Tuesday 27th March 2018
Report by delegate Judith Finn
INTRODUCTION
After a glorious rendering of Jerusalem by some 600 members, David Full, the Lord Mayor, welcomed us all, thanked us for inviting him, both now and some 28 years previously, when he was also Lord Mayor. He expressed much appreciation for the good work that Norfolk W.I.sdo in their communities, especially their contribution towards action against Domestic Abuse.
CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS
Then Wendy Adams, our Federation Chairman, spoke about the good work and events we had all contributed to over the last year, including International Women’s Day, the walk on 2nd May in aid of ACWW, mental health matters, the Royal Norfolk Show and the Garden Party at Mannington Hall. Some of these events were over-subscribed, so book early for the coming ones, especially as next year will be Norfolk Federation’s centenary.
She said that our Norfolk W.I. magazine had changed format, and asked for people to contribute articles. 27thJuly will be Norfolk Day and the office will have an Open House. Wendy then stated that this was her last Annual Meeting as Chairman, and that serving over the last four years had been a privilege and a pleasure, especially as she had been able to attend the National WI Centenary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in 2015.
TREASURER’S REPORT
This was presented by Vicki Reynolds, and showed a healthy £204,398 as total funds being carried forward at the financial year end 31st October 2017.
They needed to spend more on necessary repairs to the Norwich Head Office building, and had to commit to booking the Holiday Inn for February 2019, amongstother events, to celebrate our Centenary Year. Tickets were still available and she was hoping for a good response, also for the sale of 500 Club shares.
The accounts were unanimously passed, and also the appointment of Argents as independent examiners for 2018-19
MORNING SPEAKER
This was Davina Turner who runs Britannia Enterprises which started when she was Centre Manager of Chapelfield Mall Shopping Centre, and she had the idea to involve suitable inmates of Norwich Prison to help them get adjusted to work in the outside world. She became a Prison Visitor and the saw how long term prisoners had difficulties on release to adjusting, getting jobs, and avoiding re-offending.
She and a colleague, Will Sykes, set up the Britannia Café at the Prison, which was opened to the public in January 2014, staffed virtually entirely by prisoners. The experience helps them to find jobs on release, and they are also given practical help to make a life for themselves in the outside world, thus discouraging them from re-offending. By February 2018, some 68,000 people had visited the Café, and Davina encouraged us to use it, to help them to raise the money needed to continue to do their good work. Some 62 prisoners have been involved in Britannia Enterprises, and their re-offend rate is less than 3%. They have recently also opened a similar café in the Guildhall.
FEDERATION EVENTS & NEWS
Two special events were mentioned: Friday 20th July at New Buckenham Village Hall where Allen Gray will give a Flower Demonstration, and a Literary Lunch at Bawdeswell Village Hall on 27th September.
The Centenary AGM will be in the Theatre Royal on Thursday 21st March, 2019, with Pam Ayres as the main speaker.
There will be a display of Arts & Crafts at Evelyn Suffield House on 14th/15th April, and the Norfolk WI News will be promoting special Centenary pens for sale.
Please note that the email for contacting Norfolk WI News has changed from gazette@norfolkwi.org.uk to magazine@norfolkwi.org.uk .
The federation is planning lots events for the centenary year, including a holiday trip to Ireland. A new logo has been created featuring the heron, which is native to Norfolk, with shapes incorporating the letters W and I.
Cups and certificates were presented, especially to those WIs who have significant birthdays, including Ditchingham, Barnham Broom, Hethersett, Hingham and Hardingham.
The Advisory Committee, who will be running a Quiz in November, are looking for more Advisors, and asked anyone who may be interested to approach Margaret Collingwood, or speak to the office.
AFTERNOON SPEAKER
This was Tim Bentinck, who plays David in the radio serial The Archers, and has recently published his autobiography entitled “Being David Archer and Others – Unusual Ways of Earning a Living”.
He told us about his varied life, the parts he had played and the people he had met. He was a very interesting and amusing speaker and we all enjoyed listening to him.
DRAWS
These included 500 Club, Bursaries, Denman Dip and Raffles.
BOARD OF TRUSTEE announcements
The new Federation Chairman will be Margaret Collingwood and the Treasurer will be Vicki Reynolds; First Vice Chairman Carol Makins, Second Vice Chairman Maggie Gallop.
Chairmen of:-
Arts & Crafts Carol Makins
Communications Mary Dorell
Leisure Activities Lesley Sanders
Membership Advisory Meg Dorling
Public Affairs Liz Barker
Sales & Marketing Evelyn Nishan
Board members Maggie Gallop, Jane Page
Denman Ambassador Maggie Gallop
Federation Events Co-ordinator Coral Bachelor
CLOSING
The Meeting terminated with the singing of the National Anthem with two verses.
The whole event was very well organized, welcoming and friendly, and deservedly very well supported.
It was a privilege and a pleasure to attend.
Judith Finn
