Newsletter 179 – February 2024

WELCOME! Today is a busy one. Firstly, the presentation of the cheque to the Wallich Centre. This is followed by two of our members, Zoe Pearce and Sheila Austin, with a presentation about St Mary’s Gardens – The Secret Place. Then voting on the W.I. Resolutions (see below). There is also a sale of your unwanted gifts to raise money for our charities this year.
 
YNYS HIR TRIP – 9th April 2024

You can now pay for this online if you prefer.  Here are the details:

    Payment of £15 – by Monday, 11th March.
    Payee name: Whitchurch Women's Institute
    Sort code: 309890
    Account number: 17814568
    Reference: Ynys Hir Trip

Liz (Treasurer) is also happy to accept payment by cheque or cash at both the February and March meetings.

FASHION SHOWS

Just bringing your attention to two forthcoming fashion shows. Each is on for three days. One is at Norton House, Mumbles 7 – 9th May, and the second is at Heronston Hotel, Bridgend  15 – 17th May.  If you are interested in going please see the details in the last edition of the Glamorgan Newsletter and apply through our Treasurer.

ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING – 18th March 2024

Are you interested in being our representative at the above meeting?

Following Council business, the morning speaker is Louise Fleet, Lord Lieutenant for West Glamorgan. The afternoon speaker is Sue Kent. Sue is an award-winning presenter for BBC2 Gardener’s World, an RHS Ambassador for disability and an RHS and Gardener’s World Live garden design medal winner.

Venue:  Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot, but you must say by 23rd February if you wish to attend.

Do you know about … URGENT PRIMARY CARE CENTRES (UPCC)

Same day, timed, face-to-face urgent GP appointments are available to book Monday – Friday at a UPCC
Conditions seen include new coughs, chest infection, tonsillitis, rashes, skin infections, back/joint pain, ear ache and more.

There are a number of Urgent Primary Care Centres in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. UPCCs were introduced to improve access to same day care for patients with a range of urgent non-complex conditions. Patients may be booked into a UPCC by their GP practice, or redirected by NHS 111 Wales or the Emergency Unit where they will be assessed and appropriately managed within eight hours.

GROUPS: Dates for your diaries          
Book Group:  Wednesday 14th Feb 2024 at 11.00am at La Cucina da Mara – followed by lunch.
Poetry and Prose: Monday 19th Feb 2024 at 11.00am at the Ark, Ararat
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 25th February 2024 at 1pm at Whitchurch Golf Club. It’s a Carvery.
Family History: Thursday 29th Feb 2024 at 10.30am at 113 Pantbach Road
Craft Group: this will not be meeting this month.
The Bus Pass Group – re-starting when the weather is better!     

NEXT MEETING:    

Monday 11th March 2024 at 2pm.         
Subject:  Keep on Moving              
Speaker:  Chris Seaman

See whitchurch-wi-cardiff.blogspot.com for our activities, photos and reports from previous meetings.    
 

2024  Shortlisted resolutions:

Dental Health Matters

There is a chronic shortage of NHS Dentists and people are suffering health issues as a result. The NFWI calls on the Government to increase investment in the training and retention of dentists and to review the current inadequate NHS contracts in order to ensure everyone can access an NHS dentist wherever they live.

Impacts of poor housing conditions

Poor housing can have a deleterious effect on human health and wellbeing, safety and quality of life, and can disproportionately affect the most vulnerable groups in society.
The NFWI calls on the UK Government to boost housing standards and regulations, increase funding for housing renovations, increase the supply of affordable and secure housing and strengthen collaboration with local authorities, housing associations and other relevant stakeholders to develop strategies that address local housing challenges.

Say ‘no’ to gambling advertising

Harm caused by excessive gambling is a global problem. Some countries are already addressing this by banning advertising. The NFWI calls on members, the government, regulators, the NHS, educationalists, and gambling charities to work together towards achieving a complete ban on gambling advertising. This will reduce gambling harm, save the NHS money, protect family relationships, and decrease the number of suicides – around 400 per annum at present.

Improving Outcomes for Women in the Criminal Justice System

There is an urgent need to radically reform decision-making in respect of women in the criminal justice system and in particular, pregnant women and women with children. We urge cross-government collaboration to deliver on the 2018 female offender strategy by setting goals, robust governance, and performance measures to reduce the number of women who have committed non-violent offences from being imprisoned.