On October 13^th, 43 WI members met for a busy programme of activities, information gathering, planning and friendship. Our President, Julie Wootten, welcomed two guests. She also welcomed aa special visitor Jude Vaughan, National President of the WI in New Zealand, who was visiting her mother, Pam McKinlay, our cherished longest serving member and former President.

Jude happily agreed to judge our annual growing competition – the biggest loofah! Owing to a whole host of excuses, including poor growing conditions, only three members were able to submit their loofahs, all of which were too small to be regarded as loofahs! So, Judy recommended that the prize should not be awarded for 2025 and that the three members get together to decide what sort of produce should form the growing competition in 2026.

Thankfully, our ‘Competition of the Month’ was more successful! Members were asked bring in ‘fruit from the garden’ and this proved that fruit is easier to grow than loofahs! The joint winners, voted by members with a silver coin, were Issy and Julie. The coins are donated to ACWW.

The speaker at the meeting, Liz Murray, gave us an excellent overview, in a talk entitled “Health is Wealth”, of the ways in which we can “grow old gracefully” by taking care of our bodies and minds.

She encouraged us to ‘move more and feel better’ and to plan our ‘functional future’ by paying attention of 7 S’s:

• Strength
• Stamina
• Supple
• Stability
• Skills
• State of mind
• Sleep

Liz showed us how to get up from the ground in the event of a fall and challenged us to see how many time was can ‘sit to stand’ in 30 seconds and work at improving this score.

It was a very interesting, amusing and thought-provoking presentation which was much enjoyed by all those present.

Our lead on WI Campaigns, Rose Chapman, thanked members who had contributed to the success of our stall at the Artisans Market on 5^th October. The theme was “Bystanders Can Be Lifesavers”, promoting the need for people to be trained in CPR, to understand what to do if someone had a heart attack and collapsed and to know where to find the nearest defibrillator. Two-sided business cards with all the information needed for people to become Bystanders/Lifesavers were distributed to folk attending the event. Most of those approached were happy to receive the cards and many took additional cards to give to family and friends. Members were reminded of, and encouraged to undertake, the free CPR training available on the British Heart Foundation website, details of which are included on the business cards.  To continue the campaign, WI members took part in Restart the Heart Day activity in the village centre on 16^th October. 

Evelyn encouraged us to look at the Group Shoe schedule amd think of what we would like to enter. You can see the schedule here.

There was lots of information about up-coming events – A Skittles and Supper Evening at the Huntsman, Lunch Club at the Palais des Vaches, Inchmery, a Quiltfest weekend of craft workshops at the beginning  of November, planned craft and quilting group activities, a Christmas Tree Festival at the end of November and the village Christmas Fun Evening in December.

Carole reminded us that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the importance of being aware of changes and self-examination.

Rita asked for members to help with bandage making for Ukraine on Wednesday mornings.

The campaign to save the bridge at Martin’s Rood was also mentioned by a member.

To conclude the meeting, five members with birthdays in October were wished a ‘Happ Birthday’. This was followed by our traditional raffle.

Our next meeting will be on Monday 10^th November 2025 at 7.00pm for 7.30pm start in the Village Hall. The speaker will be Alistair Brien – “A Night of Magic”. All members and visitors are welcome!