February 2012 Newsletter

Welcome to our February 2012 newsletter.

Our aim is to be able to update you on anything you have missed over the last month or so, [especially if you missed a meeting].

16 members attended and there were 7 apologies. We welcomed 1 new member and 2 visitors. To those who sent apologies because of feeling under the weather we send our best wishes and hope you are fully recovered.

Emma welcomed the members and introduced Emma Harrison who is in training with Welsh Women Walking for their next big adventure in April 2012 when they are trekking to Base Camp Everest with Richard Parks of 737challenge fame. A big adventure for them and a great opportunity to raise funds for 2 worthy causes (Ty Hafan and Marie Curie Cancer Care). If you’d like more information on how to donate, or how to join the Welsh Women on their regular local walks, take a look at http://www.welshwomenwalking.co.uk. Sounds like a good way to keep fit and help good causes in one go. We hope to see Emma Harrison at more of our meetings, but just in case she’s too busy training, our very best wishes to her and her companions for their April adventure.

Emma also welcomed Lupin who took on the challenge of showing us how to willow weave hearts and stars ready to wow our Valentines. Lupin explained the difference between the willows she had brought along, some being more pliable than others and which were better for which various techniques; she also showed us examples of items she had already made. We were then let loose on the materials while Lupin guided us through how to manipulate the willow into the shapes we desired (or in some cases a completely different shape than intended). Although it is surprising (with arms, hands and willow thrashing about in all directions) everyone reached the end of the evening with all eyes, spectacles and jewellery intact, a very enjoyable evening with lots of laughter.

Glamorgan WI Show
Ellis and Erica attended the regional meeting at Ystradowen for the Glamorgan Show. The Glamorgan WI Show will be held at North Cornelly Community Centre on 28th July. Erica visited the show last year and was very impressed with quite a few of the exhibits, but also felt there is plenty of scope for us to think about getting involved. There’s a class for men (can your other half cook an item which can be eaten with a pint of beer?) and one for children, so you can get the family involved too. There will be several copies of the schedule at each meeting and you will be pestered, badgered and harassed (in the nicest possible way) every month from now until the end of June (closing dates for entries 29th June) to consider displaying your talents at the show.

March Meeting
Our planned speaker for March is unable to attend. We had hoped to re-arrange our March and May speakers, but unfortunately neither is available in March. So our March meeting will be quiz night – nothing too taxing, and hopefully a good opportunity for us to include some chatting and getting to know each other better.

Recipe for the month
Chicken al Limone
Serves one
Ingredients
1 Chicken Breast, 2 tbsp Olive Oil, ½ lemon, juice only, salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, 5 tbsp white wine, knob of butter, pinch of flour,
To serve - green beans, cooked.
Preparation Method
Flatten the chicken breast with a meat mallet or rolling pin between two sheets of cling film. Fry the chicken in the olive oil for three minutes each side. Add the lemon juice and salt and pepper. Add the white wine and reduce for 30 seconds. Coat the knob of butter in flour, and drop in the mixture to thicken. Remove the chicken and serve with green beans.
(bbc/food – Gino D'Acampo– Saturday morning kitchen)

Thought for the Month
Be brave – try a risk; see what you achieve. If Michelangelo had not taken a risk, he would have only painted the Sistine Chapel floor.

Reminder
Our chosen charity – local food bank. Bring a non perishable food item if you want to donate. Doesn’t have to be anything expensive – small can of fruit, long life milk, packet soup, etc.


EVENTS

* Flower arranging demonstration 50p
Federation House, Port Talbot
Saturday 14th April. 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Payment by 10th March

* Indoor Bowls Tournament
£25 per team (4)
Sully Indoor Bowls Pavilion
Saturday 21st April. 10:00 am
Lunch provided at extra cost
Payment by 12th March

* Croquet tournament
£15.50 team (2)
Insole Court, Llandaff
Monday 21st May. 10:30 am – 4:30 approx.
Bring your own refreshments
Payment by 10th April

* Summer Federation Walk, £3 (members only)
Oxwich Bay towards Port Eynon (approx 5 miles)
Thursday 5th July 2012 at 10:15 am
Payment by 18th May

* Unique Textile Jewellery event. £23 cost to include materials
Federation House, Port Talbot
Monday 25th June 10;00am – 4:00 pm
Payment by 25th May

* An Evening with Ingrid Seward, Editor of Majesty Magazine £12.50
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Wednesday 13th June 2012. 7:30 – 10 pm
Payment by 4th May

* Treasure Trail Walk around Cardiff Bay, £3
Cardiff Bay
Wednesday 20th July 2012 starting any time between 10-11am
Payment by 4th May

* Rose Bowl and Brecon Cup Diamond Celebrations. Staging completion will take place at Miskin Catholic Church Hall on Tuesday 15th May. Please ask for more details if you are interested.

* National Eisteddfod August 2012. By donating a bag made by yourself you will be helping Glamorgan Federation with the funding of this event. The bag can be of any type, shape or size and the colour should be in keeping with the theme which is “COAST/SEASIDE”. The bags will be sold throughout the week of the Eisteddfod. Maximum of five bags per WI. Federation will arrange collection of the bags which must be completed by Friday 29th June.

* Craft Spectacular – Saturday (Hoorah a weekend one) 17th November 2012 at Cowbridge Town Hall 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Take the opportunity to display and sell your craft as an individual member or as a WI. All Stallholders must be WI members. Food Hygiene certificate is required if you are selling food. Non WI member may not be sellers. Form available to secure a table at £15 per table (limited space so a draw may be necessary). Closing date 25th May 2012.

* Pantomime 2012. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Evening performance Wednesday and Thursday 21st and 22nd November. Rehearsal all day Tuesday 20th November. Join us for this year’s spectacular pantomime. VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED for acting, chorus, and general help. If you would like to take part, please indicate your area of interest – form available. To be submitted by 18th May 2012

* Christmas Tree Festival at the Orangery Margam Park to Launch 90th Birthday Year. GFWI would like to invite all WI’s to provide and decorate an artificial tree (max width 2’ height 6’). Electricity available for light if required. Closing date Friday 25th may 2012. Full details of event to follow.

* Christmas at Castle Howard, York. 4 days, 3 nights. 7th – 10th December 2012 - Cost £249 per person sharing a twin room. Single room (very limited number) at £45 extra. £55 non refundable deposit per person – closing date 4th May 2012.

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