“Educate a boy and you educate a man, educate a girl and you educate a family” Adelaide Hoodless
Carnlough WI
Annual report 2023-2024
Madam Chairperson, Madam President and fellow members, I wish to submit the 2023-2024 annual report.
The conclusion of our WI’s 47[th] year has descended upon us and our President Margaret, I am sure you will all agree has had a hugely successful year in her role.
In June last year the voting took place and then the business was dealt with.
Margaret McMullan won the competition cup.
The WI Friendship bowl was presented to Elizabeth Gracey.
Margaret reminded members about the upcoming Vintage day and to bring lots of home made goodies to sell. Also items were required for the Tombola. Margaret spoke highly of the dedication of long serving members who are commendable.
Best wishes were given to the new Committee: Margaret McMullan was elected President for the incoming year 2023-2024. The duties of the Committee were announced.
Margaret thanked Rosemary for doing our AGM and presented gifts to here and her teller Eleanor
During our summer break the annual Carnlough Vintage day took place in August. The usual high standard of crafts, baked goods, hampers and many others prizes and many varied activities made for a very successful day. A total of £2246 was raised for our charities ACCW and the Red Bay Life Boats and we thanked all our hard working members for their contributions
The meetings reconvened in
September where 6 new committee members were formally proposed and seconded and were warmly welcomed by all.
Agnes Wharry our treasurer explained that although £2246 was raised this year, there was £307 in the bank from last year making a grand total of £2553. Agnes suggested giving the 2 charities £1000 each and to carry forward £553 in case we wouldn’t make as much in 2024 and we would have that amount to fall back on. Everyone was in agreement, this was proposed and seconded. Although affiliation fees had gone up from £15 to £20 our own fees would remain the same as last year, £40 per member.
A gift was given to everyone who helped at the Vintage Day which was donated by Carnlough Vintage Society and presented by Agnes.
Kell & Connor our guests for entertaining Carnlough WI with stories, poems and song.
4 members were invited to Kells and Connor to join their 60th anniversary celebrations, in September.
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“Educate a boy and you educate a man, educate a girl and you educate a family” Adelaide Hoodless
Randalstown WI gave an invitation to a talk. Topic Women’s Health.
October
A report of the Slemish area’s meeting was given. The homecraft group met regarding Christmas craft display.
Mary McManus from HQ provided a report from her visit to Carnlough Drop In, it was published in the WI magazine.
Invites were received from Glarryford WI who held a fashion show and from Cullybacky WI to their Ceilidh.
Broughshane also sent an invitation to their games night.
As we had no speaker the competition was judged by the members who hadn’t entered it.
November
We had a lovely Christmas dinner at Currans Court Hotel Larne. We happily welcomed another new member.
At W.I. Headquarters Agnes, Ethel and Margaret were presented with the Evelyn Lord Trophy for the biggest contributions to A.C.W.W, from the smallest W.I. group (Carnlough).
A commemorative Wreath was laid at Ballymena cenotaph on behalf of the Slemish area. The home and garden Christmas event was held at the Armagh City Hotel.
Tables at local schools for fund raising on 24[th] Nov & 1[st] Dec were £607 was raised
December
The Slemish area’s Carol Service was held in Glarryford, 3 members attended this event. Fun and games was our theme for our December meeting.
We also had a Christmas sale selling £133 of goods making a final total of £740.
January
Connor from Red Bay Life Boats attended our meeting and thanked the group for the fantastic fund raising.
Our speaker was Geraldine Connon renowned dress designer and author gave a very insightful talk on her book The Russian Tailor of Belfast.
February
The Arts sub committee’s painting competition is Nature’s symphony Wildlife and landscape painting, their other events include decoupage, calligraphy& handwriting this took place in Templepatrick.
We were delighted to hear that our own member Mary McCambridge won 1st place in the Novice Water Colour Painting Class and received the Joyce Swann silver Salver.
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“Educate a boy and you educate a man, educate a girl and you educate a family” Adelaide Hoodless
Mary Elizabeth one of new members gave a wonderful talk on the development of the Carnlough community garden.
We received an invitation from Gracehill and Galgorm where Rosemary Frane talked about Israel. Also an invite WI for their games night
The annual Slemish area bowls and quiz event was hosted by Carnlough. Bowls hosted by Glenlough community centre bowls group. The quiz was hosted in Ardclinnis church hall.
March
Rev Henry Keyes gave a very insightful and interesting talk on his life experiences and how they relate to reconciliation. Pat McCormick joined him in song. A delightful evening.
An invitation was received from Kells and Connor to attend a talk by Gina Causeway on aromatics.
The One day school was held in Ahoghill, 6 members attended. There was also an invitation from Cullybacky to join Slemish area choir.
April
Our speaker at this months’ meeting was Vera McCullough, jeweller from Buckna, who gave a very interesting talk on her life and work in the jewellery world. She also judged our evenings competition.
The Slemish area Spring meeting was held in Cullybacky Community Centre.
Mid and East Antrim Council provided a Pop up shop in Larne for a week which promoted groups and activities in Carnlough, 4 WI volunteers attended to promote WI.
The Drama evening to be held in Templepatrick was cancelled.
May
The Red Bay RNLI sale, have offered a free table at the Parochial Hall Cushendall monies made go to WI funds.
We had a lovely outing to Vera McCullough’s workshop, where she will clean jewellery and offered advice, she kindly provide refreshments. We then went onto gardening retails therapy and lunch at Galgorm garden centre.
Six members thoroughly enjoyed a weekend to An Grianán.
June
Reflecting on the 47[th] year of our WI it is of great credit to all members new and long standing, for their selfless work and input into both fund raising and other activities carried out. Any funds raised in these austere times are so welcomed and all gifts and donations of crafts, food items and time is all very welcomed by those who benefitted.
'A Woman is like a teabag; you never know how strong she is until she's in hot water.' by Eleanor Roosevelt
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“Educate a boy and you educate a man, educate a girl and you educate a family” Adelaide Hoodless
'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'
by Maya Angelou
This madam chairperson concludes my report
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