all their help selling raffle tickets, serving refreshments, giving votes of thanks, collating the diary and organising the Archives. Many thanks also to the Hall committee for their continued support looking after the running and general maintenance of the Hall.
Watnall WI has had a very busy and interesting year and we look forward to the next year with confidence that we can fulfil the aims and objects of the WI.