Annual Report 2014-15

The Federation representative at the annual meeting in November 2014 was Brenda. (WI Advisor)

We thanked Diana H for her services and valuable contribution to the committee as Secretary from 2005 to 2010 and as President from 2010 to 2014. We also thanked Daphne for her many contributions to the committee since 2006 and Molly G for her service during the past year. We welcomed Elizabeth A, Lesley, Irene and Angela onto the committee, and Linda as our new President.

Currently we have 39 members including three new members joining us during the year with a possibility of two more about to join us.  In January Iva moved to a care home where she is about to celebrate her 100th birthday. In June, Joyce P, our last founder member, sadly passed away. Donations in her memory were given to her chosen charity “Air Ambulance”. Over the year attendance at meetings has been between 27 &34.

Thanks go to Anne R and Hazel, who have taken on the challenge from Ute and Sue to arrange a programme of speakers for the year. They have been to most of the “Speakers interviewing days” in their successful search for a variety of suitable, interesting and entertaining speakers.

Throughout the year we have joined in with the events organised by National, Federation and other WI’s, including our own to celebrate the Centenary Year, and what a busy year it has been, with many a tale to tell! We thank all those members who have shared their experiences of events, which have included Picnic in the Park, Surrey’s baton handover, The Royal Garden Party, the Annual Meeting at the Royal Albert Hall, Singleton and East Dean’s “100 not out”, The Centenary Fair at Harrogate and the Centenary Concert in which two of our members were involved. Not forgetting our own birthday celebrations with an informative talk about the Wey and Arun Canal and following a good lunch, a very pleasant trip along the canal in a narrow boat. We ventured out into the community and hosted a very successful (though somewhat wet) pitch to promote the WI at “Sparks in the Park.” The weather was also somewhat wet in August, when Anne R generously hosted our garden party in her delightful garden.  Afternoon tea was provided and served by the committee and enjoyed by all, in spite of the rain. (An example of the resilience true to the WI)

Throughout the year our Book Club, (supported by Hazel) Craft Group, (generously hosted by Rosemary) Scrabble (hosted by different members each month) and Walks (organised by Daphne) have continued to meet monthly and members continue to enjoy these activities. A small but loyal group have continued to support the Chanctonbury Science group meetings, enjoying a diverse and interesting range of topics given by knowledgeable speakers. True to the WI mantra to educate women, many members have attended Federation organised activities to learn new skills, to enrich their knowledge and even challenge their knowledge.

We have continued to support the Weald group of WI’s at the half yearly meetings offering opportunities to work and socialise with other WI group members. In addition, members have taken part in both the South of England Summer and Autumn shows. Showcasing some of the talents we have within our own WI. One particular outcome is that we are now the proud owners of a banner which symbolises our WI, and is proudly displayed at our meetings.

We must also mention the generous contribution made by members in support of several organisations. These include knitted items for the neonatal unit at East Surrey Hospital. Donations at fund raising events, which this year have included The British Lung Foundation-Big Breakfast, cake sale for ACWW’s “International Rural Women’s Day”, Poppies made by the craft group for the Royal British Legion Poppy appeal. Not forgetting, the very loyal support for our own fund raising projects, mainly through Craft Sales. We give a huge THANK YOU to the major contribution by Hazel for making most of the craft sale items.

Not letting the grass grow under our feet, Anne R has worked tirelessly to secure our move in September to a more comfortable venue at the URC Church Hall. Finally as a commemoration of the WI Centenary our goal was to launch our own website to be linked to the Federation and National WI websites. This has been long in the making, with a determined and dedicated team to get this project successfully underway.

It has been a very busy and rewarding year and we have embraced and implemented the message that:

The WI is here to inspire you         (We have been inspired!)                                                   Your WI is what you want it to be      (We are a friendly and welcoming WI)                   With what you want to make it           (A representation of the WI ethos)

Achieved by every members’ contribution in supporting ideas and working together to implement them.