acwwsouthwest UK: May 2010

Monday, 24 May 2010

ACWW coffee morning at Stoke St Gregory

Thanks to Veronica for hosting this event and to Amelia the ACWW rep in Stoke St Gregory WI who worked together to run this event. Had a thank you card from May today - just right to put on the boards for tomorrow. Well the board was in the car - but hubby diagnosed the car as 'unwell' - so unable to go along.

However a good morning was had by all - weather still OK. Veronica and Amelia dressed up in African/Indian costumes to add an international theme. The money collected is to be shared between the two Somerset Projects. Evidently they were chatting by the gate at the end of the morning and they certainly shocked the postman - gave him quite a turn!! Hope we might get some photos later.

Thursday, 20 May 2010

28th June - ACWW Reps day in Taunton

Numbers gradually building up. Joy Thomson, ACWW Rep Jersey/NFWI Rep is going to join us. Thanks to Colette who will put her up for the night. Jackie will stay with me and maybe more but we have to await who can travel.

Jackie and Valerie are our speakers - so we will learn about Jackie's latest trip to Gambia and Valeries trips to Hungary and Belarus. Thanks to George who will come along to show Valerie's pics plus some pics of the Conference which will engender discussion for us all.

Advent in Prague 2nd-5th December 2010

Can't believe we're looking at Christmas events already and its not June yet.

Jackie and the Midlands ACWW Support Group are arranging a trip if anyone is interested. It costs approx £170 which includes event/ 3 nights B&B in **** hotel in Prague, tour of city etc BUT Flights/Travel/other meals are not included. Reservations ASAP to Jackie Gregory 01564 742761.

Monday, 17 May 2010

Front Page NFWI News

Well - front page - acknowledgement!! Say no more - have had comments that facts aren't accurate already!

Well, Somerset send their cheques direct to ACWW anyway. Ones for PfF are dealt with in the office and I deal with project cheques. We both keep records - so no difference for us. However, many counties don't do this and are absorbing the cost of cheques - if everyone changes to the NFWI preferred scheme - it will transfer the charges to ACWW. Not easy is it - why don't charities get preferential treatment by the banks?

Monday, 10 May 2010

More photos from the conference.

Shame they're all in the wrong order - but I pick them up as available from Shutterfly - great isn't it? Didn't go BUT - they're certainly giving a bit of the atmosphere. Found Alison in Collage 1 below still looking for Therese at present.

Collage 1. Closing Ceremony

Collage 2. Entry of the Flags

Collage 3. Plenaries

Collage 4. USA evening (the evening was themed on the agriculture in Arkansas) The lady near the carriage bottom left (the one whose red tee is showing more) stayed in the same hotel as us in Turku.

These pictures show the variety and colour of costumes and events and how 'special' it is when you can attend and meet women from all over the world.

Sunday, 9 May 2010

A Kaleidoscope of Pictures from the Conference

These are not in the order I intended but however - they are on the site!!

1. Voting.

2. . Country Store - local country crafts for sale to delegates.

3. Reception evening - note Ursula with the American firemen who were her escorts and May talking to the speaker for the evening

4. Craft classes - how to deal with stress via laughter.

5. Teatimes - everyone with the opportunity to mingle.

6. Evening meals

7. Craft competition

8. PfF collection, Cookery books being signed, Raffle.

Friday, 7 May 2010

Coffee morning - 7th May

Well - not a big turn out but 17 members turned up. 4 WIs represented: Binegar, Chewton Mendip, Witham Friary and Ashwick & Oakhill plus one husband & wife from Oakhill village.
At least we have a little more to add to our Romanian project.

Tuesday, 4 May 2010

Full list of new roles in ACWW

ACWW Board The 26th Triennial Conference of the Associated Country Women of the World closed in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA, on April 28. Members of the organisation’s Board for the new triennium are:

EXECUTIVE:
World President, Mrs May Kidd
Deputy President, Mrs Anphia Grobler
Secretary, Mrs Jo Ellen Almond
Treasurer, Mrs Alison Burnet

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN:
Projects: Mrs Margaret Mackay
Promotion & Publications: Mrs Alison Bayley,
United Nations: Ms Sharon Hatten

AREA PRESIDENTS:
Europe – Mrs Merja Siltanen
Canada – Mrs Margaret Yetman
Caribbean, Central & South America – Miss Rose Rajbansee
South Pacific – Mrs Ruth Shanks
Southern Africa – Dr Semane Bonolo Molotlegi
Africa East, West & Central – Mrs Emende Evelyn Nojang
USA – Mrs Beverly Earnhart
Asia South & Central – Sister Viji
Asia South & Far East – HRH Princess Azizah of Pehang

Congratulations to all appointees.

Sunday, 2 May 2010

29th April - ACWW Day

The letters ACWW were covered in coins for ACWW Day - unfortunately we couldn't print them any bigger which did restrict our collection!! If you're doing this use bigger letters.

Saturday, 1 May 2010

More news

Latest I've heard, Anphia - Deputy World President. Jo Almondis - secretary, Alison Burnett - World Treasurer. So we have a change although May and Anphia had different roles in the previous Board. This triennium will bring a change for us all as a new constitution is in the process of being written as well. Good luck to all new appointees.

26th ACWW Triennial Meeting in the USA

For: ACWW South West Supporters Group

Hi - everyone - this blog is for you to have your say on future events within the group area of Avon, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire.
Your comments and events will add to the interest of this blog.
NB: If you click on the smaller pictures in the main part of the blog they do get larger!!! Handy to see a few more details!! Sometimes it doesn't work - but give it a go anyway!!
2nd meeting due to take place on 18th May 2009 at Taunton - just gathering names of those who can attend. 3 speakers booked!!

Now we have polo shirts and sweatshirts

Well the polo-shirts were given an airing at the European Area Conference - where they caused quite a lot of comments. Also some were worn at Wincanton (see Valerie our 1st speaker) thanks for that, Valerie, Esme, Mary, Roma. If you would like one - contact Somerset ACWW Rep at County office or email at eileen.hurd@btinternet.com. They are for anyone who wants to support ACWW in the South West.

The sweatshirts have been delivered - they are comfy - but probably too hot to wear at a conference!!!

Merja Siltanen, European Area President and May Kidd, Deputy President

Merja (on the left in the Countrywoman front page shown below) chaired the recent ACWW Conference in Southampton. Merja with the help of Terhi ran an excellent event which was much enjoyed by all. Although, English is not Merja's mother tongue - she is from Finland, the conference ran very smoothly.

May Kidd was also present and a great support to us all. She is an excellent Deputy President and was able to help us through the complexities of resolutions, and recommendations. Her musical sessions were an added bonus and also added to the several collections for Pennies for Friendship held during the conference.

Mrs Madge Watt

The founder of the WI in Wales, followed by England and Scotland. Madge was then one of the founders of ACWW - she was the person who wrote 'Associated Country Women of the World' on the blackboard at the meeting in 1933 in Stockholm. Initial plans to start this worldwide association, although in Madge's mind from 1919, were discussed at the meeting in 1927 in Geneva and then were agreed on April 30th 1929 at the International Conference of Rural Women held in London.

1929 is considered the date when this association really 'started' - it was just that the name we recognise today came later. Three ladies were influential in the start of ACWW - Lady Aberdeen, Miss Elsie Zimmern and Mrs Madge Watt. (see more about this in the ACWW History Book - available for £5 from ACWW HQ).

NB: Did you know that near the Peace Bridge between Canada and the USA, near Niagara, there is a brass plaque on a stone in a garden which is a memorial of friendship? The plaque marks the crossing from the USA into Canada of a delegation from ACWW and is dedicated to rural women of that continent dated: Peace Bridge, June 12, 1936. Mrs Alfred (Madge) Watt, BME, MA, co-founder and first president of ACWW dedicated this plaque at a ceremony at the centre of the Peace Bridge on June 16 1936. It was accepted by representatives of the New York State Federation of Home Bureaux and the Federated Women's Institutes of Canada on the occasion of the 1936 Washington DC Conference of ACWW.

With the cooperation of The Niagara Parks Commission, this plaque was re-dedicated during the 23rd Triennial Conference of ACWW held in Hamilton, Ontario in June of 2001.

Turku 2007 - the last World Triennial Meeting

The flags are paraded 'in and out' at the beginning and end of this meeting. They are carried by the host country in national costume and make a wonderful and colourful display. There are approximately 365 Member societies in over70 countries. Each society has its own customs and runs its own meetings BUT they all come together to work internationally for the benefit of rural communities all over the world.

The next Triennial Meeting in 2010 will be held in Hot Springs, Arkansas and the 2013 meeting is scheduled for ShenYang, China.

(No picture - many have been 'wiped' from the blog - the penalties of a free blog I suppose!!)

Jackie Gregory, ACWW Speaker

Jackie spoke to us at the SW Supporters Group first meeting in Taunton on 30th June. Jackie told us about her visits to the Gambia (monitoring an ACWW project) and about her own work sending garments, sewing machines etc to a village. She specialises in making jam and brought some to sell on the day. It was delicious and we enjoyed it with scones and cream after lunch. Originally, the money from selling the jam (£1,000 a year) was used to pay for transport of items to the Gambia BUT now the money goes to ACWW as Jackie's own 10yr project has been completed. (Goodness me how many lbs of jam makes £1,000?) Certainly a full time job!!! Well done Jackie.

The picture below shows Jackie during a talk in Hereford at an ACWW lunch organised by Brenda Drake to raise funds for ACWW.

Vanilla Farm

One of Somerset's Projects was involved with starting a Vanilla Farm in Uganda. This picture shows the beans growing on the vines and some of the farmers involved. (I don't know if our Farm is prolific yet - it sometimes takes up to 3 years before the first flowers appear - also the flowers have to be fertilised manually - unless some African bees have adopted them)! Vanilla originally came from Mexico and the flowers were fertilised by the Meliponna bee. Vanilla was known as Uganda's Green Gold at one stage, as the profits from good crops were excellent. In some areas the beans are branded to protect them - even when shrunken during harvesting the brands are still visible. The vanilla vines improve with age rather like grape vines in vineyards.

Alison and Somerset

Alison and I met years ago whilst on our WIA training course. She was already very involved with ACWW and I had been an ACWW (non-active) member for years. Later, because of this interest (I was also ACWW Rep for Somerset at this stage) I was invited to a lunch in Gwent. I really enjoyed the speaker and decided to book her (Anna Boshoff from S Africa) for a lunch in Somerset (subject to the support of BOT). Unfortunately, as the lunch date approached Anna could not travel due to ill-health - so Alison stood in.

Alison is co-founder, with Kathleen Martin, of the ACWW Wales Supporters Team and both encouraged me to start an ACWW South West Supporters Group. I travelled with them to Turku and they have proved great friends. I have been to several lunches and meetings in Wales and thanks to them my knowledge of ACWW friendship has expanded.

In Turku we (Alison, Kathleen, Therese and I) stayed in a hotel with many women from Eastern Europe. It is thanks to some of these European ladies that I have managed to make some penfriend links in Europe.