In the Bell Magazine - Spring 2024
A lovely article celebrating what we've achieved so far.....
(ps - pictures are copyright arundel wi)
February 2024 Update - a summary of what has been happening at Arundel WI for the last few months
Who can believe it is 2024 already!
Our December meeting was lots of fun with members joining in with a Festive Quiz and a tasty sharing platter - Note for next year - more wine needed - answering questions while eating is thirsty work!
In January we held our first presentation evening on the National Resolutions with four interesting topics - Dental Health Matters, Impacts of Poor Housing Conditions, Say No to Gambling Advertising, Improving Outcomes for Women in the Criminal Justice System. Lots of interest and healthy, lively debate.
February was dedicated to finding out how members feel Arundel WI is doing and inviting them to get involved in future activities in whatever form - lots of interesting ideas and energy for going forward - watch this space!
November 2023 Update - a summary of key points for you
The year is going so fast it sometimes seems hard to keep up!
September meeting - we were joined by local historian Mark Philips who gave us a fascinating talk on the history of Arundel High Street - safe to say we were fascinated by the things he had to tell us and he gave us a taste for more information on our amazing town!
October Meeting - we were honoured to be joined by His Grace and Her Grace the Duke & Duchess of Norfolk and spellbound by his amusing and informative talk on his role at both the Queens funeral and the Kings Coronation. It was a fascinating and very amusing insight to these unique occasions and we were very grateful for the opportunity to find out so much.
November Meeting - our annual Crafting night was so well planned and organised with a wonderful selection of crafts organised by Committee Members Claire and Laura! It was a huge disappointment that so few members were able to attend because of the dire weather warnings! Thankfully those of us that were able to make it had a fabulous time crafting away and we all got home safe and sound. The good news was that kits will be available for members to buy at the December meeting!
August 2023 Update - a summary of key points for you
Our First Birthday!
The past year has gone so fast and looking back it is hard to believe what we have managed to do in such a short time - our book club has read 7 books, we have been to see at least 7 films, had 4 meals or afternoon teas, visited the House of Commons, Nutbourne Vineyard and Aldingbourne Country Centre, Arundel Community Fair, Joined in the Clean Arundel Campaign, been at ACE summer Fayre, held a charity Fashion Show, had 12 main meetings, celebrated Christmas and the Coronation, at least 12 craft groups and numerous projects, had 3 Family Tree gatherings, walked our dogs several miles, won at least 5 quizzes, learned how to play Walking Netball and now play regularly.
Our Welcome Team under the leadership of Wendy continue to do an amazing job at helping us set up and clean down at our meetings and serve an array of delicious cakes and hot drinks!
On top of that we are now heading fast towards membership of 80 for 2023/4 which we alway felt was the maximum we could have - we may have to have a waiting list for new members soon.
Why not have a look at a Youtube slide show video of Our First Year
Thanks to Wendy for this wonderful cake for our First Birthday!
May 2023 Update - a summary of key points for you
This has been finalised now and we are excited to let everyone know that we have a full programme of speakers.
Please take a look at what is planned and get the dates in your diaries!
Our selection of groups outside of the main meetings continues to expand - with Crafting (thanks to Claire) & Bookclub (thanks to Jo) groups continuing to be the most popular. Our Cinema Club (thanks to Wendy) is regularly taking over a large section of the Arundel Town Hall Cinema's monthly movie!
The Family Tree Research group (thanks to Jackie) started in February and shows lots of promise. Following a demonstration on Walking Netball at the May Meeting (thanks to Karen & Fiona from Rusti-Belles WI and our Andrea for arranging ) we hope to have more news very soon on either starting our own group or joining with another WI - watch this space!
Health & Wellbeing Group is still in development and we will announce something as soon as possible.
Our Quizzers started with a bang and our groups continue to do well - we now attend the Fauna Brewery quizzes every month - these are going to be fortnightly soon and Fauna will also be running Bingo fortnightly for those who might want to form a AWI Bingo Group???
Our newly named W(I) A(rundel) G(astromony) S(ection) will be enjoying a meal at the George in Eartham on the 11th May - much thanks to Andrea for organising again and suggesting the name change! If you can recommend or would like to try somewhere to eat out with your WI friends - let us know!
Thanks to Wendy for relaunching the 'Welcome Team'. Thankyou to all of you that have kindly offered to help at meetings - very much appreciated! If you are not yet a member of the team and are able to help set up/clear up the Hall and make/serve refreshments at our meetings please let her know by emailing arundelwi@wsfwi.co.uk .
It is now so easy to join any one of our groups via the WhatsApp Community - simply ask to join any of the groups. Don't forget to get in touch if you would like to join any groups.
We are visiting Nutbourne Vineyard on July 8th @ 11am - if you would like to come - please let us know asap! The trip will be £25 and you will need to arrange your own transport (although I'm sure there will be plenty of people happy to car share on the day!
We have also been invited to visit to Aldingbourne Country Centre on 26th May @ 11am to understand their work, meet the head of horticulture. We can then stay and enjoy refreshments in the on site Cafe. Please let us know if you would like to come either by emailing arundelwi@wsfwi.co.uk or WhatsApp Chat group.
MEMBERSHIP
We are delighted to say that our membership is now well over 60 and still growing and we would like to welcome all our new 2023/24 members!!
March 2023 Update - a summary of key points for you
AGM 2023 - NEW COMMITTEE
Following many months of hard work in setting up the Arundel WI Emma Graddon-Sims, Rhona Lawrence & Sally Andrews stepped down from the committee. Polly Mutch, Jo Box, Paula Aldridge & Claire Capstick remained and have been joined by Laura Longland, Hannah Parish, Wendy Gaunt & Jennie Gray.
This has been finalised now and we are excited to let everyone know that we have a full programme of speakers. Sadly the Duke of Norfolk has had to move his talk with us to October but this does mean that we now have the opportunity to hear from Angela Standing, Arundel's wonderful Town Crier (not expecting any problems with sound in the hall this time!) in April. Please take a look at what is planned and get the dates in your diaries!
Our selection of groups outside of the main meetings continues to expand - with Crafting (thanks to Claire) & Bookclub (thanks to Jo) groups continuing to be the most popular. The Bookclub is excited to be meeting local author Barbara Isbister next meeting to discuss her novel 'What in life were wings'. Our Cinema Club (thanks to Wendy) is regularly taking over a large section of the Arundel Town Hall Cinema's monthly movie!
The Family Tree Research group (thanks to Jackie) started in February and shows lots of promise. We shall be launching Walking Netball (with a demonstration at the May Meeting thanks to Andrea) and Health & Wellbeing Group in May (thanks to Claire & Dawn, more details to follow). Our Quizzers started with a bang and one of our groups won the top prize on our first outing!!
Our Supper Club has a wonderful evening out at La Campania in Town - much thanks to Andrea for organising. We shall be setting a date & location for our next trip very soon - let us know your suggestion.
We want to relaunch the 'Welcome Team' with Wendy leading the group. If you are able to help set up/clear up the Hall and make/serve refreshments at our meetings please let her know by emailing arundelwi@wsfwi.co.uk .
Don't forget to get in touch if you would like to join any groups.
A group of Arundel WI members went on a wonderful trip to the House of Commons with other WI groups on the 10th March. It was a great day out and we would definitely recommend it for any of you who have the chance to go.
Please join as many of us as possible at the Community Clean Up Day on Saturday 25th March between 9am and 12 noon, meet at the War Memorial. Equipment will be provided. Let us know if you are coming - the more the merrier!
Plans are progressing for a visit to a local Vineyard in early summer, a visit to Aldingbourne Country Centre to understand their work, meet the head of horticulture and enjoy some refreshments. These will be published as soon as we know more.
Don't forget to enter the 2024 Calendar Competition with your favourite picture - closing date is 30th April. Given we live in such a beautiful part of the world our members will certainly have some beautiful shots ready to be sent!
Don't forget that Subscription payment for 2023-2024 membership is now due.