WATNALL WI TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT TO MEMBERS 2018/19
Our programme of speakers this year ranged across a wine tasting, the history of Boots and No7 cosmetics, a wonderful Christmas Members’ meeting with renditions of carols past and present from Trowell WI Ladies Choir, Tai Chi (we took to the floor to learn some simple movements), an entertaining but very informative talk on recycling and sustainability, the history of Bollywood including the donning of saris and learning basic dance steps and hand movements, an amusing reflection on the life of a librarian, and artisan soap making. So, a little of something for every member.
Several of our monthly events have gained mentions in the local newspaper as well as Hornblower, including two mentions in Hornblower in February for our Suffragette Tea last November, and the Bollywood dance evening in March.
Our craft group and lunch club continue to thrive and meet most months. The craft group are currently working on a tactile book for the blind, made from fabric. This big project is challenging, but proving stimulating and rewarding. We held several fund raising events over the year – Christmas and Spring Coffee Mornings, Tombola stalls at Picnic in the Park and the Family Fun Day, a Games night (with Beetle Drive and Bingo), and a Quiz night.
In lieu of sending Christmas cards, we supported local café Rumbletums (a Community Café and supported training project for young people with learning disabilities) by holding a Coffee Morning there, and actively encourage members to continue supporting the Café by donating empty crisp packets.
Additional events included a visit to the theatre (at a local school) to see a production of Treasure Island as a pantomime. This featured a group of WI ladies who join the search for treasure – and our visit included a mention for Watnall WI! We also held a film evening with fish and chip supper, and went on coach trips to Tissington Hall and Trentham Gardens.
Members also took part in many activities arranged by the County Federation, including the 25th Bramley Apple Festival, Southwell; Fashion Show and Lunch, Masonic Hall, Nottingham; A Celebratory Service for All, Southwell Minster; Christmas Celebrations, St Peter’s Church, Nottingham; Notts Federation Annual Meeting, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. Three teams represented Watnall at the County Quiz in July, but sadly with scores of 51, 58 and 62 from a potential winning score of 80, we were not close enough to secure a placing or a prize. But we had great fun trying.
We have also vastly improved our social media pages, now having separate Facebook pages for Watnall WI and the Hall, which has resulted in more enquiries coming in about hiring the Hall and more interest in our activities. Regular weekly hirers continue with the Watnall Pre-School Playgroup, Dance School, Scottish Country Dancing and Yoga. The website has also been overhauled and brought up to date, with records going back to 2014 in place. This continues to be a work in progress but the overall impression to anyone clicking on any of our sites that Watnall WI has joined the 21st century!
Works on the Hall this year included redecoration of the whole of the interior, plus we have employed a handyman to carry out some much needed maintenance. The curtains in the main Hall were also taken down, cleaned and rehung by a cleaning company. We continue, however, to have problems with blockages of the Disabled Access toilet which we are hoping will soon be resolved. The exterior of the Hall has also been cleared of weeds and tidied. We have recently advertised to recruit a Hall Bookings Administrator to take over the main responsibilities from our President, and have made an appointment.
Watnall WI has had a full and stimulating year, and we look forward to the next year with the confidence that we can continue to fulfil the aims and objectives of the WI while enjoying ourselves.
President …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Date ……………………………………………………………………
Several of our monthly events have gained mentions in the local newspaper as well as Hornblower, including two mentions in Hornblower in February for our Suffragette Tea last November, and the Bollywood dance evening in March.
Our craft group and lunch club continue to thrive and meet most months. The craft group are currently working on a tactile book for the blind, made from fabric. This big project is challenging, but proving stimulating and rewarding. We held several fund raising events over the year – Christmas and Spring Coffee Mornings, Tombola stalls at Picnic in the Park and the Family Fun Day, a Games night (with Beetle Drive and Bingo), and a Quiz night.
In lieu of sending Christmas cards, we supported local café Rumbletums (a Community Café and supported training project for young people with learning disabilities) by holding a Coffee Morning there, and actively encourage members to continue supporting the Café by donating empty crisp packets.
Additional events included a visit to the theatre (at a local school) to see a production of Treasure Island as a pantomime. This featured a group of WI ladies who join the search for treasure – and our visit included a mention for Watnall WI! We also held a film evening with fish and chip supper, and went on coach trips to Tissington Hall and Trentham Gardens.
Members also took part in many activities arranged by the County Federation, including the 25th Bramley Apple Festival, Southwell; Fashion Show and Lunch, Masonic Hall, Nottingham; A Celebratory Service for All, Southwell Minster; Christmas Celebrations, St Peter’s Church, Nottingham; Notts Federation Annual Meeting, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. Three teams represented Watnall at the County Quiz in July, but sadly with scores of 51, 58 and 62 from a potential winning score of 80, we were not close enough to secure a placing or a prize. But we had great fun trying.
We have also vastly improved our social media pages, now having separate Facebook pages for Watnall WI and the Hall, which has resulted in more enquiries coming in about hiring the Hall and more interest in our activities. Regular weekly hirers continue with the Watnall Pre-School Playgroup, Dance School, Scottish Country Dancing and Yoga. The website has also been overhauled and brought up to date, with records going back to 2014 in place. This continues to be a work in progress but the overall impression to anyone clicking on any of our sites that Watnall WI has joined the 21st century!
Works on the Hall this year included redecoration of the whole of the interior, plus we have employed a handyman to carry out some much needed maintenance. The curtains in the main Hall were also taken down, cleaned and rehung by a cleaning company. We continue, however, to have problems with blockages of the Disabled Access toilet which we are hoping will soon be resolved. The exterior of the Hall has also been cleared of weeds and tidied. We have recently advertised to recruit a Hall Bookings Administrator to take over the main responsibilities from our President, and have made an appointment.
Watnall WI has had a full and stimulating year, and we look forward to the next year with the confidence that we can continue to fulfil the aims and objectives of the WI while enjoying ourselves.
President …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Date ……………………………………………………………………