Thanks to all emails received from Europe

From ACWW Penfriend Co-ordinator: I will try to find you penfriends as soon as I get requests from the countries you are interested in.

Request from Janice Langley, Vice Chairman of Promotions Committee

Volunteers are needed to collect money for ACWW on 12th March at Cheltenham Ladies Day. You will be needed for probably several
(1 1/2 - 2 ) hour stints (whatever the weather). During the gaps you can see the horses etc!! Take your husband, friends, whatever, - basic knowledge of ACWW useful but not essential. Let Jan Hugill at ACWW HQ know if you can help on this very important day - you will have seen the article about it in the latest Countrywoman.

New Countrywoman - January 2009

Well ACWW SW are well represented There is an article on our Wincanton day in Somerset - the UN International Day for Rural Women. (Somerset Chair, Somerset ACWW Rep, Dato Ursula Goh, World President, Anphia Grobler World Treasurer and Maria Zagorska from Bulgaria) There is also another article about starting groups. Lovely picture of the first group to start in UK - Wales in their red polos with the red dragon - shame the write up above indicated it would be a picture of the ACWW SW - sorry Christine - they seemed to have missed your picture out!!! My picture of the Wales Group (taken with my own camera in Finland) has been wiped from the blog strangely enough as have quite a few others (perhaps I'm running out of space!! On the right of this blog there is a picture of some of the ACWW SW group at the European Area Conference, There was was a good write up of the conference run by Hampshire which was a very friendly time and so well run by them.

Gloucester had an excellent write up in anticipation of their great day at Cheltenham Race Course in March. Wouldn't it be fun if one of the royals was in attendance!!! It is their patch really with the Cotswolds so close!!!

Minutes of Midland Support Group

The minutes of the above have been received and circulated. Very useful information contained. Welcome to another support group.

Devon and Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu

Devon's project is for Dalit women in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, India. These women are landless and unskilled, relying on seasonal labour to support their families. They have already formed self-help groups to explore ways to improve their situation. The project aims to provide training and necessary equipment and assist links to sell their products locally to obtain a sustainable source of income and educate their children. MDG3

WI Life report of 15th October on UN International Day for Rural Women

Well frankly WHEN I found the write up - it was hardly worth reading - it bore very little resemblance to the day I attended OR to the report I wrote and sent to the editor!! ACWW was hardly given any space. When you read it - when you find it - let me know what you think!!! I'll give you a clue - it's pale green, on the left, near the front, next to an article about Wales.

After the day I had so many letters from WI members from the many counties who attended saying how much they had enjoyed meeting all the committee members from ACWW HQ including the World President, Vice-World President and World Treasurer (in total 8 committee members from ACWW attended- which made the day special - well I thought so). The letters emphasised how friendly everyone was and how interesting the speakers were. I suppose when space is precious some articles are shortened (so drastically they sometimes lose their meaning!!) - that, of course, is the role of an editor!!

I do wonder what is required to get a write up that is (short) accurate and interesting! AND the awful thing to me, as ACWW Rep, is that the record of the money we have collected since 2005 - £22,500, was reported as having been collected since 1995 - thus belittling our members efforts and our County's efforts. I feel quite indignant on their behalf!!!! (Sunday - I've calmed down a bit - hence a few alterations - also I know I write too much!!!) We did complain and they have promised to adjust the dates - watch out for the March issue!!!

However, to be fair the rest of the magazine is interesting - just the Somerset ACWW International event was inaccurate and very dull (several of us sent pictures - evidently no space!!!). The article about Barbara from Croscombe WI in Somerset and her summer house - sounds lovely - I was at their WI recently and they said they were having a report in February and it made good reading. Well it didn't actually say what a good WI they are and how active they are and what a good President they have, but it was interesting and obviously she is very active otherwise the report wouldn't have occurred. Congratulations to Croscombe and to Barbara and to Ellie. By the way, did you know that WI Life don't mention to the Federations that they are visiting various WIs within their county - so if you've got a story just write direct to WI Life - mind it seems a bit strange that they don't even email a message to the Federation - at least afterwards as a courtesy!! I suppose that is moving with the times - it is a members magazine and these 'private' visits to WIs shows this aspect clearly.

International Day in Devon

Mary Andrews from Devon said that at the Devon Federation International Day on 18th February they have Margaret Mackay talking about the ACWW Projects Committee, then a Priest who knows a lot about the Traditions & Culture of the Indians from North America, who will be bringing examples of their Beadwork. After lunch they have a lady who has served with the UN for many years ending up being one of the Chief Officers in the UN Peacekeeping Department. It sounds a really good day. On Sunday 8th March Devon are also involved with a group of women in Exeter celebrating International Women’s Day. Devon seems to be really busy!!!

Somerset and Cameroon

Our new project is in Cameroon dealing with supplying A. a water system which will improve general health for all the villagers and B. care programmes for underprivileged children including buying extra text books for each classroom hoping to eliminate gender disparities in primary education. MDG2, MDG4. Difficult to classify - I know Somerset are very keen on water projects.

Avon and Bangladesh

Avon have taken on a project approved by ACWW in October they've gone for one in Bangladesh, teaching girls their rights and useful skills. MDG3 Hoping to complete this year.

Developments

Just received my copy of the above mag produced by DFID. There are good articles on all Millenium Development Goals (making them seem very clear) - most useful for ACWW info. This is a free mag. get your copy by emailing http://www.developments.org.uk/ This is issue 44 - if you want another one about MDGs, request issue 40 which also deals with them.

Reminder about the Concert on March 19th

Hi everyone, I hope you are all booking your tickets.

22nd June - Africa

We (Somerset) are planning a day with the theme of 'Africa' in June. Programme being planned at end of Jan mtg. Hope this will be of interest to some of you - the hall is booked. It is in Compton Dundon nr Street (good shopping village) and Somerton (ancient capital of Wessex). So pop it in your diaries - should be a good day.

Eve 6/7th Jan 09

Temperature of -10 recorded in my village - we think it was one of our WI members husbands who recorded this and it was noted on the local TV!!. Just checked it wasn't - so who is the mystery weather recorder in our village?

Has anyone booked to go to the ACWW Classical Concert in London on 19th March? Somerset have sent leaflets out to each WI and there is a reminder in February County News.

Violence against Women /Trafficking of Women Survey

This is the link to the NFWI survey regarding Violence against Women in the community - info required especially in rural areas. The more replies that are received the more accurate the survey will be. Why not take a few minutes to complete on line. I found some of the choices difficult - it is still a 'taboo' subject within the local community - many of us are unaware of this violence apart from newspaper reports!!

www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=%2boN6N%2fdbHbhJ0gVoWqN4vA%3d%3d

If you want to know more about the 'End Violence Against Women' campaign or the Map of Gaps why not email k.webb@nfwi.org.uk who can send you information.

This will include the following: NFWI as a member of EVAW (End Violence Against Women) campaigning coalition is supporting the Map of Gaps II report a joint publication by EWAW and the Equality of Human Rights Commission EHRC which will be launched on 30th January. This will show graphically the postcode lottery affecting women who need to access support services following rape, domestic violence, forced marriage, female genital mutilation and other forms of violence. Hard to believe this in 2009 - a very hidden aspect of life in Britain NOW.
Why not complete the rural research survey at:

http://tiny.cc/8lxlF a Bristol University/ NFWI Survey.

Donation for Somerset Project

Had a phone call today from a WI member in our Group. She had attended the Wincanton day. She was so inspired by Ursula's talk - especially about the trucks (wheelbarrows) having suffered with a damaged wheelbarrow herself. She said she could really feel for these ladies in Sub-Saharan Africa and that she had been busy collecting money for ACWW and has now decided to donate it to the Somerset ACWW Project.

Her idea was to knit Christmas puddings (enclose a Ferrero Roche choc) and sell them at market stalls - she is going to send me the pattern. These puds proved very popular and she has already given someone in another WI the pattern with the proviso that any profit they make should go to ACWW. It was so good that the day was appreciated in this way and that this lady actually went home and made over 200 of these puds to sell for ACWW. She said she felt inspired to help. Well done Liz and many thanks.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year - welcome to a very frosty 2009. Picture 1. Misty Mendips & frozen trees.

Picture 2. is from Canada with sunshine - snow always looks better with a bit of sun!!!