​On Tuesday 2nd May, 3 of our WI members, Mary Bickmore, Janet Clemas and Joan Green joined a WFWI County visit to the The Royal Hospital Chelsea. Joan has kindly given a report of their day out as follows:
“We had a guided tour of The Royal Hospital Chelsea led by Brian Cummings, a Chelsea Pensioner who was looking lovely in his red coat. Starting in the grounds with 2 fine statues, The Millennium Statue and the King Charles II Statue (an all gold statue, recently re-gilded), we then moved inside. We saw one of the old bedrooms; it only had a bed and a side table. Now they have larger rooms (12’x12’) with a bed, wardrobe, cupboard, armchair and toilet. It is a lovely room, very comfortable, where they can go & spend time on their own.
Next was the Great Hall where meals are served, followed by the Chapel. The end ceilings on both have lovely paintings in Michelangelo style. The last room was the Wellington Hall and its museum holding years of medals won and items used by the soldiers. Very interesting to walk around.
It was a really wonderful place to visit and see how well these retired soldiers are looked after and seeing how happy they all are. Thank you County WI for organising this trip. “

Okay, a little late but we did have our first walk at Avon Meadows and alongside the River Avon at Pershore. Weather was good, wildlife was heard but not readily seen but did manage to get a picture of a goldfinch .....

Reports were given by the Secretary, President and Treasurer on our activities and financial status over the last 12 months, before we then went on to elect our new Committee and new President. Although 2 members of our 2016/2017 committee resigned, we were pleased to welcome two new members, Jo Eyres and Marilyn Riley. We also confirmed our President for 2017/2018 as Cynthia Mortimer. Thanks were given for all work done over the last 12 months before we then breaked for refreshments.
During the break, we enjoyed a short presentation of posters and photos showing our activities throughout the last 12 months. Suitably refreshed we carried with the business of the night. Every year, the WI nationally considers various resolutions brought forward by its members as an issue for a national campaign. A short list is compiled leading to eventually one or two of the resolutions being presented to the National Meeting for voting on by delegates. This year the WI is considering (a) the impact of microfibres on the environment and (b) the impact of loneliness on members of society. (see more about WI campaigns and this year's resolutions on our 'More About Us' page).