Audlem WI – January report

Our President, Elizabeth Green, welcomed everyone to the meeting on Thursday 9th January 2020 and thanked Margaret Lockwood for the beautiful table flowers. Secretary, Jackie Creber, read the minutes of the previous meeting and a letter from Malbank Foodbank thanking members for their donations before Christmas.

Elizabeth reminded members of the Anniversary Lunch at the Lord Combermere on Friday 17th January at 12.30 for 1.00pm. The dates of various clubs were announced:

• Lunch Club 18th February Burleydam
• Bridge 24th January
• Scrabble 15th January
• Book Club 16th January
• Rummycub 13th January
• Mah Jong 22nd January and 5th February.

The Competition Cup was won by Val Butler with Jessica Trudgill coming second and Elizabeth Huntbach coming third.

Elizabeth introduced our Speaker, Alison Jukes, and thanked her for standing in at short notice. Alison told us that she became involved with fundraising for Marie Curie following the death of her mother in 2003 from a brain tumour. This provided a way of recognising the invaluable care and support of the Marie Curie nurses during that very difficult time. Having spotted a request in the Marie Curie newsletter, Alison volunteered to take part in a cycle ride from Warsaw to Vilnius in Lithuania to celebrate Marie Curie's Diamond Jubilee. The start date was 16th August, her mother's birthday, so it was meant to be. Committing to taking part was particularly impressive as, at the time, Alison did not own a bike and also this meant having to raise £2500. Approximately 50 volunteers from all walks of life, including a nun, set out from Warsaw in August. It was heartening to hear of the camaraderie of the riders, the strong friendships made and the hospitality they received in Poland. The riders were grateful for the relatively flat terrain, but there were challenges, including riding over cobbles and the absence of bathroom facilities en-route. On the last day the group arrived in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, where they were presented with medals by the Lithuanian Ambassador. Many in the group were really sad that the week was over.

In 2010 Alison and three others from the group subsequently undertook another cycle ride from Berlin to Warsaw, ending outside Marie Curie's birthplace. Unfortunately, during this ride Alison hit the kerb and went over the handlebars. This resulted in her knee being stitched with little anaesthetic inside the van that accompanied the riders. Despite this Alison continued riding in the afternoon and completed the course.

The vote of thanks was given by Linda Hough. The raffle was drawn and Anne Watson very kindly donated her cash first prize to Marie Curie. Anne Watson also came first in the Bauble competition and Val Butler came second.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 6th February at 2.00pm when David Cummings will talk to us about 'The Magic of Swans' and the competition will be Something Ornithological.