Hello Friends
So much to tell you. You might want to get a cup of tea…
We’re moving!
I’m extremely excited to announce a new chapter in the ongoing story of WoSWI! An opportunity has arisen for us to hold our monthly meetings in Pebbles Cafe in the old Havens building on Hamlet Court Road and after much thought the committee has decided this would be good for WoSWI. Our reasoning is that we are Westcliff WI and this is in the heart of Westcliff. We’ll be able to foster better connections with other community groups and be more visible to potential new members. Also, the room is brighter and more vibrant and the lighting is better for crafts. It’s also a lot cleaner. We’ll be allowed to use the kitchen area at the front and the tables and chairs are already set up, saving us a lot of work. There’s also a big empty room upstairs we can use for activities that involve moving about. It just feels like a nice place to be.
We do hope you agree with the move and we’re happy to answer any questions at next week’s meeting, which will be our last at the Naval Club.
Meeting on March 10th
Our meeting next Thursday will be led by a practitioner of Medau, which is a type of rhythmic movement training that incorporates music and organic movements to engage the mind and allow each person to take greater control over the body and their thoughts. With times being as worrying as they are at the moment, anything that helps us de stress has got to be good. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes that you can move in.
Next month
AGM and a talk on the treasures you can find washed up on the banks of the Thames, otherwise known as mudlarking. Jolly interesting stuff.
Treasurer needed
I would like to extend our warmest thanks to Sarah Campbell and Lynne Wheeler who have taken on the treasurer duties for the last two years. Sadly for us they are both having to step down, so we need a new treasurer, or two people to share the role. If we don’t have a treasurer then we have to close so it’s vitally important that we find somebody. On top of the monthly committee meeting (which is great fun) it will probably take a couple of hours a month. No experience is necessary and training will be given. If you’d like to know more, please reply to this email or grab me at the meeting next week.
Essex County Annual Meeting
The 105th County Annual Meeting is taking place at Charter Hall in Colchester on Thursday June 30th. The royal correspondent Jennie Bond will be speaking, the Big Sing choir will be performing, and it’s a great way to feel more involved in the WI as a whole. Tickets are £13 if you book before the end of the month (£15 after that) and we have one free ticket to give away in a draw. I’m going and I would love to have some company. And I’m happy to give you a lift. Again, reply to this email to go into the ticket draw.
New sub groups
A ‘Ladies that Lunch’ club and a new walking group have now been launched. The first lunch is at Sarah’s Tea Room in Old Leigh (this is fully booked now) and the first walk is this Saturday at 1.30 in Wakering. If you would like to join either of these groups, just let us know. A lunch venue for next month will be announced soon.
Craft Competition
Our June meeting is going to be a celebration of the Queen’s jubilee. We have various activities planned but one of them is a competition. You just need to create something that fits the theme, from cake decorating, to whittling, to dressing up in red, white and blue… anything you fancy. I’m telling you this early to give you plenty of time to come up with an idea and dig out your crafting tools.
Renewals
Renewals are due in April but feel free to pay now if you want to get ahead. It’s £44 or £21.60 for dual members who pay the full fee to another WI.
Please contact woswi@hotmail.com for bank details.
Phew, I think that’s it!
See you next week
Vanessa
