Tales of the Lockdown ….. Episode 7

Life in ‘Lockdown’ continues to be ‘different’ for us in The Ridwares WI.  We still can’t meet up as a group, but are finding ways of keeping in touch as well as helping our community.

Happy Birthday to Liz Humble, Anna McCallum, Meryl Mattey, Chris Lowries, Mary Meddings, Jean Hodgskiss, Wendy Thomas and Yvonne Banks! Congratulations to Clare and Martin Brown who celebrated their Ruby Wedding anniversary on Sunday and also to Anthea and Ivan Smith on the birth of their new great granddaughter – Ada.

The BKV planters are all growing nicely – as is our WI heart shaped flower bed.  Thanks to Deb Wilson & Yvonne Higgins for their weeding – much appreciated!

Jude and Angela have been busy knitting new born baby hats which have now been passed on to Good Hope, New Cross and Leicester hospitals.  The maternity units are very appreciative.  Karen has also received, and passed on, a bag of gorgeous cardigans, hats and little socks for premature babies, donated by a lady who runs the craft club in the village.  Thank you to all of you!

Remember the Hygiene Box initiative that we started before Lockdown?  Well, we couldn’t let what we had already collected go to waste, so Karen made a request on Facebook for any further donations – and was inundated!  Ann Batchelor made 60 beautiful toiletry bags for us, which have been duly filled and taken to the Hygiene Bank where they will be distributed to those in need.  Thank you Anne, and to everyone who donated toiletries.  This story was picked up by the Staffordshirre Federation and they have given us a mention in the latest SFWI newsletter – The Ridwares WI has been referred to as “Community Champions”.  Well done ladies!!

As for keeping in touch with eachother, well, we all received a ‘Hug in a Bag’ – in lieu of a real hug & meeting up in person.  Particular thanks to Karen & Alan for delivering the vast majority of these to all the members – the Sat Nav certainly had it’s work cut out navigating the roads & by-ways of rural Staffordshire!  Karen commented that it made her appreciate just how far some of our ladies travel to get to our meetings & events, and how lovely it was to actually have a (socially distanced) catch-up with so many members in person.  These ‘Hugs’ were very well received & much appreciated by all.

As to meeting up in person, things are still uncertain…. but we will keep you informed.  Until then,

Stay Safe – Be Kind – Kia Kaha  (Stay Strong)