Get Out! Get Active! Get Involved!

We keep members informed on matters of public concern that affect our everyday life. WI has representatives on many outside bodies to make sure our voice is heard. Events are organised on Health, Consumer Affairs, International Matters and Science Topics and follow up work is done on resolutions passed at National and County meetings.

WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT - WATER CAMPAIGN

This campaign will feature at our Resolution and Campaign Day in April, at Peopleton and Holt Village Halls.

Imagine waking up to find the taps dry – no water to fill the kettle and no morning shower. We are used to an unlimited supply of water at the turn of a tap, but with each person using an average of 148 litres a day, it is time we looked outside our homes and understood the environmental impact. NFWI is launching a new water campaign to raise awareness of the unsustainable way in which we use water and the environmental cost of the increasing popularity of bottled water.

WIs are being asked to ‘make a splash’ for the campaign. WI Water Week runs from 19 and 25 March 2012.
Your WI might like to ask your local cafe and restaurant to serve tap water.

You could also boycott bottled water on World Water Day on 22 March and ask for more water fountains to be made available in playgrounds and public spaces.

Water is essential for life but globally one in eight of the world’s population does not have access to clean drinking water.

In the UK, concern about the environmental impact of water extraction from rivers, as well as climate change, are leading to calls for us to rethink the way we value this precious resource. The first stage of the campaign is a survey to find out members’ views on a whole range of water issues.

WI'S GARDENING CLUBS

Do you want to brighten up a piece of land in your area or get children outdoors growing flowers and vegetables? Funding is available for this project, if your WI would like to take part you will need to apply to the Education Committee by 28th February 2012. For more details and to find out how to apply click here to visit our National News page.

WFWI – LITTER PICK MARCH 2012

There is still time for your WI to take part in the Litter Pick we would like to have copies of your photographs as soon as possible. For more details please contact the Federation Office.

MAY: WFWI SCIENCE - 'COLOUR IN OUR LIVES'

A talk and photographic display on how colour plays a role in textiles, precious stones and gems etc. Come along - it will be an interesting and fun day! Wednesday 9 May 2012 10.00am - 3.30 pm at Peopleton Village Hall. Members- £8.00, Non-members - £9.00. Tea and coffee provided; please bring your own packed lunch. Closing date for applications 23rd April 2012.

LUCY HINGLEY MEMORIAL LECTURE
Tuesday 19th June 2012 7.30pm in The Lecture Theatre, University of Worcester – tickets are now available and cost £5:00. The title of this year’s lecture is Dementia given by Professor Dawn Brooker a leading specialist on this subject.

AUGUST: WFWI SCIENCE

WFWI – Science is planning a summer outing in August so Public Affairs have decided that instead of having a Town Walk in 2012, we will be joining in the Summer Outing. More details in next months mailing.

OCTOBER: WFWI SCIENCE
WFWI – Science on Saturday 20th October 2012 will be entitled "Our Environmental Heritage".

Please support these events and if you would like further details please get in touch with Trudi at WI House: email wfwi02@tiscali.co.uk

POLICING MATTERS GROUP

Sheena Murray attended a Policing Matters Group at Kidderminster Library in the Autumn, and a Neighbourhood Watch meeting at Abberley Village Hall, as a representative of the WFWI and from a local community group perspective.

The Police Authority requirement is for each Territorial Policing Unit, in this case North Worcestershire, to hold an annual meeting of a Policing Matters Group. To help maximise attendance it was decided to hold meetings in each of the three Policing Districts of Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest. The meetings provide an excellent opportunity for public engagement and discussion on policing matters relevant to each district.

David Shaw, the new Chief Constable of West Mercia, spoke on his vision for policing in Worcestershire.
Two other Officers gave reports on Divisional Performances and District Overview.
PACT – Partners and Communities Together –the various chairmen gave their reports. It would appear that local policing has reduced criminal activity and the percentage is higher in social crime, highway and parking. Although a big problem currently, is theft of lead from many buildings and man hole covers from our highways. Major crimes are always reported and can be acted upon. Figures for antisocial behaviour and low level crime are harder to predict because it is perceived that nothing will be done even if they are reported, so they often aren’t reported. The Police would still like to know about these things though, including reporting litter louts from cars for example.Everyone is encouraged to report all serious problems, even if they can’t attend immediately, the police will be building a picture of behaviour in that area.Community Support Officers are the eyes and ears of the police and work closely with local police officers.

Active Neighbourhood Watch groups are thriving in many parts of Worcestershire and WFWI website now has a link to MHDC Neighbourhood Watch website. Click here.

Val Durnall