Leonard Stanley WI: Janice Cole's talk on the ACWW

MEETING was opened by Maureen who welcomed a full hall and thanked everyone who had managed to get there despite the squally weather.

Birthday flowers were presented to Claire and Judy and we swiftly went into business.

The recent Lent Lunch organized by our WI had raised the magnificent sum of £244.55 for the Willow Trust charity – well done everyone!

It was much appreciated and we were told that the Willow Trust was ready to go for the summer season and had lots of new volunteers.

Those who had attended the Group Meeting at Cainscross had thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly the entertainment with the Young Ones (though not quite what we expected to see judging by the name).

The competition for Seaman’s hats had been well supported although we did not win this time and Lesley Williams was presented with quite a bundle of warm hats.

Our speaker and demonstration for March had been excellent and all agreed how much we had enjoyed the graceful dancing and wonderful costumes.

Gloucestershire News was read, with particular items of interest to members, amongst which was the GFWI Summer Picnic at Pittville Park, visit to Dyffryn House and Garden etc.

Jill had represented us at the Annual Council Meeting at Cheltenham and gave those who did not attend, a good insight into what went on and reported on the excellent speakers and recommended people to attend next year.

Dorothy Clarke’s funeral will take place at St Swithins on April 21, and the WI will be providing and serving refreshments.

A Plant Sale with coffee, raffle etc will be in the village hall on May 14 in aid of the Air Ambulance.

Unfortunately there had been a slight mix up with dates and Dr Lamb did not talk to us today but Janice Cole ably stepped in and gave a very interesting talk on ACWW and how it was formed and what it stood for.

An interesting point was that women are half of the world’s population and do two thirds of the work!

Our project this year is to raise enough money to supply three wells and two sanitation blocks in a village in Toga and we were encouraged not only to save our ‘pennies for friendship’ but to collect our old foreign coins and broken jewellery and to this end Jill gave Janice a very heavy box to take back with her from Leonard Stanley members for recycling.

Janice ended up her talk by going through the Resolutions for the Triennial Conference at Warwick, which will eventually go forward to the United Nations in due course.

Our next meeting is on May 9, when Paul Evans will give some humorous readings and monologues.

The competition for this month will be a blue object.

Meetings are on the second Monday of the month at 2.25pm in the village hall – so why not come along and join us.

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