The Women's Institute

   

17th May
The National Federation of Women’s Institutes’ (NFWI) AGM will be held on Wednesday 30 May 2012 at the Royal Albert Hall, London from 10.30am to 4.30pm.  More than 5,000 WI members are expected to attend to decide the organisation’s campaigning focus for the forthcoming year, and vote on the following resolution:
“There are chronic shortages of midwives. The NFWI calls on the Government to increase investment in the training, employment and retention of midwives in England and Wales to ensure services are adequately resourced and are able to deliver a high standard of care.”

 In fact it is a global problem but  relevant to us here at home.. I was asked by our committee to address the debate for the acceptance of the resolution that will go forward to the AGM in London. Nobody spoke against the resolution as it really was a forgone conclusion as everyone in our group voted for it.  I enjoyed  gathering the evidence and searching the latest information for my presentation and it was well received.   I had prepared sheets of facts and figures and stories  from my time as a Midwife but they where left unopened from the moment I started talking,  it came so natural to me the message from my heart.  It made me sad that the Midwifery Service is in such a mess, I hope and pray it will improve soon.


The WI is the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK with more than 210,000 members in over 6,500 WIs, and over 21,000 new members joining in 2011. It plays a unique role in enabling women to develop new skills, giving them opportunities to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities, and provides wide-ranging activities for members to get involved in.

visit www.thewi.org.uk


http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/sep/15/midwife-shortage-dangerously-high


Last month  it was our WI’s turn to Host the Beacon Group Meeting, it’s not  a meeting it’s a social evening and usually we entertain in house, but this year we brought in the Barbers Shop Singer, local lads who have won many accolades for their performance.  I have known most of them for years as AJ was a member for a  while but work and other commitments intervened . They work hard and it shows,
it was a brilliant night, everyone commented on its success.
http://www.cottontownchorus.co.uk

Been shopping  for my trip, always like to have something special for my  holidays. I was very lucky Marks & Sparks where having a sale so it didn’t take me long to find bargains.   I felt very energised for a couple of days  so I enjoyed working on the garden as  I had a problem.  Last year I had pebbles put around the borders at the front of the house to reduce the amount of weeds that where becoming the bane of my life. I get very few weeds at the back of the property because we are protected by fencing bushes and trees. The front is open plan with grass verges all the way up the road that where full of weeds last year.  Because of the financial cuts the Council decided not to cut the grass or weed, it was a big problem because road signs and street names  in places where covered over with long grass. People complained, so  now the Council mow some grassed areas and leave others that are not a priority. Anyway, I have three Hostas under these pebbles that I thought  would  have died due to the amount of week killer we applied  and the membrane and pebbles that was placed over them. Imagine my surprise as I watched these three black mountains steadily rise up from the pebbles. Eventually I decided to act and dug up one of the Hostas, it took me three hours, they are all huge and I almost filled the green bin. So I freed the other two from their black mountain and they are growing fast, will decide what to do this winter whilst they are dormant.

 Look who is peeping threw the pebbles

Free At Last

Had a delightful evening with some friends at a local  Spanish Tapas Bar, picked up and dropped off saw me quite ipsy tipsy, it was a good night.  Glad I am back to my regular Google Blog it was quite upsetting to think that I  would lose all my Journals from 2008, thankfully we are back. Managed to download and store the Journals on my external hard drive.  I would like to think that my great great grandchildren and their children will read them and learn something about there Granma’s life. I wish I had the opportunity to know more about my parents and their families, but its too late now everyone’s  memories have gone.

Do not even ask me how this has happened but Google has reconstructed my pages.

So Happy

The patio nearly done.

Rhubarb is recovering

24th April 2012


It is ages since I wrote to this blog because I have been so busy over the past few weeks I simply haven’t had time.. So it feels good to be sat here writing to you all once again. But the Google Blog has had a dramatic change,I am going to have to learn new techniques, so stay with me I hope its a success.   I have been busy organizing a trip to see my brother and his wife in Worcestershire  and my cousins who live in Cornwall. I  like to drive but it’s a long way to Cornwall so I spent a couple of days  in Worcestershire  on my way down and again break the journey with on my way  back. I am really looking forward to seeing them again and catching up . I feel so isolated at times being so far away from my family Cathi & Kids in Australia, Stue & Co in Yorkshire and others scattered around the UK. Thankfully Andy and Ryan live close by and lately A.J.my ex. husband ! he  flew down to Perth this week to see Cathi  & kids and to get some sun.  The clocks sprung forward  again on the 25th March giving us more daylight time, the long dark winters are so draining, it’s a joy to wake up these days even though its raining… The weather its always about the weather, well the drought has now travelled into some parts of Yorkshire, the wild life is suffering and crops are diminished, there is a hose pipe ban throughout so soon the areas will be in crisis, but the Northwest has an abundance of water due to the rain! Now my greenhouse has gone I decided to replace the rear window in the garage as it looks over the Patio and was in dire need of help. Certainly improves the area now so I can concentrate on what to do with the crazy paving that has over the past 50 years I have lived here supported a huge oil tank, a  greenhouse and looks shabby.  Pebbles/ astro turf or repaved ??
Easter was very quiet, had a nice long chat to Cathi, all is well in Oz. It was a lo-o-o-ng weekend, boredom saw me batch baking  Chocolate cake and flapjacks and my freezer is full of tasty meals for next few weeks. Had to get out and walk even though it was raining, sitting is no good for my mental state and all the chocolate eggs I consumed was lying heavy on my conscience.
Started potting on some pink and white carnations and sowing some sweet peas and sunflowers seeds in time for the summer. Its rather ironic I  now have this urge to potter  pots after just giving my greenhouse away. Any way my patio will need some colour this summer.
Out to lunch with my usual buddies, where would I be without them.
Today I attended the funeral of my friend  and colleague Joyce was a retired midwife and it was good to see so many old friends again. We spent all afternoon reminiscing, a truly warm and fond farewell to Joyce.
Have started doing jigsaws on the computer and really enjoy the challenge the more complicated the puzzle the better.

Posted 3 weeks ago by Valerie Cook
 
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Spring Has Sprung

Camellias

                                              Grape Hyacinth and tiny Daffodil

Climbing Hydrangea

Lonely Daffodil

16th March  

My back garden is now  cleared of  rubble  from the demolition of the greenhouse . It.s nearly  20years since the greenhouse was put up, so seeing the original space  again, I must admit  the garden does  look better. A change is as good as a rest, so they say and I am going to enjoy my  little oasis..

People say the British are always discussing the weather, well it seems we do. Its warm and sunny for this time of year and believe this we are in the middle of a drought. Threats of a hose pipe ban and many other water restrictions are mainly down in the south east  where unfortunately  most of UK crops are grown .

Seen some  pink and white blossom  on trees and lots of greenery. We will soon be cutting the grass and pottering about in the gardens again, hope we don’t get a hose pipe ban up North.    What always gives me a lift at this  time of year time, is the sight of ….
   
    `a  host of golden daffodils beside the lake beneath the trees, fluttering and dancing in the breeze`.

www.online-literature.com/wordsworth/514

But Horticulturalists are saying we have a shortage of daffodils this year especially for Mothers Day, due to the extensive cold weather which has delayed their growth..  Today I only have  a single daffodil in my garden lots of shoots but no  bright yellow heads.  No crocus  or snowdrops either this year, where I usually have a fair display. Still there is life returning to the garden my camellia has blossoms and there are a few other welcome changes that tell me Spring has Sprung.

 I went to the movies last month with some firends to see Woman in Black, featuring Daniel Radcliffe, a  very scary film.  It was good, I enjoyed it because I didn’t know the story, but some in our party had seen the play and  were disappointed with the film. I don’t think you should be  too judgemental  after seeing a play or even reading the book on any movie, as they are all different interpretations of a story and stories often  lead to individual representation.  I thought Daniel played the part well, its odd to see him so grown up after so many  years as Harry Potter.




Received a welcome phone call from our holiday representative that we now  will be flying direct  Manchester  to Nice in July, instead of via  Heathrow. This is great news because  last year due to bad weather over the Atlantic I missed my connections in Philadelphia  and I was re-routed via  LAX. Consequently  I was  hours late arriving in Bakersfield, fortunately I have wonderful friends who where prepared to sit and wait for me, David and Leslie you are stars.


 This week my youngest son has moved house and now resides back in Harrogate. They are now in walking distance of the Hospital where they both work, plus the school and the town centre, so all in all a good move. Drove up on Mothering Sunday in warm sunshine, I really enjoy the drive through Skipton and over the North Yorkshire Moors especially in sunshine to  spend  time with my family again.  My eldest grandson had an accident last weekend playing football, poor boy broke his nose.  I didn’t get to see him this visit, but  I was glad really as  I did not want see him injured, two black eyes and swollen nose. I  can imagine  it though, boy it  must  hurt…


www.skiptonweb.co.uk/tourist

Bye for now.

Queens Park Bolton

24th February 2012
Another busy couple of weeks again . Finally found someone to take the greenhouse off my hands. I want  a secluded patio  on the back garden and the site where the greenhouse sits is well suited to just that. Gave it  away to a School Project and  they came, dismantled and removed the greenhouse  but for a few damaged panes of glass all was transported ok.  I haven’t really used the greenhouse for a few years. When I first  retired I grew tomatoes and various vegetables, cultivated  bedding plants  from seed and really enjoyed the process.But over time and due to all the travelling I was doing I couldn’t spend as much time as I should and it all became to much for me.  It laid dormant for many years, slowly filling up with  stuff so  I feel good that it will now be useful to the school.

February is my birthday month I am an Aquarian and as many of you know already,  a  Valentine’s Day Baby.  So for a week I was frequently out to lunch  and received some wonderful gifts from my friends.One such gift was an Orchid ( Phalaenopsis ) with specific instructions on how to look after it. Did you know it feeds of air and you only water them once  a month. I hope it survives as I am being tested.!!!
Was taken out to a  local restaurant  The Chinese Buffet  by my eldest son.it was very thoughtful of him and I  enjoyed the meal.   I also attended a lunch at the Student Catering Department at the University Around twenty five ladies from our Women’s .Institute ( W.I.) go there once a year and its usually excellent food and service, but not so this year. Unfortunately they  had numerous problems, much of the menu was off, and we had  exceptionally long periods between courses. I suspect there was a gremlin in the kitchen,thankfully there was a  good atmosphere all round but a few chose to go home with there dessert in containers. I felt sorry for the students as it was their day to shine.

At last my cooker hood is in-situ, and the cupboard  over the cooker is to be re-sited on the opposite wall.  Looks good, I like it, thank you  Andrew and Alan, much appreciated.

We has a couple of sunny days this  week and I am so pleased the evenings are coming light again,its so depressing when its dark by 4pm. Happily bulbs are showing and in some areas blooming, which is remarkable after the horrendous cold weather we have had. Took a walk through Queens Park on Sunday as it was a lovely sunny day to check on the restoration work that has been underway. Looks rather bleak at the moment until the colour come back in the spring. The children’s areas is finished and the duck pond looks much better but its still sad a reflection of the times,no money for its maintenance.   I remember Queens Park being the pride of Bolton with its acres of green grass, neatly trimmed lawns, beautiful floral displays and  a  children‘s  paddling pool. There was enough gardeners to keep it looking good all year round. The outdoor Music Auditorium has gone, no more music in the park, wonderful memories.. When we lived near by as children it was our playground, such happy times, but it has been sadly neglected for many years and it will never be quite the same again..  

Started as a Volunteer at Harwood Library, it will take some getting used to as its rather compact and small. The staff are friendly but I miss Castle Hill.  I will be joining the staff for a farewell dinner this Friday,they have been moved to other  Libraries in the town but non to Harwood...

My Back Garden

8th February 2012

At long last the snow arrived  on the 4th February and the country came to a stand still.  Cars where backed up for 24hrs on  a fairly gentle slope near my house, unable to go any further. The phenomena these days in the UK when snow is predicted, people storm the supermarkets and  buy a mountain of  provisions as though life will be on standby for weeks. If fact that rarely happens here, the roads will soon be clear. The gardens look pretty  though covered  with deep pristine snow especially when the sun shines.

Last  Friday whilst I was  out shopping   I locked my  keys in the car. Stranded miles from home I rang around for help but no one was answering my call. There was a café nearby  so decided to have lunch and try again later. Fortunately some one did ring back and I got a lift home to collect my spare set.  Never has this happened to me before, I felt so impotent and stupid for rest of the day  but now can laugh about it  as another senior moment.

Monday I attended Bolton Speakers Club as my friend Betty was taking her B9  “Audience Rapport” her excellent speech was being used for the Speech Evaluation Competition so I took part and even though its almost three years since I did any evaluations, most of it  came back to me and I enjoyed the challenge. It was good to see everyone again, I will pop in now again to get back into the swing of things, but I don’t intend to take part in any of the events until the session starts again in September.

Busy day up in the loft sorting again which stuff to throw away and which to keep.  I know full well when I pass over, it will all be disposed of but then I won’t know, or I don’t think I will !
My grandson came for tea again this week, he is such a darling and doing so well at school.  I am hoping this will become a regular thing now he is getting older and able to make choices.

Finally decided on a cooker hood for my new cooker (12 months old.) it’s a stainless steel  chimney hood, very superior, I can’t wait to see it in-situ. But we have to move a overhead cupboard to make room for it, how long that will take is another story.

This week it was good to hear for my cousin Pam in Cornwall she sounded great and I had a long chat with Cathi in Perth, that cost me, but was worth it.  I must remember to get a Tesco International Calling Card which allows cheap calls abroad, it’s  recommended as the best deal. I have Skype on my PC but it requires some degree of organisation to work well and we are just not that organised.
Every one is well and  keeping busy which is  a comfort in this very difficult time. I hope that the government will honour their promises and not bow down to  pressure from other governments. Iran is very volatile, Argentina is  threatening we do not want any more conflict and the EEC well that's a constant problem. Now Scotland wants independence !

6th February  1952 marks the ascension day of   Queen Elizabeth 11 she has been  the British Monarch  for 60years and still going strong . I am not a royalist but I do admire her strong dedication to her  role,she is 'dedicating herself anew' as diamond jubilee year begins, so I assume Charles is just not ready.






I have settled into my new  mentoring of PC beginners at St Vincents.   My first session was overwhelming with nine eager learners, but I have been able to reduce the numbers by organising a more structured programme, concentrating  first on those with basic needs and providing a programme of exercises for others with various computer skills.   Looking forward to starting at another Library on the 14th February. I was sad to  finish  at Castle Hill  I was so comfortable there, the staff where my friends, but they  close in two weeks and hopefully one or two may follow me to Harwood..        

   

A Good Start to the New Year

26th January 2012
It’s been rather quiet these past few weeks.  This week the news is  dominated by  the cruise ship disaster as there are many still missing and  bodies are being retrieved daily from the sunken hold of the ship. Various stories are circulating about the  unbelievable behaviour of the  Costa Captain, but I expect we will have to wait  to find out the truth as to how such a disaster happened.

Feeling much better  and quite energetic after starting my  Korean Ginseng and returning to the gym. I  take a 1000mg capsule daily  for a two to three months each winter it really does pep me up. I always take daily vitamins and omega oils but  need these extra minerals during the  winter months, Ginseng  known as the panacea of life  works for me..
     


So I have been spring cleaning all through the house . Taking `stuff ` to the  Recycle Depot that Bolton now has. All the local sites had been closed and centralized in this one site, I was very impressed by the organisation at the site and will have no fear in going again.. Reluctantly dropped off clothes that don’t fit well or are out of favour  at the local Charity Shop and other stuff I have replaced but are still very useful ..  it was a busy week but very satisfying a good start to the New Year.
Friday last week I was invited  out to dinner by a new friend who I met at the Library and we where joined by her sister and neighbour. It was an enjoyable evening with constant conversation and much humour ,except for the meal.  The establishment,  now a Posh Pub that used to be the village local once excelled at serving tasty Meat Pie and Mushy Peas.  I have fond  memories of this place full of life and laughter, not so now …. far to posh and the meal, minuscule and belied its description on the menu.  I did send word to the kitchen that I was disappointed with my choice and could have changed but as I was with new friends who lived in the village felt it could present a problem for them. So I backed off,  as we had received a complimentary  bottle of red wine on arrival….some things you just have to do.

My latest indulgence is an SonicView android tablet. I felt the need for a challenge, this comes over me now and again so I started to review them. I handled so many and nearly opted for the  Sony I-Pad because it was thin, light and very popular. But no, I don’t play games only occasional card /word games and jigsaws online, so the powerful  I-Pad was over-spec. for my needs and this reflected in the price. So I was delighted to find the Sonic View-Pad 10e which is not only very similar to the  thin and light I-Pad it has all the Spec and Google Android system for almost half the cost.. Now I the challenge is to learn how to use it as its so different than the Computer.……. one week on I love it.

Travelled into  Manchester Thursday to see the Stage Musical Oliver by Lionel Bart. Its such a standard musical, I love all the songs and its years since I saw the movie and I wasn’t disappointed, everything was   brilliant. I went with my friends Betty and  her daughter Lucy we had great seats. Afterwards  had excellent Pizza at a local Pizzeria,  a superb ending to a delightful day.
You should all know what song I chose from  Oliver

   
I have been enjoying a BBC drama that is taking me back to my previous life as a Community Midwife. It is an emotional journey for me, a mixture of smiles and tears but so endearing. Even now I am filling up remembering all those mothers and babies who touched my life and gave me a total job satisfaction,it was a true  privilege.
Read the first few chapters of  the book   “ Call The Midwife” by Jenifer Worth

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2091462/SANDRA-PARSONS-TV-midwives-cruel-betrayal-single-mums.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14859228
The acute shortage of Midwives still needs to be rectified today.