December 2008

The Treorchy WI annual dinner was held at the Penrhys Golf Club, where everyone enjoyed a splendid meal in the company of good friends.

Ann Barrett said a very poignant grace, and after the meal we were entertained with a disco.

Thanks to Ann Thomas and Milwyn Pearce for making all the arrangements for the evening.

Unfortunately, quite a few members were ill and unable to come. We hope that they will soon be feeling a lot better.

Congratulations to Christine and John Evans who celebrate their Ruby Wedding this month.

Will members please note that our January meeting (which will be a quiz and fun evening) will be on Thursday, January 8.

Photographs for the 2010 GFWI Calendar should be given to the Secretary as soon as possible, please.

Our President, Mrs Pauline Worman, would like to wish all our members a happy and peaceful Christmas time.

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November 2008

Our President Mrs Pauline Worman welcomed members to the November meeting.

Members were made aware of the Health and Safety procedures.

Pauline read a card which she had received from June thanking everyone for their kind messages of sympathy and support during her recent sad bereavement.

Congratulations to Eira and Colin Richards who recently celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary. Also to Enid Thomas who celebrated a ‘special’ birthday.

Our President thanked everyone who supported our recent Autumn Social Evening. This was an enjoyable event. Our thanks to the pupils of Penyrenglyn School Choir who entertained with their lovely singing, and also to Ffion Wilde for her wonderful contribution to the evening.

As our January meeting fall son January 1, it was proposed that we hold our monthly meeting on January 8. Ann Barrett has kindly agreed to organise a Quiz for that evening.

The Performing Arts Group will be holding a concert at the RAFA Club on November 13 in aid of their benevolent fund.

Members were asked to attend the Remembrance Day Service in St Matthew’s Church at 9am to rededicate our Poppy Wreath.

Unfortunately, our speaker for the evening Pam Bush had an urgent telephone call and had to return home, as her father was very ill. Pam left leaflets behind outlining the voluntary work she is involved in.

The raffle was won by Betty Jones, Nan Price and Mair Bowen.

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October 2008

After the singing of Jerusalem and the Health and Safety Drill, Treorchy WI President welcomed Sue Smith, WI Adviser to the Annual General Meeting.

Accompanying Sue was Janet Jones, President of Pontypridd WI, who came along as an observer.

Our President also warmly welcomed three guests, Janet Hooker, Iris Doyle and Janet Rogers.

Our best wishes for a full recovery go to Vera Broome who has recently been a patient at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, and we hope that Myra is progressing.

Our special thoughts are with June Thomas on the untimely passing of her dear daughter Denise.

Our Autumn Fete and Concert will take place at Oak Tree Hall on Friday, October 24 at 7pm. Admission £1, payable at the door. The Penyrenglyn School Choir will entertain, along with Ffion Wilde who recently won the Treorchy Male Voice “Singer of the Year” Competition.

Lists were up for our Christmas Dinner on December 4, and for Winter Showtime on November 20.

Our Treasurer, Mrs Judith James, presented the financial statement for the year 2007-2008. The balance sheet was unanimously adopted.

The Annual Report of the Committee was read and adopted.

In her address, our President thanked the members who contributed so much to our WI.

Every week some activity goes on in Treorchy WI.

The Yoga Class is still flourishing and we are very grateful to have the services of Mair Bowen who takes the Class.

The Choir, under the conductorship of Mrs Mary Price, has enjoyed many successes and we look forward to our Christmas Concert on Tuesday, December 16.

It is nine years since we held the first Christmas Concert and each year it gets even better.

The Kitchen Band is always in great demand and we must thank Anita and Marian for all the hard work they do in this respect. Marian and Anita also plan our Annual Outings. Thank you so much.

The Performing Arts Group, with Margaret, Enid and Anne Thomas at the helm, meet weekly in the RAFA Club and they will be giving a variety concert at the RAFA Club in November in aid of their Benevolent Fund.

Thanks to Betty Jones who looks after our savings every month.

Our welcome cup of tea each month is provided by our new team of tea ladies. This works under the direction of Christine Jones who always has a rota system in operation and many thanks to everyone who helps out in the kitchen.

Thanks to our Secretary Sheila Ellis, and a big thank you to our Treasurer Judith for her good work during the year and to our Vice-President Milwyn Pearce for her invaluable help and support. It is the members of Milwyn’s age-group that are the future of our WI.

A WI cannot exist without officers or Committee and our President thanked the Committee for all their help and support over the year.

Thanks also to those members who do not belong to the various groups. These members are an integral part of our WI and without the loyal support of these members we would not have such a successful WI.

Committee for 2008-2009 is Anita Bound, Margaret Davies, Kath Davies, Sheila Ellis (Secretary), Judith James (Treasurer), Diane John, Beryl Jones, Marian Jones, Milwyn Pearce (Vice-President), Ann Phillips, Anne Thomas and Pauline Worman (President).

Our guest speaker next month is Pam Bush.

Beth Roberts, Margaret Haskins and Pauline Worman were raffle winners.

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August 2008

One of the highlights of Treorchy WI’s calendar is the annual ‘Mystery’ trip and this year was no exception as members enjoyed another happy day, organized by Anita Bound and Marian Jones.

The weather this year was not perfect but the trip was so well organized with members being greeted with a welcome bottle of water.

There were raffles galore, and a prize to the member who was fortunate to have the right designation picked out of the ‘hat’.

A bag of wrapped chocolates was then handed around the coach, and three lucky winners found a raffle prize hidden in the wrapping.

The coach then stopped for a welcome break at the Sanders Garden Centre, near Burnham on Sea, where members enjoyed a welcome snack.

Because the weather was dreary the original destination decided upon will remain a secret until next year, but this year the ‘back-up’ destination was Taunton where members had an enjoyable time shopping and having lunch in a very pleasant town.

The homeward journey was as entertaining as ever, with the bus being divided into two teams in a singing competition.

Both teams won, thanks to our judge Mr Ralph Cole, and we were suitably rewarded with a bar of chocolate each.

Thanks to Anita and Marian for another very enjoyable day out, thanks also to Enid Roberts who assisted so ably with the distribution of raffle tickets and prizes, and to our bus driver Mr Ralph Cole.

Our President, Mrs Pauline Worman, thanked Marian and Anita for a most enjoyable day trip and this was echoed by all on the coach.

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July 2008

Treorchy WI President Mrs Pauline Worman welcomed members to the July meeting.

Members were made aware of the Health and Safety procedures.

Our love and best wishes go to Mair Humphreys who is still unwell in the Royal Glamorgan Hospital and Myra Phillips who has undergone more treatment. We hope they, and all our members who are poorly, will soon be feeling better.

Cardiff University are arranging an exhibition of the Rhondda in the 1950’s. This will take place in October at the Phoenix Theatre, Ton Pentre. Entrance will be free.

Congratulations to Mrs Olwen Millward who took part in the Walk for Life which was held in Bute Park, Cardiff on July 2. The walk was 5 kilometres and over 5,000 people participated. Olwen’s time for the walk was 56 minutes. The proceeds will go to cancer research. Well done Olwen.

Mrs Anita Bound informed the meeting that final payment for the Mystery Trip was due. The coach will leave the Launderette in Treherbert at 7.45am and hoped that everyone will have an enjoyable day.

Posters were up for the Ton Pentre WI’s Pink Evening on Monday, July 7, commencing at 7pm. Cost £1. Also for the Autumn Council Meeting, which is being held at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff. Tickets are £10 and the guest speaker is Gyles Brandreth.

A list was also up for nominations for the 2008-9 Committee.

Various items of interest in the Newsletter were pointed out. It was noted that next year’s fees will be going up to £29.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Bethan from The Chocolate House, Bridgend.

Bethan explained how the cocoa bean eventually becomes a chocolate bar. Bethan had lots of taster nibbles for everyone to enjoy, from white chocolate to the really rich dark chocolate.

Christine Jones gave the vote og thanks to Bethan, commenting that the chocolates were absolutely ‘heavenly’.

The raffle winners were Eira Richards, Diane John and Esme Holmes.

Next month we have our Mystery Trip.

Will members please note that in September, Mr John Collier is unable to come along to our meeting.

Instead, Mr Howard Mortimer will give a talk about Ivor Novello.

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June 2008

Treorchy WI President Mrs Pauline Worman welcomed members to the meeting.

Members were made aware of the Health and Safety procedures.

Everyone was saddened to hear of the death of one of our oldest members Mrs Marian Morris. Mrs Morris attended the very first meeting of our WI 16 years ago. She will be sadly missed.

Our love and best wishes for a speedy recovery go to Mair Humphreys who is a patient at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital.

Many thanks to all those who supported the Four Just Men concert in the Phoenix.

The cost of the Mystery Trip on August 5 is £12.50 and this amount must be paid by July’s meeting.

As the trip is on a Tuesday, members were asked if they would still like to meet on Thursday, August 7, for a Social Evening.

Posters were up for the Pink Evening on Monday, July 7, 2008 commencing at 7pm, which is being organized by Ton Pentre WI. Cost £1.

GFWI Tea Party is at Pentyrch Village Hall on Wednesday, July 9, from 2pm to 4pm and Spotlight’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Bothers is at the Parc and Dare Theatre from June 17 to 21.

The Over 50’s Forum are looking for people who have spare time to act as volunteers to help listen to children reading in school, etc.

Knitters are also needed to make teddy bears which are usually carried by fire tenders to help pacify children involved in a fire to come to terms with the trauma.

Our Vice President, Mrs Milwyn Pearce, went through various points of interest in the Newsletter.

Our guest for the evening was Glenda Clwyd, Harpist.

Glenda enthralled us all with her very intricate harp playing and also her talk about the various harps and sounds they produce.

Members enjoyed a very special evening of music.

Milwyn gave the vote of thanks.

The raffle winners were Olwen Milward, Eirlys Davies and Eirwen Rees.

Our guest speaker next month is Bethan from the Chocolate House in Bridgend.

Many, many thanks to Milwyn who did the minutes for last month’s meeting.

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May 2008

Treorchy WI President, Mrs Pauline Worman, welcomed members to the May meeting.

Members were sad to hear of the death of VCO June Evans.

Our special thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery go to Carolyn Davies (a former Treorchy WI member) who was unfortunately involved in an accident recently and is now recovering after surgery.

Members were asked to sign a petition against the 8 wind farms proposed for Maerdy and Tynewydd Forest.

Our President thanked all members for their help and support in making our Group Meeting at the Phoenix Theatre on April 10 such a resounding success.

Cards of congratulations had been received from Ferndale, Ton Pentre and Treherbert WI’s.

Various items of interest in the Newsletter were pointed out.

Two resolutions were put forward. Ban on Bottom of Sea Trawling - 36 For, 0 Against. Inappropriate Imprisonment of the Severe Mentally Ill - 34 For, 2 Abstaining.

Three hands of bingo ended off a very pleasant evening.

The raffle was won by Ann Thomas, Eira Richards and Diane John.

A list is available for our August summer outing.

Next month our guest speaker is Glenda Clwyd – Harpist.

Many thanks to the Committee of Oak Tree Hall for allowing us the use of their Hall on this occasion.

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April 2008

Treorchy WI President Mrs Pauline Worman welcomed members to the April meeting.

Members were particularly pleased to see Carol back with us.

A warm welcome was extended to visitors Joyce Martin and Mary Bessant.

Our President read a letter of thanks from RSVP Wales for the premature baby bonnets which members of our WI had knitted.

Final arrangements were made for our Group Meeting. The bus would be leaving the Treherbert Launderette at 5.45pm.

Tickets for the Four Just Men will be available at our next meeting.

Will members please note that our May meeting (which is on May 1) will take place at Oak Tree Hall and will be our Resolutions meeting.

Only two Resolutions are going forward. “Ban on Bottom-of-Sea Trawling - which causes catastrophic loss of marine life” and the second Resolution is “Inappropriate Imprisonment of the Severely Mentally Ill”.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Jeff Woods.

Jeff entertained us with songs from Mozart’s “Magic Flute”, whilst giving us a very detailed account of Mozart’s life.

This was followed by a profile of Gilbert and Sullivan, and Jeff ended up by giving a short talk about his favourite comedians Laurel and Hardy.

Everyone enjoyed Jeff’s singing talent and also his fount of knowledge about various composers.

Christine Jones gave the vote of thanks.

Many thanks to Anna, who brought along the screen which enabled Jeff to show slides, which accompanied his talk.

Anna Brown, Mair Bowen and Milwyn Pearce won the raffle.

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March 2008

Treorchy Women’s Institute President, Mrs Pauilne Worman, welcomed members to the St David’s Day Supper.

It was especially nice to see Myra, Mair Flockhart and June this evening.

Lists were up for the Group Meeting on April 10 for those who wish to go on the coach, and also for the Drama Evening on May 15 - a coach is also available for this evening.

Both events will take place at the Phoenix Theatre in Ton Pentre.

Members enjoyed the ham and salad supper.

Our thanks go to Anita and Marian who did the bulk of the shopping.

To Beryl who sorted the ham, and to all those who helped organise the supper in the afternoon, this was greatly appreciated.

Christine Jones thanked the Committee for the enjoyable evening.

The raffle was won by Avis Phillips.

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February 2008

Treorchy WI President Mrs Pauline Worman welcomed members to the meeting.

The Group Meeting will be held on April 10 and volunteers will be needed on the night to sell raffle tickets and also to distribute the refreshments during the interval.

Our President asked members to support the Theatre Evening which is being held in the Phoenix Theatre, Ton Pentre on May 14.

Buses will be provided for both evenings.

Members who have not already done so were reminded to put their names down for the St David’s Day Supper.

Please bring along to the supper the usual knife, fork, spoon, dinner plate and sweet dish.

Christine Jones informed those members who were going to London for the weekend in April that the money needs to be in by the March meeting.

The cost will be £129.50.

Our guest speaker for the evening was Jim English who gave an interesting talk, with slides, about the new Llwynypia Hospital.

Christine Jones gave the vote of thanks.

The Kitchen Band gave very enjoyable concerts at Ystradfechan and also at Ty Pentwyn.

The Choir entertained members of Zion Chapel Guild, which was thoroughly enjoyed by those who attended.

The raffle was won by Pat Williams, Enid Thomas and Rena Evans.

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January 2008

In welcoming members to the meeting, Treorchy WI President, Mrs Pauline Worman, wished everyone a happy, healthy New Year, especially those members who have been poorly over the holiday season.

A warm welcome was extended to our visitors for the evening, Rena Evans and Enid Thomas.

Everyone enjoyed our Christmas Dinner at Penrhys Golf Club.

Our Service of Carols and Readings was as always a very successful and pleasant evening. Our President thanked all those who took part.

Many thanks to Mary Price for her choice of carols, to those who read – Kath Evans, Judith James and Pauline; our soloists Kath Davies and Glenys Nash; Kath and Pat for their delightful duet; our quartet (Pat, Kath, Maude and Sheila); and to Sioned, our accompanist.

Everyone enjoyed a welcome cup of tea and mince pie in the Church Hall afterwards.

The collection of £200 was donated to Church Funds.

“Budding Artists” were reminded of the Gwyneth Jarman competition this year which is a water-colour landscape painting of a summer scene. Entries are to be in by early March.

A list was up for anyone wishing to attend the Fun Dance Day in the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, on Wednesday, March 5 from 10am to 3pm. Cost £10.

The Kitchen Band entertained in the local Residential Homes over the festive season, and the Performing Arts Group entertained members of St John’s Church , Porth on the first Saturday in January.

The Choir will be giving a New Year’s Concert in Zion , Pentre.

Members enjoyed the evening with a Quiz which Ann Barrett had prepared. Our President thanked Ann for compiling the quiz and making the evening so enjoyable for everyone.

The raffle was won by Pat Rowlands, Nan Jones and Ann Ferguson.