WHITLEY WI

Our November meeting was the AGM, where we received reports from our Treasurer, Secretary, and President. Pat reported a healthy financial position, albeit slightly down on last year’s balance because of increased costs and our commitment to subsidising events for our members. Susan gave us an illustrated talk reminding us of the very varied activities we offer to members, including each of the main meetings, the subgroup activities and our many successes in county events. You can browse through this website to see how busy we have been.

Melanie spoke about how much she had enjoyed being our President for the last 3 years with the support of a strong committee and is now passing the role on to another committee member. Members voted, and our congratulations and thanks go to Susan who will be our new President. Sue R thanked Melanie and the committee for all their hard work.

The evening ended with entertainment from ‘Lostock Ukes’ who distributed the words to the many songs they played, so that we could all joined in with the singing – and the actions! A lovely trip down memory lane for many of us.

There were some unusual entries in the competition ‘A musical object’ and the winner was Susan, with her cross-stitch picture. We also displayed all the pictures that our Art group entered for the Cheshire art exhibition, with Chris’s award for the Cheshire president’s favourite.

Our much anticipated speaker was Louise Minchin, perhaps best known for presenting BBC Breakfast for over 20 years. She didn’t disappoint and her experience really showed. She was a fascinating speaker – telling us initially about how she went from gaining a degree in Spanish at St Andrew’s university, to working as a reporter on regional television and finally her dream job on BBC Breakfast.
In this role she had amazing opportunities to meet celebrities from all spheres of life, and also the chance to take part in lots of different challenges. She also took on the BBC over the inequitable treatment of women in broadcasting, and hopefully helped make significant cultural changes there.

When she ‘retired’ from television it was to take up lots of other opportunities, particularly in the area of ‘extreme sports’ and triathlons – she represented Team GB in her age category in the Triathlon World Championships. She didn’t so much talk ‘at us’ as ‘chat with us’, and all enjoyed the meeting. She has written 3 books, her most recent is her first novel, Isolation Island. The vote of thanks was given by Marcia from Moore and Daresbury

Click on the blue/green links below for more information and pictures about what each of our subgroups have been up to

Walking Group enjoyed a lovely walk around Walton Gardens, followed by lunch at The Stag. Book Club read a classic for a change, Jane Eyre, and 5 members also visited the Garrick Theatre, Altrincham to enjoy a production of the story – very enjoyable. Craft group was led by Vanessa, and we made some lovely Christmas cards. Art Group had an Autumn theme and Karen showed us how we could blend our colours to build up some lovely pictures of leaves and berries.

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Our October meeting was members’ night when our regular committee enjoy a night off their usual duties and the members’ night committee take over. Anne T was President for the evening, ably assisted by her secretary Vanessa. As we sang Jerusalem members were asked to think about one of past presidents, June Smither who sadly passed away earlier in the week.

Anne introduced our speaker for the evening, Robert Clarkson who told us about his life long love of the multicoloured Danish blocks , LEGO. The name comes from two Danish words LEG GODT which literally mean ‘play well’. Members were taken back to their childhood as Robert showed us examples of how LEGO has evolved since the design was patented in 1958. We were all presented with a LEGO figure to take home.