Fiona opened the meeting by welcoming 64 members and 3 guests. The following notices were mentioned before our entertainment for the evening.
Surrey WI News: Fiona informed members that Surrey WI News is an invaluable source of information of Federation news and events. Orders to receive this magazine have to be by the end of April. If you would like to place an order to receive this please sign-up at next meeting or email us beforehand. The cost of the magazine is £5 for 12 issues and begins with the June edition.
General Data Protection Regulation: Fiona mentioned that changes to the data protection laws are coming into force in May this year. These changes include introducing clearer ways in which organisations must ask for permission before sending information or to use images resulting from photos/videos in any printed and online publicity, social media, and press releases. This will be mandatory and after that date we may no longer be able to use your data to send Wimbledon WI correspondence unless we have your permission to do so.
Summer Fairs: Veronica reminded us that Wimbledon Village Fair was our biggest fund raiser for our WI and as this is no longer happening, we need to look at other events to help raise funds. Two local summer fairs have been suggested Morden Family Fun Day on Sunday, 22nd July and Wimbledon and Putney Commons Open Day on Sunday, 9th September. Veronica asked for everybody’s help with baking cakes, making preserves etc., to make these fairs successful and reminded us that when making cakes etc., we can always make two and pop one in the freezer. Further information and sign-up sheets will be made available later.
Perfect Pollinators: As part of the Centenary Celebrations, Surrey WIs have been invited to create a Perfect Pollinator which will be displayed at RHS Wisley from 28th June. Eileen mentioned that it would be lovely if Wimbledon WI could take part and if anyone is interested there will be a brainstorming session at 7.30 on Tuesday, 27th March. Please let us know if you would like to join us. (See February Hot Topics for further details).
The Perfect Pollinator Evening RHS Wisley Thursday 28th June: The Federation has arranged this evening event as a finale to the Centenary celebrations and will be open from 6.30pm to 9.30pm especially for WI members, their families and friends to have a social evening with a picnic. There will be live music from three bands: Blazing Saddles, a Country and Western band; Dr Bone and the Rhythm Boys, a 1920s style quintet and Surgeons of Swing who play a mixture of swing, jive, jazz, ballroom and Latin music. To order your tickets ring 0203 176 5810 and ask for tickets to “The Perfect Pollinator Evening”. Tickets are RHS members £7 in advance or £8 on the night. Non RHS members £10 in advance and £11 on the night. This looks to be a fun evening so why not take your picnic hamper, Pimms or Prosecco and a chair or rug and enjoy the gardens and evening. Barbeque food and drinks will be available to purchase if you don’t want to take your own.
Walking Netball: Fiona mentioned that Angela is the person to see if you are interested in joining Walking Netball. A few members are interested, so, hopefully, we will be able to form a team. Let us know if you would like to be included.
Social Committee Notices: It’s not too late if you would like to come along to the quiz night on Saturday 24th March at 7.30 St. Mary’s Church Hall, Merton Park. Tickets are £13 and include a ploughman’s supper. Please let Gillian know as soon as possible if you would like tickets. Places are also available for the following
Blue Badge Whitechapel Walk, Saturday, 12th May (£9)
Lullingstone Castle, Wednesday, 4th July (£27.50)
Bowling Day, Saturday, 28th April: A Bowling Day is taking place at Belmont Bowls Club. The cost is £5 per person and it will be a fun day with tuition in the morning, lunch and an inter WI competition in the afternoon, with a cup for the winning WI. Let us know if you are interested
SFWI Centenary Celebrations 2018 – Walk 100 Miles for 100 Years: As Saturday 17th March was such an awful day and not many people could make the Richmond Park walk arranged by the South West London WI Advisors, they have rescheduled the 10 mile walk round the park for Sunday, 15th April at 1.00pm at Kingston Gate.
Wimbledon WI walk Kew Bridge to Strawberry Hill: Liz led 9 of us on a lovely walk on Friday 9th March from Kew Bridge to Strawberry Hill. We walked about six and a half miles and our walk finished at our refreshment stop just as the rain started.
Countryfile Live Saturday, 4th August: Just to let you know NFWI have organised a presence at BBC Countryfile Live in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. SFWI have organised coaches with pick up from Clapham Junction. Family and friends are welcome. Group and early booking discounts are available. Inclusive of the coach (£15) the costs are £38 per adult and £26.50 per child before April 24th. After that date and before Tuesday, 24th July, costs rise to £42 per adult £28.50 per child. Entry to Blenheim and gardens not included. However, those with tickets for Countryfile Live can secure entry for half price during the event. For more information visit https://countryfilelive.com/
Little Honey Bee Co: We received a cheque from Michelle of the Little Honey Bee Company for £11.50 being 10% of her sales at last month’s meeting.
Bollywood Dance Experience: Our entertainment for the evening was to try and undertake some beautiful dance movements demonstrated to us by the talented Ayesha and Priya. They had brought various garments for us to wear and many of us tried to imitate their movements. But we soon realised what they made look effortless was quite difficult to master. We all enjoyed ourselves nevertheless and appreciate how beautiful and complicated Bollywood dances are.
Diary Dates:
Saturday, 24th March – Quiz Night
Monday, 16th April – Jane Asher Swimmer Extraordinaire – Book sale/Jigsaw Swap
Saturday, 12th May – Whitechapel Walk
Saturday, 9th June – London SWWI’s Centenary Fair
Thursday, 28th June – SFWI Picnic at RHS Wisley (6.00pm – 9.30pm)
Wednesday, 4th July – Lullingstone Castle
Sunday, 22nd July – Morden Family Fun day
Saturday, 4th August – Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace
Sunday, 26th and Monday, 27th August – Edenbridge & Oxted Show
Sunday, 9th September – Wimbledon Stables Day
Monday, 8th October – SFWI Autumn Meeting
