Our President, Liz, started the meeting by welcoming 46 members and 4 guests. After singing Jerusalem, Liz introduced the speaker speaker Alistair Brien, the subject being “What they don’t tell you about being a head!”

Alistair told us about his education and how a careers aptitude test recommended that he become either a teacher, social worker, vicar, prison governor or an accountant. Alistair said that as a head teacher, these are what a head teacher does!

Alistair’s philosophy as a head was:

• Do your best because your best is good enough.
• It’s alright to fail, by failing you can pick yourself up and move on.
• If you’ve got nothing to say. don’t say it!

Alistair also encouraged his pupils to follow their passions and interests, advice he took himself when he followed his passion for magic and qualified for the Magic Circle.

Alistair combined talking about his experience of teaching with magic tricks which kept us enthralled and entertained.

Jayne gave a vote of thanks to Alistair.

Liz thanked all the members who help put on the meeting, including Janice for running the reception desk so efficiently, Maureen for running the raffle, Sue and Sue for doing the refreshments and the committee for all they do.

Liz, Elaine and Janette also thanked everyone who helped or contributed cakes for World Textile Day. Despite the show being quiet, we did break even.

Julie updated us on campaigns and thanked those who came on the ‘March for Clean Water on 3rd December. She gave out white ribbons as part of the WI’s ‘End Violence Against Women’ Campaign and asked members to wear them from 25th November to 10th December (including at the December meeting). The importance of the campaign was emphasised with the statistics that globally, 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime and two women are murdered every week by a partner or ex-partner. The campaign focus for the New Year will be the Dental Health campaign.

Issy has recommended the TV programme “Until I Kill You’ and the accompanying documentary. There is also ‘Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors’ that explores the tireless campaign work being done to tackle abusive relationships.

The ‘Competition of the Month’ was a sprig of berries in a vase and there were 3 joint winners – Kim, Julie and Anne N who got equal votes by way of a silver coins. The money will be donated to ACWW.

Issy reminded us of the Christmas Tree Festival at St Saviour’s Church from 23rd to 30th November. There will be 40+ trees to view, including our tree representing the WI campaigns.

Kim and Julie thanked the 29 members who have 78 entries in the forthcoming Group Show on 30th November. Entries need to be taken to either Kim, Julie or Tricia on 28th November, or taken to  St Mary Magdalene Church Hall, New Milton by 09.30 on Friday 29th November. Please contact us for more details and addresses.

Members were encouraged to visit the Show between 10am and 3.30pm on on 30th November to see all the wonderful entries. There will be a cake stall, a sales table, raffle and Brockenhurst WI will be serving refreshments.

Liz told us about the Brockenhurst Group Carol Service on Friday 6th December at 2pm. She also asked for volunteers to serve refreshments afterwards. Please contact us to volunteer.

The Carol Service is closely followed by the Brockenhurst Christmas Fun Evening, held in Brookley Road from 6pm-8pm. Brockenhurst WI’s stall with once again by the Christmas themed ‘Human Fruit Machine’ and we will also be selling items such as Christmas Decorations. Volunteers are also required to help on the stall for a variety of jobs. Please contact us to volunteer.

Liz finished by telling us that Hampshire WI’s Spring Council Meeting will be held in person and virtually from 10:30 – 4:30 on 19th March 2025. Tickets will be available to book here from 20th November. See more details here.