Sir Gâr Carmarthenshire WI

SHOW the Love is an annual celebration held in February to look at ways in which we can work together to protect against the worst impacts of the climate crisis.

In Sir Gâr Carmarthenshire Federation of WIS two members from the Health Education & Public Affairs Sub-committee, Eve Howard and Victoria Hackett, invited members from across the county on February 12 to join them in an afternoon of poetry, slides, stories, drawing and a fun quiz on Zoom. This was the first time for some members to use Zoom and it was lovely to see these members once again.

In March 2020 Eve Howard started a pictorial review of Carmarthenshire during the Covid crisis and lockdown fever. Eve, with camera in hand, took pictures of trees, flowers, hedgerows, birds, plankton and all manner of nature’s wonders on her travels. Many of her pictures were displayed on Zoom for members to see and some were accompanied by music, poetry and stories. It was lovely to hear birdsong and to see the majestic and mystical tree formations.

Members were also treated to pictures of walks along Llansteffan beach and a jellyfish washed up on the tide. Bubbles in a washing-up bowl along with a poem was a great favourite. Eve had taken the picture in such a way that you thought you were looking at a display of dazzling jewels.

Members were invited to draw a mug, decorate it with what they were feeling, what was their favourite drink of the day and where would they like to go with their mug. All members drew a mug and a few told their stories of their decorations, favourite drink and special place to drink it. Is our cup half empty or half full? A fun quiz was then read by Victoria (no prizes) but a good way to end an entertaining couple of hours.

Now members will take back to their own WIS what they learnt and hopefully it will be cascaded across the county. This is an ongoing project for all members to be involved with and it is hoped that when we can meet again we can share what we have accomplished. Plant a seed and watch it grow!

Thank you to Eve and Victoria for such a rewarding presentation and to Maureen Davies for her help with Zoom and Sarah Thomas from the Welsh Office who joined the 42 WI members on zoom.

There was an array of poems read during the afternoon and this is just one written by a member from Glandwr WI:

The World is full of magic, Even when it’s in distress. It’s up to all of us

To help sort out the mess. Climate change affects us all, It’s something of our making, It’s been so easy to ignore And just go on taking.

So it’s time to call a halt.

It’s time to stand up tall.

It’s time to say our piece For the good of all.

We all can play our part By simple steps each day. By adapting what we do To help change on it’s way. The WI can lead us on With campaigns to the fore. By being a voice of sense

As it has so oft before.

So let us get together, Let’s ‘Show The Love’ to all. Let’s work towards a change That’s good for one and all.