The first meeting of 2023 took place on Monday 9th January and it was really lovely to see so many members and guests at the meeting. It was a busy meeting!

There was a raffle run by Maureen and April.

Our ‘Competition of the Month’ was a cracker joke and we had a good number of entries. Anne Nolan got the most coins for her joke so she was the winner. The coins are donated to ACWW.

Elaine told us that she will be stepping down as President at the AGM in May as she will have served two years as President. Elaine asked for members to consider coming on the committee. It is rewarding and the committee are a friendly bunch.

We voted on the Resolution and this resolution received the most votes so will go forward as our nomination:

Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife

Water quality in our rivers is shameful. Legally, designated bathing waters must be regularly monitored for pollution. The NFWI urges its members, the wider public, local authorities and Government to make, support and promote applications for official designated bathing sites on appropriate stretches of rivers in their area. This will be as instrumental to the clean up of rivers as it has been for water quality improvement at coastal beaches.

Three Birthday gifts were also given out to the January Birthday girls.

Julie thanked everyone for their support for Ukraine. Julie is stepping down from bandage making. Rita is taking over and requires cotton or polycotton sheets to continue making rolled bandages. Rita will be holding sessions to make rolled bandages at her home on Wednesday mornings from 10-12.

Julie told us that 77 van\lorry loads of aid have now gone to Ukraine from New Forest for Ukraine. The graphic below shows the items that are still required. Donations can be taken to Industrial Heaters in Brookley Road, The Hub at Ampress Park (check opening times) or any donation points shown here.

Or you can make a donation to the generator appeal here.

Janice continues to collect hats, gloves, scarfs and socks for her “Hats off for Ukraine” appeal and told us how she had seen the last lot of donations being loaded up, heading for Ukraine.

There were lots of sign-up sheets – walk, lunch, flowers, refreshments etc.

Evelyn was also looking for people to enter the group show. It would be great to have a record number of entries from our talented members. The entry fee £1.00 regardless how many categories you enter (please give you £1 to Evelyn). You can read about the categories for the Group Show here.

Zena mentioned that the date for the outing to Wealden Down will be held on Monday 27th March and requires a £10 deposit. Contact Zena for more details.

Our Speaker was Bob Sinfield who talked about “The Gag Trade – Misadventures is TV and Comedy”.  He was educated in Cornwall and decided to enrol at a speech and Drama college in Sidcup , Kent.  A totally different environment to Cornwall.  After completing a three year course he started writing when ‘resting’ as an actor and was employed by the BBC Radio and TV writing scripts for some very well known names. His mentors were Tim  Brooke Taylor and Griff Rhys Jones.  He has written several books about his experience of writing for stars for that included Bob Monkhouse, Jasper Carrot, Tracey Ullman and  Rory Bremner. 

His talk was lively and entertaining and he engaged well with the audience.  For his work he soon learnt that he had to be up to date with the news and also the way the comedians thought – for example Jasper Carrot  would say “it is funny but it is not me”.

Our next meeting on 13th February is a fun, practical session and also our 105th birthday celebration of WI Brockenhurst! This takes place as usual at Brockenhurst Village Hall arrival from 7pm.  For more details please contact Elaine. Guests are welcome to join us at this meeting.