Whitchurch WI is a friendly and welcoming group. Monthly meetings and special interest groups; outings; competitions. Ararat Church Hall, 2nd Monday each month, 2pm.
An outing has been planned:
Royal Mint, Llantrisant
Thursday 20th March, in the afternoon.
Guided tour £10 plus cost of coach approximately £15.
Please pay a non-refundable deposit to secure a place.
Balance to be paid at the February meeting.
IT Training
The next session will be Thursday 6th February
2 pm in Room 1 at Ararat
Topic: Accessing Public Services on-line
Please note there is a £5 charge to cover room hire.
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January meeting:
13th January in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.
Main speaker – Rosemary Chaloner: ‘My Life as a Butlins Redcoat’
It is time to think of which resolution you would like to vote for in 2025. Please follow the link for details.
We were sorry to hear the sad news that Margaret Wheeler has died. I'm sure all members who knew her join us in sending our sincere condolences to her family.
Outings:
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Happy New Year! |
December meeting:
9th December in Ararat Church Hall, Whitchurch Common, 2 pm.
Main speaker – Peter Davis: ‘Everyday Life – That’s Poetry For You.’
The December meeting is the Christmastime gathering and always an enjoyable event, with buffet food to share, a host of seasonal clothing on display, and this year table decorations to vote for.
Outings:
๐ ๐ Merry Christmas to One and All ๐๐
and a Happy New Year!
NOVEMBER MEETING
Main speaker, Rosemary Chaloner, presents “Angels in the Line of Fire” – about nurses in WW1.
We also will be hearing from Becky Davies who is seeking volunteers for a social history project. She is wanting women born between 1930 and 1958 to give interviews about their families' experiences during WW2.
HOTTER shoes – Tuesday November 12th at 4.30pm
TOUR OF THE RWCMD
19 people have signed up for this.
Date: Tuesday 19th November 10am. Meet inside the entrance to the college.
IT TRAINING
This IT training is free and tailored to people aged 65+. The first session was much appreciated by those who attended. The second session will be on 28th November at 2pm. The session will cover downloading apps and managing health on-line.
OUR CHARITY – WALES AIR AMBULANCE
As we still have some items left over from the Summer Fete, we have booked a pitch at Ararat Christmas Fair on Saturday 30th November 12.00 – 4.00pm. Do come along on the day. (Anything left will be disposed of and we do not want more items to sell.)
SOUTH WALES LISTENS:
This is a police platform enabling residents to send messages (not reporting crimes) directly to the local PCSO and neighbourhood Policing team. They will let you know about local engagement events, crime prevention advice and occasionally significant police activity in the area. It is on-line, but “Cuppa with a copper” still exists.
Contact: www.southwaleslistens.co.uk. It’s free but you have to sign up to give or receive information.
DECEMBER MEETING
This is our Christmas meeting and refreshments will be our usual sharing buffet. Please bring a maximum of 8 items of food on a plate.
As it’s our Christmas party, please wear something Christmassy and, if you can bring a table decoration, these will be judged by the members by placing a coin alongside their favourite.
Date: Monday 9th December at 2pm.
Speaker: Peter Davis, ‘Everyday Life – That’s Poetry For You.’
GROUPS:
• Please note change of usual venue this month
Choir: The choir meets every Wednesday morning, 11.30-12.30, except for the Wednesday of the Rhiwbina WI meeting. Meetings will be in the Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina
Book Group: Wednesday 13th November 11.00 am at 5 Court Close, Whitchurch*
Craft Group: Monday 18th November 2024 10.30 am at 41 Cherry Orchard Road, Lisvane*
Tangle Art Group: Wednesday 20th November 2.00 pm at 5 Court Close
Family History: Monday 25th November 2.00 pm 113 Pantbach Road
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 1st December 1.00 pm at The Butchers Arms Rhiwbina.
Poetry and Prose Group: no date yet.
WELCOME!
Our speaker for the October meeting is Lucy Walsh from AbilityNet, a charity providing specialist services and impartial support to allow digital access to all. She will give us an outline of free IT support for older people and disabled people.
This will be followed by some group activities. There are also tables of items for sale left over from the fete: craft equipment, jigsaw puzzles, craft and gardening books and good quality second hand toys. Money raised will be towards our charity, Wales Air Ambulance. Cards are also on sale raising money for Marie Curie and people living with Alzheimer’s. Bargains to be had!
ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA (RWCMD)
‘SWING INTO CHRISTMAS’ with DOWN FOR THE COUNT ORCHESTRA at the RWCMD.
DATE: Saturday 23rd November 2024 at 2.30 p.m. Tickets £30.40 – 25 places available.
Payment is due immediately please. Elizabeth Woods will distribute the tickets at the November meeting.
SIGN UP if you want to:
… go to HOTTER shoes to take advantage of their offer of a 30% reduction on full price and 10% on sale items. (Minimum of 10 people required for this offer.) There will be a free raffle, a glass of wine or soft drink, and ‘nibbles’. Make your own way there.
DATE: Tuesday November 12th at 4.30pm.
… join a TOUR OF THE RWCMD
Please note, 30 people have already indicated they are interested in this visit. Now is the time to confirm that you want to go and pay Please indicate on the sheet at the front.
DATE: Tuesday 19th November 10am. £4.50 per person.
FOREST FARM WALK
DATE: Tuesday 15th October 2pm.
Meet in the Car park, Forest Farm Road, CF14 7JJ
See Sheila if you want any more information
CHRISTMAS CAKES
Yes, Christmas cakes! Chris Soughton is again making Christmas cakes to raise money for our charity. The cakes will be made in loaf-tins, (approx 8" x 4"), will be a rich fruit-cake mixture and have marzipan and icing (decorated) on top.
Price £12 – please tell Chris if you wish to order. Finished cakes delivered at the December meeting.
GROUPS:
Choir: The choir meets every Wednesday morning, 11.30-12.30 except for the Wednesday of the Rhiwbina WI meeting. Meetings will be in the Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina
Book Group: Wednesday 16th October 11.00 am at La Cucina da Mara
Tangling: Wednesday 16th October at 2.00pm 5 Court Close
St Mary's Gardens: Working parties 10.00 – 12.00 Thursday 24th October AND Tuesday 5th November which will be followed by the AGM and lunch in The Fox and Hounds
Craft Group: Monday 21st October 10.30 am 24 Lakelands Court, Rhydypenau Road
Family History: Monday 21st October 2.00pm 113 Pantbach Road
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 27th October 1.00pm Llanishen Golf Club.
NEXT MEETING
DATE: Monday 11th November at 2pm.
Speaker: Rosemary Chaloner. Subject: ‘Angels in the Line of Fire.’
WELCOME BACK EVERYONE!
We hope you have enjoyed the ‘summer’ break.
Have
you remembered to return your Smarties tubes filled with 20p and £1
coins? (Our charity this year is Wales Air Ambulance.) When you hand
them in, collect a raffle ticket: there is a prize far the lucky winner!
Today, we welcome our speaker, Sue Trusler who is going to tell us about ‘Becoming an Artist in Retirement’.
KELMSCOTT MANOR
If
vou have signed up to go on this trip on Wednesday 2nd October, and
haven't yet paid the balance or paid at all yet, you need to pay today
please. See Gill Irwin.
Coach departs at 9.15am from outside Ararat. Lunch is NOT included but food is available at a Garden Centre near Kelmscott. The visit to the Manor is in the afternoon and we will not depart from there before 4.30pm.
ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA (RWCMD)
Apologies, but we cannot give you a date yet for this ‘behind the scenes’ tour. Hopefully details will be available ready for the next meeting.
‘SWING INTO CHRISTMAS’ with DOWN FOR THE COUNT ORCHESTRA at the RWCMD.
Saturday 23rd November 2024 at 2.30p.m — Tickets £30.40 – 25 places available. Please see Elizabeth Woods today to sign up. Tickets distributed in November. Payment by 14th October – either at the monthly meeting or via Internet Banking, reference RWCMD.
GLAMORGAN CORRESPONDENCE – please see
the notice board especially if you are interested in the Autumn
Circular Federation Walk, Rhossili, Singing Yoga or the Craft Spectacular
at Margam.
HOTTER shoes.
For the W.I. Hotter offer a
30% reduction on full price, and 10% on sale items for an organised party
of 10 PEOPLE MINIMUM and ON A SPECIFIC DATE. It would be at 4.30pm and you
would make your own way there.
Dates are now limited, but Sheila is willing to organise this for
Tuesday November 12™. There will be a sheet to sign up at the next
meeting.
GROUPS:
Book Group: Wednesday 11th September, 11.00 am
at La Cucina da Mara
Choir: Wednesday 11th September, 11.30-12.30 in the
Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina
Craft Group: Monday 16th September,
10.30 am at 24 Lakelands Court, Rhydypenau Road
St Mary's Gardens: Tuesday
17th September, 10-12 noon... Working Party – all welcome.
Tangling
group: Wednesday 18th September and Tuesday 1st October, 2pm at 5 Court
Close
Sunday Lunch: Sunday 21st September, l pm at Llanishen Golf
Club
Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 30" September, 11 am at Ararat Centre
for the Community
NEXT MEETING
Date: Monday 14” October at 2pm.
The
scheduled speaker is unable to attend due to illness. There will be a
short presentation before a social (and sociable!) session with a
variety of group activities. Also, bring some cash with you because we
will have a table sale of craft equipment, jigsaw puzzles, craft
and gardening books and good quality second hand toys. PLEASE – DO NOT
BRING ANY ITEMS TO SELL
See whitchurch-wi-cardiff.
TRIPS: KELMSCOTT MANOR Date: Wednesday 2nd October. Cost: £43. Coach: leaves Ararat at 9.15am
The cost includes the coach and the afternoon guided tour of Kelmscott Manor. There will be visit to a local Garden Centre first, where you will be able to buy your own lunch.
At the last meeting, 30 people indicated their interest in this trip. You can make a deposit of £20 now if you wish to go on the trip; the full £43 cost will need to be paid at our September meeting.
The banking details for online payments are:-
Sort code: 30-98-90 / Account number: 17814568
Account: Whitchurch Women’s Institute / Reference: Kelmscott Manor Trip
TRIPS: ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA
This trip will now be after the summer break. Not surprisingly, the college have been busy this term with graduation ceremonies! So we expect to give you a date for this visit at the September meeting.
WHITCHURCH FETE
We are delighted to report that we raised £351.10 for Wales Air Ambulance, our charity this year. A big thank-you to all who were able to help and all who contributed the toys, jigsaws and craft items. Arrangements will be made to sell/dispose of unsold items.
Today’s funds bring the charity account balance up to £704.74.
SMARTIES and WALES AIR AMBULANCE?
We will all be given a tube of Smarties. We did this last year and it was very successful in raising money for our charities. The idea is to use the empty tube and fill it with 20p and £1 coins over the summer, bringing it back to the September meeting. Wouldn’t it be great if we could boost the amount raised for Wales Air Ambulance to £1,000?
GROUPS: Dates for your diaries.
Please note, the only ‘group’ meeting in August is St Mary’s Gardens. The rest resume in September.
Book Group: Wednesday 10th July 11.00 am at La Cucina da Mara
Craft Group: Monday 15th July 10.30 am 24 Lakelands Court, Rhydypenau Road
Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 15th July at 11.00am. The theme is “Food and Drink”
St. Mary’s Gardens: Tuesday 16th July and Tuesday 6th August 10.00-12.00. All welcome.
Tangling: Wednesday 17th July 2.00pm at 5 Court Close
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 21st July 1.00pm at The Pendragon
Family History: Monday 2nd September 2.00pm. 113 Pantbach Rd. Note change of day and time.
NEXT MEETING: Monday, 9th September 2024 at 2pm.
Speaker: Sue Trussler Subject: Becoming an Artist in Retirement.
See whitchurch-wi-cardiff.blogspot.com for our activities, photos and reports from previous meetings.
Our meeting today again has ‘a main event’ and an ‘add on. The subject of the talk is 'Forest Farm – Our Local Nature Reserve'. The speaker is Albyn Austin. The ‘add on’ is 'Lasting Power of Attorney' from LPA Made Simple.
Tuesday 11th June. The coach leaves at 9.30 from outside Ararat Church and is expected to be back at approximately 5.30pm.
This is 20 miles beyond Swindon. It is Grade 1 listed and was the the Summer residence of William Morris, Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement. A visit to a local Garden Centre where you can get lunch will precede the afternoon visit to Kelmscott.
The cost of the outing will be £38 to cover coach and entry. (£43 if a guided tour is wanted – see below)
A guided tour costs an extra £5 and lasts between 75 and 90 minutes. Otherwise visitors can free-flow around the house which has room guides who will answer questions. Our problem is that guided tours require a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 36 people; free-flow groups require a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 52. So, it is one OR the other. The committee has decided to ask you for your preference and let that decide which option to go for. If you are interested in this outing, please have a word with Yvonne at the front and she will note your preference. Thank you.
Raising money for Wales Air Ambulance – our charity this year.
On the Common, starting about 12 noon.
If you have forgotten to bring items today, you can bring them along on the day: craft equipment/patterns; jigsaws; good quality second hand toys and games.
Thank you to those who expressed an interest in going to a ‘behind the scenes’ tour at the RWCMD. The date will probably be in September, so details will be available next month. The guided tour lasts up to an hour and a half and the cost is £4.50 per person.
Please be aware that their opening and closing times have changed.
Bus Pass Group: does anybody want to organise this?
Choir: this will re-start on 11th September. It meets every Wednesday morning, 11.30–12.30 (except for the Wednesday of the Rhiwbina WI) in the Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina.
Book Group: Wednesday 12th June, 11.00 am at La Cucina da Mara.
Craft Group: Monday 17th June, 10.30 am, 24 Lakelands Court, Rhydypenau Road.
Poetry and Prose Group: Monday 17th June, 11.00am. The theme is ‘Schooldays'.
Tangling: Wednesday 19th June, 2.00pm and Tuesday 2nd July, 2.00pm, 5 Court Close. Tangling is a relaxing art activity, creating a 'tangle' of patterns.
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 23rd June, 1.00pm, The Pendragon.
Family History: Monday 1st July, 2.00pm. Note change of day and time.
St. Mary’s Gardens: Tuesday 16th July, 10.00–12.00. All welcome.
Our speaker is Lynda Edwards who will tell us all about 'Morris Dancing Traditions'.
There will also be cake to accompany our tea/coffee.
See whitchurch-wi-cardiff.blogspot.com for our activities, photos and reports from previous meetings.
WELCOME!
Today is our Annual Meeting, where your Committee will be elected. When the Committee leave the meeting temporarily, you will be able to see the pictures of St Mary’s Gardens. Due to electrical problems, we were not able to show them when Zoe gave the talk in February.
WHITCHURCH FETE – Saturday 29th June 2024
Please bring suitable items to our next meeting on 10th June. Funds for Air Ambulance – our charity this year.
Craft equipment/patterns including knitting wool and needles; sewing – reels of thread; decorative items. Jigsaws (please check they are complete). Good quality second hand toys and games.
ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA (RWCMD)
We are planning a ‘behind the scenes’ tour at the RWCMD. The date is not yet finalised but this is what we know. The guided tour lasts up to an hour and a half; the cost is £4.50 per person. The maximum number per visit is 25. You will be expected to get there yourself (plenty of buses pass the door).
If you are interested, there is a tick list on the front table with the other notices.
RHIWBINA WI CHOIR
A reminder that the joint choir with Rhiwbina WI has restarted. The choir meets every Wednesday morning, 11:30 – 12:30 (except the 1st Wednesday when it is the Rhiwbina WI meeting) in the Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina. There is a cost of £28 a term to cover the expense of an accompanist.
NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME
As you will know, this scheme opens privately-owned gardens on selected dates for charity. A couple of possible venues have been suggested for members to visit: Penarth, to a group of gardens, and V21 (Vision 21)’s Community Garden in Fairwater. V21 supports people with learning disabilities to realise their potential through catering, growing, creating, learning and making initiatives.
Further information is in the NGS booklet on the notice board table. Maybe a group of friends may wish to go together? Travelling would be via car share or independently.
GROUPS: Dates for your diaries.
St Mary’s Gardens: Tuesday 14th May 2024 at 10 am. St Mary’s Gardens, Old Church Rd. All welcome.
Book Group: Wednesday 15th May 2024 at 11.00am at La Cucina da Mara
Tangling Group: Wednesday 15th May 2024 and Tuesday 4th June at 2pm at 5 Court Close (off Heol Gabriel), CF14 1JR
Craft Group: Monday 20th May 2024 at 2pm, 24 Lakelands Court, Rhydypenau Road, CF23 6QE
Family History: Thursday 23rd May 2024 at 10.30am at 113 Pantbach Road
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 26th May 2024 at 1pm at The Three Arches
NEXT MEETING: Monday, 10th June 2024 at 2pm.
Subject: Forest Farm – Our Local Nature Reserve
Speaker: Albyn Austin.
Our ‘add on’ this month is about Lasting Power of Attorney with a speaker from LPA Made Simple.
WELCOME!
The speaker for April's meeting is Richard Cowie, whose subject is “How Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoirs were saved”. Also, if you have never heard of “Tangling’ or ‘structured doodling’, one of our members, Nord’zin Pamo, will explain all. Finally, we need (just) a vote on the national W.I. resolution for this year “Dental Health Matters” – a show of hands to indicate whether our W.I. supports it, or not.
PAYMENTS – A REMINDER
Annual subscription for 2024/25 is £48, to be paid by Monday, 8th April.
Reference is: 'Subscription' if paying online.
Wye Valley Outing. Tuesday 11th June 2024.
This has been very popular so we have booked a bigger coach, meaning that there are some spaces to fill. Full details about the trip were given in the last newsletter.
The cost is £32. Reference is 'Wye Valley Trip', if paying online.
The banking details for online payments are:-
Sort code: 30-98-90
Account number: 17814568
Account: Whitchurch Women’s Institute
‘BEHIND THE SCENES’
Have you thought about the ‘behind the scenes’ action needed for our W.I’s wide range of activities? Speakers, trips, refreshments/parties, updating the membership, and keeping in touch with members, the equipment needed, the newsletter, fundraising… and not least, the administration and finances. ‘Many hands make light work’, so we would be delighted to welcome new members, new ideas. You can find out more of what’s involved by ‘sitting in’ at our committee meetings if you wish. Do speak to a Committee member (orange badge) if you are interested .
GLAMORGAN FEDERATION ACCOUNTS 2023
Members interested can see these on the notice board on the front table.
RHIWBINA WI CHOIR
Gill Irwin has let us know that the joint choir with Rhiwbina WI has restarted. The choir will meet every Wednesday morning, 11:30 – 12:30 (except the 1st Wednesday of the month, when it is Rhiwbina WI meeting). Meetings will be in the Memorial Hall, Rhiwbina. There will be a cost of £28 a term to cover the expense of an accompanist.
GROUPS: Dates for your diaries.
Book Group: Wednesday 10th April 2024, 11.00am at La Cucina da Mara
Family History: Thursday 11th April 2024, 10.30am at 113 Pantbach Road
Craft Group: Monday 15th April 2024, 10.30am at 24 Lakelands Court, Rhydypenau Road, CF23 6QE
St Mary’s Gardens: Tuesday 23rd April 2024, 10 am at St Mary’s Gardens, Old Church Rd. All welcome.
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 28th April 2024, 1pm at The Three Arches
Poetry and Prose: Monday 29th April 2024 11.00am at the Ark, Ararat. The theme is 'Transport'.
The Bus Pass Group – still waiting for the better weather!
NEXT MEETING: Monday, 13th May 2024 at 2pm.
This will be our Annual Meeting – and you will also have the opportunity to see the slides of St Mary’s Gardens which we were unable to show you when Zoe did the talk in March.
WELCOME!
Due to illness we have a change to our advertised programme, but we are still going to 'Keep on Moving'!
One of our members, Pat Phillips, has kindly 'stepped in' to meet today's theme in a different way...
Janine Williams of Viney Hearing Care will tell us about the services available.
We will also vote for our Charity Choice of 2024. (See over)
W.I. RESOLUTIONS
The results of your votes last month were:
Dental Health Matters – 22.
Impacts of poor housing conditions – 26.
Say "no" to gambling advertising – 9.
Improving outcomes for women in the Criminal Justice system – 14.
These have been passed to Glamorgan Federation to forward to the NFWI
PAYMENTS DUE – A REMINDER
Annual subscription for 2024/25 is £48, to be paid by Monday, 8th April.
Reference is Subscription if paying online
Ynys Hir Outing – 9th April 2024.
Have you signed up and not yet paid? See Liz (Treasurer) today who will accept payment by cheque or cash.
Reference is Ynys Hir Trip if paying online.
The banking details for those wishing to pay online are:-
Sort code: 30-98-90
Account number: 17814568
Account: Whitchurch Women's Institute
Reference: see above; each payment has it's own reference.
WYE VALLEY OUTING – Tuesday 11 June 2024
This will be a full day trip, picking up a tour guide at Chepstow and driving through Tintern and along the Wye Valley to Monmouth. After a coffee & loo break, there will be a guided tour of the Shire Hall and Victorian Court including the history of the Chartists who were tried there. We will spend free time in Monmouth for lunch and/or shopping before a short drive to pick up a 45 minute boat trip on the Wye. We return to a hotel for coffee/tea and biscuits and then back to Cardiff.
Cost, including coach, boat trip and tea/coffee and biscuits will be £32.
OUR MAIN CHARITY FUNDRAISING EVENT FOR 2024 – Whitchurch
Festival
For the past few years, members have raised and contributed plants for sale at the Fete at the end of June. We are NOT doing that this year.
Instead, we plan to sell good quality second hand toys and games; also complete jigsaws in good condition. It is a few months off, but please bear this in mind – especially those of us with grandchildren. Any other ideas are welcome.
GROUPS: Dates for your diaries.
St Mary's Gardens: Tuesday 12th March
LOTS of planting today – come when you can manage after 9.30.
Book Group: Wednesday 13th March 2024 at 11.00am at La Cucina da Mara.
Craft Group: Monday 18th March 2024 at 10.30am, 24 Lakelands Court, Rhydypenau Road, CF23 6QE
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 24th March 2024 at 1pm at Whitchurch Golf Club.
Poetry and Prose: Monday 25th March 2024 at 11.00am at the Ark, Ararat.
Family History: Thursday 11th April 2024 at 10.30am at 113 Pantbach Road.
The Bus Pass Group will be re-starting when the weather is better!
NEXT MEETING: Monday 8th April 2024 at 2pm.
Subject: How Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoirs were saved
Speaker: Richard Cowie
Plus an add-on session by Nor'dzin, telling us about Tangling, or structured doodling
'TALKING POINT' – This is a service from the Alzheimer's Society which may be useful to you or someone you know. Alzheimer's sent the information in with their 'thank you' for our donation to their charity.
"Just one of the vital services we provide is Talking Point, our online safe space, where a trouble shared can become a trouble halved. People accessing Talking Point can learn from each other's experiences, share their frustrations and their knowledge of local services. Talking Point lets people living with dementia share and learn from each other in a safe online space. Just £50 means 312 people can access this site any time, day or night."
CHARITY CHOICES 2024
The
Wales Air Ambulance Charity is funded by the people of Wales. They
rely entirely on charitable donations to raise £11.2 million every
year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles
on the road across Wales.
The
on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly
skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in
the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer
anaesthesia and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the
incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.
“By
funding the right research into the most promising treatments, we get
closer to a cure every day. Until then, we're here for everyone
affected by Parkinson’s.”
Local
groups are run by volunteers who usually have personal experience of
living with Parkinson's. Groups run supportive activities and welcome
people with Parkinson's, family members and carers to join in. A
monthly support group runs in Rhydypennau library.
MS Society Cymru are a regional support team that have specific projects that support the Wales MS Community, which are in addition to the services provided by MS Society UK Community Officers run a series of activities and events across Wales such as yoga, exercise classes and outdoor taster activities such as adaptive climbing, surfing and cycling. A new project is Breathing Space which offers respite and short breaks for carers of those living with MS in Wales. They have social support with Men’s Shed, choirs, online quizzes etc.
The
RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Powered primarily by
kind donations, our search and rescue service has been saving lives
for nearly 200 years.
Also
RNLI lifeguards have been patrolling beaches since 2001. They share
safety advice, provide first aid to those who need it, and save the
lives of those who get in trouble in the water.
The
vast majority of RNLI people are volunteers - ordinary people doing
extraordinary things - supported by expert staff, all working
together to help communities at home and abroad save lives.
See http://whitchurch-wi-cardiff.blogspot.com for our activities, photos and
reports from previous meetings.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
WELCOME, and Happy New Year!
January 2924 meeting:
Subject: ‘Bees – it’s not just honey’ Speaker: Mavis Tierney
We are delighted to welcome back Mavis – some of you will remember her demonstrations of silk scarf painting. Today (January 9th) it's bees that Mavis is here to talk about – a subject that the WI nationally has been campaigning on for over ten years.
HAVE YOU GOT YOUR THINKING CAPS ON ?
WI Resolutions: to be voted on at our February meeting. Some background information to inform your decision can be found in the latest W.I. magazine.
Unwanted Christmas presents:
Please bring these along to our next meeting. Sales go towards our Charity fundraising. Which leads to...
Our Charities:
We want you to put forward the charities you want to support this year. As last year, we will have the opportunity to vote on which ones we will be supporting. And, speaking of which, do tell us your ideas for fundraising. Please note, although we still plan to run a stall at the Whitchurch Fete it will NOT be plants this time.
Outing:
Our anniversary trip this year is to Paul Kirner’s Music Palace in Ynys Hir. This is a showcase for theatre and electronic instruments, and we will be given a demonstration and talk, followed by a cream tea. It will be on Tuesday, 9th April. Cost £15 which includes – entry fee, entertainment, and tea and scone. Travel by coach is being paid for from funds. Please see the treasurer, Liz to sign up today.
The Bus Pass Group:
This is quite informal. A route or destination to travel by bus—using our bus passes of course—is suggested. You are given the details: date, bus route number and time – though you can catch the bus along the route if you want to join the group. Yvonne will arrange the first one in February, but your suggestions for future trips are most welcome.
MARY DAVIES
We are sad to announce the death in December of one of our members, Mary Davies. Mary has been described as ‘one of the quiet ones’ but very independent and with a gentle sense of humour. There will be a photo of her on the notice board.
GROUPS: Dates for your new 2024 diaries!
Book Group: Wednesday 10th Jan 2024 / 11.00am at La Cucina da Mara
Poetry and Prose: Monday 15th Jan 2024 / 11.00am at the Ark, Ararat
St Mary’s Gardens: Tuesday 16th Jan 2024 / 10.00 am. A working party, suitable for all activity levels.
Family History: Thursday 18th Jan 2024 / 10.30am at 113 Pantbach Road
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 21st Jan 2024 / 1pm at Pantmawr Inn. Contact Gill to select your menu choices as pre-ordering is required.
Craft Group: Monday 22nd Jan 2024 / 10.30am 18 Heol Stradling
The Bus Pass Group: this will re-start in February.
All our activities are listed on our blog, along with reports and photos from previous meetings – visit: http://whitchurch-wi-cardiff.blogspot.com
NEXT MEETING:
Monday 12th February 2024 at 2pm.
Subject: St Mary’s Gardens; the secret place.
Speakers: Zoe Pearce and Sheila Austin
(and don’t forget to bring your unwanted presents!)
No Santa today (14 more sleeps to go!) but plenty of food, good company, a Christmas songs quiz and musical entertainment from Ingrid and Norman Cumming.
GLAMORGAN EXPERIENCE: last chance to book for this 2 day event.
Blancos Hotel in Port Talbot on 4th & 5th April 2024 (Closing date 5th Jan)
Choose one of six courses on o๏ฌer—details on the notice board—but brie๏ฌy:
Crafts (5 di๏ฌerent crafts)
Felt-making
Gin-tasting with visits plus chance to mix your own gin
History of Margam Park and Margam Abbey with guided walks
Water colours for beginners.
Stained glass – make your own panel or decorative mirror from scratch
£50 deposit required. Fees include hotel accommodation and meals, tutors and all materials.
See Liz if you wish to apply.
CHRISTMAS FAIR AT ARARAT
Our table did well. The Committee thanks all those who helped. We took £200 towards our charity account, making the total amount nearly £2000.
Unfortunately, due to lack of space, we could not display all our items for sale, so we have brought them along today. Anything not sold will go to the City Hospice Charity Shop.
ACWW
After an appeal to members at the main meeting, £66.83 was raised. The Committee agreed to make this up to £100.
GROUPS: Dates for your diariesBook Group: Wednesday 13th Dec 2023 at 11.00am at La Cucina da Mara
Family History: Thursday 14th Dec 2023 at 10.30am at 113 Pantbach Road
Craft Group: Monday 18th Dec 2023 at 10.30am 18 Heol Stradling
Poetry and Prose: Monday 15th Jan 2024 11.00am at the Ark, Ararat
St Mary’s Gardens: Tuesday 16th Jan 2024 10.00 am. A working party. Suitable for all activity levels.
Please note: following the working party, we will adjourn to the Fox and Hounds for lunch. Other members of the Friends, (i.e. not just those present for the working parties) are invited to join us around 12 noon.
Sunday Lunch Group: Resumes in January 2024
The Bus Pass Group – Yvonne hopes to restart this in the New Year.
BLOG
All our activities are listed on our blog, along with reports and photos from previous meetings
– visit whitchurch-wi-cardi๏ฌ.blogspot.com
NEXT MEETING: Monday 8th January 2024 at 2pm.
Subject: ‘Bees – it’s not just honey’ Speaker: Mavis Tierney
Wishing you all a Very Happy Christmas
and all the best for the New Year!
WELCOME!
GLAMORGAN FEDERATION QUIZ – October 2023
Gill Irwin, Marilyn Roberts, Gay Thomas and Liz Jervis thoroughly enjoyed representing Whitchurch WI at this quiz, despite the dreadful weather on the journey there! The event was well supported by various WI's throughout Glamorgan. Coity were the winners, scoring 101. Our team had a respectable score of 87 – and a safe journey home.
CHRISTMAS FAIR at ARARAT: Saturday 25th November 12.00 – 4.00pm
We are hiring a table for this Christmas Fair. If you are bringing home-prepared produce for sale, this will need to be labelled with ingredients, and postcode. A period of help during the fair, 12.00 - 4.00pm, is most welcome. Please let a committee member know.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
A wreath was laid at the remembrance service at the library on behalf of Whitchurch WI.
ACWW
Have you noticed a jar containing some coins in a jar marked ACWW? The letters stand for the Associated Country Women of the World which advocates for women in rural and remote communities to be recognised for their global importance all year round. W.I.’s have long supported this and you are invited to add some money today before we submit this year’s contribution from Whitchurch W.I.
GROUPS: Dates for your diaries
St Mary’s Gardens: Tuesday 14th Nov 2023 10.00 am.
A working party, suitable for all activity levels.
Book Group: Wednesday 15th Nov 2023 at 11.00am at La Cucina da Mara
Craft Group: Monday 20th Nov 2023 at 10.30am 18 Heol Stradling
Poetry and Prose: Monday 20th Nov 2023 11.00am at the Ark, Ararat
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 26th Nov 2023 at 1.00pm at The Pantmawr Inn
Family History: Thursday 14th Dec 2023 at 10.30am at 113 Pantbach Road
BLOG
All activities are listed on our blog, along with reports and photos from previous meetings – visit whitchurch-wi-cardiff.blogspot.com
NEXT MEETING:
Monday 11th December 2023 at 2pm - the Christmas party with musical entertainment.
As usual, we will have a sharing buffet.
Last but not least, we invite members to wear something Christmassy !
For the October meeting: a treat
Smarties Tubes - fundraising for our charities
Members - important - please note
Whitchurch W.I. ‘Blog’
Apologies that the demonstration of the Blog to members at the last meeting failed for technical reasons - (nothing to do with the blog!). We encourage you to look at it - and leave a comment perhaps?
Details of how to access it:
Use whitchurch-wi-cardiff.blogspot.com which either links you automatically or you may also just need to click on Whitchurch/Glamorgan. Among other things, you will find information on previous meetings (including photos), details of future meetings, our various interest groups, and the names of your committee. In fact, this newsletter will be available there as well.
St Mary’s Gardens
Some of you may know that it was members of the W.I. (Zoe in particular) who took the initiative to do something about the neglected state of St Mary’s Gardens in Old Church Road.
There is now a ‘Friends’ group. Anyone interested in St Mary’s Gardens is warmly invited to their AGM, which includes an illustrated talk by Rhodri Hughes, Community Park Ranger, on the future of the gardens and a photography display. Do come along. Awen are hosting the event . Tea and coffee available.
The AGM is on Wednesday November 1st - 7pm - at Whitchurch Library Hub.
Groups: Dates for your diaries
Book Group: Wednesday 11th Oct 2023 at 11.00am at La Cucina da Mara
Craft Group: Monday 16th Oct 2023 at 10.30am at 18 Heol Stradling
St Mary’s Gardens: Tuesday 17th Oct 2023 10.00 am. A working party, suitable for all activity levels.
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 22nd Oct 2023 at 1.00pm at Llanishen Golf Club
Poetry and Prose: Monday 23rd Oct 2023 11.00am at the Ark, Ararat
Family History: Thursday 2nd Nov2023 at 10.30am at 113 Pantbach Road
* * * * * * * * * * *
Our next meeting:
Monday 13th November 2023 at 2pm
Subject: My life as a Puppeteer.
Speaker: Helyn Latimer
Welcome back!
Did you have a good summer? Or did it go so fast you didn’t notice?
At September's meeting we are delighted to welcome Sarah, from Hatton Willow. She will be talking about willow basket making and there will be a demonstration.
Trip to Abergavenny Food Festival. Saturday 16th September 2023.
The coach will pick you up at 9.15am outside Ararat.
Departure from Abergavenny at 5pm
Whitchurch W.I. ‘Blog’
‘Blogs” are not something most of us are familiar with, but they are useful these days for letting people know we exist and what we do. You will hear about this today from Nor’dzin but also have an opportunity to look at it, and find out how to access and use it during our tea break today.
The Glamorgan Newsletter
A reminder of some of the activities that you might be interested in. It’s a great opportunity to try something new. Forms are at the front by the noticeboard. but all bookings for Glamorgan events should be made through the treasurer, with payment in advance.
Please note the closing dates for application to participate.
Closing date : 2nd October (a variety of crafts for you to try)
Activity : Seasonal Dabble Day (£20)
Location : Murton Methodist Hall
Event date : Saturday 4th November
Closing date : 31st October
Activity : Tai Chi Taster Day (£5)
Location : Pencoed Welfare Hall
Event date : Saturday 11th November
Fundraising for our charities - at the 2024 fete
The Committee would welcome your ideas for fundraising for next year’s fete. It might seem early, but, depending on our choice, some things need quite a few months preparation. We may even need to get started before Christmas!
It would be good for the Committee to have several ideas to discuss!
Groups: Dates for your diaries
St Mary’s Gardens: Tuesday 12th Sept 2023 10.00 am.
A working party, suitable for all activity levels.
Book Group: Wednesday 13th Sept 2023 at 11.00am at La Cucina da Mara
Poetry and Prose: Monday 18th Sept 2023 11.00am at Ararat
Craft Group: Monday 18th Sept 2023 at 10.30am 18 Heol Stradling
Family History: Thursday 21st Sept 2023 at 10.30am at 113 Pantbach Road
Sunday Lunch Group: Sunday 24th Sept 2023 at 1.00pm at Llanishen Golf Club
Our next meeting:
Monday 9th October at 2pm.
Speaker: Debra John.
Subject: Amy Dilwen, Edwardian Philanthropist
