Event Reports
2019
Federation Annual Meeting
The Federation’s Annual Meeting took place at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham on Wednesday 3 April. Before the morning session a Power point presentation showed events that had taken place throughout the past year. The day began with a welcome to Nottingham by the Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Ali. The business of the meeting then took place. Delegates passed the Trustees’ Report. Pam Stoddart presented the Federation Chairman’s address and spoke of the Federation’s challenge to change and be diverse. The Financial Statement for 2017-2018 was given in rhyme by the Federation Treasurer, Jenny Bailey and was passed by the delegates. Sub-Committee Chairmen reported on their forthcoming events.
The morning guest speaker was Chris Vasper, whose mother is a member of Forest Town WI. He took us through his experience as a competitor of the ‘Marathon Des Sables’; fund raising for the charity Walking with Wounded. It lasts for 5 days and they run a marathon every day except for 1 day when they do 2 marathons! IN THE DESERT. Afterwards members said what a fantastic morning speaker he was.
During the lunch break members took the opportunity to look around the displays and stalls, find out about the Office 365, buy from the WI Shop and Prize Draw tickets, enter the Denman Dip and collect the Yearbook and Bulb Catalogues.
After lunch the total of the monies collected on behalf of ACWW was announced for the Coins for Friendship and an appeal made for a member to become our ACWW representative. Pam Stoddart introduced our afternoon Speaker and Demonstrator Jonathan Moseley. He kindly drew the Denman Dip: - Enough £1 coins had been received for 3 bursaries: Carol, Bestwood Village WI; Nora, Coddington WI and Karen, Ollerton WI were the lucky winners.The County House Bursary: 1 Drawn: Chilwell WI. Reserve. Sherwood WI. Jonathan then presented the Canada Cup to Lesley, Laxton WI who had written the winning poem. The County Show People’s Choice trophy to Coddington WI and Individual trophy to Joan, Southwell WI. Anniversary Certificates: 70th. East Markham WI; North & South Clifton WI; Oxton WI; Upton WI; not in attendance, Everton WI. 90th. Annesley WI; Gunthorpe WI; not in attendance Cropwell Bishop WI; 100th. Farnsfield WI.
Jonathan then took over the stage and demonstrated 6 different arrangements, all the while giving tips about flowers and best practice. It was very entertaining. He then produced from behind the curtain 2 further arrangements he’d prepared earlier. Jonathan drew the raffle as the arrangements were for members to take away!
The Prize Draw was announced. Thanks, were given to members who had helped with stewarding, selling prize draw tickets, playing the piano, taking photographs, or had helped in any way to make the day run smoothly. A vote of thanks to Pam was given by Bernice, Sherwood WI on behalf of the members. The Autumn Social Evening will take place on Thursday 26 September 2019 at the Palace Theatre in Newark and entertainment will be a ‘Jersey Boys’ tribute band. Sue Sanderson then announced the Trustees of the Federation for the coming year.