Annual Meeting
Lincolnshire South Federation of Women’s Institutes Annual Meeting 2024
Our first time back at Springfield’s Exhibition & Conference Centre since 2020 and what a welcome. Over 300 members attended with many additional visitors. We received many messages saying how much they had enjoyed the event, layout, and speakers even though one didn’t turn up due to car problems. We would like to share this letter we received from one WI member – a delegate reporting back to her WI - which sums the event up:
‘Delegate’s Report on the South Lincolnshire Federation Annual Meeting held at Springfield’s
Exhibition Centre on Wednesday 20th March 2024
A miserable damp day when I pulled up at the exhibition centre – and I had that sinking feeling when I saw the sign saying, “soft ground, cars parked at owners’ risk”. Bearing in mind, the only place to park was on the grass! (No problems subsequently encountered, thankfully.)
There was a pleasant surprise on entering the main room – for those that have been to a meeting here before, you may remember chairs in rows, too close for comfort in some cases – not this time though, round tables arranged so that everyone had a view of the stage, with 10 chairs to a table and lots of space to move freely. Over 300 ladies were at the meeting, the room having had to be hastily exchanged as originally only the smaller room had been booked.
When the meeting started and introductions made, it was time to sing “Jerusalem”. Slightly cringing, as in past years we had been subjected to wonky piano and tuneless singing, however, using modern technology, the relevant part from last year’s National A.G.M was displayed with full sound on 3 TV screens positioned round the hall, and the effect was magical.
Jan Whitbourne, Councillor and journalist welcomed everyone to Spalding and explained that the day was the International Day of Happiness! Who knew?
The Federation Chair(person) introduced all the members of the Executive and explained their duties, the utes from the previous meeting were agreed, and then she gave her address. She told us she had been in the RAF and was also a RHS lecturer. She has only been a WI member since 2017 – quite a meteoric rise to fame! She gave a run down on all of last year’s events organised by County and requested that WIs send details of their events etc in for the newsletter. She also mentioned Pinchbeck WI being included on page 10 of this month’s WI Life.
The Treasurer gave her report and said how £500 had been saved switching bank accounts and reducing bank charges. £1,000 had also been saved by emailing the newsletters and monthly officers mailings, rather than posting. She asked that members continue to support events, as they are not cheap to put on, but do make funds for the Federation. The Federation also benefit from the “Take a Chance”, the NFWI raffle and from the Taylor’s Bulb Scheme.
Rosemary had her moment in the spotlight when she did this month’s “Take a Chance” draw live on stage. We didn’t win – must try harder, Rosemary!!
Shelagh gave a run-down of all events past and those which are ongoing as well as those planned for the future. The “Make and Bake” competition needs more competitors, and she urged all members who have never entered before to have a go. She said there are approx. 1700 members in Lincs South and 13 trustees. She asked if anyone had suggestions for future events or workshops.
The morning speaker, Tom Kerrs, had not arrived at his appointed time, so they decided to present the certificates for significant years of membership for various WIs. They ranged from 15 years to 105 years.
It was then announced that Tom Kerrs had been in touch, having broken down just outside London and a replacement car not being available, he decided to cancel. After a little panic, one of the invited guests, Caroline Bingham, owner, and editor of Lincolnshire Life
agreed to talk to the meeting and fill the gap. She was a competent speaker and spoke of her life in journalism and how she came to be in her current role.
During the lunch break I went shopping in Springfield’s, armed with my money off leaflet, valid at many of the outlets. Although at the start of the meeting we had been allowed to eat our pastries in the main hall, we were not allowed to eat lunch in there. So, many ladies who had been prudent and brought their own lunch went off in search of a suitable outdoor space. Fortunately, the weather was kind at this point. As for me! I was not one of the diligent few and set off in search of a sausage roll and coffee. No chance! I joined the queue at Costa’s at one point but abandoned it when I realised it had not moved in 10 minutes! I didn’t fancy a Subway sandwich, nor the confines of the restaurant in the Springfield’s shop. One of the offers on the sheet was a free chocolate bar with the purchase of a hot chocolate at the Cadbury shop. I’ll give you one guess as to where I went next! (It was lovely chocolate and cheaper than a coffee) After buying a few bargains in M & S (why wouldn’t you) I made my way back to the hall.
The main event, and the reason most of the ladies were there, was the introduction of Professor Sir Jonathan Van Tam. We felt like he was an old friend, after having been the voice of sense and reason during the Covid pandemic. He told us a little of his life before Covid – his education and inspiration. The main part of his talk was, obviously the pandemic, and he said, right at the beginning that he was aware that it was a very emotive subject and if during his talk anyone felt overwhelmed it was ok to leave. They
would not be judged.
He went on to explain a lot of things about what they were faced with, the virus itself as well as the way it spread and the consequences. How they were in a situation that no-one really knew how to deal with. There were 200,000 deaths from Covid, and he estimated that they were only 2 weeks away from a total disaster before they found the vaccine. The “lock downs” were essential and really did save lives. He told how they had produced all the money for developing the vaccine and how each department involved had bent over backwards to get it out and in use with minimum hold ups and no red tape.
He showed how with his graphs etc they could see how things were developing and were able to make decisions to assist in the fight against the virus. “Party gate” and “Barnard Castle” were mentioned only briefly.
They also made some comparison with the pandemic in the 1920’s when a particular flu took hold. He said that in all probability, there was a likelihood that there could be a similar event in the future. He answered many questions from the floor, along with many people expressing how grateful they were for him putting may people at ease with his understanding and commitment. His was a face they could relate to and rely on to give the correct facts about Covid. It got a bit emotional for many at this point, and he received a standing ovation for his talk.
The draw for “Not the Denman Dip” was won by a lady from Frampton WI and the quiz team from Leasingham WI won the quiz cup. Many ladies were lucky in the raffle (one of the prizes was a handbag kindly donated by the Radley Outlet).
Three of the trustees were standing down and they were thanked for their work and given a plant, along with Tracey from the office and the trustee who had done most of the organising for the meeting.
The meeting closed after singing the National Anthem (remembering to sing “King” and “him”), it was helped, again by the screens showing the National AGM.
All in all, I enjoyed my day out! I felt privileged to be your delegate, but a little uncomfortable when other members at my table said, “are you the only one from Gosberton?” Please think about attending future events. I am sure you will enjoy it as I did.’
Plans are already in place for 2025’s Annual Meeting so if you have any ideas for speakers, please
can you send in details to the Federation Secretary: Tracey Copeland at the WI Office in Sleaford.
Report by Margaret Hawkins, Trustee
It was not a normal Saturday morning as we were all invited to our Federation Annual Meeting on Zoom. Logging on was easy and so we did not need to wait to be admitted. We were greeted with a slide show and music and the rules of the meeting on a loop. The rules were easy, stay muted unless you were invited to speak; only delegates could vote, and this process would be explained as we went along. So far so good.
Exactly on time Liz McIntosh, our Federation Chair, welcomed us all and we went straight into Jerusalem which was a video recording of the Centenary Meeting at the Royal Albert Hall. She said we could stand and sing along if we wanted. It was lovely to see everyone singing, including the Royal Party and hear such a joyous rendition of our anthem.
Liz then gave the formal greeting and introduction of the Board of Trustees, et al. They all waved and smiled and said hello, and it was good to be able to put faces to names. It always helps.
During her report on the past year Liz explained the steps taken to reduce Federation outgoings and the steps taken to improve things for members. Many WIs had responded well to the difficulties we had all experienced. She then introduced the on line voting system which was very easily understood and made the voting so simple, with results being given within a few minutes so there was no holdup for counting the votes for the Minutes of the last Annual Meeting, the Adoption of the Treasurers Report and the Independent Financial Examiners, all of which were passed with 100% of the votes.
Changes in speakers flowed seamlessly and Janis Tunaley, First Vice Chair of the Trustees, encouraged us to look forward to our future with all the various activities and meetings which are either already planned, or for which planning is well in hand. She asked us all to support our Federation and the Trustees would very much appreciate the help of members in letting them know just what it is they want.
Rosemary Sneath, Trustee in charge of Take a Chance Draw each month, drew the winning numbers from the bag and their names were announced. Liz confirmed that we would not be able to actually present the various Anniversary Certificates and Competition Trophies at this meeting, but it was intended to have a Federation Day, later in the year at which we could all attend and to give out these then. A short presentation, accompanied by the music from Chariots of Fire then appeared on our screens giving a brief glimpse of those WIs celebrating their 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th and 100th birthdays. It was lovely to be reminded of things past and sunny days and of the laughter which accompanies most WI meetings.
Our speaker Judy Theobald, journalist, radio presenter, author and WI Member, was introduced. She used to work on Lincolnshire Life and lived in our area, but now lives in Southampton. Judy was a very clear and entertaining speaker. She told us of her early working life and the various challenges she faced and how one thing led to another, and here she was sitting in Southampton talking to us. It was very easy to picture all the things she spoke of; her family life with young children who enjoyed visits to the local sewage works when wrote a piece for Lincolnshire Life and how she had found out that it took some 16 minutes for a deposit made in her toilet to travel down to the sewage works. These ideas do seem to take root and she, sometime later, on her way to a funeral worked out that she had beat her latest deposit down to the Crematorium, which was next door to the sewage works. Speaking of toilet humour she said that she had installed a curtain in her toilet window even though it had a wonderful view as sadly the view was not one way and she would have been visible to all those sailing on cruise liners! We howled with laughter as she encouraged us to look at the world in a happier way. Judy is a published author and told us that her poetry books are still available if we were interested. I could have listened to her for far longer and dearly hope that I shall have the privilege of listening to her again.
The vote of thanks was given to Judy and to the Trustees. Liz then asked us to stand if we wished, for The National Anthem, which again was taken from the Centenary Annual Meeting and showed a beautiful picture of our Queen. Liz thanked us all for attending and hoped that we would support our proposed Federation Day later in the year as well as all the events that are in the pipeline.
It was such a change from our normal visit to Springfield and mad dash around the shops and stalls. We all sat comfortably in our own homes, drinks and biscuits or cakes were much in evidence on other screens and one or two were even doing the housework or ironing as the morning progressed. The one thing that stood out for me was how happy we all looked to be taking part. There was no stress or strain. Just a morning spent with friends, having a good time. Just what the WI is all about.