WI reports

Appleton-le-Moors - Mrs Humpreys presided at the April meeting which was attended by 16 members and three guests. Rosie and Sarah from Ryedale Dog Rescue were the speakers. They brought along Tiny, a Jack Russell who was looking for a new home. The organisation’s work covers both Ryedale and the East Riding. Some dogs had arrived at Ryedale Dog Rescue in a very sorry state, but had found happy and loving homes. Rosie and Sarah were invited them to join members for supper when a collection for the charity raised £125. This month’s meeting will include a demonstration and have a go session at polymer clay button-making.

Kirkbymoorside - The next meeting is at 7.15pm on Monday, May 16 in the Chapel rooms. Members have two resolutions to discuss and vote on. They are “Appropriate care for dementia patients” and “The avoidance of food waste and food poverty.” Visitors and potential new members are welcome.

Middleton, Aislaby & Wrelton - The meeting held on Wednesday, May 4 discussed the resolution to be put to the vote at the annual meeting in June.

The two proposals were: (1) We call upon HM Government and the NHS to provide facilities to enable carers to stay with people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia that have been admitted into hospital and (2) The WI calls on all supermarkets to sign up to a voluntary agreement to avoid food waste, thereby passing surplus food onto charities thus helping to address the issue of increasing good poverty in the UK. It was agreed they were both important issues but the first proposal received the majority of the votes.

Four members attended the spring council meeting on April 13. The meeting was attended by 79 delegates from 104 branches. Members will meet at 2pm on Thursday, June 2 at Middleton Village Hall to “Clean for the Queen” by collecting the litter in the village. It is to help mark the Queen’s birthday. The session will be followed by refreshments. The next meeting will Wednesday, July 6 when the guest speaker will give a talk called The House Built On Love And Chocolate. Branch meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the week in Middleton Village Hall at 7.15pm.

Sinnington - The April meeting was opened by the president Helen Browes. Members and guests welcomed Brian and Linda from the Malton Dickens Society. Charles Dickens had close links with Malton stemming from his friendship with Charles Smithson, a member of a solicitor’s family practising in Malton and London. The couple told stories of Dickens’ love of Yorkshire and read passages from his works. People can visit the Counting House Museum in Chancery Lane, Malton. Next month’s talk by Anthea Firth is about willow weaving. It will be held at 7pm on Thursday, May 12 in the village hall.

Snainton – The branch held its resolution meeting on Tuesday, May 3.

President Angela Howgate welcomed members and Jerusalem was sung.

The resolutions to be discussed were "Care in hospital for people with dementia" and for supermarkets to "Avoid waste: address food poverty". Tim Kirkup was then introduced to present the case for dementia care. He urged members to support the resolution, but added that schemes are ongoing within the NHS already to address the situation. Members voted unanimously in favour. The second resolution was then discussed. Several local supermarkets had been asked about their policies for food disposal. Most already donated leftover food to charity and others recycled food in other ways. Members voted in favour by a small margin. Supper was then served by the hostesses. The business of the evening began with a report from Audrey Ireland about the spring conference. Four members had attended and enjoyed the day. Forthcoming events include the annual meal at the Coachman Inn on Thursday, June 16 and a visit to the Knights Templar Hall on Tuesday, July 12. The Spring Show results were announced. Snainton had come first overall, and many members had been placed and won cups. Items were displayed for members to see. The newsletters were distributed. The competition for an acrostic using the words Snainton WI was won by Winifred Hetzel.