MINUTES OF OAKHAM AFTERNOON W.I. HELD ON 21 st November at ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL, OAKHAM
The meeting began with a welcome to everyone, from President, Gillian Hester. We had 25 members present. We then sang Jerusalem, after which Gillian introduced the programme for the afternoon. We started with the Annual Meeting, then we had the normal meeting.
Apologies were received from Milly Lewis-Bates, Jo King and Elizabeth Hornsby.
Birthdays: Evelyn Philpot, Veronica Hayley, Jill Brown, Anne Downs and Pat Phillips.
Minutes of the last meeting were read by Gillian.
Matters arising – Nobody else has stepped forward to come onto the committee.
Correspondence was read by Susan Reeve and arrangements for transport for the Christmas meal were discussed and also for what to do if you can’t go.
Christine Spark then talked about the Macular Meetings that she encouraged people to get involved with.
Tea followed after which Gillian thanked Phil Boak for helping Sue Dugmore making drinks and also Anne Skipworth for providing some of the refreshments (but couldn’t stay for the meeting).
We then had the raffle which made £22.
After that we had a Quiz, based on the alphabet.
The President thanked everyone for coming and said that she hoped to see most of those present at the Christmas dinner on the 12th December at the Old Wisteria, 12.30 for 1pm. She then reminded people to save their stamps from their Christmas cards.
Meeting closed at about 3.50 p.m.
MINUTES OF OAKHAM AFTERNOON W.I. HELD ON 17th October at ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL, OAKHAM
The meeting began with a welcome to everyone, including 3 visitors from President, Gillian Hester. We then sang Jerusalem after which Gillian introduced Carolyn Boulter. She taught us how and then helped us to make Patchwork Christmas Trees. Vote of thanks was given by Sue Dugmore.
Tea followed after which Gillian thanked Eileen Blackwood and Anne Downs for making the tea and providing refreshments.
Apologies received from Elizabeth Hornsby, Milly Lewis-Bates, Jo King, Sonia Sutton and Marilyne Pawley,
Birthdays: Olive Saunders, Susan Cripps and Olive Owen.
Minutes of the last meeting were read by Gillian.
Matters arising – Gillian asked if anyone had gone to the quiz organized by the Evening WI. Margaret Hall went and told us a little about it.
Correspondence was read by Susan Reeve, including a reminder about the arrangements for paying for the Christmas meal at the Wisteria Hotel.
We then had the raffle which made £30
President thanked everyone for coming and said that the next meeting would be on November 21st and would be our AGM and Social. Gillian announced that we are looking for new committee members. Already one person has stepped forward, but it would be good to have others. If anyone is interested they should speak to Gillian or Susan.
Meeting closed at 3.52 p.m.
MINUTES OF OAKHAM AFTERNOON W.I. HELD ON 18th JULY at ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL, OAKHAM
Meeting was opened with a welcome from President, Gillian Hester, to everyone, including 2 visitors. She then informed members that the speaker hadn't yet arrived, so we would start with some of the business and hope she would arrive soon. We then sang Jerusalem, during which the speaker arrived, but needed time to set up.
Apologies received from Susan Reeve, Liz Dodd, Jill Stacey, Margaret Hall, June Clapinson, Marion Sims, Phil Boak, Marina Coneybeare, Marilyn Pawley, Shelagh Parmella and Jo King.
Birthdays: Elizabeth Hornsby, Margaret Hall, Marion Sims, Jill Stacey and Maureen Hubbard
Minutes of the last meeting were read by the President. Afternoon Tea at the Wisteria Hotel needs to be paid for today, if you haven't already, as we need to pay for the numbers we give by Tuesday.
Our speaker was then ready and Roxanne Dinsdale was introduced. She started with a demonstration dance and the dispelled some of the myths of Belly Dancing, one of which was it's name , which was originally Bellidy which means 'Dance of my Country'. She also showed us a number of different costumes. Vote of thanks was given by Sonia Sutton.
Tea then followed, after which we finished the business.
Thanks was given to those who had made the tea and provided refreshments - Dorothy Kirkpatrick and Julie Testa.
Correspondence was read by Gillian Hester, including a letter which had been brought in during the break, from 'Churches Together in Rutland' inviting us to a 'Songs of Praise' event in Cutts Close on 1st September with a request for a hymn choice. Of course, Jerusalem was chosen! President then read the Report of the Annual Meeting in Bournemouth in June, which she had been sent by Ruth Jarvis, our delegate. We then had the raffle. President thanked everyone for coming and said that the next meeting would be on August 15th - Planet Leicester Bakers.
MINUTES OF OAKHAM AFTERNOON W.I. HELD ON 20th JUNE 2019 at ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL, OAKHAM.
The President welcomed 26 members and 1 visitor to our meeting. She followed on by introducing our Speaker, Nigel Spencer, who gave a detailed talk on his trip to the Falkland Islands where he was able to indulge in his passion for photographing wildlife. His particular interest here was studying the Penguins, of which there are many species and members were treated to many slides of them. The Vote of Thanks was given by Eileen Blackwood.
Refreshments followed after which President began the business. Apologies received from Liz Dodd, Anne Skipworth, Sonia Sutton, Marilyn Pawley, Evelyn Philpott, Eileen Rawson, Freda Shimwell, Shelagh Parmella,
Birthdays: Julie Testa, Dorothy Kirkpatrick, Eileen Blackwood and Shelagh Parmella.
Correspondence read out by Susan Reeves. She notified members of the death of former member Jean Marsland whose funeral is on 27 June at Kettering.
Susan notified members that on 25th July at 3 p.m. an afternoon tea has been arranged. Cost £10 at the Wisteria Hotel, Oakham. Notify Jill Groombridge or Dorothy Kirkpatrick if you wish to come.
Also there is an outing to Kew Gardens for an evening of lights etc. organised by Leicester. Date: 4th December. Coach leaving Oakham bus station at 1 p.m. departing Kew at 8.30 p.m. Cost: £32.
The Raffle raised £25.
Meeting closed at 4 pm. Next meeting on 18th July on "Myths of Belly Dancing".
MINUTES OF OAKHAM AFTERNOON W.I. HELD ON THURSDAY, 16 MAY 2019 at ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL, OAKHAM
Meeting opened with a welcome from Gillian Hester our president who welcomed members and Ruth Jarvis, Donnington W.I. who is the Delegate at the AGM.
Apologies received from Jill Stacey, Jenny Seccombe, Dorothy Kirkpatrick, Maureen Hubbard, Freda Shimwell, Olive Owen, Pat Phillips, Shelagh Parmella
and June Clapinson.
Birthday: Christine Sparks.
Resolutions were read out, the first one on the subject of Smear Tests presented by Jo King. Discussion followed on various aspects of this subject and after votes were taken the Delegate was instructed to vote against the campaign owing to the fact that progress has advanced in this field including NHS's renewed campaign to encourage women to take up these tests.
The next Resolution, presented by Eileen Blackwood, was on the subject of the decline in rural bus services. Discussion took place on the importance of providing rurual bus services to alleviate loneliness, to provide a service to those without a car, to enable elderly folk to get about. The votes revealed that everyone was in favour of urging HM Government and local authorities to increase funds in order to maintain such services.
Refreshments followed after which correspondence was read by Susan Reeves. She brought attention to the Marie Curie Fashion show at the Victoria Halls on 23rd May at 7.30 p.m. Cost £10. The quiz, hosted by Oakham Evening W.I. on 5th July in All Saints Church Hall and Try A Craft at Corresmore Village Hall on 19th May. Susan pointed out an article in the County News regarding knitting hats for AGE UK. Margaret Hall reminded members that there is a Knit & Natter group at VAR on Thursdays, all are welcome.
Christine Sparks informed members of the Call Connect bus telephone numbers which are 01733 317461 or 0345 2638153.
Members then enjoyed a fascinating quiz provided by Jill Groombridge and the meeting closed with members chatting for 2 minutes on the subject of their first job which Susan Reeves organised.
The raffle raised £26.
Next meeting 20 June with Nigel Spencer presenting Photographs of the Falklands.
MEETING OF OAKHAM AFTERNOON W.I. HELD ON THURSDAY, 18th APRIL 2019 at ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL at 2.p.m.
A warm welcome was extended by our President, Gillian Hester to 24 members and 2 visitors and after Jeruualem was sung our speaker Mr.Frank Fitzgibbons was introduced. Members were interested to hear about the history of Belvoir Fruit Farm from its creation by Lord Manners to present-day products such as the well known fruit Cordials, the best known of which is the Elderflower. We were all invited to taste some of the juices and tonics much to our delight. The Vote of Thanks was given by Brenda Lang.
After refreshments provided by Jill Stacey and Sonia Sutton, for which President gave thanks, apologies were given by Anne Skipworth, Elizabeth Hornsby, Mavis Wolloff, June Clapinson and Marilyn Pawley.
Birthdays: Freda Shimwell and Jenny Seccombe
Millie Lewis-Bates gave a short resume of the Horseshoe Group meeting which she and 2 other members, Sonia and Olive attended and which they enjoyed.
Correspondence was read by Gillian Hester.
Jill Stacey drew attention to the forthcoming Marie Curie Fashion Show to be held at Victoria Halls, Thursday, 23 May at 7.30 p.m. Margaret Hall reminded members that the Jigsaw Festival sale to raise for funds for "Oakham In Bloom" was at the Victoria Halls.
Margaret Hall also announced that on 18th May the Rutland Ladies Social Group were providing an outing to Boston, Lincs, departure 9.30 am from the Bus Station Oakham. Cost £15 and anybody interested please contact her.
Cottesmore W.I. are providing another Come & Try a Craft event in May .
President reminded members that our next meeting would be about Resolutions followed by social event on Thursday, 16th May.
MINUTES OF OAKHAM AFTERNOON W.I. HELD ON THURSDAY 21st FEBRUARY 2019 at ALL SAINTS CHURCH OAKHAM
Our President, Gillian Hester, opened the meeting with a welcome to 26 members and 5 visitors. After Jerusalem was sung she introduced our Speaker, Andrew Brown whose talk was entitled "The Future of Farming in Rutland". Members found his talk extremely enjoyable because, apart from the interesting information on managing his farm of 620 acres, he entertained us with anecdotes from his very varied life which included acting as High Sheriff of Rutland and a stand up comedian. Interspersed with snippets of history and the slides, the talk was enjoyed by all. Jill Stacey gave the Vote of Thanks.
After refreshments, thanks to Phil Boak and Marilyn Pawley, our President gave apologies from Anne Skipworth, Elizabeth Hornsby, Sue Dugmore, June Clapinson, Margaret Hall, Millie Lewis-Bates and Eileen Blackwood. She followed on by relating the sad news of the death of Cornelia Helen Fortescue-Mayer, a former member who was very active in her years with the W.I. She died on 20th January aged 94. 4 members are going to attend the funeral on 1st March and invitations by her daughter are extended to all at Barnsdale lodge afterwards.
President notified members that, sadly, Thelma Adams is not renewing her membership due to ill health. She had been a WI member since 1967.
Birthdays for February are Brenda Lang and Millie Lewis-Bates.
No correspondence. Thanks was given to Liz Dodds and Jill Stacey for arranging such a varied and interesting Programme.
The raffle raised £31 and meeting ended at 3.55 p.m.
Next meeting 21st March with a talk on "Life of a Thoroughly Modern Milliner" by Louise Brookes. (This has now been replaced by a talk on Laughter and mindfulness by Helen Rowe.)
MINUTES OF OAKHAM AFTERNOON W.I. held on Thursday, 17th January at All Saints Church Hall at 2.00 pm.
APOLOGIES: Susan Reeves, Liz Dodds, Jill Stacey, June Clapinson, Susan Cripps, Olive Owen,Marilyn Pawley, Millie Lewis-Bates and Veronica Hayley
23 members attended. 1 visitor.
Gillian Hester, President, opened the meeting with a welcome and a Happy New Year to everyone. Jerusalem was sung after which she introduced Simon Bentley, our speaker from the Leicesteshire & Rutland Wildlife Trust. He entertained us with a brilliant talk and slides on the Trust's work which covers conservation and nature reserves, protection and enhancement of Rutland's and Leicestershire's wildlife. Activities, events and fundraising are organised to help inspire members of the public and particularly children to their work. He was particularly proud of the Osprey Project at Rutland Water, the trainee schemes and their 700 volunteers. Gillian Hester gave the Vote of Thanks.
After refreshments, for which President gave thanks to Jill Groombridge and Sue Dugmore, business resumed. President confirmed that the Annual Meeting takes place on 9th March in Leicester. President apologised for the lapse in a vote at the Annual General Meeting regarding voting back the committee. Discussion ensued and the result was that things should remain as they are. President confirmed that the correct order would be followed at next AGM.
Correspondence was read which included various activities in Leicester. This was followed by a Resolution vote. President read out the proposed resolutions and put before members who overwhelmingly voted for "a call in the Decline of local Bus Services."
The raffle raised £20 and a reminder that the next meeting is on 21 February with Andrew Brown speaking on "The Future of Farming in Rutland".