Liz welcomed 40 members and 3 guests to our October meeting.

After singing Jerusalem, our speaker was welcomed. Jane Glennie, has entertained us previously and didn’t disappoint on this occasion either!

Jane was in the character of Martha Lloyd, an “experimental housekeeper” and best friend of Jane Austin.

Martha took us back to1809 and gossiped with us, her neighbours, for the evening, as she packs up their house in Castle Square Southampton, in preparation for their move to Chawton.

Martha let us into the secret that Jane Austin is a writer who cannot get published!

Martha read us original letters from Jane Austen about their close friendship and happy time living in Southampton.

We all enjoyed the session and hope we will see Jane again in the future.

Liz conducted the business side of the meeting and thanked the committee and all the helpers who make it possible to put on a meeting: Janice for running the reception desk, Esther and Christine for making the refreshments, Maureen and April for running the raffle, Jane for the table flowers and speaker arrangements.

There were 4 members with October Birthdays and they were given Birthday gifts.

Liz talked about the singing of Jerusalem and said it has been decided that the issue will be deferred to our AGM next May, when there will be an opportunity for discussion and a formal vote. In the meantime, there will be occasions when we will not start meetings with Jerusalem owing to the length of the business agenda and other contributory factors an approach that was adopted during her last Presidency.

Liz also talked about Consultation on Changes to WI Governing Documents: there are a whole load of proposed changes to the ways that the WI, at all levels, conduct themselves. We have an opportunity to provide feedback about the proposals with the deadline being 19^th November 2024. If you would like a hard copy of the proposals, please let me know as soon as possible. The project is far too complex to discuss in detail at a meeting, so it will be up to individual members to show interest and contribute to the process.

We heard about the following events:

• Walk 2pm on Wednesday 23rd October – hopefully seeing fungi as we walk.
• Walk with Greener Brockenhurst on Sunday 3rd November starting at 2pm at the Watersplash, Brookley Road. Wear blue or water related fancy dress.
• Group Event – Calendar Girls 7th Nov Sway Tickets £10
• Lunch Club: Christine has booked lunch at The Hare and Hounds in Sway on Monday 28th October at 12.30. A sign-up sheet available at Monday’s meeting or contact us for more information.

In Evelyn and Kim’s absence, Julie talked about the Group Show, encouraging members to take part as we know we have talented members. This is the schedule:

To assist with your entry decisions, the following workshops are being put on:

• Tuesday 22nd October – cake categories – ideas 2pm
• Tuesday 29th October Lebkuchen Biscuits 2pm
• Friday 1st Nov – Apron workshop 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 5th November Christmas floral session (afternoon) -more details to follow.
• Thursday 14th November  ‘Scandi Gnome’ 10.00 – 16.00

We have to submit the entries later this month, so please do contact us to sign up for either the workshops or to enter any category in the Show. It costs £1 however many entries you submit.The Group Show is less formal than the New Forest Show and a good way of testing the water, especially if this is your first show. If you are unsure what any category involves, please contact us

At the Group Show, there will also be a Sales table and a Cake sale – donations of cakes appreciated.

The Competition of the Month in aid of ACWW was a recycled item made into a Christmas tree decoration which must be able to hang on a tree. This was a tie between Anne N and Julie.

We look forward to seeing you at future events. Please do get in touch if you have any questions about any of the above.