Recent Events
CENTENARY CAROL SERVICE at Clyro - 10th December
Our annual Christmas Carol Service was held this year at St. Michael’s and All Angels Church in Clyro, and concluded the events for our successful Centenary year. Rev. David Thomas took the service based around the five candles on the Advent Wreath. WI members undertook the readings with the congregation joining in the carols, accompanied by organist Val Whiston.
Vice Chair of the Centenary Committee Rebe Brick thanked all for attending the wonderful service and presented thank you gifts to Rev. Thomas and Val Whiston. Our recent past Federation Chair, Libby Hughes, gave a short message of thanks to all the members whohad stepped up to her Chair’s Challenge of knitting 100 items of gloves, hats and scarves which she would be distributing to local homeless and needy charities and was overjoyed to announce that the first 318 had already been presented to Jake Berriman of Llandrindod Wells for his Homeless charity.
That donation itself had exceeded her challenge of 100 items, although secretly hoping for 300, to meet a challenge of more
items as set by Mary Robinson of Brecknock Federation during her own Centenary year last year - and the knitted items are still coming in.
Rev. Thomas made the draw for one Lucky number and the gift hamper was won by Mr. Brick. Before leaving for home, all were welcomed to join in for Christmas mulled wine and mince pies to round off a very enjoyable afternoon.
l-r: Readers and Speakers - Yvonne Hood, Rebe Brick, Jenny Martin, Marlene Evans, Pauline Robinson, Lyn Davies, Organist Val Whiston and Rev. David Thomas
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FEDERATION CENTENARY ACM at Rhayader - 11th November
Powys Radnor Federation of Women’s Institutes held its Centenary Annual Council Meeting at Rhayader Leisure Centre with invited guests from neighbouring Federations in Hereford, Powys Brecknock and Powys Montgomery along with Wales Federation Chair Jill Rundle. To highlight the Centenary, also attending were past Chairs, Secretaries and Treasurers and as honoured guests a member from each WI was nominated to attend as being the longest serving member of their WI.
Chair Libby Hughes (New Radnor WI) opened proceedings by welcoming all present and holding a minutes silence for those members lost since the last ACM. Former Chair Marilyn Thomas (Newbridge on Wye WI) led the singing of Jerusalem and the formal part of the meeting began. The current Board of Trustees were introduced, followed by a roll call of all Institutes represented at the meeting. At 11am a minute's silence was held in respect of Armistice Day.
Annual reports by the Secretary and the Treasurer were posted and the Chair’s report given covering many aspects of the Federation’s events through the past year, thanking many people for their help on them. A 15 years certificate was awarded to Llanyre WI, collected by Sue Cox. The Recruitment Award was presented to Christine Wells of Chatterbrook WI and Certificates for competition winners of entries submitted by long serving member Yvonne Smith of Llanddewi WI and a newer member Catherine Donnovan of Chatterbrook WI on their views of ‘What the WI means to me’ and both entries are included in the Centenary booklet now available.
The Centenary booklet has been compiled and edited by Margaret Galliers of Chatterbrook WI. Along with tributes from the Chair Libby Hughes, Ann Jones NFWI Chair, and Eirian Roberts former Chair of the Federations of Wales, a short report is included by each WI of their activities since the last booklet issued for the 75th Anniversary. This wonderful memento of the last 25 years of the Federation concludes with the Centenary Poem written by Helen Foster of Cwmbach WI, winner of the Poetry and Prose competition, a photo of the banner made to celebrate the Centenary designed and worked by Jenny Keal and Sylvia Bigglestone of Aberedw WI and Ann Lloyd of Stowe and Stanage WI, and which was on show on the stage, and the Centenary brooch designed by Cynthia Shepperd of Dolau WI.
The speaker for the event was local well known, but now retired, Ernie Husson who spoke movingly of his life as a photo-journalist starting off in Cardiff and covering many high profile events from the sad disaster of Aberfan back in the 60’s, to numerous royal visits all over Wales, reporting on world boxing fights from dressing rooms, being invited to events then barred for inappropriate dress, attending the Llandrindod Victorian Festival over many years, being Chair/President of many local organisations and awarded many honours from organisations he had served. His talk was illustrated with large photos of events he had covered, and with a tale for each, which his wife Pheone passed to members.
After the vote of thanks to Ernie, a break was taken for a wonderful buffet lunch organised, prepared and served by members of Rhayader WI and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The tables were laid with posies of yellow chrysanths with an enlarged copy of the Centenary badge as its centrepiece. The afternoon session continued with entertainment given by members of The Dolau Mixtures Choir showing their in a varied and delightful programme of well known songs ending with them leading members in the national anthems.
After a vote of thanks to the Chair Libby Hughes for the day’s event, a bouquet of flowers presented to her and wishes given for Good Luck for the future as she stepped down as Chair of the Federation, the afternoon
Click here to see some of the day's highlights as photos.
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BOWLS TOURNAMENT - October
Our annual Bowls tournament returned at last to the calendar - organised by the Sports Subcommittee. As before, the tournament was held at Whitton Village Hall and run by Ted Gittoes and other members of the Whitton Short Mat bowling team. Ted is a Champion player and his team are very experienced, so we are honoured to have them take the time to host and guide our tournament. Heats were held on successive Friday nights - 6th and 13th October and the final on the following Friday - 20th October. Sadly, several of the qualifying teams from the heats could not make the final due to ill health, but reserve teams stepped in to make it an exciting final.
The winning team who took away the Bowls Cup were 'The Organisers' (Cynthia Shepperd and Libby Hughes)
Second - Llanfair Waterdine:
Third - Tref y Clawdd:
Ted Gittoes joined each team for their photo, and then we have a photo of our expert hosts:
In the background you can see one of the beautiful wall hangings which Whitton WI have crafted and hung in the Hall. The hangings are well worth a visit when the Hall is open.
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SHOOTING EXPERIENCE SESSIONS - September/October/November
Powys Radnor Federation members were warmly welcomed by Hereford and City Rifle & Pistol Club on two memorable and exciting mornings. Guided by Range Officers and five experienced members through an introduction, the WI members chose whether to go
into the 25m or 10m indoor ranges.
More instructions and safeguards were explained before members were allowed to take possession of a firearm, shown how to load it and begin shooting at the paper targets already placed for them at the end of the range. The reactions of members when returning to the main area were amazing to see with all thoroughly enjoying the experience and with their targets showing their prowess to keep as mementos. A selection of different guns were used among which were air rifles, bolt action and semi automatic .22 rifles in the 25m range and rifles and pistols in the 10m range, supplemented by tea and cake in between.
Many thanks to Cynthia Shepperd, Dolau WI and Board of Trustees, for organising these sessions. September and October session photos:
November group photo courtesy of Rosemary Flack 
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CENTENARY LUNCH at the Metropole, Llandrindod 16th September
We celebrated our Centenary in style with a splendid lunch at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod. Headwear was de rigeur and everyone followed suit. The room and tables were beautifully decorated by the Centenary subcommittee team. After lunch, Holly Richards entertained us with her wonderful singing. A very memorable afternoon.
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GAMES NIGHT at the Severn Arms, Penybont 13th September
Darts, Dominoes and Tippet were all available at our Games Night, held at the Severn Arms. Once everyone was organised into their various teams, a great night was had by all.
The Darts winners were Rose Hamer and Derwyn Morgan from Cwmbach WI.
Dominoes winning team - Joyce Austin (Tremont) and Jenny Hodge (New Radnor)
And the Tippet winners were Becky (Tremont), Cheryl and Margaret (Nantmel)
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CENTENARY EXHIBITION at the Metropole Hotel 24th-28th August
As part of Llandrindod's Victorian Week, we had an exhibition of work from our WIs over the years. As well as displays of work and banners, there were also craft demonstrations. Ann Jones, Chairman NFWI, opened the event on 24th August, accompanied by Rhian Connick, NFWI-Wales. The exhibition was the culmination of many months preparation by Marilyn Thomas and her team - well done to them.
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BREAST CANCER NOW Afternoon Tea - 18th August 2023
We held a fundraising Afternoon Tea at Crossgates Hall in aid of Breast Cancer Now. A wonderful turnout of support - lots of lovely cakes to choose from. Guessing games, a bran tub and a raffle, along with donation boxes helped to increase the funds raised - a total of £625.27 after costs has now been donated to Breast Cancer Now - a very successful afternoon. Well done and many thanks to Libby Hughes and the Public Affairs subcommittee and their helpers, as well as all who contributed.
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POETRY & PROSE - 7th July 2023
Our popular Poetry & Prose evening took place this year at Gladestry Village Hall. The evening of readings was based around the competition for the Jean Woosnam Salver and although a small number of entries, the content was of a high and varied standard on the theme of ‘Centenary’ this being the Centenary of the Powys Radnor Federation.
The entries were judged by Emma Beynon, an expert and tutor of creative writing, and although not able to attend herself, she had left comments for the individual entrants on how she had judged their work. Midway through the evening, we broke for refreshments - Pimms or juice and a lovely selection of puddings and cheese and biscuits. This was followed by the raffle and then we returned to the readings.
The winner of the Jean Woosnam Salver was Helen Fisher of Cwmbach WI. Helen was unable to join us for the evening, so PRFWI Arts & Literature Chairman, Jenny Keal, made the presentation to Cwmbach WI President, Rose Hamer, on Helen's behalf.
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GILFACH WALK - 9th June 2023
The Sports subcommittee celebrated Big Green Week by organising a walk around Gilfach Nature Reserve. Our group assembled in the sunshine at the Welcome Gateway car park and headed off along the Marteg Valley Trail following the river upstream through meadows of beautiful wildflowers. Butterflies and beetles were also in abundance.
Despite the low level of water in the river, the waterfalls were still impressive and there we met (well, disturbed) a pair of birdwatchers heavily laden with telephoto lenses. They pointed out pied flycatchers, and then we left them in peace and headed on to the Old Farmyard where we had our packed lunch.
We started out on the return loop taking in the magnificent views down the Marteg Valley, then more flora and fauna including a stunning white orchid. Along the boardwalk and then the into the shade of the old railway line, we returned to the car park.
We plan to repeat this visit in the autumn when the water levels should be higher and hopefully the salmon leaping.
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FEDERATION QUIZ - 19th April 2023
Hosted by our Public Affairs Subcommittee, our annual Federation Quiz took place at Crossgates Hall on the evening of 19th April. 14 WI teams took part, and as last year the quiz was run and invigilated by Tony and Jane Allport. The evening was a great success, 8 challenging rounds, especially the last one where the theme was The WI through the decades. We paused halfway for refreshments and a scrumptious buffet, but Tony and Jane made sure we were kept busy with a cartoon picture round on the theme of Countries.
The winners were Howey with 89 points, 2nd were Chatterbrook with 84 points and 3rd Whitton with 82 points.
Congratulations and thanks to all who took part in the quiz, also to our quizmasters and Liibby and the Public Affairs team.
We also saw the winning entry of our Show The Love T-shirt and Tote bag design competition which had been made up into an actual t-shirt and modelled by winner Miranda Capecchi.
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ST. DAVID'S DAY AFTERNOON TEA - 4th March 2023
We continued our Centenary celebrations with an Afternoon Tea at Crossgates Hall with a St. David's Day theme. The Dolau Mixtures choir were our planned entertainment, but they had to cancel under sad circumstances. Local singers Holly RIchards and Trevor Morgan stepped in last minute and, with their beautiful voices , gave us a medley of favourites. Plenty of singing along. After the entertainment, it was sandwiches and cake, including the all important Welsh Cakes. A great spread, enjoyed by all. The afternoon finished with the raffle, prizes included a beautiful fabric duck doorstop which had been crafted that very morning at Crossgates in a 'Sewing with Mel' class.
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WHIST DRIVE - 15th February 2023
A taster session of Whist was organised at Llandewi Hall and 12 of our members joined in. Everyone enjoyed the evening with a raffle and refreshments after. We will be organising more sessions and hopefully more members will take advantage. A big thank you to Jane and Anwen for officiating.
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CENTENARY TREE PLANTING - 14th February 2023
To celebrate our Centenary we have planted an 'Autumn Spire' Rowan tree at the Lakeside in Llandrindod Wells. A group of our members attended the planting which was led by Federation Chair, Libby Hughes, and Chair of the Centenary subcommittee, Dawn Gill. it was a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for tree planting. Afterwards everyone adjourned to the Lakeside Cafe for a celebratory cuppa. Many thanks to Steve Smith from Powys County Council, who did all the hard work.
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CENTENARY ANNIVERSARY SERVICE - 23rd January 2023
2023 marks our Centenary , and what better way to start than to hold an Anniversary service of celebration exactly 100 years since our formation - 23rd January 1923. This took place at the Holy Trinity Chrurch, Llandrindod Wells. Over 100 members and guests attended the service which started with a procession of banners to the altar whilst singing Jerusalem.
The service included memories from previous anniversaries, readings, prayers and an inspiring address from Rev Andrew Perrin. After the final blessing, we gathered round as our longest serving member, Eunice Nichols of Llanbister WI, cut the celebratory cake. Eunice has been a WI member in Powys Radnor for 70 years! This was followed by cake and refreshments in the adjacent Church Hall, a chance for friends to catch-up and natter.
Our guests included Ann Jones, (Chair NFWI); Rhian Connick, Lisa Howells and Sarah Thomas, (Wales Office); Mary Robinson and Lynda Probert (Powys Brecknock); Geraldine Russell Jones and Margaret Jones (Powys Montgomery); Margaret Simcock and Caroline Wright (Hereford). Also present were previous Chairs and Board members of Powys Radnor. It was lovely to see so many.
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