The hotel was on the outskirts of Bolton set amidst blossoming trees and green fields. After a long day and lots of welcome chatter which we have all so missed over the last 2 years, we were pleased to settle down in our comfortable beds.
Now, in the morning we were beginning to spot other coaches from other federations but there were noticeably fewer than in pre-covid years and the M&S Bank Arena was less than half full---only 2000 in the audience. However, the atmosphere was still good and of course the shortness of the queues for the loos was very welcome. Also, one was able to view the stands along the corridor relatively easily and they were worth visiting---NFWI merchandise including Jubilee mugs, WI promotion leaflets and campaign action packs, as well as some trade stalls.
Our NFWI Chair Ann Jones conducted the meeting very well and managed this hybrid meeting efficiently. Although we had lost some people, we had also gained 26,000 new members and she stressed the importance of the recruitment drive. A lovely lady from Northern Ireland charmed us all and a representative from the WI of Scotland spoke too.
There was a change in the agenda because Helen Clarke from New Zealand couldn’t come so we had Kate Garbers instead talking on screen about modern slavery in the wider world and in UK. She is the director of UNSEEN a charity based in Bristol bringing help to victims.
Then the resolution on Women and Girls with ASD and ADHD was moved but the seconder made the greatest impact: she was young, a sufferer (if that’s the right word) and she absolutely froze when she got to the microphone. The Chair gave her time and a word of gentle support which did the trick and the lass delivered a wonderful coherent and engaging speech. The discussion that followed included two professors for both sides of the argument and good points both from the floor and from the home audience on line. The resolution was carried as we all knew it would be but I think many people would have voted against, if they had been able to, after listening to the debate---I would have done.
The afternoon speaker was Sarah Clarke, the first female Black Rod and former Administrator of Wimbledon. An excellent but reluctant public speaker, she was very well received by the audience. Apparently, the Trustees on the stage had great difficulty in hearing any of the speakers because of the positioning of the mikes and an echo from the back of the hall but we were fine out in the main auditorium.
It was a good meeting to have attended, the journey back to Bucks went as scheduled and we were still talking all the way home!
VA.