Members’ night for the Monumental Women of Wellington was well attended at the Beambridge Inn.
Here is the full report from Anna Paris …
Karen, our president, welcomed us all and gave us a rundown of what was planned for the evening, starting with a social game called 6,5,4,3,2,1.
We were to sit with women we didn’t know and share things in common that only six of us had … then it decreased to only five of us having stuff in common and so on down to one.
It became so interesting, learning common likes and unusual things about each other, such as phobias and careers present and past, that the session ran over the allocated time.
We then had some delicious cake and tea, and Karen ran a ‘tech surgery’ for members who had difficulties getting on the WOW platform via the internet.
Karen then went through all the various groups available to WOW members, adding that there is a list on the members’ website.
Just to outline what’s on offer: Book Club, Supper Club, Breakfast Group, Creative Writing, Gardening Club, Lunch Club, Skittles, Walking Group, Sewing Group, Repair Cafe (providing the tea and cakes), Have a Heart, Poppies, Board Games, Craft Club and French Group.
Some of the group co-ordinators then talked in more detail about what their group does.
Valarie spoke about walking on local trails with the emphasis on nature – with a stop halfway for coffee and cake or at the end. Distances up to five miles and dogs welcome on leads. She also requested to know of any interested walkers who had a great knowledge of trees.
Bridget spoke about some vacancies in Creative Writing and how it will soon be on the main forum.
Karen spoke about sewing on Saturday mornings but to check first. There is room for four sewing machines and many experienced needlewomen who can help the less experienced. It’s usually great fun, with cake!
Maria spoke about the Repair Cafe and how the proceeds from the refreshments our members serve go to our charity of the year, Wellington Food Bank, and that there are many experts able to repair a range of items.
Victoria informed the members she is stepping down from running the Supper Club and Board Games so if anyone was interested in taking over them to let the committee know. Thanks to her for running them the past few years,
Bridget also wants to step down from organising the Remembrance Day poppy display around town which she has been doing for several years. It is time for someone else to take over the mantle.
Karen then moved on to upcoming WOW events:
October 15th: Bel Deering talking about Rain Gardens and Water Butts, plus a representative of the Taunton and Wellington Food Bank telling us about their work.
November 19th: Christmas crafts.
December 17th: Christmas meal.
The last part of the meeting was a sharing of members’ volunteering activities, from dog walking to working with animals, being governors and trustees, fundraisers for various charities, helpers at park runs to acupuncture for asylum seekers.
It was a wonderfully enriching evening – finishing of course with a raffle!
Also, so lovely to meet new women and learn how diverse we all are – the meeting facilitated that to the greatest degree.
Please keep checking the website at monumentalwomenofwellington.org for further details and up-to-date information, if you would like to join us – although we aren’t taking new members at present.