March 2026

A Message from Kate

February’s meeting was a fun, craft meeting with a variety of beautiful paper hearts and wooden heart key rings produced. Thanks to Sally, Linda and Ann for organising and demonstrating what we needed to do.

The current programme team have now completed two years and I am sure you will agree that they have done a sterling job. However, it is always good to have fresh ideas and we need volunteers to join the group which meets about 4 times a year. There are clear instructions as to what to do and a booklet of speakers to help too. If you would like to be involved in choosing our speakers please speak to one of the committee.

The new programme year starts in April which also means that we will have a new rota for volunteers to help out at the meetings. If everyone did one duty a year it would be filled immediately. It is a great way to help out your WI and a way of getting to know each other better so please consider volunteering.

The March meeting should be a fascinating one as we learn about the reality of being a Crime Scene Investigator.

Best wishes 

Kate

Birthday Greetings

Many happy returns to members celebrating their birthdays in March

Val, Ann W., Deborah, Kath G., Sue W., Sarah S., Ann L., Annette, Kate F., Hayley

IMPORTANT NOTICE-Register and Evacuation Procedure-It is important that you sign in BEFORE finding a seat at the beginning of the meeting. This is for your safety as, if we have missed adding you to the register and we have to evacuate the building, we will not have an accurate record of who is in attendance. This also applies if you arrive late or leave the meeting early. Please let Linda McD. know (or Sally in Linda’s absence). Our evacuation meeting point is on the field opposite the car park entrance.

Monthly Meeting

Thursday, 19th March

7.30pm

Speaker-Jackie French-“CSI in Reality”.

Competition- Name and describe a new Cluedo Character.

Rota Volunteers- Door-Pat G.   Cake-Pat McG.   Raffle-Chris, Val   Meet & Greet-Anna, Ann L.

We would be grateful if those of you on meeting duties please arrive by 7.15pm. If you are unable to attend the meeting please contact Linda McD. so that she can send out an email to fill the slot. Thank you.

February Meeting Report-Attendance: Members-36  Visitors-1   Income: Visitors-£5  Raffle-£43 Cakes-£16

Raffle-There will be a special raffle for our chosen charity, the Oliver King Foundation. Tickets will be £2 and the first prize is a hamper, with more prizes to be won. If you wish to buy a ticket, but cannot attend the meeting, please ask another member to purchase one on your behalf.

April Meeting-Michelle Higginbottom-“Women’s Special Operations Executive in WW2”.

Reminder-The bar at the Sports Club is card only. Please note that tap water is freely available from the bar.

Heatons WI News.

Renewal Forms-The forms will be available at this month’s meeting. If you live near a member who is not at the meeting could you please deliver theirs? We will ensure that all outstanding forms are with you as soon as possible. Renewal is due at the end of March.

Bursaries- It’s bursary time! What have you always wanted to learn – a new craft, a new skill or to widen your knowledge? Now’s your chance. Four bursaries of £75 each will be made available for members of the Heatons WI to attend educational events or courses. A draw will be held at the April monthly meeting.

The conditions of the bursaries are as follows

1.  Applicants must have been a member of the Heatons WI for twelve months.

2. All receipts for the event or course must be submitted to the Treasurer before the money can be reimbursed.    This can include travel expenses or materials up to a total value of £75.

3. If any expenses exceed the value of the award, they must be paid for by the recipient.

4. The Bursary cannot be shared.

5. The Bursary will be valid for one year after it has been awarded.

6. Members receiving a Bursary in 2025 will not be eligible for this allocation.

7. Members will be asked to give feedback to the WI after they have attended their event/course. If you would like to enter the draw there will be a signup sheet at this month’s meeting. 

Toppers-As part of our 18th birthday celebrations we are hoping to dress the post boxes around the Heatons, showcasing what we do. If you would like to be involved please get in touch with Sally or Linda.

Quiz Group-Would anybody like to set up a Heatons WI quiz group? There are quizzes around the Heatons, for example at Rocksalt each Tuesday evening, and we wondered if members would be interested.

Food Hygiene Certificate-We are looking for volunteers to complete a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate. There are free courses available on line so you would be able to complete it in the comfort of your own home. Please speak with a member of the committee for further details.

The Royal Cheshire County Show 2026-The theme this year is “4 Seasons”. If you would like to enter please let Sally know by 20th March. You do not have to let her know what you are making just the category you would like to enter.

Raffle Prizes-We are always in need of prizes for our monthly raffle. If you have any new and unused items to donate please see Perveen. Please note that if you bring an item to the monthly meeting it will not go into that evening’s raffle. Perveen will hold it over until another meeting.

A Message from Trish-I would like to thank everyone who made the celebration of Barbara’s life, on Saturday, 28th February, so special. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped in any way. Barbara would have loved the fuss.

Heatons WI Events

Saturday, 27th June-Trip to Harrogate. The cost will be £12, subsidised by our funds, which includes a tip for the driver. A £5 non-refundable deposit is needed by the April meeting with the balance to be paid by the May meeting. Please put monies into an envelope with your name, amount and “Harrogate Trip”. We will be leaving at 9.30am with the coach leaving Harrogate at 4.30pm. This trip is for members only. There will be a signup sheet at this and April’s meeting. Final details nearer the date.

North East Cheshire Group News

If anybody is interested in any NEC Group activities please contact Angela S. 

Tuesday, 21st April-Spring meeting. Poynton Civic Centre at 7.00 pm for a 7.30pm start. The speaker is Olivia Potts who was a criminal barrister and is now a food writer and baker. Tickets are £6 (limited) and are available from Angela S. at this month’s and March’s meeting. Please note that if you are attending you will have to take your own mug/cup.

Summer Trip-The NECG committee are asking for ideas for a venue. There will be sheets of paper on each table at this month’s meeting for you to write down your ideas. No date has been set as yet.

Cheshire Federation News

If anybody is interested in any Cheshire Federation activities please contact Angela.

CFWI Virtual WI-If anyone is interested in joining, as a dual member, or has a friend who would be interested in finding out more, please contact Angela.

Thursday, 23rd April-Hat Works Museum Tour and Afternoon Tea at Stockport Plaza. Meeting at Stockport Hat Museum at 10.30am followed by afternoon tea at 1.00pm. The cost is £22.50. Closing date 25th March. A ballot will be held if oversubscribed.

Wednesday, 29th April-“Active Ageing in Body and Mind”. This will be a fun, inspiring day of interactive workshops being held at WI House, White Friars, Chester. The cost is £15 and the closing date is 15th April.

Thursday, 4th June-Annual Meeting via Zoom. Observer tickets are available, on a donation basis, costing £5 for individuals and £20 for larger groups. Closing date for registration is 19th May.

Tuesday/Wednesday, 16th/17th June-The Royal Cheshire Show. Special offer tickets £25 (normal price £37.50). The offer is valid until 15th May. There will be a signup sheet for the next few months. Please see Sally for more details and to make payment.

Friday 26th-Monday 29th June-Wild in Fylde. This camp will be at Fylde Scout Activity Centre and costs £75. Booking opens on 14th February. Please see Angela B. for further details. 

Member’s Notice Board

If you have a notice you would like to be included in the Members’ Notice Board section of the newsletter, or know of any local events other members may be interested in please send details to Linda McD. 

St Martin’s Foodbank-1st Wednesday of the month. Please drop off at Kate J’s house. There will be a box for donations on the drive if the weather is dry or in the porch if wet, from 10am until the evening. URGENTLY NEEDED ITEMS: Long life fruit juice, long life milk, tinned rice pudding, tinned tomatoes, toothpaste (for adults and children), toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, cat and dog food, carrier bags. Other requested items-snacks such as individually packed chocolate bars, cereal bars, breadsticks and crisps, sanitary towels,  tinned fruit, baked beans, tinned rice pudding, tinned vegetables (sweetcorn, peas, carrots),  rice, tinned soup, dried pulses (lentils, chickpeas), pasta sauce, sugar, toilet rolls, soap (bars), cat food.  They do not currently need nappies.

The Children’s Society-The shop at Moor Top is in need of books, jigsaws, DVDs and CDs. If you are having a clear out please could you take them to the shop where they will be gratefully received.

Recycling 

RNIB Stamp Collection-Shirley Shaw is collecting used postage stamps for the RNIB. She will bring boxes to WI meetings for members to put their used postage stamps in. You will need to separate UK mainland from the rest of the world, including Isle of Man, Jersey etc. Shirley will collect and send them to the RNIB, who get £20 per kilo.

B&Q is recycling plastic plant pots, small electrical items, batteries, light bulbs and fluorescent tubes

John Lewis is recycling duvets and pillows.

Superdrug Pharmacy at the top of Merseyway Shopping precinct is collecting empty medicine blister packs.