Welsh welcome

At the AGM the WI members were told about the Women’s Suffrage processions planned for the four capitals of the UK on Sunday 10th June and they were encouraged to join in. I watched the event on the BBC and I thought it was very impressively staged and did peacefully celebrate the achievements of both the Suffragists and the Suffragettes. The on-going struggles for equality were given a voice via all the beautiful banners and the link interviews. Representation in Cardiff seemed thinner than elsewhere but I know of two WIs who were there and I imagine there were lots on the other marches too.
Last time the NFWI held its AGM in Cardiff the members stood in a long queue in pouring rain to enter the hall so that we sat and steamed for the first half hour of the meeting. The very opposite this morning and the sun shone all the time while we were in Wales. The Motorpoint Arena is a very good venue and looks spacious even when every seat is taken. Lynne Stubbings, our new National Chairman, appeared relaxed and confident. Her “state of the union address” was very positive with lots of good news about membership and activities planned for the future. Membership now stands at 220,039 with nearly 30,000 new members and 86 new WIs formed. Lynne encouraged us to make good use of MYWI and book tickets for a special showing of Peter Pan in Birmingham.
Julia Roberts, the Honorary Treasurer, continued with good news about the finances and flagged up the changes about the paying of Gift Aid to come after the present negotiations are concluded. The resolution about mental health was well presented: the expert Andrew Maliniski from Oxford spoke convincingly and encouraged the WI to campaign at a local level to improve awareness in the general public of all ages. Money was desperately needed to fund research. The points raised from the floor were relevant and well managed and there were several from BFWI too. The resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority.
Dame Stella Rimington, the former Director General of MI5, spoke entertainingly about her introduction into the world of spies and the challenges of being the first woman in the official administrative body rather than doing very brave things on war fronts. Some of you will remember that Stella came to High Wycombe Theatre for an Evening with …event arranged by BFWI some years ago. I thought she had improved as a speaker---maybe that’s what being made a dame does for you!
Pat Tulip advertised Helping Denman packs and the WI Anniversary Book. After lunch Huw Edwards the journalist, presenter and newsreader set out to flatter the WI by acknowledging what had been achieved in our campaigns and congratulating us on tackling the subject of mental health. He talked about changes in society and the dangers of social media which had come to overshadow the benefits that it can bring. It could be a useful tool for democracy but it has become destructive of proper debate and in politics because it can so easily be invaded by those who will not tolerate others’ points of view. The BBC is at a crossroads at present as patterns of viewing are changing: sometimes the speed of communication can act as a drawback if inaccuracy is allowed to creep in. Trust is destroyed and trust has always been the bedrock of the BBC. This sounds dry but it was not: It was an important message wrapped up in an amusing manner. And we got to know the secret of the raised eyebrow which has amused us for years as we watched Huw on our tv screens.
The chairman and Amanda Willday advertised the benefits of MYWI and promoted Walking Netball. (What about it Bucks?) The meeting concluded with the national anthems: the extra members from Wales made the Land of My Fathers sound even better than usual.
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