Sidlesham Womens Institute News and Presidents Page

January 11th 2012

The President welcomed everybody back for the New Year, and a special welcome to Sally Tynan, returned after illness.

The schedule for the South of England Show was read out - hopefully members will be inspired to enter many classes!

The Win Langer Bursary was drawn, and won by Myrtle Creeth , and Mary Roe was presented with an orchid to celebrate a ‘special’ birthday.

The ballot to choose which Resolution would be presented at the AGM was held. Gill, Margaret and Judy each read and explained 2 of the 6 on offer, and the vote went overwhelmingly to oppose the sale and use of sky lanterns -’airborne litter’, which includes balloons, because of the damage they can do to wildlife.

Lesley Ann Lloyd from St. Richard’s Hospital then spoke of the changes at St. Richards. Now known as “Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust”, the fund raising charity is now “Love Your Hospital”. Fund raising is still needed to provide those things that the Government doesn’t fund. The Opthalmic day surgery is up and running, so patients no longer have to travel to Worthing for eye surgery. The Cancer Day Centre has been awarded a Charter mark from MacMillan for excellence, and the Cardiac Cath lab. in Worthing has saved lives. A Foundation Trust has been established, and is looking for Govenors - your chance to have a voice in how your hospital is run.

Jane O’Donovan talked about “Home Start” (not to be confused with ‘Sure Start’). Home Start is a leading British charity for befriending and supporting families with young children who are experiencing difficulties or struggling with parenting. Referrals come from many sources, but mainly from Health Visitors. All volunteers are trained -the only qualification is that you must be or have been a parent. They go into homes and find out what the family really want. Sometimes listening is all that is needed, sometimes practical help.

Both Speakers were thanked by Gloria Jupp.

After tea, a beetle drive was held. The fun was fast and furious with much hilarity . The mood was held with Liz Smart reading out two very funny poems to round off the evening.

The Bloom of the Month was Una Pearces' Camellia.

Next month is the 84th Birthday Meeting on February the 8th, when the tenor Paul Weakley will give us a “Musical trip down Memory Lane”.

The schedule for the South of England Show was read out - hopefully members will be inspired to enter many classes!

The Win Langer Bursary was drawn, and won by Myrtle Creeth , and Mary Roe was presented with an orchid to celebrate a ‘special’ birthday.

The ballot to choose which Resolution would be presented at the AGM was held. Gill, Margaret and Judy each read and explained 2 of the 6 on offer, and the vote went overwhelmingly to oppose the sale and use of sky lanterns -’airborne litter’, which includes balloons, because of the damage they can do to wildlife.

Lesley Ann Lloyd from St. Richard’s Hospital then spoke of the changes at St. Richards. Now known as “Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust”, the fund raising charity is now “Love Your Hospital”. Fund raising is still needed to provide those things that the Government doesn’t fund. The Opthalmic day surgery is up and running, so patients no longer have to travel to Worthing for eye surgery. The Cancer Day Centre has been awarded a Charter mark from MacMillan for excellence, and the Cardiac Cath lab. in Worthing has saved lives. A Foundation Trust has been established, and is looking for Govenors - your chance to have a voice in how your hospital is run.

Jane O’Donovan talked about “Home Start” (not to be confused with ‘Sure Start’). Home Start is a leading British charity for befriending and supporting families with young children who are experiencing difficulties or struggling with parenting. Referrals come from many sources, but mainly from Health Visitors. All volunteers are trained -the only qualification is that you must be or have been a parent. They go into homes and find out what the family really want. Sometimes listening is all that is needed, sometimes practical help.

Both Speakers were thanked by Gloria Jupp.

After tea, a beetle drive was held. The fun was fast and furious with much hilarity . The mood was held with Liz Smart reading out two very funny poems to round off the evening.

The Bloom of the Month was Una Pearces' Camellia.

Next month is the 84th Birthday Meeting on February the 8th, when the tenor Paul Weakley will give us a “Musical trip down Memory Lane”.

Gill Cook