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.