2020 Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF OAKHAM AFTERNOON WI ON THURSDAY, 16 JANUARY 2020 AT ALL SAINTS CHURCH HALL

Our President, Gillian Hester, opened the meeting with a welcome to 22 members and 3 visitors.  Our speaker, Wim Zwarf, was introduced and he began his very interesting talk entitled "A Trip Down Under" which turned out to be about John Shearing, a baker, who had been transported to Australia as a convict having been convicted of stealing.  We followed his fascinating life history until his death, when Wim announced, to members' surprise,  that John Shearing was his Great, Great, Great Grandfather.  " May all your ancestors be criminals "  was Wim's amusing anecdote stating that from a family history point of view, criminals were more interesting.

Refreshments followed with a thanks to Jill Groombridge, Liz Dodds and Dorothy Kirkpatrick.
Business followed with:
Apologies from: Anne Skipworth, Eileen Blackwood,Pawley, Evelyn Philpot, Olive Owen and Mavis Wolloff
Birthdays: Sonia, Jill Groombridge, Eileen Rawson

Minutes of last meeting were read and signed.

Correspondence was read out by Susan Reeve.  In particular a Denman weekend coming up, observer tickets available for the Albert Hall Annual meeting, Horseshoe group meeting on 24th March at 7.30 p.m. hosted by Oakham W.I.  Pennies for Friendship required by February meeting when cheque will be sent to HQ  A reminder that subs are £43.    Christine Sparks drew attention to the change of RF2 bus timetable.  HQ letter re: ideas of how to help with Australian bush fires.

Gillian Hester then presented the Resolutions before members for discussion.  On the whole the resolutions were met with a lukewarm reception, but votes were counted and will be forwarded to HQ.    Gillian Hester closed the meeting at 3.50 p.m.   Next meeting on 20th February on seasonal photography by Richard Adams.