September 2022
A Note from Sue
As we slowly creep towards a more ‘normal’ WI year and calendar, I would like to thank Karen, Lesley and Anna for all that they are doing in planning and organising our social activities. See below for where to add your suggestions for outings etc.
With reference to President’s coffee, we are looking to see when we can hold this. Pre pandemic, it was becoming increasingly difficult looking for a once a month Saturday morning venue in the Heatons; cafes were wanting us to book for breakfasts or brunches and to make a weekly, not monthly booking. I can totally understand why and with this in mind, we will be looking for a mid-week monthly booking. Details to follow once confirmed.
Thanks also to Perveen for organising the recent ‘meet up and chat’ session at Broadstone Mill. It was extremely well attended and the Staff made everyone feel very welcome.
Finally, if anyone would like to find out more about what happens at a Committee meeting please message me. We next meet on Thursday 29th September at 7.30 pm.
With very best wishes,
Sue x
Birthday Greetings
Many happy returns to members who celebrate their birthday in September
Suze, Maura, Sarah R., Tracey
Monthly Meeting
Thursday, 15th September
Speaker-Ros Holland from the Boaz Trust “We offer safe accommodation and holistic support to people who have been made homeless and destitute through the asylum process.”
Competition-Name the countries from a photo of their flags
Rota Volunteers-Door-Anna Raffle-Sue I. Refreshments-Carolyn, Kate J, Barbara C.
Cups-Kate W. Meet & Greet-Sarah R., Margaret L.
August Meeting Report-Attendance: Members 35 Visitors 2 Income: Cakes: £21 Visitors:£10 Raffle:£34.50
October Competition-Your best photo of somewhere in Stockport. This can be a physical or digital photograph and must have been taken by you. If it is digital please WhatsApp Lesley with your entry in a private message, not on the WI group, or email her at ms.hill@btinternet.com. This can be done at any time from now until 17th October.
Heatons WI News
Monthly Raffle-After much discussion and discussion with members it has been decided that from the October meeting a raffle ticket will be £1.
Christmas Raffle-As you know Lindsey puts together fabulous hampers for the Christmas raffle. We are asking members for donations of food items, such as biscuits, chocolates, bottles, including non-alcoholic such as Belvoir cordials, and new good quality items, such as candles etc. These can be brought to the October and November meetings. As with Christmas raffles in the past each ticket will be £2. If you are unable to attend either meeting but would like to donate please contact a member of the committee and we will arrange for you to drop off. All committee members’ email addresses are in the handbook.
Trading Table-This is available to members each month to sell crafts, produce etc. We ask for a donation of 10% from your sales for our WI funds. The table is currently available for the rest of the year to April apart from October and November. Please contact Sally for further details or to book a slot.
October Trading table-We are having a WI craft fundraiser so would be grateful for any crafts you could contribute. We are looking for any crafts, knitted, sewn, crocheted, made with paper etc. Funds raised will be for our WI.
Christmas Meal-This will be at the Wycliffe Hotel at 12.30pm on Wednesday 7th December. The cost is £32.00. There will be a copy of the menu and a signup sheet at this month’s meeting. A £10 deposit will be needed at that meeting, in an envelope with your name on and handed to Karen. We have been here a number of times, and the meal has always been faultless. If you will not be at the September meeting but would like to book a place please contact Karen to arrange your deposit payment. This must be given to Karen before October 1st as this is when she has to pay the Wycliffe.
Lunch/Dining Group-We are hoping to start this up again in January. It is a monthly event, and open to members. If you have any suggestions for venues, please add them to the list on the signup table or speak to Karen. If any members would like to help organise these events please speak with a member of the committee.
Outings- In the past we have had bi annual outings to places such as Harrogate, Saltaire, Hebden Bridge, Howarth and afternoon tea on the Judith Mary barge. These have been very well attended and enjoyed. Unfortunately we had to cancel in June 2020 which would have been to Wedgewood and Trentham gardens. Please add any suggestions to the list on the signup table or speak to Karen, Lesley or Anna.
Culture Club-Coming soon, a tour of the Plaza Theatre, in Stockport, with an optional afternoon tea. More details to follow.
Heatons Choir-The choir is open to any member of the WI, either our own or another WI. If you know anybody that may be interested, please get them to come along-no auditions required and the first session is free. Should you require more information please contact Karen.
Food Hygiene Course-We are looking for two members to take a Level 2 Food Hygiene course. This would be online and paid for by our WI. If you are interested please contact Sue.
Rota-The rota for the next year is available on the sign up table. Please add your name to a slot. As there are 80 members it should mean that if each of us takes a slot we will be covered for the year.
North East Cheshire Group News
If anybody is interested in any NEC Group activities please contact Karen
Friday, 23rd September-Walk in the Marple area, approximately 4 miles, Meet 10am at the Devonshire Arms. There is the option to have lunch at the end. Cobbles in places. Walking poles a big help. Remember to dress appropriately and bring a drink. Well behaved dogs and friends / partners welcome.
Wednesday, 5th October-Autumn Meeting. There are still 4 tickets available at £5. The speaker will be Paula Cornwell who will deliver her talk, entitled “Mind Your Motoring Manners”. 7pm for a 7:30 start at Woodford Community Centre, Chester Road. 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.
Date TBC-Visit to Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire. Details to follow.
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 26th September – Zoom meeting. Marva Rollins OBE (a head teacher for over 20 year and now retired), will talk about her trailblazing career in education her unusual journey to get there. She was awarded an OBE in the 2017 Honours for her contributions to education and the community. She leads BAME leadership and curriculum reviews in schools/academies; challenging stereotypical, historical narratives and correcting these narratives, using historical and up to date evidence.
Wednesday 12th October – Zoom meeting. Speaker Shelley James Title: How can lighting designed for the space station help us to be healthier and happier too? She will share her passion for light and simple tips to help you use light to be healthier and happier - and save energy too. This is an extremely interesting talk and is highly recommended.
Saturday 3rd/Monday 5th/Wednesday 7th December-Christmas at Whitefriars, 10.30am-3.00pm. Why not visit Chester for some Christmas Shopping and then visit the beautiful Georgian WI House to see it decorated in all its Christmas finery? You will receive a warm welcome from theTrustees and have the opportunity to see an engaging exhibition of the archives, plus craft demonstrations, raffle & souvenirs Refreshments will be available-the popular bacon bap or a meat-free alternative, including tea/coffee, at £5. Mulled wine & mince pies will also be on sale. You may drop in on any day but pre-booking will ensure you are well catered for!
NFWI News
Denman at Home-During Lockdown many of our members enjoyed the various talks, cookery and craft demonstrations presented online by Denman at Home. Sadly, we are no longer able to enjoy the wonderful
experience of going to Denman College but I would like to remind members of the weekly courses that are still being offered online. These include talks on travel to various locations at home and abroad; cookery demonstrations; craft classes; mindfulness and wellbeing sessions; to name but a few. I am currently enjoying a third course in Family History Research and have expressed an interest in an exciting new venture, a History Course, which will be organised in six terms over 2 years. Most of the courses cost £5 and are excellent value. As winter approaches you may find something to interest you. Look online for Denman at Home and even though we can’t experience the reality that was Denman, we can still enjoy the wonderful educational opportunities offered-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
Barbara's Macmillan Coffee Morning-Saturday, 1st October, 10.30am-12.00pm at the Heatons United Church, Heaton Moor Road. £2 entry. Volunteers, good quality tombola prizes (no alcohol) and cakes will be needed for the day. Karen will be collecting tombola prizes at this month’s meeting. There will be a sign-up sheet at the next meeting-we especially need volunteers to set up, man stalls and tidy up afterwards. Although this is not specifically a WI event, we have done this for the last couple of years, as friends of WI member Barbara Humpage. Last time we raised an amazing £750.
St Martin’s Foodbank-Please note this month’s food bank collection is on Wednesday, 14th. 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. The food bank is asking for donations of long life milk and juice, and tinned veg and fruit.
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 kilo.
B&Q is recycling plastic plant pots, small electrical items, batteries, light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
Heatons Post Hub is a collecting point for plastic lids, type 2, 4, and 5, straws, type 5 and plant pots, type 2 on behalf of Plastic Shed. They are also collecting new/nearly new working attire, flat shoes and accessories on behalf of the Smart Works Charity.
Superdrug Pharmacy at the top of Merseyway Shopping precinct is collecting empty medicine blister pack.
Stockport u3a- Local Music Making Group Seeks New Members. Stockport u3a Music Making group consists of a group of players who meet twice a month to play music together. Currently we have a flute, two recorders, three clarinets, saxophone, trombone, violin, cello, double bass, piano and percussion.
We play a wide range of music from classical through to light music and music from films and shows.
Rehearsals are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday afternoons of each month from 1.45 pm to 3.45 pm at St Peter's Church Hall, 16 Green Lane, Hazel Grove, SK7 4EA. We would very much like new band or orchestral players to join us. You would have to join Stockport u3a but this is just £10 annually.