REPORT on NORTHUMBERLAND FEDERATION  A.G.M. at ALNWICK PLAYHOUSE  APRIL  11th  2013

During the presentation of the financial statement by Treasurer, Sue Malloy, members learnt that member numbers in the Federation had taken a slight down turn but because of the subscription increase this had cancelled a possible deficit.

There had also been less of a ‘take up’ in bookings for the National A.G.M. in the Albert Hall.

On a more optimistic note federation was offering 3 bursaries to institute members who want to attend a course at Denman College.

The new internal alterations at Cresswell House were thought, by all who had been to Northumberland Federation  headquarters, to be well worth the financial cost and all institutes are being encouraged to use this venue, that they own, for events and workshops  as well as taking part in the Federation events being held there over the coming year.

 Perhaps Bamburgh could plan a ½ day visit and incorporate it with an outing to Heighley Gate or Boundary Mills?

The 10 minute speaker was Sue Wood head of the NORTHUMBERLAND WI archive collections at Woodhorn.

Woodhorn has the facilities required to house archives under the correct conditions needed to maintain archives with the  best possible care allowing open access to any institute who wants to view their archive material at any time.

Sue recommended that all institutes should use Woodhorn to house their treasures.

There are to be 3 training sessions at Cresswell house for amateur archivists beginning on April 23rd.  A typical session would be training on how to interview for an oral history report.

Woodhorn would give any  Institute a tour around the archive department, they could also visit the special exhibition on Dressing the Stars.

Possibly another ½  day outing for Bamburgh W I?

Helen Dodder had composed  a song to the  tune  of Jerusalem with amusing words describing the attitude of 2 longstanding W I members. This was met with a delighted round of applause and laughter perhaps a prelude to the North Sunderland /Seahouses, Bamburgh Panto.  The combined effort of our 2 institutes meets the Federation CHAIRMAN’S CHALLENGE  of each W I twinning with another W I during the next 12 months.  The  secretaries from both institutes writing a report on how this experience has enriched their membership  over the past 12 months.

The  Northumberland Federation Quiz team won the regional heat at Ripon and will be at Denman for the final. Congratulations and good luck was offered to each of the quiz team members who are from 4 different  Northumberland institutes.

Hilary asked if institutes could send in a challenge for her to complete during the year as she had ‘thrown down the glove’ to each of us.

There are to be several workshops at Cresswell house during the year to help with Public Speaking and the roles of Chair, treasurer and secretary these workshops are open to all W I members whether or not they on an institute committee. All these will be advertised in the news letter each member receives.

The  Federation sub committee chairmen then gave their reports and all the events they have organised are to be found in the monthly news letter.

In  September 2014 Northumberland Federation has booked Denman College from the 8th-11th a coach will take members to Denman and pick up points will be announced at a later date. Perhaps Bamburgh could make a block booking and apply for the Federation bursaries to cover some of the costs.  Vouchers for £10, £20 and £30 are sold from Denman and Kathleen Jones (Denman Rep) suggested that members could ask for vouchers as birthday or Christmas presents, perhaps Bamburgh W I could buy one of these vouchers and offer it as a competition prize in the future.  Bursaries are also on offer from Federation in memory of Heather Abrahams these would be given to any member who wishes to take part in a craft workshop or course.

2015 is the centenary year of the Women’s Institute in Britain and rather like the Olympic torch a Baton will travel to each W I during the year it will be arriving in Northumberland in March and secreted within the baton will be photographs from all the Federations. Northumberland Federation Chairman suggested that the baton for Northumberland should hold a photograph of the Bamburgh Sand Sculpture Challenge to represent the N.E with this in mind the Bamburgh Sculpture team are putting all they’ve got into their Transport Sculpture and it is hoped all Bamburgh W I members will make June 17th A DAY TO REMEMBER.

 Bamburgh Institute was presented with a document to celebrate the institute’s 95th anniversary perhaps we should have a special celebration event on our special date and invite the other Lindisfarne group members?

After all the business we settled down after a very pleasant lunch at the Towers restaurant to listen to the main speaker Martin Gurdon who is a journalist and author.

He had us ‘rolling in the aisles’ with his anecdotes of starting up a rare breeds small holding with little or no experience of animal well fare.  Each animal became a personal friend rather than a means of raising cash and soon the animals were running rings around Martin and his partner and costing the earth in vet bills as they all seemed to live to a ripe old age having led a very unproductive life.         

We all agreed that Martin was one of the best speakers we had ever had at an AGM and the huge beams on the members faces as they left the playhouse said it all.

Those of us who attended this Alnwick meeting thoroughly enjoyed the day and would recommend more members to take part when the next AGM comes around.

Judy Cowen

BAMBURGH WOMEN’S INSTITUTE  ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 2013

Members welcomed Brenda Houlison our Women’s Institute Adviser who would invigilate the second section of our meeting when the committee stood down and a new committee was formed.

Two events had to be cancelled the previous month due to weather conditions and a mix up of dates therefore the walking group will try once again to meet for a circular local walk starting at Red Barns on April 23rd and the lunch club will be dining at the ‘Cook and Barker’ on April 23rd.

Invitations had been received from Howick and Beadnell W I s and names will be drawn from a hat to decide the lucky guests.

The joint North Sunderland /Seahouses and Bamburgh meeting to discuss the proposed pantomime, with a difference, had been very successful and we are hoping more members will join us for our next meeting on May14th in Bamburgh Pavilion when we should have a script to read and decide the next step forward.

The SAND SCULPTURE CHALLENGE seems to be generating a lot of interest and it had a special mention at the Federation Annual General meeting in Alnwick so all we need is sun and super ideas on modelling TRANSPORT to make the date its usual resounding success.

Programme planning for the years 2013/4 has been completed and members can look forward to a year of surprises and enterprise.  The Easter Monday Coffee morning raised a nice revenue for the year ahead and this is needed as most speakers request at least a travel expenses fee.

We are looking forward to entertaining members from Norham, Cheswick, Berwick and Cornhill at our May meeting when Helen Grierson, a renowned Stained Glass artist, will be demonstrating her craft.

Committee members holding the posts of President, Treasurer and Secretary gave their reports of the past year and these were moved for adoption before the committee stood down.  Anne Ness, retiring President, thanked those members retiring from the committee for their stalwart work over the years, especially Shirley Porteous who had held many posts both in Bamburgh W I and on Federation

The new members on the committee were warmly welcomed ‘on board’ and Rosemary Skinner was roundly applauded for agreeing to take  up the post of President.     

After members had digested the large amount of business, necessary to impart, at this meeting they were promised a light hearted few minutes when the team who had entered the reading aloud competition sallied forth with their rendition of Benjamin Mace. It has to be said that this audience seemed more impressed than the competition judge but it was probably the fact that they were more than ready for a break of light relief .

Bamburgh W I sees its way forward as a proactive group with an interesting monthly programme of speakers, workshops and special events.  We hope women will take a look at all we have to offer, give us a try by joining us as a guest at one of our meetings and enjoy what they see and hear so that they will want to become a regular member.  Learn more about us by viewing our programme on the Bamburgh web-site www.bamburgh.org.uk and click on to Women’s Institute.

 

 

The walking group spent an exhilarating day at Bells hill farm.  Walking in snow feet deep certainly gave us an appetite for lunch after appreciating Narnia like scenery in the thick coating of eye blinding snow. 

 

 

 

 

BAMBURGH WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

PROGRAMME FOR 2013/4

 

ALL MONTHLY MEETINGS ARE HELD ON 2nd WEDNESDAY EVERY MONTH EXCEPT AUGUST

VENUE  BAMBURGH PAVILION  MEETINGS START AT 2pm

2013

May 8th  ‘Stained Glass Studio’  speaker Helen Grierson

June 12th  ‘A Story to Tell’  Members meeting with strawberry tea

July 10th  ‘Howick Hall Gardens’  Robert Jamieson head gardener

AUGUST  14th OUTING TO HOWICK HALL WITH GUIDED WALK & LUNCH  

September 11th ‘A nose for trouble’  Prison officer with dog

October 9th  ‘The garden at Highgrove’  Mr & Mrs Bland

November 13th  ‘Sugar Craft Christmas workshop’ Margaret Smith

DECEMBER  11th  YULE TIDE PARTY

2014

January 8th  ‘Bamburgh’s Historic Past’  Carol Griffiths

February 12th  ‘A succulent session with Susan’  Cookery demo Susan Shanks

March 12th  ‘All the world’s a stage’  Gillian Hambleton

April 9th  ‘Family History’   Julia Millard

MAY 14th  ANNUAL MEETING

Workshops  

Monday September 16th  Pot o Doodle

Tuesday  December 10th  Christmas wreath making  Lizzie Harrett

Bamburgh W I competitions

Monthly Quiz night in the Castle Inn Bamburgh

Table tennis tournaments

Croquet competitions

Sand Sculpture Challenge  Monday  June 17th

Short & Long Outings

Paxton House

Horncliffe honey farm

Granary Berwick

Cresswell House

Alnwick Gardens

Boundary Mill / Heighley gate

Seaton Deleval Hall

Extra dates to remember

Bamburgh Village Show September 14th

Pumpkin Weekend (Autumn ½ term)