Newspaper Article – Country Women’s Institute News

Club news

Hastings Centre CWI

The November meeting of the Hastings Centre CWI was held in the Wesley Lounge. President Lola Proctor welcomed 28 members and the meeting opened with the Aspirations and a minute’s silence for lost loved ones. Art and crafts report by June Bacon. Garden circle report by Doreen Hind. Lola Proctor read a letter from our WI Link in Hebberly, Worcestershire. Birthdays: Jean Phillip, Betty Marsh, Hazel Baker and Joy Coombe. Ann Dixon spoke on the proposed new shopping centre under discussion. Daryl Olsen spoke on his work making radio collars for animals so they can be tracked. Daryl was thanked by Lola Proctor and was presented with a gift in appreciation from us all. June Bacon read a very humorous poem on “How to make a Christmas cake” or how not to. The Christmas meeting was held in the Wesley Hall on December 10. The lounge was decorated with a Christmas theme. Motto: Read by president Lola Proctor, “A true gift comes from the heart, not the purse”. Reading from Home and Country by June Bacon. Arts and crafts report by Betty Anderson. Garden circle report by Doreen Hind. Birthdays, Doris Goodrich, Doreen Olsen and Fay Taylor.

Lola Proctor presented Joyce Stothart with her 30 year CWI badge. Raffle results: Pat Crawford, Hilda Sibley and Nola Howard. Santa Clause [Claus] arrived and presented members with a gift, also a small gift to the members of the Orphans Club who entertained us with Christmas songs. The president then wished us all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and closed the meeting. We will meet again at the Hastings RSA on January 28 for lunch and a get together. A beautiful afternoon tea was then served,

Westshore CWI

President Nancy Alexander welcomed members to the October meeting held on October 28. Motto: “To cultivate kindness is a great part of the business of life” was read by Nancy. Roll call being non-perishable goods for the hospice was well responded to. Birthday honours to Nancy and she also won the monthly mystery parcel. Speaker, Shiela [Sheila] Jamieson, gave an interesting talk on her trip from Amsterdam to Budapest. Betty Climo thanked Shiela and presented her with a gift. Competition results: Handcraft, N Alexander 1, B Mansfield 2, M Jensen 3; cooking, H Jury 1, N Alexander 2; miniature blooms, N Alexander 1, B Mansfield 2, M Jensen 3; garden produce, B. Mansfield 1, N. Alexander 2, H Jury 3. President, Nancy Alexander, welcomed members and friends to the November-Christmas meetings which were combined in the form of a luncheon in the Napier RSA. Restaurant and was preceded with a short meeting to discuss some business matters. President Nancy and treasurer Mary acted as Santa.

Taradale CWI

President Audrey Pay welcomed members to a well attended meeting in December. Many members wore earrings, brooches and hair decorations which suggested the Christmas season. The Millennium Hymn was sung and the Aspirations said. Business was kept to a minimum, with attention drawn to the newsletters from both local and national CWI organisations. Eileen Parker read the motto: “Love is what is in the room at Christmas, when you stop opening the presents and listen.” Birthdays celebrated in the December/January period were Daphne Booth, Sheila Jamieson, Alice Crocker, Margaret Hastings, Beverley Wallace and Vera Whyte. Happy Birthday was sung and they were also presented with a small spray. Val Stuart was thanked and given a small gift for acting as treasurer while Elaine was overseas. The raffle, donated by the committee, was won by Eileen Parker. The Reignier School choir sang Christmas songs.

The institute year ended with a party afternoon tea and the usual social time.

Waipukurau CWI

The December meeting held in St Andrews Hall was attended by 23 members. President Tangi Taiki welcomed everyone and opened the meeting with the singing of the Ode followed by the Aspirations. Motto: “Wherever you are, share in the spirit of Christmas”. The federation report was given by Mrs Taiki and members were asked to join the Christmas parade and were given dates for the following: Federation bowling day in February, the over 60s party in March and February 21 Founders Day, a walk in Lindsay Bush. Competitions for the Federation AGM were also given. Our CWI was placed second in the show bays at the CHB A&P show and once again winning the Rita Allen tray for the best article overall. The golden Thread was given by T Taiki, a poem “May as well tax sheep” by Henry Paton of Federated Farmers, J Johnson also read “A Christmas greeting” from the latest Home and Country. Twenty-five jars of jam, pickles and relish were donated and they were given to Meals on Wheels. Invitations were received to Waipawa CWI Christmas luncheon and two members were willing to attend and two accepted the invitation to go to the Christmas barbecue at Mr Herbert House. Birthdays for the month: M Anderson, C Jackson, A. Jenkins, N. Keate, S Manley and A Thomsen. J Johnson is to visit B. Holmes in Woburn for her 90th in January. Mrs Neta Sargison cut the Christmas cake and all enjoyed the lovely afternoon tea.

Competition results: Best bloom, M. Andersen, L. Hiscox; cluster or spike, A. Jenkins, A. Stoddart; floral, P Mulinder, A Jenkins, A Stoddart; handwork, L. Hiscox, B Taylor; best shrub, M. Andersen, B Taylor; cooking, A Stoddart; vegetable L. Hiscox; tray, L Hiscox.

Wharerangi CWI

President Margaret Goodwin welcomed Ann Martin federation president, Mary Lancaster federation executive member and guests Maralyn Martin and her grandson Jesse and Teresa Warren and her daughter Amelia, and all Wharerangi members to her home for the Christmas meeting. Although it was a wet, miserable day, everyone was in a Christmas celebration mood and an enjoyable meeting resulted. Shirley Fulton red [read] the motto: “May the joy and peace of Christmas be with you.” Janis Warren reported back to members on the Bay View CWI Christmas meeting which she had attended with June Finlayson. Chrissie McCutcheon was presented with a birthday spray to mark her special day. At the conclusion of the official proceedings the multi-raffle was drawn and about 20 ladies won a prize. A delicious potluck luncheon followed and then exchange gifts were handed out. A mostly social meeting and a great way to end the year.