And yet I find myself still in a dreamlike state after my trip to that beautiful African country, organised by Oxfam to learn about maternal health in the country. Read more about this trip on pages 13-14 and my personal views on page 21.
I was thrilled when the Malawian Vice President said she would like to be one of our NFWI Associates; indeed she may well visit our country one day and we can show her around Denman College where a current NFWI Associate has learned the art of lace making and is now a world authority in that craft. You can read about her experiences on pages 42-43. The college is a true place of learning and excellence that I hope more and more of you will come to realise when you take a course there.
Gregg Wallace recognised this when he and John Torode spent a day with the WI during filming the semi finals of BBC’s MasterChef, where the food was sampled and critiqued by members whose ages ranged from 19 years to 80+ years. In the interview with Gregg in this issue you can read what he really thinks of the WI – and he’s very complimentary indeed.
During the month of March I seem to have travelled from one end of the country to the other meeting many of you at Federation Council Meetings and, as you might well have heard me say – trains and books go together like, well, a horse and carriage. Last month's recommended The Children's Book by A S Byatt really is a good read but give me a good murder any day! So I'm trusting this month's choices to see me through a few more train journeys.
With all best wishes,
Ruth Bond
NFWI Chair |