Recent Events

December
Earlier in the year, members had voted to have a social evening with a bring and share meal instead of a sit-down turkey dinner for the Christmas meeting.  St. Lawrence’s Hand-bell Ringers were to provide entertainment and then join us for the meal.  Sadly, none of this came to pass because of the exceptionally cold and snowy weather, which made it difficult and dangerous for members to get out in the evenings.  We were reluctantly forced to cancel the event.  However, we hope that the special New Year Luncheon planned for 17th January will be some compensation for members. 

November
This was our Annual General Meeting, to which we welcomed the Advisor for the Ludlow South Group, Anne Edwards.  Accordingly, the principal business was the annual report for 2010, adoption of the annual accounts, and election of the President and Committee for 2011.  All of this was duly accomplished, and we then had a very interesting introduction to Associated Country Women of the World, from our County ACWW Representative. 

October
When Penny Platts was speaker at an earlier meeting of Ludlow WI, a group of our members followed up her talk about Five Extraordinary Churches in Herefordshire by visiting the churches.  It is very likely that the same will happen after she told us about Hereford Cathedral’s Secrets.  In addition to detailed slides of numerous interesting building features, she gave a history of the cathedral and various people associated with it. Several members expressed an interest in visiting the cathedral with a view to seeking out the secrets. The speaker was thanked by Jean Pryde.

Reminders for members:
Nominations for the 2011 committee needed before the November AGM.
Ludlow South Group Christmas shopping trip to Cardiff on 16th November.
Made in Dagenham at Ludlow Assembly Rooms 17th November – tickets from the President.
Please book for the Christmas Bring and Share on 8th December.
NFWI’s ‘Real Jam Festival’ at Denman College 20th/21st November – entries to the Secretary.

September
The September meeting of Ludlow WI proved to be a very busy evening which started with the speaker Mo Williams, Regional Manager of the South Shropshire Women’s Refuge.  She helped members to understand what is considered to be domestic violence.  As well as physical violence there is control which affects a woman’s self esteem and confidence.  The first women’s refuge was started in London in 1979 and there are now over 500 in the UK.  Residents of the South Shropshire Refuge have ranged from babies, some born in the refuge, to women in their 70s.  The women are helped to re-build their lives and are sometimes moved to another part of the country to start a new life.  They are encouraged to be independent to help re-build their confidence and self-esteem.  Mo told our members that the boxes they have been filling for the ladies are very much appreciated; some of them have been reduced to tears when they realised that someone cared and that they were not alone.  She encouraged us to continue with the project.  After thanking the speaker, Vice President Ann Cawthorne presented Mo with a cheque for £150 raised at a coffee morning which she and fellow member Ann Brewster had organised.
Dual member Marina Clent was congratulated on receiving her 58 year membership certificate.

Reminders for members:
Outings to Ludlow Races, Queenswood Arboretum and Croft Castle – Mary Wheeler has details.
Grande finale of our WiTri competition entry on 30th September.

August
In August the members of Ludlow WI provide the entertainment for the monthly meeting while the committee organises the refreshments.  This year the theme dreamed up by Rhoda Clarke was Ludlow's ‘Festival of Festivals’.  There were displays of WI in bloom, members’ treasures and recycled items, plus singing, sketches, poetry and a quiz. The finale was a buffet meal and, of course, conversation.  Rhoda was thanked by Ann Cawthorne, who presented her with a small gift in appreciation.  The assistants were Barbara Bergstrand, Marina Clent, Christine Grundy, Beryl Maxwell, Barbara Penson, Pam Probst, Ruth Robson, and Diana Thomas.

Reminders for members
Ludlow Green Fair 29th August, with the Institute’s ‘Save the bees’ stall

July
The speaker, Phillippa Charlesworth, greeted her audience with “jambo”, hello.  Jambo Jambo is the name of her fair trade business to help workshops in Kenya.  The business evolved after her first visit to the country in 2002 to attend her brother’s wedding.  She was appalled at conditions in the Kibera slum, but was inspired by the spirit of people in the area.  Twenty-five per cent of people in the Kibera have AIDS.  During subsequent visits to the country her involvement with local workshops motivated her to import their products for sale in this country.  Her talk Fair Trade: How I Followed My Heart to Kenya was inspirational, emotional and humorous.   She was thanked by Barbara Penson.  Some of the products were on display and members were able to make purchases after the talk.

Reminders for members
Outing to Moors Meadow Gardens, Bromyard on 3rd August.
Coffee morning in aid of the South Shropshire Women’s Refuge on 18th August.

June
Rhys Griffiths may have surprised members of Ludlow WI with the information that there are some Ludlow records held in Herefordshire Records Office in Hereford.  He spoke about what records are held at the centre, and the services that are available to the public.  Records offices hold information which can be used for tracing family history, and use of the “Ancestry” website is available to the public free of charge at Hereford.  Recently, Ledbury children have been involved in a project to encourage their interest in the subject, and work experience can be arranged for year 7 students.  Mr. Griffiths was thanked by Elizabeth Chapman.
Judith Sanders from Richards Castle WI gave a detailed report on the recent NFWI AGM in Cardiff where she was our group delegate.

Reminders for members
Ludlow South Group social evening at Bitterley on 19th July.

May
The principal business of the meeting was considering the resolution being put forward for debate at the National AGM.  This year’s resolution is: This meeting urges H.M. Government to introduce clear and mandatory country-of-origin labelling on all meat, poultry and fish produces sold in this country.  Treasurer Ann Hornsby told members about the background to the resolution, and the arguments in favour of it.  The Secretary Liz Woodall gave details of the principal objections that had been raised to it.  As the subject is of great interest to our members, there was a very lively discussion about it before voting.  The vote itself was unanimously in favour. 
The institute was to be well-represented at the AGM in Cardiff on 2nd June, by the President, both Vice-Presidents, Secretary and committee member Dorothy Loades. 

April
Dressed in the character of Her Majesty, and regal in manner, time traveller Sylvia Strange re-enacted A Conversation with Queen Victoria at the open meeting of Ludlow WI.   Although the life of Queen Victoria is well-known to most people, Sylvia told the story in character in a fascinating way, and the audience almost felt they were in the presence of Her Majesty.  Beryl Maxwell thanked the speaker, and Jane Taylor, the retiring Shropshire Federation Treasurer, gave a thank you on behalf of the 22 visitors. 
Ann Cawthorne was congratulated on her success in coming third in the County Press Secretaries’ competition. 
JuneTellis won the institute’s annual bursary to attend Denman College.

Reminders for members
Joint Craft Group and Art Class outing to Jinney Ring Craft Centre on 12th May.

March
Honey and its uses, including bath oil, face cream, hand cream and face packs, were the topic when Pamela Collier spoke at our March meeting.  She also told how she and her family became involved with bee-keeping, and about the hard work by bees to maintain their hive.  Honey is well-known for its medicinal properties, and Pamela explained the benefits gained by using products from the hive as well as the honey itself.  There is very great concern in the world about the decline of honey bees, and the talk was timely following the “SOS for Honeybees” resolution at the 2009 national AGM.  Pat Pardoe thanked the speaker.

February
Brian Draper gave members an illustrated tour down the River Teme from where it flows into Shropshire until meets the River Severn in Worcestershire.  He gave lots of information on points of interest along the way, and many of his anecdotes raised laughter amongst the audience.  Although some members had previously visited several places on the route, he was able to inspire them to visit other points of interest.  Paddy Willis thanked the speaker.

Reminders for members
Annual discussion meeting at St Peter's Parish Centre on Monday, 8th March, to consider members’ suggestions for the institute’s 2011 programme.
Open afternoon on 22nd March to display and demonstrate crafts and interests that members have developed through the Awards for All grant.

January
New President Gill Leary welcomed members to the first meeting of 2010.  The meeting was privileged to hear Anne Gee talk about her year as High Sheriff of Shropshire, because it was the last time she would be giving her talk.  She told the history of this, the oldest secular office in Britain, how she was invited to take the position, and the many and varied events she attended during her tenure.   She described the blue velvet uniform which was designed especially for her, and which she wore at all official functions.