Sir Gâr Carmarthenshire Federation of WIS
THE Sir Gâr Carmarthenshire Federation of Women’s Institutes held their annual council meeting via Zoom on Saturday, November 20.
The meeting started with a CD of Jerusalem which members joined in from the warmth of their own homes. Anne Halborg, federation chairman, welcomed everyone to the virtual meeting and took apologies for non-attendance. Anne said it was lovely to welcome over 50 members to the meeting.
Pat Thomas, county secretary, then gave a full and in-depth report covering November 2020 to October 2021. The report highlighted just what the WI had been doing over the past year, and they had done a lot, with members embracing new technology (for them), Zoom, Team Facebook, Whatsapp and other wonderful ways of keeping in touch. If anything, the pandemic has strengthened our commitment to our friendships made in the WI and our communities.
We heard about the work HEPA (Health, Education and Public Affairs) has been doing to keep members informed with various WI campaigns, such as Save our Bees, Show the Love and Not in My Name. In all of these topics the WI didn’t rest on their laurels, they went out showing their commitment as well as writing letters. Oh, and getting down and dirty planting trees!
Arts and leisure committee were also kept busy with walking treasure hunts, a Christmas celebrations evening, art appreciation on the Davies sisters, even a fashion show with Pethau Olyv, all on Zoom. When restrictions were lifted the committee arranged a five-day trip to Ireland by boat and other outdoor activities for the brave at heart like zipwire, cliff walking and paddleboarding (the lady writing this report will keep to jam making).
The promotions sub-committee organised a quiz that members and families could enjoy at home. They had various craft activities and cookery demonstrations that members could join in on Zoom. The yearly WI show still went ahead but had to be a virtual show, not face to face.
Membership advisory committee were kept busy with training and advising new institute presidents, treasurers and secretaries, all on Zoom. They also organised a great day at Pembrey County Park for the federation’s 95th birthday. There were stalls, music and dragons taking over the park. What a day to remember.
Pat’s report was concluded with a poem written by Beryl from Trap WI.
The financial report for October 2020 to September 2021 was agreed and seconded and also the appointment of the 21/22 auditor.
Our first guest speaker for the morning was Elin Jones, Llywydd y Senedd. What a truly mesmerising speaker, the things she has achieved in her life and career are an inspiration to us all. Thank you, Elin, for sparing time from your very busy life to speak to us.
The second guest speaker was Terry Walton, a TV and radio contributor and author who spoke about his life in gardening on his allotment. Terry, from a very young age, has loved his passion of gardening and this shows in his enthusiasm and love of the soil and all it can produce.
Anne Halborg then gave her address. Looking to the future and seeing what is to come, how strong the WI is to cope with whatever that may be, that was her message to the members. Anne thanked the board of trustees, the county secretary and county treasure for all their hard work and support during the year and to all the WI members.
The new board of trustees was then announced: Anne Halborg, Victoria Hackett, Joyce Kirkwood, Sandra Seward, Nema Edwards, Elma Phillips, Dawn Webb, Chris Wheeler-jones, Mary Ford, Doreen Martin, Mary Davies, Helen Herbert and Eve Howard.
Sue Jones and Helen Evans are stepping down this year from the board and everyone thank them for all their hard work over the years.
A big thank you must go to Maureen Davies who ran the Zoom meeting and kept everyone in order.
The meeting finished with the national anthems, both Welsh and English.