October 2025

A Message from Kate

Last month’s meeting was definitely thought provoking and we were reminded of the importance of writing a will and having a power of attorney agreement in place, just in case. It was refreshing to see a speaker using old school methods too.

As it was the WIs 110th birthday we also had very special cakes and I would like to again thank Kate Wragg for all the cupcakes she made which catered for every dietary variation and were delicious.

We are going to have a vacancy from November for someone to represent us at NECG meetings-this does not have to be a committee member. So if anybody is interested in this role please see Karen for details of what it entails and also let me know.

We have had two new volunteers for the committee but we really need one more, so if you are interested please speak to one of the committee. Meetings are the first Thursday of each month.

Our speaker this month will be talking about the various quizzes she has taken part in. The competition is one we would like everyone to enter. It is asking you to say what would be your chosen Mastermind subject. You will be given paper at the meeting to fill in, don’t worry you won’t be asked to answer any questions on what you choose! 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

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, 16th October

7.30pm

Speaker-Alice Walker “I’ve started so I’ll finish-Tales from a serial quizzer”.

Competition-What’s your Mastermind specialist subject?

Rota Volunteers-Refreshments-Carolyn  Door-Krys   Raffle-Kate J., Barbara C.  

Meet & Greet-Ann L., Ann M.

Raffle

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.

September Meeting Report-Attendance: Members-32  Visitors-0  Income: Visitors-£0  Cake-10  Raffle-£34

November Meeting-Annual Meeting

November Competition-Bake a loaf cake

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

Heatons WI News

Charity Fundraiser-Thank you to everyone who supported this event, to those who donated and helped out in whatever way but an especially big thank you to the fundraising team for all their hard work. We raised approximately £255, which is a great start. There were some jars left from the event so we will have them at the meeting on Thursday-25p a ticket.

Sunday, 9th November-Remembrance Sunday wreath laying. As you know we are making our own wreaths this year and donating to the Royal British Legion. They will be laid at St Paul’s Church, Heaton Moor and St. John’s Church, Heaton Mersey. If any member would like to lay a wreath please contact a member of the committee.

Lunch Group-There has been a good response to the reforming of this group. It will start in January and will be organised through a WhatsApp group. There will be a signup sheet at the next few meetings so please add your name if you are interested. Alternatively please get in touch with Perveen if you cannot attend the monthly meeting but would like to be added.

The Heatons WI Show-This year Cheshire Federation did not have their usual presence at the Royal Cheshire County Show with crafts, baking etc. so we have decided to have our own mini show at the February monthly meeting when we will be doing spring crafts. This is still in the early stages and we are currently putting together a list of categories for entries. More information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

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.

Heatons WI Events

Christmas Tree Festival-Throughout December St. Paul's Church on Heaton Moor Road will be holding a Christmas tree festival. We have offered our help in organising this and, to date, 26 trees will be displayed by schools, shops and community groups.  There will be trees from the Heatons WI - one from the craft group and one from the resolutions group, but if any of our other groups would like to be involved, please let Sally, Linda McD or Kate W know.

The craft group's tree will be made up of knitted and crocheted children's hats and gloves (ages 0-16 years) and these will be donated to the Wood Street Mission after the festival closes.  If anyone would like to help by knitting or crocheting an item, this would be very much appreciated.  Patterns and wool are available. Alternatively, if you are not a knitter or a crocheter but would like to contribute, purchased gloves and hats would be most welcome. Please bring them along to the November meeting.

The church has asked if we could help support them by welcoming visitors and possibly serving refreshments.  There will be a sign-up sheet at the October and November meetings or please contact Sally, Linda or KateW.

Saturday, 29th November-We are having a table at Heaton Moor United Church Christmas Fayre for a chocolate tombola to raise funds for our charity. Please bring any donations to the November meeting.

Wednesday, 10th December-Christmas Meal-This will be at Cure Restaurant, on the corner of Heaton Moor Road and Shaw Road, at 7.00pm. The cost is £31 which includes a tip. Attached is the menu. A deposit of £10 will be needed at this month’s meeting, which should be in an envelope with your name on. If you are unable to attend the meeting please contact Perveen or any committee member. Perveen will need your choice of courses by the November monthly meeting.

Cheshire Federation News

If anybody is interested in any Cheshire Federation activities please contact Angela at angelabritland@hotmail.co.uk

Wednesday, 3rd December/Saturday 6th December-“Christmas at Whitefriars”. Visit the Georgian House, home to Cheshire Federation, which will be decorated for Christmas. Cost is £5 to include a bacon bap (or plant based and or gluten free alternative) and tea and coffee. Closing date Friday, 31st October. Please see Angela for further details.

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.

NFWI News

Learning Hub-Here is a link to the WI Learning Hub where you can access a variety of courses for free

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: Snacks such as individually packed chocolate bars, cereal bars, breadsticks and crisps, packets of biscuits, sanitary towels, tinned meat e.g. ham, corned beef, tinned fruit, baked beans, tinned rice pudding, tinned vegetables (sweetcorn, peas, carrots), tinned tomatoes, rice, tinned soup, dried pulses (lentils, chickpeas), pasta sauce, sugar, shampoo, toothpaste (for adults and children), toilet rolls, soap (bars), cat food. They currently do not need cereal or pasta. 

The Children’s Society-The shop at Moor Top is in need of books, jigsaws, 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.