Rose welcome members and 3 guests to Brockenhurst WI’s October meeting

Our speaker was Nelly Ghaffar, a former contestant on The Great British Bake-Off. Nelly spoke from the heart about her upbringing. and coming to England from Slovakia 22 years ago.

She told us 2 stories from her book “Be Free” and how they shaped her life and outlook.

She told us how her husband submitted the entry for Nelly into the Bake Off and believed in her when she didn’t believe in herself. The Bake Off tent helped her bloom and turn ‘from a caterpillar into a butterfly’.

Nelly shared words of wisdom, including – “you don’t have to ab blood to be sisters” and ”say thank you to each compliment” Something Nelly struggled with for a long time.

Our thanks go to Nelly Ghaffar for being our speaker and telling us how the violent upbringing you had helped to inspire you to be the inspirational women you are today.

We had a collection for the ‘No More Violence Against Women -Big Give, the campaign focus for October and we raised £61 (which was matched to £122). Suzanne told us about this campaign.

The Quilting Group did a big reveal of the quilted rucksacks that they made over the summer. It was probably the most challenging project that they have undertaken and the results were fabulous.

The ‘Competition of the Month’ was fruit of vegetables from the garden. The winner, voted by members using silver coins was Julie’s beetroot. The money donated goes to ACWW.

There was a raffle organised by Maureen and April.

There were lots of sign up sheets for the range of activities that Hampshire WI and Brockenhurst WI have on this month and in the lead up to Christmas

Thanks go to Evelyn to the table flowers and Margaret P and Jean for doing the refreshments.