Inner Wheel District 6
Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland
An Active Organisation for Active Women!
The clocks changed last night so on a positive note we have lighter evenings and spring days to look forward to. Here in Henley we have had a gloriously sunny week of spring days, although slightly windy. This has allowed me with my husband Tom to at least do our daily walk (while keeping our social distance from other people) without getting wet!!!
Keeping social distance or self-isolating is a very difficult thing to do especially if you live on your own. I take this opportunity to encourage all of you to pick up the phone or send an e-mail to the other members of your inner wheel club. Knowing someone is thinking of you can be real boost to our mental health and wellbeing.
Throughout our organisation we have had so many events cancelled; club meetings, fellowships, district meetings, our International Rally and of course the Association Conference. All these events take a lot of organising. So a big thank you to all of you who put so much effort into our Inner Wheel events.
I’m sure lots of you have been taking this time to catch up on all those jobs we all put off. Personally I have painted the inside of our boiler cupboard and taken up outdoor housework, commonly known as “gardening”. This gardening was all due to a rose bush I was given by the Coventry Club on my visit. I dug the hole to plant “Rosie” as she has been called and decided that I would carry on and try and get some sort of order in our garden. Neither of us are gardeners but I have to say I have found it very therapeutic. Weeds don’t answer back. So when normality returns. If anyone has any cuttings they could let me have I will be very grateful. I have a lot of gaps now where the weeds were growing.
On a business note I hope that some of you are thinking about coming forward to join the District Committee. I have had a lovely time meeting members and also inducting new members. It is a very rewarding position to be District Chairman. I know there are lots of you out there that have your own ideas about how our district should be run. I encourage you to come forward. In my opinion there isn’t a right or a wrong way to approach any of the positions on the district. HAVE A GO!!
Ladies my wish is that you all stay healthy, keep washing your hands and above all keep smiling.
Yours in Friendship
Claire x
District Chairman Claire and her husband, the High Baliff of Henley-in-Arden, are joining together to help fight climate change by planting trees.
Over 100 members from across District 6 came together to take part in the District Meeting and enjoy a lovely lunch. Clubs put on a seasonal retail opportunity with stalls providing lots of items to buy and win, all proceeds going to charities.
IW members from across D6 enjoyed a lovely get togther at the District Rally recently. Speakers from both of Chairman Claire's charities spoke about their work and we were delighted to welcome guests from other organisations including our national IW Chairman Enid.
Members from District 6 at the national get together to help train and inform new Officers. A very useful learning event!
Past District 6 Chairman Jill handed over the Chain of Office to incoming Chairman Claire at the recent District 6 Meeting and AGM.
The event was well attended by Clubs across the District and ful details of the new Executive can be found on the 'Our Team' page.
PDCs' visit to Hartlebury Castle: 7 May 2019
This year the Past District Chairmen's group visited Hartlebury Castle, Kidderminster, the former home of the Bishops of Worcester. Hartlebury Castle, a Grade I listed building, was turned into a fortified residence for the Bishop of Worcester before the end of the 13th century with its defences being completed around 1450. It remained the home of the Bishop of Worcester until 2016. The Bishop's Palace has been beautifully restored and opened to the public just one year ago. Very friendly guides are in rooms around the Palace and as you go from room to room further information is given creatively by former residents via video screens.
Worcestershire County Museum is also based at Hartlebury Castle and currently houses a wonderful costume exhibition and display of children's toys. The castle grounds and gardens have been restored (although this is a work in progress) and there is a large new cafe serving refreshments and tasty light lunches.
The venue was recently named a Visit England Hidden Gem, a national award for smaller attractions that offer an excellent visitor experience and memorable visits. As a first time visitor, I wholeheartedly endorse this award. Daphne
The IW national Conference in Cardiff was well attended by members from District 6 who had a very enjoyable time.
There were inspiring speakers such as Ed Pratt who circled the world on a Unicycle to raise money for the School in a Bag charity, charity presentations including one from Hope and Home given by a woman who had been an abandoned orphan herself and business sessions including our Annual General Meeting. All of this was sprinkled with entertainment and music, and we finished off the last night dancing to the Amazing Blues Brothers. Join us next year in Belfast if you can!
Our IIW 3-year Social Project in this country is Period Poverty - Dignity for Women and Girls. We are working closely with charities, schools, women's refuges, and supermarkets to highight the issues.
District Chairman Claire has selected The Women’s Refuge and Breast Cancer Haven as her charities.
The District 6 International Charity is the Lemon Tree Trust - transforming refugee camps, one garden at a time.
The National President, Enid Law, has chosen Riding for the Disabled for her charity.
The International President, Phyllis Charter, has chosen 'Together We Can' as her theme.
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