Inner Wheel District 8
EAST ANGLIA
Latest News
August 2021
District Executive Outing
On August 4th. the nine members of the District Executive Committee met up in the Cutter Inn in Ely for lunch and a catch up. This was an opportunity for Immediate past Chairman Deirdre Griffin to pass on the District Chairman’s chain in person to Coral Campbell. Presents and gifts were exchanged. Lunch was followed by a river boat trip on the Liberty Belle and afterwards by coffee at the Riverside Cafe. The weather was perfect and an enjoyable time was had by all. Thanks went to Coral for organising this outing.
July 2021
Ely
On July 21st. Ely Inner Wheel Club held their President’s Evening with food and wine at the Golf Club. This was our first “real” meeting since the beginning of Lockdown. Everyone was on good form and it was an opportunity to catch up with friends on a most enjoyable summer evening. President Julia Smith passed on the Vice Presidents Badge to Mary Rone who then drew the raffle ticket which Maureen Woodbine won.
Felixstowe
Coffee mornings have started again
June 2021
Thetford
Susan Watson is now the new club President for 2021-2022
Ely
On 23rd. June the Inner Wheel club of Ely held their A G M on Zoom. Hopefully from now on our meetings will be held face to face. It was well attended and apart from business there was lots of chat. Susie Sallis Browne handed the chain to new President Julia Smith. The Handover took place in Julia’s kitchen and we look forward to a year of fun, friendship and fund raising! Julia’s chosen Charity is EACH (East Anglia Children’s Hospice)
District Executive
On 22nd. June the District Committee Meeting and AGM was held via Zoom. Here are some of the attendees. All clubs were represented. The new Executive Officers were announced (see list) and Immediate Past Chairman Deirdre Griffin will hand over the chain of office to Carol Campbell when they meet in person on Aug.4th
May 2021
Watton
Watton club celebrated getting out of lockdown (well nearly) by enjoying their 40th. Birthday Tea in a member’s Cart shed on a very cold, wet and windy day. It was quite an adventure! District Chairman Deirdre Griffin attended.
Ely
Ely club’s international Fundraising meeting via Zoom.
Firstly Johnathan Roberts from Smile Train gave a presentation and Q and A session on the work of this Charity. We were joined by members of Ely Rotary. This was followed by a Raffle Prize draw and guess the weight of the Cake ( baked by Vice President Julia Smith). Closest guess wins the cake ...winner was President Susie. Then it was Eyes Down for Bingo. Cards had been emailed to us and excellent Bingo caller Jenny Axford (our Treasurer) rolled the balls. Prizes for lines and full house! This most enjoyable evening raised £570 for SmileTrain. Jonathan Roberts was very pleased with this sum and said it would cover the cost of four corrective operations for children born with cleft palates.
On 3rd May, the Inner Wheel Club of Saffron Walden organised a Captain Tom Challenge as suggested by the late Captain’s family. It was to walk 100 laps of Saffron Walden Common. Members of the club, friends, family and other residents of the town rose to the challenge and we raised £485 for Mind, the mental health charity.
Photos show some of the early attendees and the ladies who ticked off the laps. Thank you to everyone who took part.
Saffron Walden
April 2021
1. I was there!
The Virtual Convention Building lobby showing layout plan and guidance.
In theExperience Zone I went on guided tour of Jaipur, Agra and Delhi . Also learnt Indian cookery, how to tie a Sari , Indian dancing, visited Bazaars where I could buy all manner of craft and Jewellery items. The Project Hall exhibited the service projects of 100+ countries (Ann Acaster gave the GB&I video)
Then into the Convention Hall for all the live business , discussions, proposals, voting etc.
Here is President Bina Vyas giving her opening speech
The 18th.Inner Wheel Virtual Convention April 2021
Thetford
Thetford Committee still all smiles after a year’s Lockdown
March 2021
Saffron Walden
Always keen for a chat and some fun some members of Saffron Walden club had a Zoom Bingo Evening. It was declared to be fun and Maria our District Member of Council won both Line and Full House. She will receive a small prize when we are allowed to meet up again.
Presidents Lunch and Commitee Meeting
On March 18th District 8 held their Presidents Lunch and Committee Meeting via Zoom. Here are some of the 50 participating members. At 1p.m the Executive Committee met with club Presidents for “lunch” in different “breakout rooms” which was very sociable and then at 2p.m the Committee Meeting began with the rest of the members. It was a very successful meeting , chaired ably by Deirdre Griffin with a considerable amount of discussion, business and proposal decisions achieved.
District Executive
District 8 Executive Committee looking happy continuing their meetings on Zoom...no long distant driving needed!
February 2021
ELY
February 24th should have been our 71st. Charter Night . Instead we held a Charter Tea on Zoom. One of our members, Julia Smith (Vice President) made a “tea” of cakes and sandwiches, all home made, boxed them up and arranged delivery to each member so that we could all eat our delicious tea together. Candles were lit by President Susie for Past/Present and Future and then I.S.O Mary Rone lit the International candle. Greetings were brought by Ely Rotary President Robert Barnes who also enjoyed a tea. A most enjoyable sociable time was had by all and £350 was raised for local Charity Poss+Ability.
Saffron Walden
Members of Saffron Walden club rose to the challenge to write Pancake Limericks.
January 2021
Thetford
Committee Meetings can be fun! All smiles!
Thetford
Here are some members of Thetford club celebrating Inner Wheel Day by lighting a candle and having a Zoom meeting with lots of chat and catch ups.
Saffron Walden
Watton
This is the Candle lit for our International friends on Inner Wheel Day and placed in President Beryl’s porch during our Zoom meeting.
World Inner Wheel Day January 10th 2021
Thetford
Thetford Inner Wheel have answered the call! Making children’s masks for the appeal from School in a Bag who want to put one in each school bag they send out.
December 2020
District 8
Modelling Inner Wheel Face Masks, District Executive Committee “not taking any chances” even at their Christmas Zoom meeting!
Felixstowe
Members of Felixstowe club delivering food to Salvation Army for their Christmas Lunch Appeal
Watton
Members were busy collecting a very generous amount of food items to donate to the local Food Bank. President Beryl Brannan on left of photo and Food Bank representative on the right.
Ely
Our December club meeting included a demonstration by one of our members on how to make a Christmas wreath. Those who participated paid £5 for a “kit” for making one or having one made for them. There was also a virtual raffle of Christmas hamper. The whole enjoyable evening raised £500. Proceeds from the Christmas wreaths was £155 to go to Pos+Ability our President Susie’s chosen Charity. £180 from the Raffle to go to Homestart and member’s donations of £165 to go to Association President’s Charity R D A
GB&I
Members across G B&I including Pauline Lancaster from District 8, were pleased to join Association International Chairman Shamim Govani on December 2nd at a Zoom Glitzy Musical Bingo Evening to raise funds for Hope for Justice, Anti Modern Slavery Charity. It was a very enjoyable and successful evening with Musical Bingo games, raffle prizes and Tom Lister (singer and ex Emmerdale actor) who is an ambassador for this Charity singing Christmas songs.
Here are some of the participants.
Felixstowe
Thanks were given to Felixstowe club’s knitters for responding to the Ipswich A&E Appeal for hats to give to patients arriving with hypothermia etc. The effort was coordinated by Audrey and a wonderful array of 51 hats were delivered.
November 2020
Felixstowe
Christmas boxes to be sent to Blythswood by Felixstowe Inner Wheel and St. John’s Mothers Union.
Saffron Walden
During Lockdown 2, crafters of Saffron Walden club knitted warm and colourful hats for the homeless
District Committee Zoom Meeting -24 Nov
A successful meeting was held with Deirdre Griffin as Chairman . Well attended with all clubs represented. Here are some of the members who attended
ELY
Remembrance Sunday. Ely wreath. President Susie Sallis standing in front of Cenotaph where she had placed the wreath.
Thetford
A talented knitter makes covers for Chocolate Oranges and sells them to other members for Charities
Saffron Walden
Presidents Jen and Judy attended Saffron Walden War Memorial on Sunday to lay a wreath on behalf of the club. No march past, no service, no crowds just a timed slot. However it is still important that we remember those who gave their lives for us even in this stressful year. Jen is in the picture. Judy was out of camera shot.
Thetford
Thetford Inner Wheel was represented and a wreath laid at a special Remembrance Day Service in Kings House Gardens on Sunday
Ely
Ely President Suzie Sallis had wedding plans cancelled in June because of Covid restrictions so rearranged for Saturday 7th November. However lockdown was to begin on Thursday 5th November so resourceful Suzie hastily rearranged the wedding for Wednesday 4th November and so beat “Lock down”. Here is the happy couple, Mr.and Mrs. Jack and Suzie Sallis- Browne. Congratulations !
September 2020
Saffron Walden
Although our activities have been restricted we have managed to have a series of tea parties (up to six persons) in members gardens and we have really enjoyed these afternoons
Beccles
Ladies who lunch....in President Jennifer’s Conservatory Sept. 3rd.
Gt. Yarmouth
Gt Yarmouth held their final garden meeting for 2020. Gt. Yarmouth have had 5 garden meetings hosted by members, carefully social distancing each time and it’s been good to meet again even though many of our members haven’t felt able to mix.
Ely
The Inner Wheel club of Ely held their club Zoom meeting with 19 participants including District Chairman Deirdre who addressed the meeting. Deirdre also witnessed the presentation by President Susie Sallis of a Commemorative Plate and Certificate for 50 yrs service to Ely club to our 90 year old member Rita Hughes.
Saffron Walden
We’re out for the third year running joining the Great British Litter Pick organised nationally by Keep Britain Tidy. Locals always show appreciation for our efforts and and the wearing of Inner Wheel logo high visibility raises our profile.
Gt Yarmouth
One of the Coffee/Garden meetings held at intervals around the Gt. Yarmouth area
Thetford
The sun shone for ten members of THETFORD I.W. Club to have a coffee morning get together in the garden of their new President, Susan Watson.
Saffron Walden
The Inner Wheel Club of Saffron Walden are joining this worthy activity for the third year running. We will have our ‘high vis’ jackets on ( some even have an Inner Wheel Logo) and our litter ‘grabbers’ at the ready.
We are picking on Saturday 19th and Saturday 26th September. It’s easy to register with Keep Britain Tidy on their website and we’ve found it a good way to draw attention to Inner Wheel
https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean
August - 2020
Gt. Yarmouth
Outside meeting when new President Jenny Burroughes was inducted
Beccles
Having tea on a sunny day in Jacquie’s garden Worlington Aug.24th.
Felixstowe
Six members of Felixstowe enjoying tea and chat under the Gazebo dodging the showers!
Handover meetings all outdoors during Pandemic - July 2020
Bungay
Six members met in Henstead Exotic Gardens. Outgoing President Jacquie was presented with gardening gloves and secateurs .
Thetford
Susan Watson taking over from Cathy Witton
Woodbridge
This took place in retiring President Chris Mason’s garden. Distances were kept and masks worn when entering Conservatory for food.
Zoom Meeting: Deidre Griffin with Club Presidents
Innerwheel zooms on! June 2020
Ely I.W. Club hold their Committee Meeting
Watton Inner Wheel - in action during lockdown !
Watton Inner Wheel club have been in action during lockdown. On June 27th 2020 they held a cake stall in a members front garden. All necessary precautions were taken as you can see and the amazing amount of £731 was raised for Mary’s Meals.
District Executive zoom meeting - June 18 2020
June 18th.2020. District Executive Committee meet again via Zoom for the DCM / AGM. Liz Thomas IIW Treasurer (centre) attended as guest.
First District Executive zoom meeting - 11th May 2020
The District Executive held their first meeting by zoom - all went well and the Executive declared it a success.
Inner Wheel Club of Ipswich. Members response to the Covid 19 crisis
From Penny Thompson.
I have set up The Listening Ear 👂 in Capel and now have 50 volunteers to talk to
anyone in the village feeling isolated and who would like to hear a friendly voice on the other end of the phone.
From Tricia West.
I have been making scrubs - Sew Scrubs for Ipswich Hospital. Below is a picture of Ipswich Rotary Past President David West modelling a set. There has been such a good response that the hospital’s need is satisfied for the moment so we are making for care homes, GPS etc. All the money was raised through Facebook and Just Giving. An amazing group were cutting out and delivering the material. Made me feel a bit useful!
Lockdown - Saffron Walden
Early in the lockdown, Cathy, a member of Saffron Walden Club started to make beautiful colourful masks for our members and families.
We decided to collect the money raised from the sale of the masks and buy something for Radwinter Road Hospital in Saffron Walden.
The hospital requested items to please the patients, namely:- two hanging baskets for their outside eating area, a bird feeding station, stand and bird food to place in a central outside area that can be viewed by all patients.
In addition the club found out that earlier in the lockdown the hospital had had thermometers stolen so we also bought them 4 thermometers for the ward. (Who on earth would steal from a hospital!?).
The masks were so popular that in the end we had £200 left over which we sent to Medical Detection Dogs, a charity we have supported in the past. They are training dogs to be able to sniff out COVID-19.
“Lockdown” begins 23rd March - Thetford
The Coronavirus pandemic causes lockdown but members keep in touch and knit and sow for NHS e.g. Head bands from Thetford
District Committee Meeting - March 11th 2020
A very successful DCM at Honington and Sapiston village hall. Here is a table of attendees....mostly Thetford