Carmarthenshire Federation of WIS

THE 97th Annual Wales Conference was held on March 23 at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, and also streamed online for members to see live in their own homes.

Eirian Roberts, chair of Wales committee, opened the meeting and Jenny Longland, chair of Pembrokeshire Federation, welcomed everyone to the county of Pembrokeshire.

The theme of the meeting was “pathways” and Eirian Roberts spoke about the pathways you can take as a WI member and different ways you can support WI campaigns. Rhian Connick, head of NFWI Wales office, gave her report and it was lovely to hear her mention Llansaint WI for their climate pledge. Nia Roberts (broadcaster) was the first guest speaker. Nia talked very movingly about the sad loss of her mother from ovarian cancer, and how the loss has made her campaign to get more women aware of the signs of the disease.

Ann Jones, chair of NFWI, was the second speaker for the day and her talk was “What’s around the corner?” Ann is a hardworking member of her community in Ceredigion, a Carmarthen-born lady who married a farmer from Ceredigion. A wife, a mother and a grandmother with a full life, Ann is the first Welsh-speaking chair of

NFWI and is very proud of the fact.

She has been a member of Young Farmers, is a member of Llanddewi Brefi WI and has held roles in numerous committees and senior roles within the WI.

The last speakers for the day were Jamie Owen and David Wilson, who entertained and spoke about their book A Year in Pembrokeshire – a great double act. It was a smaller conference than normal with approximately 100 members at the theatre and the same number viewing on line, but as a member viewing virtually, it was a conference with laughter, tears and packed with information and enthusiasm about things to come.