The most important thing for WI members in November is the issue of WI Life because it contains the voting slip for the selection of next year’s resolutions to go to the Annual General Meeting in June. We have to choose one from six this year. Personally, I wish that at least two of them could have been combined under a female health title of some sort as they are both addressed to the Government. Because the smear one is directed at the membership for action, that might arguably be kept separate but couldn’t a subject with more general appeal have been chosen instead of three focussed on our femininity? Contemplating one’s navel seems to have given way to centring one’s thoughts on one’s vagina which is physically more difficult and one hopes exclusive. Do you remember the shock when Jenny Murray on Women’s Hour first drew attention to the menopause on radio with “Is it me or is it hot in here?” We have fortunately come a long way from those days but I bet there are many who will cringe at quite so much public discussion of these issues ---important though they are---so perhaps we could have made a more gentle approach.
There is another problem with the resolution procedure and that is the time at which the discussion has to take place. Do we talk about them at the Christmas party meetings---enjoy a mince pie while doing your pelvic floor exercises---or when everyone is trying to sort out the payment of annual subscriptions in January? Some WIs don’t meet in January in fear of bad weather: what about them?
To go back to my first point in this blog, just this week there was a long article in the national press saying that the level of cervical cancer screening tests being taken is at its lowest level since 1997 which adds weight to one resolution. Also in the news, that MP Sir Christopher Chope blocked the bill on FGM just as he did the motion about “Upskirting” cameras. Perhaps he should change his name to Choke.
Anyway, our WI has held its usual group activities, been on an outing to a Christmas market and celebrated with a Christmas dinner. We are looking forward to a December meeting with a musical entertainment and a seasonal buffet.
On re-reading this I am looking forward to stirring up some reaction from my readers. Over to you.