Campaigns & Concerns

23.02 Show the Love heart

22.03 Close up of eggs

Me, Myself and WI

This sub committee is responsible for co-ordinating NFWI campaigns within Northamptonshire, liaising with NFWI on current campaigns and advising WIs on all aspects of Resolutions.

Click on names above for photos and news of this sub committee's work.

March 2024  An update from Jean Bates, your Campaigns Chairman
The Great Big Green Week - the UK’s biggest celebration of action on climate and nature - runs from 8- 16 June. We are showing our support via some NEW events: a visit to a water treatment plant, early Summer Coffee Morning, and The Great Big Green Week talk and tea.
As Spring is on the way, you may be having a sort out. Please remember we can recycle broken and unwanted jewellery, old
phones and cameras, foreign currency and stamps. Just bring these into WI House, or ask one of the Trustees to bring them in for you, I know they will be pleased to do so as these items contribute to federation funds.

10 February 2024 Towcester Evening WI hosted a  'Show the Love' event. It was well supported and lovely to see so many fellow WI members engaged in talking to the various organisations that we had invited. The savouries and cakes seem to go down well too.  Towcester Mayor, David Tarbun, and his family all came along too.  More of this exciting event on https://www.facebook.com/TowcesterEveningWI1971

February 2024  An update from Jean Bates, your Campaigns Chairman
This is Show The Love month, when we show the appreciation and love we have for all that Climate Change may take from us. The recent floods have concentrated our minds on Climate Change, and the impact of the changing weather conditions. I have looked out my GREEN HEART brooch to wear with pride this month. I do so hope you will also be wearing yours (or make one), and have the opportunity to explain why you are. NFWI are asking all community groups to sign the Climate Coalition’s open letter, which asks decision makers to tell us how they plan to keep people safe, the climate stable and nature protected. This needs to be done by the end of February, and I have signed on behalf of the Federation. Please look on MYWI for more information

January 2024  An update from Jean Bates, your Campaigns Chairman
A New Year, and maybe you are full of good intent and resolutions. Firstly, look after yourself, as this enables us to care for others. And that is much of what we do in our Campaigning, trying to make life better for those in our communities, and wider afield. February 14 is our WI day for Showing the Love of all we appreciate in this world that is under threat from Climate Change. Recent years have certainly confirmed to us all that our climate does need our concern and care. Please take every opportunity to share the message with friends and family. We can all make a small difference, and show how - as WI Members - wearing your Green Heart brooch can start a conversation and stimulate others to question their carbon footprint.
Happy Campaigning!

CAMPAIGNS AND CONCERNS RESOLUTIONS FOR 2024- shortlist announced (Malvina Keech (Cranford WI and Warkton Village WI))
National Federation has now announced the shortlist of four resolutions that was drawn up at the October meeting.  Your WI secretary should have received written confirmation of this.
They are -
* Dental Health Matters
* Impacts of Poor Housing Conditions
* Say ‘No’ to Gambling Advertising
* Improving Outcomes for Women in the Criminal Justice system
Information to help your decision on which to select as your favourite for the final National Annual Meeting agenda is on My WI, and in the November/December edition of WI Life, along with your voting form. This form must be sent (we suggest through your WI), to WI House by an absolute deadline of 11 February, preferably a little earlier. We will then collate all the Northamptonshire votes for passing the numbers on to NF. We should know the final one, or two, selected for the Annual Meeting by late February.

October 2023
A touch of Autumn is in the air, and with this change in the temperature, we will consider some warmer clothing. In 1943 the slogan “Make do and Mend” was introduced through a Ministry of Information pamphlet during World War II. This was a response to clothes rationing, today we need to consider this for other reasons. This year we have all be made very aware of our changing climate, and fast fashion causes huge environmental challenges. These include, excessive use of water, textile waste, landfill and incineration issues. Fast fashion’s rapid turnover, clothing styles and disposable culture contribute to these issues. The WI’s End Plastic Soup campaign has brought the issue of plastic pollution from synthetic clothing into the spotlight. Every time synthetic clothes are washed thousands of tiny plastic fibres are released which end up polluting the aquatic environment and threatening wildlife. An estimated £30 billion worth of unworn clothes are left in our wardrobes, so let’s get into the spirit of “make do and mend” as we approach the change of season and wardrobe.
Happy sewing, knitting, swapping etc, all good activities for our well being and purses. A win win situation.
Thank you,
Jean

September 2023
September has that “back to school “ feel about it. Time for new ideas and activities. If you have felt moved, as I have, by the wildfires and high temperatures of this summer, please consider how much you could achieve within this committee. We high- light so many issues and Climate Change has long been on the list. The WI Resolutions we learn about, have taught us strat egies that we as individuals can use to make a difference.
This year’s resolution called for Cleaner Rivers and now this is a hot topic on many news broadcasts. Clean Rivers Week of Action is to be held between 11-18 September. We had rather short notice to organise a Federation event, but if you live near a river in Northamptonshire and there is some action, please wear your WI Badge if you are able to attend. Let folk know how the WI are aware and campaigning, and if you have friends who can join with you to arrange an “eye catching” stunt to gain support, please take photos.
September is blood cancer awareness month. Please remember our Make a Match campaign and speak to friends and family Currently only 2% of people are registered as donors, more are urgently needed. Find out more information at https://www.anthonynolan.org/ or https://www.anthonynolan.org/help-save-a-life/join-stem-cell-register to register. So if you would like to join us promoting and working on Campaigns, please contact me. You would be made most welcome.
Thank you
Jean

Celebrating British Flower Week We were at WI House with Kate from Flowers from the Farm, Harpole, demonstrating flower arranging using home grown British flowers.
23.06.30 Kate demonstrating

July 2023
The resolution to campaign for Clean Rivers for People and Wildlife was passed at the recent AM in Cardiff. The WI is holding a Week of River Action, 11-18 September, when WIs can join with local groups in your area campaigning for clean rivers and to sound the alarm about the ecological state of the UK’s rivers. Further details and resource packs will be announced nearer the date. Keep an eye out for this on My WI. https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/public-affairs-and-campaigns/current-campaigns/clean-rivers-for-people-and-wildlife
Ro register your interest in the WI’s Week of Action, email NFWI Public Affairs team on pa@nfwi.org.uk You can find out about the location of combined sewage outflows (CSO’s) in your area, by looking at the Rivers Trust Sewage map via this link https://theriverstrust.org/sewage-map
As WI Members in Northamptonshire we agreed to promote British cut flowers at our own AM last year. British Flower growers celebrate Flowers from the Farm weekend on Sunday 10 September, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Local grower, Becky Webb, is opening her flower farm for visitors to view, pick and buy, at Waites Farm, The Close, Eastcote, NN12 8NQ, with free entry and refreshments for donations. All proceeds will go to charity, all Becky needs is an idea of numbers visiting and she can be contacted by social media and email. She trades as Pink Welly Posies, email beckywebb@pinkwelly.co.uk or book via her website https://pinkwelly.co.uk/workshops-and-pyo/ola/services/flowers-from-the-farm-big-weekend-open-day-1 On a sunny Sunday this could be a lovely outing for families, and your Trustees will be promoting the WI during the day.
Jean

June 2023
Rather strange weather we are having! Cold and wet for the Coronation and really warm and pleasant the next day. We are told this is all down to Climate Change and I worry about the effects this is having on our environment. The WI has a proud history of taking action to protect the environment and was a founder member of The Climate Coalition, which works to protect what we love from Climate Change.
The WI is continuing to boost our WI Climate Ambassador Scheme, with supplementary resources, training and expert panel events. The scheme is for members who would like to get further involved with environmental campaigns. There is no set time commitment to be a WI Climate Ambassador, all time spent working on environmental issues is beneficial. More information on My WI, and please contact pa@nfwi.org.uk to find out more.
Don’t forget : The Big Green Week is 10 - 18 June and maybe you will get involved with some fellow friends. Litter picking is always needed!!
Thank you, Jean

May 2023
Calling all you crafters. NFWI-Wales has set you a challenge for the summer. To publicise the Not in My Name campaign, which is to highlight Violence Against Women, details of a competition that I am sure many of you would like to try, have been published. NFWI-Wales’ 2023 Not in My Name Competition is to design and make a Tote bag depicting the Not in My Name Campaign to end Violence Against Women. Any appropriate fabrics/materials and techniques accepted. Judging Criteria:
* Creativity and originality of the design
* Interpretation and clarity of the theme
* Suitability of chosen fabrics/materials and techniques
* Presentation/quality/techniques functionality and durability of the bag.
Closing Date Friday 3 November 2023. Entries to be submitted by post to NFWI-Wales, Suite 66, 33 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9HB. Submission should include name and contact details of entrant, name of WI, name of Federation. This competition is open to members across Wales, England and The Islands. All this information and more details about the campaign are available on My WI. https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/wales/nfwi-wales-news/2023-not-in-my-name-competition/Competition-Guidelines-Tote-Bag.pdf Go on have a go, as last year we had a member successful in a scarf competition for this campaign
Thank you, Jean

April 2023 update from your Campaigns & Concerns Chairman
April and Springtime. We will have longer hours of daylight to enjoy the great outdoors. WI members have voted in favour of debating a resolution at the NFWI AGM on May 25 in Cardiff on Clean rivers for people and wildlife. Please consider how YOU want your delegate to vote. Information to help you make an informed decision is available on My WI. Please have a look and, while there, sign up for the Public Affairs Digest which will bring all of the latest WI Campaigning news directly to your email inbox. https://mywi.thewi.org.uk/public-affairs-and-campaigns/public-affairs-digest
You will recall that our members voted in favour of supporting British grown flowers at our AGM last October. Please come along, with a car full of friends, to enjoy a summer time celebration during British Flower Week. This is to be held at WI House on Friday 30 June when a local flower farmer will give a demonstration of arranging, speak about sustainable flower growing and have flowers for sale (see page 6). All of this with the usual excellent WI cake, coffee and raffle for £12 a ticket.
Application form with April's newsletter. Thank you, Jean.

February 2023 update from your Campaigns & Concerns Chairman
Spring flowers are already appearing in my garden, and before too long we can share longer daylight hours with our WI friends.
April 2 is Palm Sunday this year, but also World Autism Day. Those of you who enjoy walking may like to arrange a sponsored walk in aid of a local charity that supports folk with Autism. This would highlight our resolution from last year’s NFWI AGM, to enable women and girls to get a quicker diagnosis of this condition. Please let me know how you get on.
Have you written to your MP yet, to inform them of the resolution we passed at our AGM in October? Please do, as we are calling for detailed labelling on cut flowers, to enable increased knowledge of their provenance. This raises awareness of the carbon footprint of the flowers, and provides sufficient information to judge their environmental impact.
I do so hope you have cast your vote for your choice out of the 4 proposed resolutions for this year. Forms are in your last edition of WI Life and need to be at WI House by February 14.
Thank you, Jean

January 2023 update from Jean, Chairman Campaigns and Concerns sub committee
At our AGM in October, we agreed to support Hackleton and District WI’s resolution, calling for the Government to work with the cut flower industry to increase awareness and knowledge of the provenance of cut flowers, by introducing detailed labelling on the country of origin, and the environmental credentials of the growers.
Now we need to work on this and remember that flowers are bought in large numbers, with the majority of them flown in from other countries, thereby having an environmental impact. I suggest you or your WI, or both, should write to your MP, and make them aware of this resolution. Individual letters have more clout than a letter from a template, but please keep to the point, keep it brief and then we may get some responses.
Key points to make are:
* the environment is fragile; we need to consider the environmental cost of everything
* those buying flowers should have sufficient information to judge the environmental impact.
The resolution does not seek to ban anything, it just asks for cut flowers to be labelled, so that buyers have a chance to choose whether to buy or not, in that knowledge. 
I believe we have at least 3 MPs representing the area of our federation, so PLEASE support your own resolution and send off  a letter.
Thank you, Jean

December 2022 update from Jean, Chairman Campaigns and Concerns sub committee
My congratulations to Hackleton and District WI , who brought forward the resolution we discussed and voted for at the October AGM.
However some excellent news on the way our debates and resolutions do make a difference. The MP for South Leicestershire, Alberto Costa, introduced a private members bill to Westminster recently on tackling micro plastic pollution. You will recall our Plastic Soup resolution of 2017, and Mr Costa has been working with the WI and others in a coalition. He now will bring forward a full debate in February 2023, under the 10 minute Private Members Bill, to encourage the Government to work with manufacturers to fit filters to all new domestic and commercial washing machines.
October was ADHD awareness month, and NFWI have a webinar available for you on this issue on My WI. Thanks to our debate etc, and others’ hard work, this issue is  now being mentioned in many places in the media. Shows how it is Good To Talk, we can bring awareness on so many issues.
The shortlist for next year’s resolutions has been announced, and all details will be in your next edition of WI Life. Please keep the voting slip, for YOU to make your choice for future debate. The slip needs to be at WI House by February 14 2023. There is much help with quizzes and presentations available on My WI for you to be informed before voting.
Thank you, Jean

Time to Talk

Do you remember the resolution we passed a few years ago, Time to Talk?  Yes, we were focusing on mental health and how 1 in 2 of us will suffer from mental health issues over our lifetime.  How good then for me to share this news with you.
Chacombe WI learnt that The Elms, Mental Health Unit in Banbury, had a garden that required a much needed makeover.  The central flower bed welcomes staff and patients to the unit.  With no budget Chacombe WI went about obtaining generous donations from companies, charities and individuals.  You may imagine just how much work was entailed in this, but I have to tell you that the final result of a beautifully re-planted flower bed, has made such a difference to the front entrance of the unit.All of this work was detailed in a report in the local paper, The Banbury Guardian, with both before and after pictures showing 4 members who worked on this project.  What an excellent result all round, with good publicity for the WI as well (see also page 7).
My thanks to Chacombe WI for supporting this resolution

World Bee Day 2022

Event included bee friendly plants, bee wraps to eat, honey cakes and event the bees were there!

BEAT ovarian cancer
22.03 Close up of eggs

WI members across the county support Show The Love
Banner

Campaigns and Concerns
I am pleased to inform you that we now have an action pack on MY WI for the latest campaign, See the Signs, which seeks to
raise awareness of the subtle signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. This is ready to download, and will give you ideas and
material to enable you to work on this so important resolution.
I know you will remember the resolution we passed some years ago to Save the Honey Bee and other pollinators. We all
depend on them for our food and now you can Celebrate World Bee Day with us at WI House. More details to follow, but
save the date Friday May 2022.
Thank you,
Jean

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Other National Campaigns

Me, Myself and WI Me, Myself and WI 

ME, MYSELF AND WI
9th – 15th May 2022

Supporting your own mental and physical health is incredibly important. As life goes back to ‘normal’ it’s easy to feel over whelmed.  Everyone reacts differently and changes in the way that we think, feel and behave vary between people and over time. Now, more than ever, it’s important that you take care of your mind as well as your body and to reach out for support if you need it.

The WI has an outstanding reputation for supporting members’ during times of change and uncertainty, today’s situation is of no exception.  The NFWI is exceptionally proud to learn of the positive, motivational and inspirational ways in which members are supporting one-another, both within their WIs and with fellow members across the country. With the ever changing economy and uncertainty of the current financial climate taking a break to focus on how we feel and what we can do to get ourselves into a healthy place is vital.

The NFWI has organised the ‘Me, Myself and WI’ programme with the aim of helping members easily recognise ways in which they can help their mental and physical health.  Using the butterfly logos (above), across the NFWI, we will help identify activities which members could undertake; from cooking and craft, to exercise and quiet time for mindfulness , we will be highlighting a variety of activities across the coming weeks which members could incorporate into daily life.  When the butterfly logo is shown, member’s will be able to identify the activity as being a benefit to their mental and/or physical wellbeing.

The Butterfly Effect…Every single thing you do matters.
You have been created as one of a kind.
You have been created in order to make a difference.
You have within you the power to Change the World.

Andy Andrews