WI Meeting and AGM Monday 5th May 2025
1             Present See Register
2             Apologies for absence from  Maureen Lambert, Sharon James Jen Penn,  Alison Buffery , Fiona Alderman,  Margaret Hewish,  Jane Beament, Aileen Ridley
Sue said
‘During the course of last year Lorraine stepped down due to ongoing health issues and Jen Penn was seconded to the committee.  She is now willing to stay on the committee and we have received one application for the remaining committee vacancy, I can ask at this point whether anyone else would wish to be considered, and if not we can consider the ballot closed.
Sue also opened the meeting with a tribute to  two members  who have sadly passed . Jan Price who was a talented musician  and singer who led the Singing Group until her illness prevented her from continuing. Trissy Williams a long standing committee member and  great treasurer for many years. Both were perfectionists in their own ways and will be sorely missed. We thought of them in a minute’s silence and for the war dead on this special VE Day
We will now conduct the business of our monthly meeting before proceeding to that of the AGM.
I              Sue asked for  last month’s minutes  to be proposed as accurate   Proposed by Helena Thomas  and Seconded by Lorraine Morgan  

Gwent Federation Business
Vicky is in receipt of many many e mails from National and Federation . She wishes to know if you would like to receive all emails or whether you can let Vicky use her discretion and send out the important emails to members. It was unanimously carried that Vicky will use her discretion

47 people have paid their subs so far

Vicky has booked Skittles Evening at Usk for Liz Vicky Mony Lee (20th May)

iv            Brecon Trip clip board was sent around to add to take your name  You will need to pay at June meeting ( cash or cheques) but  bank transfers can be made at any time . Trip is Tuesday June 24th . Leaving Ponthir at 10 am to return from Brecon at 3.30pm

v             Special interest groups: have all arranged meeting via the Apps for specific groups and also lunch clubs are arranging lunch pubs and restaurants on their apps
 
vi            Raffle – thank you committee for your contributions.

Jean Stanbury is organising Gwent Wetlands tour and talk on 24th May at 10.30 cost £8

Helena fed back on National Conference at Llanelli:
Jill Rundle gave her Report . Cheryl Stone spoke of decline in membership ( down 35000). Prof Steve Omerod of Cardiff University( School of Ecology) spoke of Action on River pollution, Mari Thomas talked about her   workshop and gallery of  contemporary   Jewellery . Melanie Johnson did a presentation on her  work with responding to world health emergencies in her role of Deputy health Director for UK

Rose Bowl was presented to Diane Hall for services to Craft  and Margaret Barrell was awarded the Edith Evans cup for her  ideas and contribution to media about our presence in the community