GFWI Annual Council Meeting

ON A lovely spring morning The Town Hall, Cheltenham was full of WI ladies, The Mayor of Cheltenham and special guests.

Federation Chair Jan Turner opened the meeting welcoming everyone and Jerusalem was sung.

Clara Sudbury The Mayor of Cheltenham gave a welcome, speaking on a wrestling event where she had to roll in and out of the ring, being carried back by a muscular wrestler, causing laughter; a little different to a WI meeting.

Jan gave thanks to Lesley, Yvonne, all the WI Executives who were on stage and all who work behind the scenes to keep us moving forward, also to Peter and Sarah, past workers in WI House and Anne Turner our last County Chair.

Our Centenary Exhibition next year will showcase our many talents to the general public.

Twyver and Lydney WIs were chosen to create wall hangings representing our counties historical places of interest.

A vintage fair will be held in Cirencester Park.

Fabric needs attention in WI House, also the garden needs re-designing with fresh plants and colour.

The Christmas Concert had very good reviews and this year “Only Men Aloud” will perform, plus other soloists.

The Federation is in a healthy financial position thanks to May Cooper, County Treasurer who is retiring after 10 years hard work and she was presented with a farewell gift and rose plant.

David Horgan, Financial Advisor was re-elected.

Membership total 5,021.

Sports and Leisure are well supported.

The Gloucestershire Racing Club members enjoyed Gold Cup Day making new friendships and winning some races.

Croquet and Bowls taster days are very popular and congratulations must go to the Bowls Club winners.

Archery is being held in September.

The Skittles Tournament is booked.

Workshops and New Speakers mornings are very popular.

Denman will celebrate a platinum 70th birthday next year and events are being planned.

The Denman Appeal has finally closed reaching £600,000, our county donating £200,000.

ACWW rep Janice Cole spoke on the importance of giving to support the poor, this year the women of Cameroon, who had a poor life, need education, fencing of farmland, how to manage their crops etc and their well being.

Councillors have made three visits and 20 women have received help.

Sue Wilson, a member of NFWI Board of Trustees gave a very long detailed account of “Reflection and Looking to the Future”.

In 1901 the Government formed a co-operative, the basis of our WI.

Our main speaker in the afternoon was Adam Henson from Guiting Power who presented awards to various ladies.

A natural speaker whose grandfather, Lesley Henson played in the music halls and his father, Joe Henson was often showing his rare breeds cattle which he founded along with Eric Freeman, a farmer from Newent.

Adam is very proud of his roots, born in the folds of the Cotswold Escarpment, warm and welcoming, farming is in his blood.

His friend from college days, Duncan Andrews helps him farm along with 42 staff who work hands on feeding lambs and animals and running the wildlife shop.

To cut costs large machinery is shared.

His long horn oxen, William and Edward, are in demand for films, Eric the Highland Bull is well known along with Archie Humble, a pet lamb.

Conservation and support of farmers is needed, rapeseed oil products are on sale in shops and we need to look for the tractor emblem to promote British Farming.

Adam has sat next to HM The Queen, who loves her animals and all the farming scene.

Families travel for miles to visit his rare breeds centre, children learn hands on how to handle and feed the animals but as Adam concluded his talk many challenges lie ahead and we need to support and buy British produce.

Adam was warmly applauded, Jan Turner gave thanks to everyone who made the day the success it was and we all stood to sing the National Anthem.