Previous Meetings


Wednesday 6th November 2019

Dora welcomed 38 members and 2 visitors to the meeting and gave the housekeeping information.
Committee updates
Bonnie will be running a trip to see 9-5 the musical on Monday 30th March 2020, further details to come
Activity
Dora, along with some helpers, taught us to make Danish Woven Hearts which it turns out didn’t really require any stitching unless you wanted to add decorative sequins and beads.
Fun was had by all that gave it a go, some even surprising themselves.
Our next meeting we will be entertained with a live performer playing songs from the musicals, also some of us will be dressing up as characters from the musicals.
If you don’t feel like you want to dress up please don’t feel you should not come as it is set to be a fun evening, with a food bring and share too to celebrate the season.
Group updates
Card Craft – held on 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, doing well, currently full, no spaces
Craft groups – held on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, doing well, spaces available speak to Dora if you wish to join
Singing group – held on 1st and 3rd Monday of the month , spaces available please contact Cheryl if you would like to join
Coffee club – held on 3rd Wednesday of the month at Oasis café in Valence House 1.30-3,30pm
Book group – Next book group meeting will be held on Tuesday 7th January at 12pm in the Pipe Major by Dagenham East, the book is ‘Festive Spirits’ by Kate Atkinson
Ukulele – Saturday 11-12, contact Dora if you wish to join


Thanks
To Carol and Maureen for doing the raffle.
To Gizelle for giving out the birthday wishes and Victoria for making the cards.
Thanks to Carol W, Kathy P and Christine for doing the teas.






Wednesday 2nd October 2019

Dora welcomed 42 members, 3 new members and 1 visitor to the meeting and gave the housekeeping information.

Committee updates
Secretary – Theatre opportunity for 9-5 the musical, I will be looking to run a trip on Monday 30th March, I will have a sign-up sheet at the next meeting to gather interest to see if it will be worth running.
Essex Fed are running a short trip to Potters in Norfolk in September 2020 contact them direct if interested.
Christmas carol concerts will be on Tuesday 3rd December at Chelmsford cathedral at 2.30 and 7.30 anyone wishing to attend needs to contact me by Wednesday 16th October
Denman weekend will be running 25-27th June 2021 contact directly if interested

Activity
Dora welcomed Laura from I Gallery in Abbey Road in Barking, she is the founder of Laura I Gallery.  She came to the UK from Romania 14 years ago.  Her first business was at 10 years  and her first job at 14.  When she first came to the UK she was on a student visa, when this ended she stayed illegally and found herself homeless living on the streets, since then she has fought her way through claiming that her creativity got her through the tough times.  She has created the first wearable work of art, a dress made entirely out of paint.  She is multi awarded and works with under privileged groups.  Laura had us chanting about creativity and self awareness.

Group updates
Card Craft – held on 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, doing well, currently full, no spaces
Craft groups – held on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, doing well, spaces available speak to Dora if you wish to join
Singing group – held on 1st and 3rd Monday of the month , spaces available please contact Cheryl if you would like to join
Coffee club – held on 3rd Wednesday of the month at Oasis café in Valence House 1.30-3,30pm
Book group – held on Tuesday 12th November at Pipe Major, the current book is ‘Nine perfect strangers’ by Liane Moriarty
Ukulele – Saturday 11-12, contact Dora if you wish to join


Thanks
To Carol and Maureen for doing the raffle.
To Gizelle for giving out the birthday wishes and Victoria for making the cards.
Thanks to Angela, Moira and Joan for doing the teas.




Members Meeting
Wednesday 4th September 2019

Dora welcomed 40 members and 2 visitors to the meeting and gave the housekeeping information.
Committee updates
President – Dora gave update of the Ingrebourne spring group meeting 2020 which will be a murder mystery evening.
Treasurer – Thanks to the ladies who gave gift aid this year it has returned £70.40 this year.
Secretary – Theatre opportunity for 9-5 the musical will look into running a trip in early 2020.
Essex Fed are running a short trip to Potters in Norfolk in September 2020 contact them direct if interested.
Shopping day in aid of Cancer Research UK in Lavenham on Monday 7th October 10am to 3pm
Christmas carol concerts will be on Tuesday 3rd December at Chelmsford cathedral at 2.30 and 7.30 will have a sign up sheet at the next meeting
Harold Wood Evening will be having a Bollywood evening on Friday 18th October 7.30-9.45 at Harold Wood Memorial hall tickets are £10.00

Activity
Dora welcomed Tracy Mackness from the Giggly Pig company who entertained us about her life, she left school with no qualifications and after being caught importing drugs spent 10 years in prison.  While in prison she did 52 courses including gym and step aerobics instructor.  In order to move to an open prison in Kent she blagged her way onto a pig farm that she had no experience in, she found that she enjoyed working on the pig farm and went on to do levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 in pigitry.  When she came out of prison she wanted to continue this work and now owns her own pig farm where she lives in a caravan on site.  She now produces 45 flavours of sausages and butchers her pigs at about a year old.
Thank you to Susan, Pauline and Paulette for sharing their recent experiences at Denman and for showing us samples of their projects.

Group updates
Card Craft – held on 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, doing well, currently full, no spaces
Craft groups – held on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, doing well, spaces available
Singing group – held on 1st and 3rd Monday of the month , spaces available please contact Cheryl if you would like to join
Coffee club – held on 3rd Wednesday of the month at Oasis café in Valence House 1.30-3,30pm
Ukulele – Saturday 11-12, contact Dora if you wish to join


Thanks
To Sheila and Maureen for doing the raffle.
To Gizelle for giving out the birthday wishes and Victoria for making the cards.





Members Meeting 3rd July 2019

Dora welcomed 45 members to the meeting and gave the housekeeping information.
Committee updates
President – Thanks to those members who joined Dora volunteering for the Barking Riverside following the fire.
Thanks to the volunteers that gave their time for the Eastbrookend Country Fair. This was an enjoyable event despite the reduced footfall this year. We have raised £100.
Treasurer – Thanks to the ladies who have paid their deposits for Sinah Warren 2020

Activity
Dora welcomed Emeka Okoroma and Dilip Baishya from Barking & Dagenham waste and recycling who gave an interesting talk on the boroughs waste and recycling policies.  They went through what can be recycled including: paper, plastic bottles without their lids, aluminium cans, tin cans.  What cannot be recycled including: food, nappies, plastic packaging like meat trays and yogurt pots, tetra packs, polystyrene.  They talked about bin collections which are as follows: Grey bins are collected weekly for domestic/residential waste, Brown bins are collected fortnightly for recycling (excess to be placed in clear plastic bags beside bin, cardboard to be tied up next to bin), Green bins are a paid for service for garden waste, there is a bulky waste collection service which is a paid service for items too large for your bins and is on demand.  Alternatively, there is a refuse and recycling centre on Fritzland Lane.

AGM Feedback Thank you to Paulette who attended this year’s NFWI AGM in Bournemouth as our representative. She gave us detailed feedback of the day’s events and resolutions. We are honoured to have had our Centenary 100 Banner featured in the presentations.

Porcelain Doll  Thank you to Jo for contributing this doll to our Eastbrookend Fair Raffle and congratulations to Brenda as the winner.

Bargain Hunt. Cheryl talked about this activity that will take place in our October “10th Birthday” meeting. Let Cheryl know of your chosen groups soon as this promises to be a new exciting venture for us.

Christmas Dinner. We selected our choice of venue by a show of hands. Our first choice was The Harrow at Hornchurch. Cheryl, Carol and Sheila have kindly offered to organise this event so keep an eye out for their messages.

New Tea Rota. We are trialling a new tea rota as from September. This is to encourage all members, to take a turn in helping with refreshments during our break. Your names will be read out at the start of the meeting. Those members already participating in the meeting will be excused.  Thank you to Frances, in advance, for organising the cake rota. We will assess the success of this change at our next Annual Meeting.

Picnic in The Park. Jackie spoke about the arrangements for this. Please join us in the Herb Garden at Valence Park 12.00 to 2 pm. Past members have been invited so we hope it will be an occasion to catch up with old friends. Bring a packed lunch or buy from the Oasis Café on site.

Group updates
Book group – current books are ‘Agatha Raison and the quiche of death’ by MC Beaton and ‘The house across the street’ by Lesley Pearse.  Next meeting will be on Tuesday 10th September at Janet’s house.
Card Craft – held on 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, doing well, currently full, no spaces
Craft groups – held on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, doing well, spaces available
Singing group – held on 1st and 3rd Monday of the month , spaces available please contact Cheryl if you would like to join
Walking group – The next walk will be July 28th and covering the Ingrebourne Valley from Upminster Bridge station to Rainham. We will meet at Upminster Bridge at 10.30-10.45am. 
Coffee club – held on 3rd Wednesday of the month at Oasis café in Valence House 1.30-3,30pm
Lunch club – Thursday 18th July, 1pm @ Clarkes Fish & Chip Shop. 9 Marine Parade, Southend-on-Sea. Its on the main seafront opposite the big amusement park.
We are meeting at Barking Station on the platform, the train is 10.33am.  If people want to catch later trains there is one at 10.48 and 11.03.

Ukulele – Saturday 11-12, contact Dora if you wish to join


Thanks
To Angela, Diane and Joyce for doing the teas and Angela and Diane for supplying the cakes.
To Sheila and Maureen for doing the raffle.
To Gizelle for giving out the birthday wishes and Victoria for making the cards.

To Janet for running the Bus Stop Raffle. 



First Ladies
Members Meeting
Wednesday 5th June 2019

Dora welcomed 36 members and 1 visitor to the meeting and gave the housekeeping information.
Committee updates
New Committee member – The committee have decided and Cheryl has agreed to be co-opted onto the committee, she will be our new Programme Secretary.
Treasurer – Easy fundraising – if you do online shopping you can earn free money for the First Ladies by going through the easy fundraising website, most online retailers support this and it does not impede on your shopping.
Other updates
Jo Adams has a doll with no name, if you wish to guess the name it is 50p and the unveiling will be held at the end of the Eastbrookend Country Fair.
If you know a lady or are a lady that can’t make it to the monthly meetings because of a serious illness please let the committee know so we can send a card with well wishes.

Activity
Dora welcomed our speaker for the evening, a local poet by the name of Dauda Ladejob.i He read 2 of his own poems called ‘Peas in a Pod’ and ‘Glue’ one of which was commissioned by Walthamstow council.
We ran though some word association by saying words that we thought followed certain words and song association about how songs made us feel.
He played 3 songs and from which we got 8 associated words. We then got into 4 smaller groups and created a poem using those words.
One of the poems has been sent to Essex Federation and will be featured in Essex News, keep your eyes peeled.
Dora ran through some finance. Each member pays £42.00 annual membership of which First Ladies gets to keep £19.50 after deductions from NFWI, Essex Federation and pooling of fares.
With the current membership sitting at nearly 40 members that gives us an average income of just £423.00 meaning that we can only afford an average of 7 speakers costing about £60.00 each and that is without any other expenses.
We need to raise more funds if we wish to continue as we currently do, as we are running at a loss for the year.  Some ideas that came up were an auction, country dancing, quiz night, line dancing.
We also need to do some outreach, such as handing out leaflets, to attract more members.
Group updates
Book group – current book is ‘Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine’ by Gail Honeyman the next meeting will be held at the Pipe Major pub on Tuesday 9th July at the Pipe Major 12-2pm
Card Craft – held on 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, doing well, currently full, no spaces
Craft groups – held on 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month, doing well, spaces available
Cinema group – no leader for this group currently, if you would like to volunteer for this please see a committee member
Singing group – held on 1st and 3rd Monday of the month , spaces available please contact Cheryl if you would like to join
Walking group – Rachael is running this group and will email us when the next walk will be held.
Coffee club – held on 3rd Wednesday of the month at Oasis café in Valence House 1.30-3,30pm
Theatre group – no leader for this group currently, if you would like to volunteer for this please see a committee member
Lunch club – next meeting will be on Thursday 20th June at the Harvester, Chadwell Heath at 12.30pm

Thanks
Thanks to Joanne, Wendy, Sue.S and Joyce for doing the teas and Christine and Jackie for supplying the cakes.
Thanks to Sheila and Maureen for doing the raffle.

Thanks to Gizelle for giving out the birthday wishes and Victoria for making the cards.

FIRST LADIES WI
BARKING AND DAGENHAM
Members Meeting
01-05-2019

Paulette welcomed 34 members and guests to the meeting and gave out the housekeeping information, and spoke of Frances, who was in hospital having a hip operation, we send our good wishes to Frances.
This evening members were asked to vote for a New Committee, there were four nominees, Dora, Paulette, Val and Victoria, our tellers were Fiona and Linda from RM1 WI.
Committee updates
Treasurer - Val
Eve’s Appeal, a cheque of £325-00 will be presented to The Representative of the appeal, thanks to Gizelle for arranging a mock-up cheque. Val will also deliver her annual financial report.
Secretary – Cheryl

Rota’s for volunteers are available for members to act for Tea Rota- Cake Making – Sellers Stalls
 
Members are asked to put their names down for these activities
Register – Dora (standing in for Victoria)
Thanks to Dora for standing in.
Fundraising – No ‘bus stop lottery’ fundraising this month which benefits both a winning WI member and our 2018-2019 Charity, The Eve Appeal.

Groups
Card Craft Group – Is still full.
Craft Groups – are all up and running.
Coffee Club – Oasis Café at Valence House, 3rd Wednesday of the month 1.30 – 3.30pm,
Singing Group - Ladies with Voices - Becontree Methodist Church, 7pm - 8.30pm 1st and 3rd Monday of the month.   Next singing session will be on 2oth May 2019.
Cinema Club – not active at present
Walking Group – Rachael is now the lead member for this group and will be looking at arranging future walks.
Theatre Club – Nothing at present
Book Group –
WhatsApp- Group
Has been developed by Debbie any member can join just speak to Debbie.

Members Sales Table

None this evening

Community Event

Eastbrookend End County Fair
Sunday 23rd June 2019, opening time 11-00am -4-00pm, there is a sign-up sheet available, for members to volunteer.
Presidents Presentation
Paulette thanked the current committee for all their support during her year as President, there is to be A Picnic in the Park 1st Saturday in August. Paulette also welcomed Jeanna from The Eve Appeal. And welcomed Fiona and Linda (our tellers for the evening). Our object for next year to focus on, Education and Charities. Paulette also remarked on how surprised she was to have won this year’s Bursary.

Val (Treasurer) Presentation
Val delivered her financial report for the year 2018, in depth and well presented, questions were asked by members , with regards to what our money is used for, Val explained our expenses, and Dora clarified, we  have to maintain a certain amount of money (£2,000-00) within our bank account to keep First Ladies operational, if we fall below this amount there is every possibility that First Ladies will close as a WI.
Dora seconded Val’s report.
Cheryl Secretary Presentation
Cheryl started her report off by singing, and spoke of her year as Secretary, but would not be standing again this year, she thanked everyone for their support and help during her year in office. Maureen seconded Cheryl’s report.
Resolution Presentation by Jo
Jo, spoke of the two Resolution, Local Buses and don’t fear The Smear, both Resolutions received the backing of 34 members, there was no abstaining on either account. Thanks to Jo for doing this.
New Committee
Fiona (RM1, teller) announced the nominees, Dora, Paulette, Val and Victoria, members, agreed to the nominees. Fiona then went on to say that Dora had been nominated as President with full members support, well done Dora. Committee roles will be appointed at the next committee meeting.
Dora addressed the members and it was then that Jackie, announced that she too would like to help, and has now become a committee member.



The Eve Appeal -Presentation
Val presented Jeanna from the Eve Appeal with a cheque; this took place after a very in depth talk on the Appeal its work and function.
Val also presented Fiona and Linda with a box of chocolates as a Thank You for attending as our Tellers.
Thanks to Maureen and Sheila for doing the raffle
Thanks to Carol H, Gizelle R for doing the teas this evening.
We look forward to 2019 and our New Committee.





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