October 2023
“In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October… – no days so calm, so tenderly solemn, and with such a reverent meekness in the air.”
Alexander Smith
A Message from Kate
The September meeting proved to be a great success with the four crafts on offer. Thank you to all involved for their hard work in preparing the activities and tutoring us in the skills we needed in such a patient way. It was definitely a fun evening.
We also discussed the planned Hot Pot Supper at the end of the meeting and after a vote it was decided to cancel that for November’s meeting. We will be planning an alternative activity instead-details will be shared nearer the time, but it should be enjoyable.
It is the time of year when we need volunteers to join the committee. We do have vacancies that need filling as two committee members are stepping down and new members joining is what helps us thrive as an organisation. If you are interested let me know and you will be welcome to join us at a committee meeting to see what we do.
The October meeting is a talk by Carl Austin-Bethan OBE, who is a former Lord Mayor of Manchester and is also the LGBTQ+ advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester. He has been a trailblazer and had an interesting life. I look forward to seeing you there.
Best wishes
Kate
Birthday Greetings
Many happy returns to members celebrating their birthdays in October
Angela B., Sally, Kate Y., Anna, Angela S., Lesley, Janet L., Pamela
Monthly Meeting
Thursday, 19th October
7.30pm
Speaker- Carl Austin-Bethan OBE, former Lord Mayor of Manchester
Zoom-If you would like to join the meeting by Zoom please contact Lesley
Raffle
Rota Volunteers-Door-Chris B. Raffle-Sarah S., Pat F. Refreshments-Carolyn, Pat F. Meet & Greet-Sarah R.
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.
August Meeting Report-Attendance: Members-33 Zoom-0 Visitors-1 Income: Raffle-£36
Visitors-£5 Refreshments-£19.50
November Competition-None
Heatons WI News
Refreshments-It has been decided that any cake left at the end of the monthly meeting will be sold at £1 a slice. The price for cake sold at the break will remain at £1 a slice.
Remembrance Day-We will be placing wreaths at St. John’s and St. Paul’s churches at their Remembrance Day services. Angela B will be placing the one at St. John’s and we are asking if any member would like to place the one at St. Paul’s? Please contact Kate if you would like to do so.
Christmas trees-We are hoping to make 3 Christmas trees with the help of Men in Sheds. We need members to knit or crochet 6” squares in Christmas colours. Please speak with Sally, Ann M. or Linda McD if you need any yarn.
Volunteers to join Social Team-Currently we have one committee member and one member who have expressed an interest in forming a small social team, whose remit will be to organise meals out, including the Christmas meal, ad hoc coffee meet ups and an annual coach trip. If you would like to find out more please contact Kate.
Committee membership 2023-24-If you would like to know more please contact Kate
Reminder-The bar at the Sports Club is card only.
Tea and Coffee-Available from the bar.
Evacuation procedure-Please let Linda McD. know if you leave the meeting early so that it can be recorded on the register. It means that, should we have to evacuate the building, we know who exactly is still there. In Linda’s absence please tell Sally. Our evacuation meeting point is on the field opposite the car park entrance.
Heatons WI Events
Wednesday, 13th December-Christmas Meal at Houldsworth Golf Club, Reddish, 7.30pm. The balance of £15 is due at the October meeting. You will also need to choose your 3 courses. Please contact Karen if you are unable to attend.
Saturday, 2nd December-We will be holding a fund raiser at St. Paul’s Church for our charity for this year, Stockport Feeding the Community. We are looking for volunteers for the day to help on the stall and clear away from 10.00am to 2.00pm-a signup sheet will be available at this month’s meeting. We will be selling crafts and holding a chocolate tombola. Donations of chocolate can be brought to the November meeting.
North East Cheshire Group News
If anybody is interested in any NEC Group activities please contact Karen
Wednesday, 1st November-Garden Chat at 7pm. With the shorter days coming it’s time for all garden enthusiasts to get together and share their successes, ask their questions and find out what we should be doing. Please send all photos and questions to necgwi@outlook.com
Join Zoom Meeting
Friday, 1st December-Day trip to Liverpool. Tickets £13 from Karen. Pick up Hazel Grove Park & Ride at 9am, Woodford at 9:15 for departure to Liverpool Albert Dock, Return journey departs at 4:30pm.
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.
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.
Plastic Shed of Stockport is collecting plastic bottle lids (see attachment). Sue J. is going to collect any lids you may have and deliver them. Please bring to the monthly meetings.
#DunelmDeliveringJoy-This is a Christmas appeal for gifts. Just inside the Stockport store is a tree hung with gift tags and each one relates to a wish from a person in need in Stockport. You take whichever tag you like and bring it back to store, before December 3rd, attached to the wrapped gift requested, and Dunelm will distribute them to local charities. They also have other ways to donate to their appeal on their website.
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, custard, UHT/long life milk, tinned coconut milk, treats e.g. individually wrapped chocolate biscuits, size 5 nappies and shampoo.
Stockport Feeding the Community-SFtC are looking for donations of cakes. They can be simple ones like fairy buns, banana loaves or traybakes - anything that is easy to slice and isn't messy in a paper bag. You do not have to commit to this on a regular basis, but rather make a contribution now and again. If you are able to help cakes can be dropped off at Pat F's house on a Monday. Please leave in the porch which will be left open. Alternatively they can be left on a Wednesday at Annette Slevin’s house.
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
Superdrug Pharmacy at the top of Merseyway Shopping precinct is collecting empty medicine blister packs.