Welcome to Example Federation

Federation Chairman’s Message March 2021

Since I last wrote for the website we have heard all the details of the roadmap out of lockdown.  As with many announcements over the last year this has been received with mixed reactions, although I think many of us can see the thinking behind it and welcome the five week gap between each stage so the effects can be assessed before moving on.

What does it mean for us?  There have been a wide range of responses to the pandemic; some WIs have met regularly via Zoom when outside gatherings have not been possible and some WIs are unable to use the Zoom facility for a variety of reasons. Whatever we’ve done in the past 12 months, however, is history and we must look forward.  I hope some records have been kept of how different things were over the last year, as it will make interesting reading for future members.  I know some WIs are planning to meet outside in June, weather permitting, as it’s likely that village halls where many WIs meet will not be open at that stage.  It is hoped that meetings may get back to some sort of normality in September but it’s all ifs, buts and maybes at the moment. We must all just listen for any changes to the guidelines.

At Federation level we are still planning our Annual Meeting at The Lighthouse on 21 October. The speakers remain as those originally planned for last year: Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess, and Dr Annie Gray, historian, author and broadcaster.  We also plan to have a parade of banners at this meeting and anyone who was present when we had a banner parade four years ago will remember what a sight they are to behold.

Plans are also afoot for our Carol Festivals at Sherborne Abbey and Wimborne Minster.  As with so many things these are only provisional bookings at the moment.

The Events Committee continue with their craft sessions led by Dena Selby, which are proving to be popular.  The walks that were started last year are also planned to resume before too long.  In August it is hoped that the planned holiday to Buxton will go ahead and bookings are now being taken.  Full details of all events have been, or will be, sent to your secretary and can be found in all the usual places.  So there are things to look forward to and with the better weather on the way it is so much easier to be positive.

The Membership and Support Committee continue to give invaluable support via the Advisers, and their Meet and Chat sessions have proved to be very popular and I hope these will continue until face to face visits are possible.  The Advisers are a mine of information on all things WI.

I do hope that before the end of the year I will have the opportunity to meet as many of you as possible, and I look forward to that time with great anticipation.

Very best wishes

Jenny

Jenny Preston, Dorset Federation Chairman

County Office details shown at the bottom of this page remain unchanged as we hope "normality" will be resumed as soon as possible.  Please note, however, that the office is not running as normal so a little patience may be required in the event you need to make contact.

Please bear with us during these unprecedented times..

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS 2020 / 21 ANNOUNCED

NFWI  is pleased to advise that the Officers elected are :

Jenny Preston, Federation Chairman
Linda Barber, Vice Chairman
Kath Burt, Federation Treasurer

Sub-committees Chairmen and Vice Chairmen :

Events Committee Chairman :  Margaret Bunch
Vice Chairman :  Jo Skinner

Membership & Support Committee Chairman :  Yvonne Marsh
Vice Chairmen :  Lyn Coleman & Jan Watson

To contact us :

During the current situation please note that County Office is not open to visitors.  Thank you.