One of the best things about belonging to the WI is knowing that once a month you can spend an evening with likeminded ladies. The friendships and conversations that spring up in the Swallowtail WI enhance our lives and give us a chance to leave work and family worries at the door.
But since we are a group of busy women, it’s inevitable that we will suffer from stress at some time or another. We all know that this pernicious problem can threaten to overwhelm you at times, which is why we were delighted to welcome psychotherapist Regina de Mello-Barreto to come and talk to us about stress. The first thing that Regina did was to present us all with bio-dots to press onto our hands to discover how stressed we were. Each dot turns a different colour, depending on your level of stress at that moment and it’s handy to wear them for a day and see which situations are likely to trigger you. Some Swallowtails were cool as cucumbers according to their dots, whereas others had the dreaded black appearing to signal they need to calm down a little. So, Regina talked us through some techniques to help alleviate the symptoms of stress. Regina gave us a brief introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a technique to manage stressful situations used by many therapists. She explained how you could look at the situation from three perspectives – how you are feeling, what you are thinking and what you are doing. She showed us how if you can change on of the three things, you can successfully defuse the stress and help combat the unhelpful emotions and reactions that can blight your life. It was an engaging and inspiring talk, and better still we welcomed Regina to the Swallowtail WI as she signed up as a member on the night. Also, there on the night were some visitors from Horsford WI who were great company and reassured us that despite being a relatively new WI, we’re on the right track! If you’d like to know more about stress management and the work Regina Mello-Barreto does, please go to www.stresscatcher.co.uk.
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Wednesday 8th March is International Women's Day and the Norfolk WI are organising an event at the cathedral called Breaking The Silence. It’s part of their project Women Reaching Women and the aim is to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide. Women Reaching Women was formed by the WI to increase their international work on women’s rights. It was part of a successful National Federation campaign from 2008 to 2011 and continues to flourish in Norfolk. On Wednesday there will be a coffee morning in the Norwich Cathedral from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. It is free to attend and open to the public, not just WI members. Aneeta Prem is the keynote speaker and her talk will relate to one of this year’s proposed resolutions, more awareness and action to prevent FGM. She is the founder of Freedom Charity, who aim to raise awareness and prevent child abuse, especially forced marriage and FGM affecting girls in the UK. There will be an opportunity to meet a range of organisations who work with women across Norfolk and globally, with a common aim to build women’s confidence and stop domestic abuse and violence. Make sure you look out for the Big White Ribbon that Norfolk WI members created last year. Though it will be hard to miss the ten foot high ribbon-totem! It was a community initiative led by Norwich City Council and the Norfolk WI. I and the other Swallowtails wrote several messages on ribbons to say “No To Domestic Abuse” and we’ll be looking to see if we can spot them. It can sometimes feel like the resolutions are just a vote taken once a year but the Breaking The Silence event is a great way to get involved and support organisations close to the WI’s heart. Here at the Swallowtail WI we love rolling up our sleeves to put our carefully laid plans into action. That’s why our February meeting was a combination of looking to the future, and creating something for right now. Now 2017 is in full swing, we’ve been delighted by how many of our members have renewed, and we’ve already welcomed some new Swallowtails into the fold.
So, our meeting began with lots of exciting news about what we’re going to up to this year – with a particular focus on the upcoming ‘Quiz & Chips’ night are Sprowston Social Club. As a young WI, we’re committed to fundraising so that we can grow our membership and deliver great evenings of entertainment to our girls. So we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the quiz will replicate the fantastic success of last year’s event, and be as much fun as it was in 2016. It’s great to see how involved our members are getting in the Swallowtails, particularly outside the meetings. Whether it’s been the resolutions meeting by the Norfolk Federation, our book and film clubs or Sunday dog-walking, the enthusiasm and support is truly lovely. Plus, there’s lots of excitement whenever we discuss crafting or making things together. In fact, the theme of our February meeting was Green Hearts, which we are making to support the #showthelove campaign by the Climate Coalition. Crochet expert Vicki was on hand to help the keen stitchers among us, while others used felt, papercraft, fabric and other textiles to create their hearts. We love the idea behind this campaign, which aims for people to wear their green hearts so they can start discussions about the places they love and how climate change may affect them. The combination of creativity and conversation made for a lovely evening, with the usual delicious cakes and treats on the table to enjoy. Let’s hope that by doing our small bit, the Swallowtail WI can help the wider movement to protect and celebrate our incredible planet. Come and quiz with us!
Forget the February blues, the Swallowtail WI has the best medicine for these cold days and dark nights – a chip-tasticquiz. We enjoyed a brilliant night when we held this brain-teasing event last year and managed to raise funds for our blossoming WI. So, we couldn’t resist the chance to repeat the fun in 2017 by hosting another quiz and chips night. On Friday 24th February, the Swallowtail WI will take over the Sprowston Social Club to host the 2017 quiz. Don’t worry if you’re no mastermind, our quiz is designed to be fun, not mind-numbingly difficult so there will be questions that everybody can answer. The 2016 champions were the lovely Golden Triangle girls and their friends, so there will be all to play for as they prepare to defend the title. In our opinion, no quiz night is complete without a tasty chip tea. We’ve already ordered plenty of delicious chips, and our lovely members are going to showcase their baking skills too. You can expect a scrumptious array of cakes from the gang, and given the fierce reputation of the WI for being baking supremos, we won’t dare let the side down. Of course, the bar at the Sprowston Social Club is well-stocked, so there will be a good selection of alcohol and soft drinks on sale. Our fabulous secretary Szara is also masterminding a raffle for the night, and we’ve heard rumours that there will be some top drawer prizes up for grabs. All this for just £4 per person. We’d love to see you there on the night. We are allowing eight people per team for the quiz but don’t worry if you don’t have that many people to book for, we’re able to sort a team out for you whether you’re coming with a gang of friends or on your own. To book, just email [email protected] and we’ll confirm you place. Let’s get quizzical! Last weekend millions of people around the world joined the Women’s March and it highlighted the power we have when we come together and stand up for what is important. The WI is built on this belief and it has been campaigning for important causes since it started in 1915.
Over the past hundred years the WI has worked to improve a range of national and global issues including equal pay, climate change, food waste, gaps in the midwifery workforce and the decline of the honey bee. January is Resolutions month, when we find out about the proposed resolutions for the year. Each member votes on the cause they want the WI to support. It was a tough decision as there are six to choose from and they are all important and very relevant. They cover everything from protecting vulnerable women and children, to threats to the environment. I struggled to decide which one to vote for but I choose the issue I personally wanted to get involved in. We sent the votes off to the Norfolk Federation who will pass them on to the National Federation. They will count them up and we’ll hear in May which one has been selected by the majority of members. After the serious business of voting it was time to relax and have fun, the other important side of the WI. We spent the rest of the meeting either learning to crochet or playing board games. I decided to join the Swallowtails playing board games and we organised two teams for Family Fortunes. It was really fun and caused lots of hilarity. It’s much harder than it appears on television. When it’s your turn to answer your mind goes completely blank. I feel a bit guilty about shouting at the TV when I’ve watched it in the past. The balance of the seriousness of the resolutions and the fun of the games and crochet perfectly summarises what it’s like to be in the WI. Creating change in the world doesn’t have to be all work and no play and when you get people together and they’re enjoying what they’re doing, the power they have is increased tenfold. I know the WI will achieve great things with its next campaign. Claire Wade As featured in the EDP WI Week column for 28th January 2017 The beginning of the year is always an exciting time for the WI. It’s a chance for our individual groups to look ahead to a carefully co-ordinated programme of events that we can all enjoy together and for the WI’s National Federation, it’s a time to get active. Every year, the WI engages with the wider community, and indeed the country, by voting on the resolutions that have been put forward as our potential initiatives for the year. In January, every member of the WI gets a vote on which of the resolution they would choose as the main focus, and there were plenty of good causes to hear about.
The Swallowtails are a busy bunch, so we were incredibly grateful to our member Jenny who went to discover all about the six resolutions that were being tabled to give us an overview. Jenny relayed unbiased information relating to each resolution, and we went on to have a group discussion about them. The issues being considered are all emotive and important, and you can read up on them here. They include: • Alleviating loneliness • FGM (female genital mutilation): More awareness for more action • Equal access for all who need specialised maternal mental health services • Provision of appropriate welfare and safe spaces for women and children in refugee camps • Supporting women’s refuges • Plastic soup: Keep microplastic fibres out of our oceans It was interesting to find out how many of us had voted for each one. However, the most popular resolution in the room was ‘alleviating loneliness’. After all this serious thought and discussion, it was time for a bit of fun as the second half of the meeting commenced. While the majority of the Swallowtails headed over to be taught crochet by Vicky, our treasurer, the rest of the group got down to some serious board game action. We had a lively game of Family Fortunes in which some of us got so excitable (Ok, it was me) that poor Vicky struggled to be heard talking stitches. But it was so much fun that there’s already talk of doing a social event involving board games this year outside of the meetings. Goodness knows what the volume might be like with added alcohol! Six years ago I made a new year’s resolution to meet new people. I was stuck at home and bored, so I decided it was time to go out and try something new. I wasn’t sure where to start, I looked into volunteering and social groups but nothing felt quite right until I read an article in the Norfolk Magazine about the Golden Triangle Girls WI. I hadn’t considered joining a WI because I thought I was too young but this one was run by people my own age. It was just what I was looking for.
Trying something new is always nerve wracking. I can still remember the sick feeling as I walked into a room full of strangers. I also remember that I was ready for a change, ready to meet different people and hopefully make some friends. Little did I know that I sat down at a table with someone who would become one of my best friends and we would go on to start our own WI. It took time to get to know the other members but just showing up and seeing the same faces every month really helped. I could take things slowly and as I relaxed I talked to more people. It was great having the speaker or activity as a focal point, there was something to chat about. I soon joined the committee and the craft club. All of a sudden I had a social life with dates in my diary, events to look forward to and lovely women to share them with. Joining the WI was one of the best things I’ve ever done. I’m always happy to renew my membership as I know I get so much value from it. If you join in January it costs £39.00 and for that you get a minimum of eleven meetings and eight copies of the WI magazine, WI Life, as well as access to the resources and information on the members only website. To find out more visit the WI website. If you’re feeling restless and want more from life you should try the WI. You’ll have an instant social life, meet incredible women and develop amazing new friendships. I certainly did. Claire Wade First appeared in the EDP WI Week column, 31st December 2016 Christmas cheer was in abundance at our December meeting as our crafty members made their own festive wreaths. Last year, many of us couldn’t believe we’d be able to master this particular art, but were gobsmacked by how fab our foliage looked once our president Claire had given her demonstration. So, there was excitement in the air as we enjoyed another round of creative floristry, feeling far more confident than 12 months previously.
The lovely thing about wreath making is that it gave us the chance to have a catch up on all the latest news as we chatted happily together. One of the nicest sounds was the ‘oohing and aahing’ as each wreath suddenly came to life, and the camaraderie and support in the room was quite lovely. It wouldn’t be Christmas without a marvellous spread laid on and the Swallowtails didn’t disappoint as the table was laid with all manner of tasty goods. We always take the chance to enjoy socialising during the December meeting, and keep the formalities to a minimum. It gave the Swallowtail book group a chance to steal away for a while to discuss their latest read ‘The Trouble with Goats and Sheep’ by Joanna Cannon. The book won over everyone in the group and it was great to hear such enthusiasm from readers with a range of different tastes. This little mini meet is always fun but it was great to have a book that all of us enjoyed so much. The December meeting was a lovely precursor to Christmas and got us all in the festive spirit. It’s been another busy year for the Swallowtail WI but we’re already excited for 2017. Part of what’s wonderful about the WI is the chance to be introduced to new experiences and ideas. So we were delighted to welcome lecturer and author Mick Collins to discuss human potential with us. Mick led a fascinating debate on what we consider human potential to be, the consequences for our culture and the future of the world in the face of innovation and change. There was a whole range of ideas and viewpoints in the room, but what shone through was that all of us want to make a positive contribution to the future of the planet, and it focussed our thoughts on how best to do that.
It wasn’t the most dramatic or headline-grabbing election of that week (that title belongs to the US presidential race), but the Swallowtail WI voted for their own leaders too. Each annual general meeting gives our group the opportunity to vote on who runs the committee, and who holds the title of president. Happily, a year in charge hadn’t scared President Claire Wade from standing again, and she was unanimously voted back into her role, as were the rest of the Swallowtail Committee. With the AGM being a chance for reflection about the past year, and a look at the future of our WI, it was quite an emotional evening. Inspiring and heart-warming speeches by Claire and our secretary Szara left many girls in the room deeply moved as we looked back on what an incredible first year our WI has enjoyed. In just 12 months, we’ve had some fascinating speakers, excellent craft nights and enjoyed plenty of yummy homemade cake. We’ve set up dog walking, film and book clubs, enjoyed nights out together and most importantly, made some lovely new friends. We can’t wait to see what happens in 2017, and having our committee remain in their roles means that we can evolve even further over the next 12 months. Excitingly, we’ve also got a new committee member in our midst as lovely Fran signed up to take on official duties too. Human potential might feel like a big existential subject, but in our small way, we like to the think the Swallowtail WI is pushing its boundaries. As secretary, I was asked to prepare a speech for our AGM. Firstly this filled me with fear, but as I looked back on what we have done in the year, it filled me with pride.
Our meetings have consisted of initial thoughts from the members on our first night, becoming reality at a low cost, due to our initial balance being zero. Our first speaker was Stacey Armes who gave us a wonderful insight into the history of the WI and why we are here today and for the next 100 years. In December our President Claire demonstrated to us all the art of making a seasonal wreath. Many of us then created our own and surprised ourselves with how beautiful they looked at the end of the evening. In January we had our own Margaret Johnson sharing her experiences of being an author and how she researches material by challenging herself to experiences such as stand-up comedy. In February we had our treasurer’s dad, a retired GP, come and help us with how to help ourselves before visiting the GP. Honey is the number 1 answer and he has donated some of his to our raffles during the year. In March we all crafted name badges and got to know each other more. This has been an important part of this year, helping us to grow stronger. Who can forget April? H V Graves the butcher! We had a wonderful talk and demonstration. His jokes were as sharp as his knifes! In May we got down to true WI business. We discussed and voted on the resolutions, then started to create entries into the Royal Norfolk Show WI competition. In June, Vicki our treasurer, designed a frugal tip night. Again a way of us getting to know each other whilst sharing knowledge. One of our members, Kate, typed them all into a document, and Roisin created a booklet for all of the tips. A great joint project. In July, we had the lovely Val Thomas, teaching us about our hedgerows and gardens and how we can frugally heal ourselves and cook with herbs. August we had a typical Norfolk summer event. Picnic inside and games on the lawn in the rain. But we did not let it stop us smiling and laughing. September came around very quickly, we were one years old. Bubbles, singing, cake and a talk on our local history by Caroline Jarrold made the evening a success. In October, we came back to crafting. Committee members shared skills and crafts, again frugally and in a very social way. The room was buzzing with atmosphere. But that is just the meeting nights, there has been more …… During our first year as a WI we have;
AND I believe overall we turned from caterpillars into beautiful strong butterflies. |
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