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WMWI The National Federation of WIs campaign to improve women’s and family’s lives
Monthly Newsletter: October 2015: No 121www.womens-institute.org.uk/oxfordshire www.freewebs.com/wmwi
every Month at 8pmPresident Lynn Coleman - Tel: 557226
Secretary Sue Field - Tel: 557843
Next meetingOctober 13th: 8pm
Fortitude & Fancy The first 2 wives of
Henry VIIIRev. Nicholas Henderson
Sue Mannifield has updated and re-organised our website. Do take a look. The Program, Cake and Washing-up Rota and a Suggestions tab are all included. Just hold your ‘Control’ button and click on the website address at the top of this page.
WMWI on parade
The 100th birthday of the WI was celebrated in Oxfordshire with an event at Christchurch, preceded by a parade of banners.
Here are Damaris, Hilary, Gwyn and Pat with our banner. Thanks to Damaris and Sue, we had a banner to display and it was a proud moment to see our banner being carried by Gwyn with Pat guiding her.
The event at Christ Church was very moving, and hearing 700 women singing Jerusalem at the top of their voices was a moment never to be forgotten.
Jane Finnerty was there as well as me, so we were well represented.
Walton Manor WI Registered charity 1119651
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Lyn Coleman
More photos:
WI members in the quad at Christchurch College
WI members in the cathedral
100 years surveyTo mark the centenary, NFWI conducted a survey. They wanted the views of members on major issues in their lives and the world, and the place of the WI. The results are now available and can be found on pages 8-9 of this newsletter. They will be used to inform policy and future campaigns.
Last Meeting: September 8th 8pmLyn opened the meeting by reminding us of the 100years celebratory event at Christchurch, and thanking Sue and Damaris for making us a banner.
Other WMWI needlewomen will also be busy. Jean Field is designing and creating 2 cross-stitch cards, to send from us to Pauline Goddard and Virginia Lawrence.
In addition, Cat Hayer is working on a cross-stitch card which will be a souvenir of the ACWW triennial conference next year. Each federation has been asked to provide 30 gifts; this will be WMWI’s contribution.
Lyn then introduced our speaker, Carol Bunyan. Carol gave a highly entertaining and humorous account of her career. She started writing for drama while still at school, taking a correspondence course for writers, and applied to work for the BBC. She was given administrative jobs, but continued to write in her spare time.
Carol worked in a number of capacities, eventually becoming a production manager in the drama dept. She learned a great deal there, and introduced her own scripts for ‘play for today’. This led to her leaving the BBC, after 12 years, to become a full-time writer and director. Her plays were performed
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in a number of theatres and on television.
Carol had a number of amusing anecdotes to relate, including a presentation in Stockholm, with cultural misunderstandings, the joys of running theatre workshops on cruise liners, and her negotiations with insurance companies on her return to a home she had left in the care of a teenage son.
Carol is also a novelist. She said one should write about what one knows so, as a member of a choir, she has written about a choir. A number of us bought copies of this book, trusting that Carol’s writing is as entertaining as her presentation. Thank you, Carol.
subscriptionsSubscriptions for 2016 are £37.50, and are due by 1st January - cheque is the easiest way for us (give to Damaris at October, November or December meetings) but if you want to pay by standing order please ask Damaris for the bank details. Cheques will be cashed just after 1st January. Please can any standing order payers check that the amount is correct and that it transfers on or after 1st January, and not before. Thank you.
committee crisis
NEW committee members needed urgently
Without a committee and officers, WMWI cannot continue beyond March 2016. Many of us have been on the committee for a number of years and some of us will not be standing for election to the committee next year.
Please do consider becoming a member as we can only continue if we have a committee.
The work is not onerous; one evening meeting each month, with a couple of hours of work in-between. There is a lot of support and we have lots of laughs.
Do feel able to come to a committee meeting as an observer. Contact any committee member to express
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your interest and receive more information.Card for virginia
This wonderful card was embroidered by Jean Field, as a gift from WMWI to Virginia Lawrence, to mark her retirement. Thank you, Jean.
Please could we have offers of help from 3-4 people, to assist with washing-up at the end of each meeting? If everyone lends a hand, this will only be an occasional duty. Also, please replace your own chair in the store; this makes tidying of the hall so much easier.There is also a rota for tea and cakes. We hope that many of you will feel able to contribute to this. Just once a year is enough.
Moodle - online training and resourcesThis is being re-launched. There are a number of online courses available, for example in preparation for taking on the role of treasurer. The Denman website has more information. If you are interested in being an online learner, please email Damaris as
she can enable this. [email protected]
KNITting and stitching group
Walton Manor needlework group continues to thrive. Projects may be for family, for self, or for charity, as shown above where children are showing off knitted teddies provided through Cocos Charity. At present, teddies are being knitted for Nepal. If you would like to contribute to this, Lyn has the pattern.
Everyone is very welcome, including new members; just turn up. If you want to learn to knit, then we can help you. The next date is:
Tuesday October 20th at 7pmLyn’s address is 33, Victoria Road in Summertown. 01865 557226 or 07836 687457. [email protected]
Wmwi DatabaseDamaris Darby kindly maintains this database of our membership, which talks to NFWI. However, she can only do this if we keep her informed, so please tell her if you change your address or email. Also, do tell her if you
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would like to receive the campaigns e-newsletter.
denman collegeWhy not try a course at Denman College? This is conveniently situated for us, being near Abingdon, and a wide range of skills and knowledge is on offer. Below is a photo of Hil Godfrey and her class of silversmiths.
There are a number of bursaries available from OFWI or directly from Denman. Some of these are open to any member and others to particular categories, such as first-time attendees or carers. The only other stipulation is that an applicant should state how she would benefit from a particular course. For details of the final batch of Denman bursaries for the 2015/16 programme year, see pages 10-11 of this newsletter.
These bursaries must be used on open residential courses taking place before the end of September 2016.
Applications should be sent to Karen Hodge at Denman:
The closing date for applications is Friday 13 November 2015 and bursary winners will be notified in writing by Friday 27 November 2015.
Associated country women of the world (Acww)
OFWI is a member of this, the largest international organisation for rural women, active in over 70 countries. It aims to raise the standard of living of rural women and their families mainly through education, self-help schemes, and by giving them a voice at international level through links with UN agencies. OFWI has raised many thousands of pounds to sponsor projects in South Africa, Colombia, India and Uganda, through the collection of small value coins. These donations can make a lot of difference to the lives of rural women.
WMWI will continue to contribute to this initiative. If you would like to help, please bring spare change to the meetings. Thank you.
news and ViewsWe buy a copy for each member. Please collect yours as it will contain up-to-date information about OFWI. A number of events are advertised in each edition. Please take a little time to scan your copy and see if anything is of interest to you. Take good note of the closing date or you might miss the boat.
Booking procedureThere will be booking forms available at the meetings, one for each event. If you are interested in attending any event, please inform Sue Field or Hannah, who will enter your details on the form; you will be able to see who else
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will be going. You must also provide a cheque for Damaris Darby, made out to WMWI. We are not permitted to buy tickets until we have received your cheque.
CAMPAIGNS NFWI Public Affairs Department will soon re-launch the campaigns e-newsletter, which will keep you up-to-date with news on campaigns and resolutions. If you are interested in receiving this, do tell Damaris as she can arrange this.
Food Security FOOD FOR THOUGHT Global and National Challenges of Food Security. During 2013, WI members were invited to
hold a nation-wide series of debates that will help get to the crux of some of the questions the global food system faces and build understanding about the role that we all can play. Current discussion appears to be heavily focussed around the concept of 'sustainable intensification' which is effectively using GM crops and large scale intensive farms to increase yields and productivity. Whilst this will necessarily inform part of the debate, what other issues should be explored? Considering ways to cut down on food waste, ensuring we have the right policy environment for agriculture to flourish and confronting consumer attitudes to food and sustainability are just a few of the issues that the NFWI believes warrant further exploration. If you would like to help get the debate underway then get in touch. [email protected] Telephone 01865 553304
Banana Price Wars
A low price for bananas is only achieved through poverty wages and living conditions for the farmers. Help to combat this trend by buying only Fair Trade bananas.
‘Help for Bees’ Action Plan
Bees pollinate up to 75% of agricultural crops around the world. Last year, the WI joined forces with Friends of the Earth to call on the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs to follow Wales' lead and introduce a comprehensivebee action plan. The WI responded with thousands of postcards which were presented to the Environment Minister, and responses to a government consultation. The National Pollinator Strategy has been launched and the WI recognised through a campaign award from the Third Sector Excellence Awards, for best Charity Partnership. However, we all need to continue to support bees through our garden choices.
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End Violence against WomenThe UK Government has a declared commitment to an integrated strategy for tackling violence against women (March 2011).
Over 1 million women experienced domestic abuse in the last year, and over 60,000 women are raped each year; it is important to
ensure that the Government continues to prioritise this issue.
Organ donation – make your wishes known
Following the over-whelming support for this year’s resolution, we are all urged to make others aware of our wishes regarding organ donation. No one should be left to guess. 7000 people are awaiting the gift of an organ, but this is a personal decision. We are also asked to encourage friends, family and members of our community to make their wishes known to others. It has been shown that donations increase with the raising of awareness.
Support dairy farmers
Milk prices paid to farmers are falling. Global demand has fallen and there is now a worldwide glut. British dairy farmers are losing their businesses. Please help them by buying dairy products made with British milk. Look for the Red Tractor logo, which indicates strict standards and UK produced milk.
Care not CustodyNHS England has announced a fresh wave of pilot projects that will seek to bring about a change to the way that mental health services are delivered within the justice system. These projects are a boost for the WI’s Care not Custody campaign. Theresa May praised the WI’s campaign at an event, last July, to review progress on the government’s promise to develop appropriate services for the mentally ill or learning disabled persons who come into contact with police, courts or prisons. Pilot services and early intervention have shown promising results.
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The WI at 100 report unveils members’ views on Britain’s biggest issues
70% disagree that women are equal to men 59% agree that women are penalised in the workplace for having children 84% say it is difficult to balance family responsibilities with work 83% agree world leaders must urgently agree a deal to tackle climate change 78% agree that there are not enough positive role models for girls
The WI has unveiled a report that delves into the views and opinions of its current members, and highlights some of the achievements from its 100-year history. The WI at 100 report was devised to mark the organisation’s centenary.
The research, which was presented at a special WI-style meeting at the Houses of Parliament, reports WI members’ attitudes around the key areas of home and families, work and society, health and wellbeing, the natural world, and our global society. The research showed that whilst life has changed significantly for women over the past 100 years, both old and new challenges are faced by WI members.
Members raised concerns about the pressures of modern family life with 84% agreeing that it is difficult for women to balance family responsibilities with work. Almost four in five members (79%) said they believed that staying home to raise children is not valued in today’s society, despite 95% saying women are still expected to be the primary care giver.
Home skills, a traditional preserve of the WI, remains an area of importance for members, with 88% of respondents saying they believe that traditional domestic skills like being able to cook a meal from scratch are being lost, despite them being important for healthy and sustainable living.
The research suggests that despite campaigning for equal pay as early as 1929, 70% of WI members do not think that women are yet equal to men, and 82% of members think that women and men are still judged to different standards. When asked about women in the workplace, 59% of members said they believed that women were penalised for having children and 59% disagreed that women have the same opportunities as men. The research also shows a concern for future generations, with 78% of members saying there are not enough positive female role models for girls.
When looking at global and environmental issues a large majority (83%) called for world leaders to agree a deal to tackle climate change and 58% said they were concerned at the challenges that future generations would face because of climate change. Looking to our global society the report suggests members feel a responsibility to stand up for the rights of women and girls overseas, with 81% of members saying they said they believe that issues facing women in the developing world will be overlooked if women in wealthier countries don’t stand up for them. Almost three in five members (59%) said that access to education was the biggest challenge facing women in developing countries.
The report also highlights the important and sometimes surprising achievements of the WI including campaigning to raise the age of consent in 1922 and 1926, calling for fathers to take responsibility for children born outside wedlock in 1920 and supporting a
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change in the legal definition of rape in 1975. In more recent years, the WI has campaigned for more midwives to help improve maternal health and has lobbied against cuts to Legal Aid.
The report paints an interesting picture on the visibility of women in society despite the WI’s pioneering history of campaigning and instigating change and incredible involvement in their communities (94% volunteered in the last 12 months), 69% of members said they feel they have not very much or no influence on matters of a national level.
The report does show, however, that members recognised that the world has improved vastly for women over the last century with 95% saying they believe that women today have more choices than ever.
[Spokesperson for Federation], said: “This report shows that despite the significant societal, technological and cultural changes of the last 100 years, women are still demanding greater equality and fighting for the issues that are important to them and their families.
“For the past 100 years the WI has existed to help give women a voice on the issues that matter, from domestic violence to organ donation to better maternal care.
“Moving into our next century it is crucial for us to work with all our members to preserve traditional skills and learn new ones and to empower all our members to campaign for change in the areas that they see as important.”
The research was launched at the Women as Agents of Change event, the first-ever WI meeting to be held at the Houses of Parliament.
ENDS
For further information please contact [Contact details for Federation Press Officer]
The WI at 100 years: a century of inspiring women The NFWI commissioned BritainThinks to provide support with the development and delivery of a quantitative survey. Fieldwork took place between 9th April and 8th June 2015. In total 5,450 members completed the survey, representing approximately 2.6% of the NFWI’s membership. Of these, 3,406 completed it online, and 2,044 returned postal questionnaires. The report findings are accurate to within +/- 1.31% at the 95% confidence interval. Data have not been weighted. In addition four focus groups took place during July and August 2015.
The WI The WI is the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK with more than 212,000 members in over 6,600 WIs. It plays a unique role in enabling women to develop new skills, giving them opportunities to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities, and provides wide-ranging activities for members to get involved in. For further information on the WI please visit www.theWI.org.uk
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BURSARIES FOR DENMAN 2015/16 (September 2015)
A final batch of bursaries is available for the 2015/16 programme year to be used on open courses taking place before 30 September 2016. The Denman Committee thanks the donors of bursaries listed below for their support in this year's programme.
BURSARIES ALLOCATED BY DENMANDenman bursaries are supported by donations, including those given by, or in memory of Vera Cox, Dr Ernest Walker, Jessie Burns, Joan Yeo, Claire Emery, Kathleen Mary Hughes and Olive Kenyon. Denman First-Timer bursariesSix bursaries of £250 towards any open residential course are available for members who have not attended a residential course at Denman before.Denman WI Member bursariesFour bursaries of £250 are available towards any open residential course taking place before the end of September 2016, for any WI member.Denman Spring Fling bursariesFour bursaries for £250 are available towards any open residential course taking place in February or March 2016, for any WI member.Denman Carer bursariesThree bursaries are available for a two night open residential course, travel up to £50 and also replacement carer costs up to 80% and a maximum of £100 per night.#Netherhall bursariesKindly donated by a Denman supporter, five bursaries for £200 are available towards any open residential course for any WI member Freda Barnicoat travel bursariesKindly donated by John Barnicoat in memory of his late wife to help with travel costs for members; the following bursaries are available for members attending an open residential course:Four bursaries for members living a minimum distance of 100 miles from Denman up to a maximum of £100.Four bursaries for members living a minimum distance of 150 miles from Denman up to a maximum of £150.
HOW TO APPLY FOR BURSARIESTo apply for any of the Denman bursaries detailed above, please send a short letter in support of your application to:
Karen Hodge, Finance, Denman, Marcham, Oxon, OX13 6NW or email [email protected]
In your letter or email please give the following details:• Your full name, contact details, WI and Federation• The name of the bursary you would like to apply for• Whether you have received a bursary from Denman in the past• The number and title of the course you would like to attend if your
application for a bursary is successful, plus a second and third choice.
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The closing date for applications is Friday 13 November 2015. Successful applicants will be contacted in writing by Friday 27 November 2015.
Regrettably it will not be possible to notify unsuccessful applicants.
NOTES All bursaries awarded must be used on residential courses taking
place before the end of September 2016 For WI individual members only Only one bursary may be applied for per individual A bursary cannot be awarded to anyone who has been awarded a
Denman bursary in the past three years Denman Bursaries are open to WI members only, for residential open
courses and cannot be applied to a course arranged via a federation or a small group booking
Denman Bursaries cannot be applied to courses already booked with the exception of travel bursaries
* Travel bursaries to be paid after the course attendance upon receipt of a receipt in the case of travel by public transport and in the case of transport by car then the mileage rate paid would be standard NFWI rate currently 40p per mile.
# Carer costs will be paid after the course attendance upon a receipt or invoice.
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