November 2010 Newsletter

Hello and Welcome to our November newsletter.

Hopefully we will be able to update you on anything you have missed over the last month or so.

Welcome to our new members this month:
Heather Fortune. We also had…. Members attending.

Apologies from Emma and Jeanette Jones.

November meeting
Emma was not able to attend the meeting this evening because of personal commitments. Lynne welcomed the members for the evening and thanked them for their work in making our October event the success that it was. Since October we have had feedback from visiting WI’s - which is all positive. Many were impressed because it was different from the usual WI events and look forward to our next one.

Lynne informed members that she had attended the very interesting Forensic Science evening that had been arranged by Federation. She was impressed with the information presented and the easy to understand format.

Erica gave details of the forthcoming events, all of which are listed on the next page. Please remember to look at our “What’s on” file at meetings – all details, including closing dates and dates for payments will be included there, together with space for you to add your name if you want to join in any of the events.

Erica then went on to give a brief account of her visit to the Autumn Conference in Barry. It appears that our resolution for food labelling to include country of origin has been taken to the EU, but had a disappointing response at Brussels; it is considered there that the task would prove too difficult. The main focus of the meeting was on promoting a more modern WI – our logo has been changed recently to a more modern version and we are being encouraged to get technical with electronic communications, moodle etc. The guest speaker was Frank Vickery who did a question and answer session requesting questions from the audience, with some amusing answers.

Pat gave details of the financial outcome of our October event with an overall profit of £179.00.

She then went on to give details of the proposed programme for 201 1, including our AGM in January.

This evening we were to be entertained by Thelma Taylor who was to talk to us about her handbag. However, despite finding her way to Gellliwastad Road in Pontpridd, we had a phone call from Mr Taylor during the meeting to tell us that Thelma had failed to find Temple Church and was on her way home. But every cloud has a silver lining and Binkie Thomas came to the rescue and gave us a really interesting and amusing account of how her family were affected by the Czechoslovakia uprising and how it influenced her life.

Recipe for the Month
More comfort food for this wintery weather

Lamb & Potato Hotpot
o 8 Lamb chops
o Oil
o 1 Onion, finely sliced
o 450g potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
o 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
o 1 pack parsley, chopped
o 650 ml lamb or chicken stock
o Butter

Method
1. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Trim any excess fat off the chops then brown them really well in a little oil. Set aside and fry the onions until tender. Layer the lamb, onions, potatoes and carrots in a large casserole, sprinkling parsley and seasoning as you go, saving enough potato to finish with a thin layer on top. Pour in the stock and dot the top with butter. Cover and cook for 1 hour.
2. Take off the lid and cook for a further 30 minutes until the top is crisp and golden.

(From BBC Good Food website)

Ring Erica on 01443 409959 or email hillse@sky.com if you want further information before the next meeting.

October 2010 Newsletter

Hello and Welcome to our October newsletter.

Hopefully we will be able to update you on anything you have missed over the last month or so.

Welcome to our new members this month:
Jayne James, Denize McIntyre,
Susan Morgan and Binkie Thomas.

Visitors:
Marguerite Powell, Annette Wujewski and
Heather Fortune.

We also had … members attending.

And a great big thank you!
to all our members who were so generous and worked so hard to make our October Pamper Evening the success that it was.
Members from neighbouring WI’s at Pontypridd (day time), Creigiau, Pentyrch, Gwaelod y Garth and Ton Pentre joined us for an evening of looking after ourselves. We had plenty of interaction between
our visitors, with demonstrators from the Body Shop, Blooms Florist and our own Emma who demonstrated hand massage. There were also displays of jewellery and hand crafted cards from Jayne James and Alicia Pritchard, and we had health eating advice from two Slimming World consultants, who made it sound so easy. Whilst on the subject of eating - our Welsh themed homemade refreshments for the evening included cawl, bread and cheese, Welsh cakes and bara brith. All of our raffle prizes were either contributions from our members or gifts from our demonstrators of a Body Shop product, books, bath products, and costume jewellery.


Recipe for the Month

Lamb & Potato Hotpot
o 8 Lamb chops
o Oil
o 1 Onion, finely sliced
o 450g potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
o 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
o 1 pack parsley, chopped
o 650 ml lamb or chicken stock
o Butter

Method
1. Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Trim any excess fat off the chops then brown them really well in a little oil. Set aside and fry the onions until tender. Layer the lamb, onions, potatoes and carrots in a large casserole, sprinkling parsley and seasoning as you go, saving enough potato to finish with a thin layer on top. Pour in the stock and dot the top with butter. Cover and cook for 1 hour.
2. Take off the lid and cook for a further 30 minutes until the top is crisp and golden.

(From BBC Good Food website)

THINGS TO COME
Thursday, 4th November - Supper Club
La Trattoria, High Street, Pontypridd – 6:30pm

Wednesday, 10th November 2010 –
November meeting – Thelma Taylor
Speaking to us about her handbags.

Reminders on the next page, but please make sure to look at the information table at the meeting for details of everything that is going on.

YAWI WEBSITE

All our newsletters are available on the website.
Is there anything you want to catch up on, or was there are recipe that you fancied and forgot to save? It will be on the website. Any questions you have or any ideas you want to share, or any comments you want to make, try the web site. There is still work to be done on the website, but we are getting there slowly.

Don’t forget
Call Emma on 07762493928 or Erica on 01443 409959 if you want any information about any of the groups etc., or if you have any ideas you want to run by them. Leave a message and they’ll get back to you if they can’t get to the phone when you call.
It’s your WI – don’t be shy in having your say.
Ring Erica on 01443 409959 or email hillse@sky.com if you want further information

September 2010 Newsletter

Hello and Welcome to our September newsletter.

Hopefully we will be able to update you on anything you have missed over the last month or so.

Welcome to our visitors this month: Kay Richards, Marguerite Powell and Annette Wujewski. We also had attendees.

September Meeting
Emma welcomed members and visitors and gave location of facilities and fire exits. She also reminded members of the collection of used or new brassieres to be sent for women in third world areas and the appeal for cot blankets and small beanie hats (either made or bought) for Third World Counties. Apparently, women are less likely to be raped if they wear bras. Erica is waiting for further details and has asked if simple knitting patterns are available for the items required.

Emma then introduced Rhodri Powell our speaker for the evening. He is now retired after spending many years employed by the local health authority and continues to be an enthusiastic local historian. Rhodri gave a full and interesting presentation on hospitals in the Rhondda Taff area over the last century or so, explaining how many had started as work houses for the needy and how they developed into general hospitals. He also explained the progression of modernisation and how the original 15 hospitals which used to service the community have now been replaced by five modern ones.

Proposed October event – Pamper Evening
Following Rhodri’s presentation, members and visitors discussed the events planned for October, all agreeing to contribute items for the refreshments which had been suggested (Cawl, bread, cheese and baked items). Arrangements have been made for presentations by Body Shop and Slimming World representatives, and there will be a jewellery stand, and florist. Emma, a trained therapist, will give demonstrations in hand massage.

YAWI website

All our newsletters are available on the website.
Is there anything you want to catch up on, or was there are recipe that you fancied and forgot to save. It will be on the website. Any questions you have
or any ideas you want to share, or any comments you want to make, try the web site. There is still work to be done on the website, but we are getting there slowly.

Raffle Prize – Gladioli bouquet, won by Kay Richard.

Recipe for the Month

This one sounds nice and comforting for the chilly autumn days ahead.

Honey and apple tart
About 12oz (350g) Cooking Apples (2 medium fruit)
¼ pint (150ml) Honey
Juice and rind of 1 lemon
6oz (175g) Fresh Wholemeal Breadcrumbs
9oz shortcrust pastry of your choice (Cranks recommend wholemeal)

Grate the apples and mix together with the honey, lemon rind and juice, and breadcrumbs. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line an 8” (20cm) flan tin. Spoon the filling in the centre, level the surface and bake in the over at 200oC (400oF/Mark 6) for 30-35 minutes, until firm to the touch. Serve warm or cold.
Serves 4-6

(From the Cranks Recipe Book)

Things to come
Thursday, 7th October 2010
Supper Club at La Trattoria, High Street, Pontypridd – 6:30pm

Wednesday, 13th October 2010
October monthly meeting – pamper evening

Please make sure to look at the information table at the meeting for details of everything that is going on.

Don’t forget

You can call Emma on 07762493928 or Erica
on 01443 409959 if you want any information
about any of the groups etc., or if you have any ideas you want to run by them. Leave a message and they’ll get back to you if they can’t get to
the phone when you call.

It’s your WI – don’t be shy in having your say.

Ring Erica on 01443 409959 or email hillse@sky.com if you want further information before the next meeting.

August 2010 Newsletter

Hello and Welcome to our August newsletter. Hopefully we will be able to update you on anything you have missed over the last month or so.

Welcome to our visitors this month: Jayne James and Gwyneth Cummings.

August Meeting
Traditionally WI’s do not meet in August, but we decided to go ahead with our August meeting to make plans for our special evening planned for October. Unfortunately, Emma our President, was not able to attend because of work commitment. We had an informal meeting and gathered around
a table to chat about our October event and plans for the future. We had 8 attendees and 2 visitors.

Forthcoming Events
After welcoming in members, Lynne invited Erica to give details of forthcoming events arranged both by Ynysangharad and GFWI. All details are given on the last page of this newsletter. Please be aware of closing dates for anything you are interested in.

Public Affairs Network Meeting - 28th July 2010
Lynne and Emma attended this meeting. Lynne gave an account of the meeting and had prepared a written account, which was available at our meeting and will be available at the September meeting. She was impressed by the impact the WI have in influencing government policy, particularly in the area of women’s rights. Lynne is also arranging collection of used or new brassieres to be sent for women in third world areas. (Apparently, women are less likely to be raped if they wear bras.)
There is also an appeal for cot blankets and small beanie hats (either made or bought) for Third World countries.

Visit to the Cotswolds
On 7th August a small group joined a Diamond Coach trip to the Cotswolds. Pat gave an account of our trip – visiting Bourton-on-the-Water,
Stow-on-the-Wold and Broadway. Apart from some slight showers to begin with, the weather was good and we enjoyed a few coffee and cake stops, plus browsing the quaint shops. The driver was quiet but very friendly and kept us informed as the day went along. We were lucky not to encounter any traffic problems and the trip went smoothly with everyone returning to the bus on time. Our last stop of the day before returning home was at Ross-on-Wye where we enjoyed a pre-arranged meal at the Red Lion Hotel. A very enjoyable day.

Proposed October event – Pamper Evening
Lynne explained to members that Emma was unable to attend this evening’s meeting, and as Emma is the one with the details of what had been arranged so far, Lynne asked members if they wanted to discuss the event or wait until September. It was agreed that some discussion should go ahead and an enthusiastic exchange of ideas followed. Précis of the ideas put forward is given at the end of this newsletter.

Important Fundraising
In addition to the October event there was a discussion about other fund raising possibilities. Lynne mentioned the previously suggested table
top sale or car boot sale. Angela said that there
are regular boot sales held at the Rhondda Heritage Park Hotel, and suggested that as we are such a small group, perhaps we should consider taking
part in something already arranged, rather than
trying to arrange a whole event ourselves. The idea
is that we would collect unwanted items from members and that volunteers would then take a table or car to sell the items at a pre-arranged
event – all proceeds going to our funds. Members thought this was a good idea and offered their services to help out.

Advertising
We have prepared some posters and leaflets. Members are asked to take any they think they can distribute or display in their area to attract new members. Perhaps at a local hairdressers or GP surgery. Erica told members that she had picked up an idea from WI Life which suggested that instead of putting WI Life in the recycling bin, they too could be left in various waiting rooms for people to browse while they a waiting for appointments. She also suggested adding labels with our details. Lynne suggested that one of our leaflets could be attached to the magazines. Any other ideas for advertising and attracting new members would be much appreciated.



Supporting a charity
Angela asked if we had consider the box scheme – filling boxes with small items to sent to third world countries, the idea being that members would be asked to bring a specified small item to each meeting. Some discussion followed about the logistics and whether or not we should apply a similar arrangement to a charity nearer home. It was agreed that arrangements should be made to make up “boxes” for the charity we had already discussed – Women’s Aid, with the possibility of choosing different local charities in the future. Angela said she has room in her house and volunteered to store the collections until they were ready for distribution.

Reading Circle
Because of the low attendance to the Reading Circle it has been put on hold for the time being.

YAWI website
All our newsletters are available on the website.
Is there anything you want to catch up on, or was there are recipe that you fancied and forgot to save? It will be on the website. Any questions you have or any ideas you want to share, or any comments you want to make, try the web site. There is still work to be done on the website, but we are getting there slowly.

Raffle Prize – won by Gwyneth Cummings

Recipe for the Month

This month’s recipe was given to us by our visitor Jayne James. Thanks Jayne.

Marmalade Cake
Ingredients
4 oz Butter
4 oz Soft Brown Sugar
4 oz Marmalade
8 oz Self-raising Flour
2 Large Eggs
4 oz Sultanas
(Jayne’s note – I find it better without the sultanas)
Preheat the oven to 1500C/3000F
Cream the butter and sugar together until light
and fluffy and then add the remaining ingredients, stirring thoroughly with a wooden spoon until well mixed. Spoon the ingredients into a 900gm/2lb
loaf tin and bake in the centre of the oven for
about one and a half hours or until well risen and golden brown. To make sure the cake is properly cooked check that a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Allow to cool for 30 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool. When cold the cake is excellent sliced and buttered.

Hope you enjoy!

Things to come
Thursday, 2nd September 2010
Supper Club at La Trattoria, High Street, Pontypridd – 6:30pm

Wednesday, 8th September 2010
September monthly meeting
Please see following sheet for further information about other events.


Don’t forget
You can call Emma on 07762493928 or Erica
on 01443 409959 if you want any information
about any of the groups etc., or if you have any ideas you want to run by them. Leave a message and they’ll get back to you if they can’t come to
the phone when you call.

It’s your WI – don’t be shy in having your say.


Ring Erica on 01443 409959 or email Hillse@sky.com if you want further information before the next meeting.