March 2023
‘March is an example of how beautiful new beginnings can be’
Anamica Mishra
A Note from Kate
The February meeting was another fun meeting, I hope you have all enjoyed your chutneys and preserves, bought from the extremely entertaining Melanie.
The committee have discussed how we can make our meetings more welcoming for new members. I am sure you all remember how daunting your first meeting may have been, especially if you came on your own. Our favoured suggestion is that new members are introduced to a buddy who can introduce them to others, explain the systems etc. and chat to them for the evening. In order to do this we need to recruit some volunteer buddies. If you feel this is a role you could help us with please let one of the committee know. We will hold a meeting for buddy volunteers to discuss the role.
During lockdown we were all happy to have good wishes on our birthdays on the WhatsApp group. This led to the idea of us sending our members cards for their birthday which, I think you will agree, was a good idea, especially as they are handmade. We have however had comments that the happy birthday messages on the WhatsApp group have led to other, possibly important, notices being missed, due to the sheer volume of messages. We would like, therefore, to request that if you want to send a birthday message to a fellow member you do it privately rather than on the Heatons WI WhatsApp group.
Our choir performed at Manchester Central Library on Saturday, 4th March as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations. It was a ‘great performance’ according to Suze and was enjoyed by the choir, despite the nerves. Congratulations to all involved and especially to choirmaster Alex for giving us the confidence to perform in public.
Looking forward to seeing you all at the March meeting to listen to the barrister and author Simon Michael. He did a very entertaining talk on zoom for the federation literary lunch so we are in for a fascinating evening.
Kate
Birthday Greetings
Many happy returns to members celebrating their birthdays in March
Tiff, Lindsey, Val, Ann W., Deborah, Esther, Kath G., Sue G. Anita, Sue W., Sarah S., Ann L.
Monthly Meeting
Thursday, 16th March
7.30pm
Speaker-“My Life in Crime” by Simon Michael. Simon is a former barrister and novelist. He will have some of his books available to purchase at a discount.
Competition-A joke about lawyers or judges.
Raffle
Rota Volunteers-Door-Christine T. Raffle-Yvonne Refreshments-Carolyn, Lesley Meet & Greet-Anna
February Meeting Report-Attendance: Members 37 Zoom 6 Visitors 3 Income: Visitors:£15 Raffle:£45 Cakes:£17.20
April Competition-None
Heatons WI News
Membership Renewal Reminder-Subs this year are £46 and are due by the end of March. Please return forms to Sally at the meeting and payment to Deborah or, if you are unable to attend, please contact a committee member to arrange to collect or for you to deliver. Could you please let us know as soon as possible if you are not going to renew?
New Members-As some members are not renewing this year we no longer have a waiting list and have a number of spaces. We would encourage you to ask family and friends to come along to a meeting. They are able to have three visits, at a charge of £5 per visit, before having to make a decision. We have a program for 2023/24 which is exciting and varied which we are sure many will enjoy.
Charity Nomination-We have one nomination for our charity for 2023/24.
Feeding the Community Stockport (formerly Handy Ladies) is a registered charity offering free and healthy, hot, homemade meals. All meals are prepared and delivered by a team of dedicated volunteers.
It is important that we fundraise for our own funds and that any monies raised for the charity will be in addition to what we do for ourselves.
An email will be sent to you next week for you to vote on whether or not you wish to choose the nominated charity. Please reply to the email by 6.00pm on Thursday, 16th March or you can vote in person at the meeting.
Cheshire Show-If you would like to enter an item in the Cheshire Show, details are required by Sally by the end of March. (The actual items are not needed until the middle of June.) Details of all the categories will be available at the March meeting or contact Sally.
Post Box Toppers/Yarn Storm-We are making toppers for the Heatons Open Gardens in June and are going to yarn storm Thornfield Park at the beginning of July for the Big Open Weekend. In an earlier email we asked if you would help us by knitting or crocheting flowers, insects and small animals. If you have already done so could you please bring them to the monthly meeting or contact, Sally, Ann or Linda and we will make arrangements for collecting or dropping off. This will give us an idea of what we have so far and what we will need. We have a huge amount of wool in most colours and this will be available at the next few monthly meetings. There are plenty of free patterns on the internet or we could let you have one.
Reminder-The bar at the Sports Club is card only.
Tea and Coffee-Available from the bar.
Heatons WI Events
Saturday, March 25th-Signpost Stockport for Carers at the United Church on Heaton Moor Road from 10.30am to 12.00pm. £2 entry which includes tea/coffee and biscuits. There will also be a chocolate tombola, cake stall and a small craft table. Please come along with family and friends and support this great, local charity.
Saturday, 1st April-Choir singing at Newlands Care Home, Heaton Moor.
Saturday, 22nd April-A coach has been booked to visit the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery and Trentham Gardens. There are still places available at a cost of £10. We are opening this up to female family and friends at a cost of £15. The remainder of the payment, £5, is due at the meeting or contact Karen if you are unable to attend. Please place the money in an envelope with your name on and hand to Karen.
North East Cheshire Group News
If anybody is interested in any NEC Group activities please contact Karen
Thursday, 30th March-“Garden Chat” on Zoom at 7.30pm.
Wednesday, 5th April-Spring Meeting at Woodford. 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. The speaker will be the popular local auctioneer, Adam Partridge, known for TV programmes Cash in the Attic, Flog It and Bargain Hunt. Tickets are £5. If you would like to attend please place the money in an envelope with your name on and hand to Karen at this month’s meeting.
Monday, 22nd May-Trip to Tutbury Castle with speaker Lesley Smith. Cream teas are available. Cost to be confirmed.
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 B.
Monday, 27th March- Jigsaw Race at WI House, Chester 10.30am-2.00pm. For individuals or a team of up to 4. A light lunch will be provided. Cost £7. Requests for tickets by 6th March.
Federation Quiz-Various dates beginning April 19th. All meetings begin 7.30pm. See Angela B. for more details or to volunteer for The Heatons team.
Friday, 28th April-Chester Boat Trip, 11.00am-2.00pm. A 30 minute trip on the river plus a trail/quiz back to WI House, including a light lunch. Tickets £15.
Saturday, 13th & 20th May-Craft Course at WI House, Chester. Kate Cawley will lead a 2 day course to make a character doll, involving some work at home. Cost £55 to include all materials (lunch not included).
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
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. They need tinned potatoes, tinned rice pudding, tinned steamed puddings, tinned fruit, baked beans, tinned tomatoes and toilet rolls.
Recycling
RNIB Stamp Collection-Shirley 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
Superdrug Pharmacy at the top of Merseyway Shopping precinct is collecting empty medicine blister pack.