Two new Countrywomen received this year  - all getting exciting - hearing about various journeys planned.   We have Roadshows soon - just downloaded to a flash stick!!  Thanks Jenny from HQ. Could be ACWW news and Triennial news might be well received!!

The UN committee seemed to have had a great time and CSW57 has been actioned.  Will add pics later!!

Latest ACWW news

Lots of info from ACWW HQ including latest copy of the Countrywoman which is very interesting.  There is an account of the 'House of Lords' event plus the write up of Binegar's Iceland Day..

Also received Projects Update - Anphia visited the Somerset Project - she has photo's and will send over.

Women Walk the World

2012 so successful - this will be repeated in 2013 and then taken to conference for next steps!!

15th October - United Nations day for Rural Women

Nicky and Sali to attend 'House of Lords' NAWO/ACWW conference today.  Looking forward to receiving their impressions.

Well Nicky got there as pictures will prove - BUT poor Sali tripped over 'something' crashed to the pavement on her forehead - got scooped up by the police on duty outside the House of Parliament and sent by taxi for 3 hrs for a scan at the local hospital.  She got home by Berry's coach but she says she looks like at aubergine - so near as well.

Nicky has done a report but felt more publicity could have been achieved at the meeting hopefully pictures will be added later.

3rd October

Whole Pand P meeting on Skype - what a difficult connection!!   Heard everyone BUT accents difficult.  Had to resort to typing comments which sometimes came 'too late' for the  conversation.  Whole thing quite a strain - despite sitting here all day - glad to be involved tho' without the drive/train/walk effort.

Alison has updated us:  'Women Walk the World' to be repeated next year and then discussed at Conference in 2013 in Chennai.  Tagline more or less decided - left with Exec to fine-tune - wonder what adviser will think!!!

Update in September

Well our 1st August day made £685.66 (included 26 sun-visors).   How fantastic - money all sent to ACWW.    Have since received two more 'healthy' donations from Wells and Cheddar WIs - so now stand at over £2,055.  Our project is £2400 - can we finish it this year!!

Received updated 2010 constitution from ACWW also notice of intended meeting to be held on 15th October at the House of Lords subject:  'What universal rights do rural women share?' 

This is a joint event with NAWO chair Baroness Verma.   The UN's Comision on the Status of Women in March 2012 focussed on the needs and status of rural women globally.  Members states failed to reach an overall conclusion.

Trying to write a tagline - not easy - going to take it to my meeting tomorrow at WL for them to tweek!!    Perhaps!!   Received new constitution - will attempt to read before next meeting.

Update - never got to that meeting - TIA - spent 36 hours in hospital been recuperating - hence lack of input - imagine   - good job we don't know the future!!

1st August - ACWW / Iceland Day

Well approx 80 people came. We had ACWW Reps from Devon, Dorset, Wiltshire, Worcester, W. Midlands and Surrey and a lot of WI members from Somerset. The speakers, Valerie Stevens, Kay Trippick spoke about Belarus, Mary Andrews told us about the 2013 Triennial in Chennai India and Jackie about the 2016 Triennial in England sponsors W. Midlands Federation.

Our afternoon speaker was Bob Chaplow from Wantage an eminent geologist talking about his holiday with his wife  in Iceland - luckily his wife was able to attend as well. Day went well according to most attendees. Money not counted yet but the result seems fairly positive.

Wiltshire Rep gave us a preview of a resolution they hope to send to ACWW HQ for inclusion at the Triennial.

Our members did a wonderful job of help - to name but a few, Ruth, Chris, Doreen, Moira, who were busy all day assisted by Sue who came in for 1/2hr before the start plus helped in afternoon and  Kath, Molly who helped where they could.  I think I've mentioned them all - thanks so much.

Wiltshire India Day 26th July/ Hampshire India Day 3rd Ocober

Am booked to go to this day - have to take daughter to airport first - so will miss first couple of speakers - hope to get there by about 11.30pm and pay on door.   Should be really interesting.    Really enjoyed the day - a lady arranged 'Indian 'Bollywoodl' dancing which was great fun - followed by an Indian takeaway lunch - yum.    In the afternoon we heard about the Teem Tree Trust - not a dry eye in the house after seeing a short film on school sports and seeing the brave attempts of the crippled boys.   A thoroughly fascinating day - many thanks to Susan Jonas who told me about the plans - I was delighted to be able to join in.

Mary Andrews updated us on this.

NB: 
3rd October India Day in Hampshire - will be at P&P in London - but will advertise at 1st August day.

Still working out how to turn this  around but it shows the lovely bright costume!  Many members joined in the dancing or just the hand movements!!

1st August update

Well - good news - we have over 50 people booked into this day now.    Latest Countrywoman shows more 'Women Walk the World' news AND my board has pictures that people have sent me from Somerset plus some Worldwide ones from the ACWW website.

Looking forward to the day.  We have 3 members from Wiltshire, 1 from Worcester, 1 from Devon - apologies from Cornwall, Avon, Glos.   This date was risky being mid somer and some people are on holiday - but I thought some might want to avoid constant sport and it's really excellent that so many agreed with this idea - Cheers everyone!

New NFWI ACWW Rep

The new Rep is Maggie Simons of Wiltshire - invited her to our day at Binegar BUT she has another meeting.   Maggie is well known in Somerset she used to be our Treasurer before she moved.

1st August - ACWW day on Belarus/ACWW/Iceland

Well the halls booked - the speakers are booked - got orders for 5 tickets so far - just have to wait with baited breath for bookings.  Some word of mouth support - tickets ready - it's over to members now!!

Still living dangerously - Valerie and George booked, Mary to update us re: India,  Iceland speaker booked - oh where are my supporters ...................................   watch this space - could be more after Monday!!

No's going up slowly - may be a 'select' group!!

'Wizzing Round Britain' by Zippy Nomad

Just got my copy of this book.   It's really interesting - good to see reports from Somerset.    Come on Zippy you need to come back to Somerset and visit more of us.   Congrats on a very interesting book - all profits to ACWW - especially for UN work and lots WI of info for members and non-members.

New report from ACWW HQ

Very good article via Facebook - thanking members who walked for 'Women Walk the World'.  It makes you feel proud that you were involved in such a great event.

April 2012 will go down in ACWW history, as the time women around the world took part in Women Walk the World. This event was the initiative of the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW), which aims have always been to unite women worldwide, raise funds for poverty relief and education, in many developing countries.   See below copied from Facebook:

On the days leading up to ACWW Day (29^th April) as well as on the day itself, groups from member societies across the world, along with their families and friends gathered together to promote ACWW and to raise funds for its valuable work. Thousands joined in on what could only be described by most, as the coldest, wettest days of the year. But with the rain poured down on them, footpaths disappearing under inches of water and umbrellas blowing inside out, they kept going, determined to complete their walks.

They walked in vast rural areas, in historical parklands, in village greens and even in car parks, all in the name of ACWW. There were some regions, which enjoyed the sun, but not many. Almost every corner of the world took part, from Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, South Africa and India to name a few.

ACWW has been inspiring and connecting with women for over 80 years and since 1977 have funded more than 900 small scale development programmes in countries such as Cameroon, India, Bangladesh, Uganda, Tanzania and Romania.
 

The huge amount of money raised and the local press coverage received for Women Walk the World, will go a long way in spreading ACWW’s message and ACWW’s aims of 'Empowering Women Worldwide – Encourage, Educate, Enrich'

ACWW - W.W.the.W. - totals mount

Sunshine in Australia

Received more collections from the walk - £800+ so far which has been sent
to ACWW HQ.     Many thanks to all the WIs in Somerset who  have taken part
or who still plan to get  involved in this marvellous idea.
Oh sold nearly 420 sun-visors - getting there!!  All profits to the Somerset
ACWW Project in Tanzania - water storage for Widows & Orphans Society.

A WI in N. Ireland - note the coats for our colder than average 'spring'

Families preparing to walk in Malaysia
had  to
walk early to miss the hot sun!!

Canada needed coats as well