St Issell’s Women’s Institute (WI) in Saundersfoot held a special meeting on November 13, where members gathered to discuss upcoming events and confirm the leadership role of President Diane Rigden. The evening began with the singing of “Jerusalem,” setting a festive tone for the discussions ahead.
During the meeting, Diane Rigden expressed gratitude towards Mary Lawrence and Bev Bennet for providing flowers for the top table. The group also celebrated the birthdays of several members, including Sue Haines, Sue Gould, Anne-Marie Littlewood, Liz Talboys, and Mary Cavell. A moment of sympathy was observed for Mary Sefton, who recently lost her husband, with Diane confirming that a card and flowers had been sent to her.
The meeting highlighted recent activities, including a successful walk on November 10, led by Madelene, where six participants managed to avoid showers. The members confirmed their £10 deposits for a Christmas lunch scheduled at Bramleys on December 4. Additionally, final arrangements were made for those attending the Annual Meeting in Haverfordwest on Saturday.
A carol service is planned for December 10 at 14:00 at St Issell’s Church, where members were encouraged to bring homemade mince pies. Several volunteered to contribute, and Bee agreed to serve as the organist, coordinating with Rev’d Martine Johnson for the event.
In a creative initiative, Pam presented wool for knitting scarves intended for the Eisteddfod, sparking interest among members in forming a knitting group, with a date yet to be confirmed. Anne-Marie committed to completing a scarf by the next meeting. Furthermore, Bev announced a guest speaker for the December meeting, which will be followed by a traditional Christmas buffet.
Members were asked to bring five Christmas cards to the next gathering for distribution to local residential homes. Diane Rigden read through the newsletter, noting a lack of interest in WI house windows, while Pam mentioned an upcoming trip to Cardiff on November 20.
Discussions also touched on sports and leisure, with a consensus that increased sporting activities would benefit the group. The competition for the best motto for 2026 was won by Jacqui Cowgill, who proposed: “If you can’t do it, don’t do it, but if you can do it, then do it.” Additionally, Julia King-Thomas won the monthly raffle.
The meeting concluded with refreshments and transitioned into the Annual General Meeting, where Diane Rigden was confirmed to continue her role as president, ensuring the leadership of St Issell’s WI remains strong as they head into a busy December.
