25th November WI Meeting at Mary Sumner House includes ACWW information

Two of us going from Somerset. Intend to go up the day before. Wonder if there will be any new information? I believe there will be reps from Dorset, and Devon too. Anyone else going? I understand that Sue Atrill, Hampshire, will be giving a talk with a brief overview of how the Hampshire Team ran the European Conference - that must have taken such a lot of planning - so should be very interesting.

Our own Somerset AGM

Not a lot of ACWW to report here. I had my two display boards and managed to get someone else to man them as I was Deputy Steward - not a lot of activity - sold another history book and a couple of badges. Wincanton mentioned but no further publicity - not invited to speak as too busy with walkie/talkie and sorting any queries!! Collected more money for new project - waiting for a list of possibles from ACWW HQ - have emailed for a list, which will be sent when they have been able to compile the profiles. This is a dull end of the year - lots of AGMs in our WIs and jobs to do - but not many events now - well not at my end of the county.

Newspaper Report re: Wincanton

Despite sending a very clear report to the paper - they managed to say that Dato Ursula Goh was the WI World President not ACWW World President - Thelma is thinking of writing to ask them to clarify this. We have had lots of letters about the day saying how much people had enjoyed the event - how lovely that such a good day had visitors from so many counties of Southern England as well as our International visitors.

10.11.08 Just had a copy of a report put in by our own 'Press Officer' which she has just sent to local glossies after the event - it states that £12,500 was collected by our Friendship Fund. Actually, we collected £12,500 for our projects and over £10,000 for the PfF - in total over £22,500. Easy enough typing error - did email them hoping to correct it before printing - we will have to wait and see!!

W-Icon Winner

Not ACWW but Congrats to Hampshire - Emma Cunningham (35) from Bramley is one of the winners of this competition. She is going to build a new pre-school building for Bramley's playschool to make room for more children.

Speakers from Wincanton

Pictures 1. Dato Ursula Goh, World President of ACWW.

2. Valerie Stevens from Dorset.

3. May Kidd, Deputy World President of ACWW

More details in order of speaking:

1.Valerie (in the turquoise polo) was our first speaker talking about her memories from the World Triennial Conference in Turku, Finland. The worst microphone problems were for Valerie who coped really well. Evidently Veronica, our head steward, traced the wire back to the junction box and kept it open with a teaspoon. I don't know quite how the technicalities of this worked but it certainly eased the situation. Good on you, Veronica!!!

2. 3rd picture shows May Kidd, Deputy World President. May told us of simple but heart-warming incidents in Eastern Europe, then played several tunes on the Piano accordion which Ros Cooper had brought from Hampshire - thanks Ros. There were others available - an antique one from my village - too heavy, and a childs one - out of tune, so mummy bear from Hampshire won!!!! We all enjoyed joining in singing a world-wide favourite (according to May from her travels)- 'My bonny lies over the ocean!!!'

3. Ursula (1st picture) brought the third world home to us with one of her stories telling us about a request in sub-Saharan Africa for tractors which on return from the fields - a 4 mile walk and short car ride - was actually a request for wheelbarrows - which was willingly granted. In fact 5 were sent. ACWW yet again, actionning a request from local women, who knew what they needed to help their own community.
(keep seeing this story reported in the local paper from WI members who attended - it certainly had an effect)

Inspiring talks all from all three speakers. Everyone was delighted to meet all the members from ACWW HQ and one WI had their meeting that night and went home to tell them all about the fascinating day they had and felt that their ACWW history book will soon find its way around their members. Just what we wanted to achieve - more publicity about the good work of ACWW.

(Picture of Ursula from Sylvia Reed - thanks Sylvia.

International Day of Rural Women

1. Sharing a welcome cup of coffee with the visitors. All present on this one. (Thanks to Sheila Budd for this photo).

Back Row: Sharon (Canada), Elsie (Scotland) Valerie (Dorset) ACWW Rep (Somerset) Yolande (living in London at present)

Front Row: Rose (Trinidad & Tobago), May (Scotland), Ursula (Malaysia) Anphia (S Africa), and Maria (Bulgaria).

2. The speakers, and visitors from ACWW HQ with Somerset members, Thelma our County Chairman and our ACWW Rep.

3. Thelma, Somerset Chairman welcomes visitors from ACWW HQ.

Well, the day went very well, minor (?) problems with the microphones!! It was delightful to meet Ursula, May, Anphia, Maria, Elsie, Rose and her friend Yolande from ACWW HQ. (apologies for use of christian names only BUT it was such a friendly day). Sharon was also present - she had been staying with Valerie.

The radio bus was present and broadcasted live all morning and many WI members were interviewed, finally finishing with a long interview with May and Ursula. Valerie (from Dorset), May and Ursula our speakers were wonderful and gave really excellent and different views of the value of the good work that ACWW does. Valerie gave pretty lavender bags to Ursula and May -'flowers from an English garden'. At the end of the day Rose gave good wishes to everyone from the Caribbean and a gift to Ursula from her members - a bag to take her bible to church. The day ended with much good will engendered and 37 signed history books sold. We were also joined by members from: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Wilts(?) Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hereford, Surrey and Gwent as well as our members from Somerset. Thanks to the BOT and WIAs of Somerset for their support and organisation of the day - such a day could not be achieved without their teamwork.

Pictures of members at WRW

Serious discussions took place in the workshops as members planned how to cascade this information when they returned to their Federations. 1. Somerset caught during one of the workshops . 2. Esme from Dorset chatting to member from Pembroke at the end of the row.

Women Reaching Women Training at Denman

Training took place in the newly completed Ferris Room. An ideal place for a conference.
Emily (3rd from the left) and Yetunde on the right are our links from NFWI HQ. The course is sponsored by DFID.


View below 1. The Federation representives on the course outside the front door of Denman College. Most Federations in SW group were represented. 2. The facilitators outside the front door of Denman.

The information we have been given is to be cascaded out in Federations in the way each individual Federation wants but it is certainly very relevant to our lives today and a powerful message to take to our members. It does not clash with ACWW but, I feel, it does clarify WHY we need to support women in third world countries through whatever channel we as individual members chose.

Tickets for Wincanton

Hi - the tickets have been posted out. They have arrived at my WI. I haven't got mine yet BUT, I think they will let me in!!! I've got all the ACWW stationery etc!!!!

Poem about the World Triennial Conference held in Turku in June 2007

This was read on Wednesday evening during entertainment time at the European Area Conference at Southampton.

"TRIENNIAL"
Finland in early summer, blue skies and midnight sun,
A schedule - full and focussed,
And business to be done.
Women came to listen, to consider, and decide
From different lands and cultures
A sisterhood - world wide.

Formal the agenda, conventional routine
But the memories to treasure
Grew in the spaces in between,
Time out for coffee, time out to walk
Time out to listen and
Time out to talk.

Talk about poverty, hunger and need
Talk about slavery, trafficking, greed
Talk about war, and talk about strife
Talk about hope, talk about life.
All about people and how they can grow
How they can be helped, what we need to know.
Caring and doing, working it out
Language no barrier, this is what it's about.
Sharing our laughter, singing through tears,
Friendships of strength, enduring for years.
Like-minded people with plenty to share,
A gift that is priceless, precious and rare.

There is always 'fun and friendship' - the general rule
But - Ah - the warmth of the welcome from Finland the cool.
-----------------------------------------------------
Thanks to Therese from Gwent for allowing us all to share this lovely poem. I'll let you into a secret Therese has won a prize at an eistedfod before now - you can tell why can't you?

Women Reaching Women

Some of the County representatives attending this training will be ACWW Reps. They will be at Denman from 6.00pm on the 8th October until 1.00pm on the 10th October. I look forward to meeting reps from the SW and also other Federations. Items under discussion will include Millenium Development Goals and Gender Equality. This is a 3 year training plan for the Federations involved and will be cascaded to members through their Federations.

SCFWI Celebratory Lunch - Top Table

A bit of last minute planning!!! Members enjoying the day below!!