CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE
Hi everyone -
It has been a quiet month in my WI life, so I have been busy sorting our loft out ready for the houseswap move to our son's bungalow. It's surprising (or maybe not) what junk you keep, but also I have relived so many special occasions and memories. Remember this year is Archive Year, so perhaps now is the time to go through your records and relive memories and special events. Sheila Ellis, our Federation Archivist, and Pauline Mitchell are working together on a display to take round to various events on the Island or, if you wish, your own WI meeting. They will both be very happy to give advice on how to keep your special memories secure.
I am looking forward to the 'Back to Basics' craft event to try and find out how to knit the wool I bought at the Birmingham Craft Show. I am hoping to end up with a very funky scarf at the end of the day! Also my name is down for both Craft Days, as I want to make all the items, but have to be happy with two.
I have also put my name down to go to Ballabeg's concert in March – it is always such good fun. Hope to see lots of you there.
We have booked St Andrew's Church Hall in Douglas for the Spring Council meeting, and details of the competition for the McFadyen Quaich are inside. If anyone has any ideas for new venues for the Council Meetings please contact the office.
Congratulations to Arbory WI, who celebrate their 60th birthday this month – I wish you many more happy WI years together.
The Board of Trustees have sent a card to Her Majesty the Queen to congratulate her on her Diamond Jubilee. We decided not to have a special Federation celebration, as lots of events are already planned around the Island for us to enjoy.
The daffodils are in flower in my garden, so spring is on the way.
See you soon,
Lesley
NFWI AGM 2012
This year's AGM will be held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 30th. The following WIs are each invited to send a delegate: Braddan, Michael, Ramsey Harbourside, Onchan Jubilee, Bradda Head, Kirk Bride, St John's & District and Glen Maye.
The Isle of Man contingent will be travelling to London on May 29th and returning on May 31st. Travel and accommodation arrangements are already in place, and the WIs sending delegates will be kept informed.
ISLAND AT WAR WEEKEND 2012 – MARMALADE TIME
Marmalade-makers throughout the Island - perhaps you could make a few extra jars for the WI Federation stall at the Island at War Weekend on 18th and 19th August.
CHICKLET COUNT RISES!
Sorcha Cowin of Spring Chicks WI has a baby boy – Robin Aaron Cowin – born on Saturday 14th January, 8.55 a.m., weighing 7lb 9oz.
DEMAND FOR WI GROWS AND GROWS
Ramsey Cottage Hospital is looking to expand its volunteer services. Coordinator Kathy Mylchreest would love to hear from you if you think you could help. Those interested will be given an application form, asked for one reference, and invited to an interview. Basic medical screening and mandatory police checks will be done at no cost to the volunteer. There will be no hands-on nursing care and no wheelchair duties. Training will be provided as appropriate.
The wide range of volunteer opportunities could include meeting and greeting at the blood clinic reception desk, open 8-10 a.m. Monday – Friday, welcomers at general reception from 9 a.m. or at the lunchtime and afternoon sessions, help with chair exercises, help with typing short letters for RCH staff, dining companions (assisting patients with difficulties), morning and afternoon tea/coffee trolley rounds, library trolley rounds, afternoon activities with patients – craft, music, poetry, reading aloud, chatting, listening.
Those joining the team will follow the RCH volunteer policy, which includes a strict confidentiality policy. Kathy Mylchreest can be contacted at kathy.mylchreest@gov.im
Noble's Hospital is seeking volunteers to act as dining companions to help ensure patients get the best out of the meals service. Contact Volunteers Organiser Alison Lester at Noble's by phone or at Alison.Lester@nobles.dhss.gov.im
The Children's Centre at the Philip Christian Centre in Peel is hoping for volunteers who could help on a regular basis. It would be good to have people with skills such as driving, cooking, needlecrafts, arts & crafts, painting and decorating, gardening, woodworking … Volunteer Coordinator Lindsay Quayle would be happy to come to WI meetings and explain briefly what is needed. She can be contacted at the Centre, at Derby Road, Peel, IM5 1HH, e-mail peel@thechildrenscentre,org.im
Lots of interesting opportunities there – and how nice that people turn to WI as people they can trust.
RESOLUTION VOTING RESULTS
Thank you to all Institutes who returned their voting summaries on time. Topping the poll was the resolution on Airborne Litter with 107 votes, followed by Employment of more Midwives with 102 votes. The other resolutions received votes as follows: Reducing Fuel Poverty 71; Helmets for Cyclists 66; Field Studies and Outdoor Education 20; and Achieving Legal Status for British Sign Language 18 votes.
SPRING COUNCIL MEETING
The Spring Council meeting on Thursday 24th May will be held at St Andrew's Church Hall in Douglas, beginning at 7.15 p.m. We would welcome suggestions as to alternative venues – crucially, we need a venue that can offer room for more than 100 people, kitchen facilities, at least one smaller space for displays, sales and general mingling, and reasonable parking facilities. Oh, and the cost of hire has to be right.
McFADYEN QUAICH
This is awarded annually at the Spring Council Meeting for a floral arrangement. This year's brief is to produce an arrangement on the theme of “Diamond Jubilee”, height and overall width not to exceed 12 inches / 30 centimetres.
T-VESTS for “FISH 'n' CHIP BABIES”
The Ipswich-based charity Tools with a Mission would welcome your help. New-born babies, some born with AIDS, are being sent home from hospital wrapped in newspaper for warmth as there are simply no baby garments. If you would like to make some T-vests to the simple pattern below and bring them to the Spring Council meeting, they will be sent to the charity and forwarded to hospitals in Uganda.
Yarn: DK in strong/dark colours (no pastels, please, they aren't practical); knit stripes if you'd like. Needles: 5mm (size 6) for “tight” knitters, 4.5 mm (size 7) for “loose” knitters
Tension: not crucial
Cast on 44 stitches, then knit 18 rows in K2P2 rib; knit 30 rows in st st; cast on 12 st at start of each of following 2 rows for sleeves; change back to K2P2 rib for 22 more rows; for neck, rib 21, cast off 26, rib 21, then rib 21, cast on 26, rib 21; continue in rib for 22 rows; cast off 12 st at beginning of following two rows; continue in st. st. for 30 rows; change to K2P2 rib for 18 rows; cast off. Sew side and sleeve seams.
There will be samples and larger-format patterns available at the WI office in Ramsey.
MORE FOR KNITTERS
Rona Coates tells us that the neo-natal unit at Noble's Hospital would very much welcome further supplies like the garments and shawls you sent from the autumn meeting, so please do keep them coming. You can deliver them yourself if that is convenient, or Rona has kindly offered to collect your work from the WI office – or perhaps catch up with her at a Crafts event.
The hand-knits on the WI Federation stall at the Island at War weekend last year were very popular, and we would be grateful if you could find the time to add something gorgeous to the stall in August.