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Welcome to the Surrey Federation

At the Surrey Federation we have a tradition of fun and friendship, with a strong network of valued friends throughout the county.

We hold many different events, where members and non-members can get to know each other, and become involved in all sorts of exciting activities (see the Diary Dates page). From our federation headquarters, based in new offices in Guildford, we help and advise the WIs throughout the federation

Our WIs hold monthly meetings with speakers and demonstrations and are always happy to welcome new members. Some cater for the younger members, some for lively older people and some for a mixture of both.

If you are thinking of joining please contact the office when you will be put in touch with a WI Adviser to help you find the one in your area which suits you best.

Elizabeth in her garden
Our Federation Chairman is Elizabeth Fisher (pictured above). Here is her monthly column for all our members.

Title for Elizabeth

 


January  2012

 

 

Hello Everyone,

 

Well here we are in 2012 – have you made any New Year Resolution?  In my own WI we have a special member who is rather elderly and (despite a friend giving her a lift to our meetings) said last month that she would not renew her subscription.  How delighted I was when I eventually received a return telephone call from her to say she had made a New Year Resolution and would not be downhearted but looked forward to sharing time with us all in January.  I am sure that any New Year Resolution made in connection with a decision on our part to further our WI commitments will be extremely easy to keep.  Not so if I make the Resolution to give up chocolate!!

 

Congratulations to Woldingham, Oxshott Village and Kingswood Warren who bravely entered National Federation of WIs  Little Black Dress competition.  Although they did not win, the Trustees were very proud that they entered and I hope to have their dresses on display at the Annual Council Meeting on 26 March.

 

Wendy Davis expressed the wish to step down as Editor of Surrey WI News; but I am pleased to say is continuing as a Trustee.  I am delighted to report that Marion Taylor-Cotter has agreed to be co-opted onto the Board and has accepted the position of Editor of Surrey WI News.  Marion would be extremely pleased to hear from any one who would be willing to become an Assistant Editor to share the workload.  If you would be interested in finding out more about this role, please contact Jo at SFWI Headquarters and Marion will then telephone you.

 

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Surrey at Denman 13-16 July 2012

Have you all completed your Application Forms to share in one of the seven courses on offer for our special weekend of fun and learning at Denman College? 

 

Please note that there has been one course change.  Sheila Webber, SFWI Denman Representative, has cancelled the course entitle Sew an Heirloom and this has been replaced by Exploring Quiet Cotswold Villages with David Fielding, who I know is a favourite of many of our members.  Details will be in Surrey WI News – please contact Sheila for further information. Please see full list under Projects and Events.

 

 I am looking forward to welcoming you all to our College on 13 July.

 

I know we are experiencing a very sunny winter; but I am imagining you all busy designing and creating a card in any medium for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  These must be delivered to SFWI Headquarters by 2 March 2012 for a decision to be made as to which card represents our Federation and is sent to the Queen.

I know Group entries for the Eileen Bowler Photographic Competition are starting to arrive.

Both the cards and photographs will be on show at our Annual Council Meeting on 26 March 2012 at Dorking Halls.

 

You will remember that to help Surrey Federation celebrate their 95th birthday in 2013,  WIs who have been formed since 1993 have received an invitation to create a small piece of embroidery which will be mounted and framed to join our display at SFWI Headquarters.  We have a meeting to discuss this on 21 January 2012.  For any WI who missed the invitation, we have arranged a further meeting on Saturday 31 March 2012 at SFWI Headquarters 10.30am - 12.30pm for two members to visit and view the current wallhangings, have a chat and collect a piece of calico.   Please contact Jo at SFWI Headquarters if you would like to help with this project.

 

Two extra dates for your diary:-

 

20 May 2012 – Surrey Federation have been invited to participate in the first Claremont Community Day being arranged by the National Trust Claremont Landscape Gardens at Esher.  The National Trust want the emphasis to be on local community; but hopefully many of you will support this venture.

 

4 June 2012 – The Trustees are delighted that we will once again have a presence at the Guildford County Show.  We will be running a marquee with publications, displays and hands on demonstrations.  The organisers are hoping for a Royal visitor!!

 

 

Take care of each other.

 

Elizabeth Fisher

Federation Chairman