The WI has a long and successful campaign history.  Each year every member of WI has the opportunity to cast their individual selection on the resolution they support the most.  WIs are encouraged to hold meetings to provide members with the opportunity to discuss and learn more about each resolution and BEWI takes this seriously every January meeting.  This year a few eyebrows were raised when looking at the selection and as usual with BEWI lively discussion took place.  The great advantage of talking about the resolutions is that invariably you learn something new.  What was evident was that the majority of us did not know anything about vulval cancer (it is a rare cancer). It is suspected that most women are unaware that they should be regularly checking
their vulvas. Research by The Eve Appeal found that 4 in 5 women have never checked their vulva and less than 1 in 3 people have heard of vulval cancer.  BEWI agreed that raising awareness is important and felt, as a WI, this is a resolution we should and could support.

 

Resolution: Love Your Vulva – Self checking is your best defence against vulval cancer

Self-checking your vulva is important in ensuring the earlier detection of vulval cancer and to enhance survival chances. We call upon WI members to work together to raise awareness of the importance of self-checking and seeking medical advice as early as possible, and, to help highlight this rare cancer to GPs to promote prompt referrals to medical specialists when needed.

A sunny, blue skied, crisp Winter’s day and some brave BEWI members donned layers of warm clothes and set off over the countryside in temperatures of around 3 degrees.  Well done everyone for showing those of us who stayed in the warm what fun you had.  A resolution?  Why not join in on a walk on the first Monday of the month?  Of course, it’s not just about the exercise, it’s an opportunity to get together, have a chat and swap ideas. See you next month!

For info:  The Met Office stated Blizzard conditions are set to hit parts of the UK as numerous amber and yellow winter weather warnings for snow and ice remain in place across the country.  Luckily not in Bransgore.

As we approach the end of 2025, BEWI committee would like to thank all the members for their continued support.  We wish you all a joyful Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.  As a committee we are often told it is the friendships that are made when joining that make a difference.  We hope you will be able to gather together with friends and family over this festive season and celebrate, whether with a cup of tea or a walk in the fresh air, the importance of friendship.

BEWI wishes everyone the very best for 2026.

 

web editor: 2026 image by FloraLunaSeven

Bransgore Evening WI Wine Club tested recommended wines for Christmas.  On the menu was everything from a lively, sparkling Cava from Spain made in the champenoise method, two Chateau Neuf du Pape wines, two good value white wines and, of course, delicious dessert wines.  Along with the excellent wine selection, BEWI’s very own wine connoisseur provided suitable morsels to enhance our experience. A magical evening was had as we enjoyed the festive atmosphere and the company of good friends.

BEWI Wine Club wish you a Merry Christmas.

The Hampshire Federation calendar competition for 2026 had a theme of Science and Technology.  Perhaps not the easiest of subjects but one of our members, often seen with camera in hand, decided to enter after spending time looking for something to inspire her.  All entrants may enter up to 4 photographs and Ruth was delighted to hear that one of her photos had been chosen for the month of October.  This is the third year running that one her photographs has featured in the federation calendar.  Well done Ruth.

There was a real buzz at yesterday’s BEWI meeting.  Lots of happy people chatting and sharing their latest news.  There was a warm atmosphere, it may have been stormy outside (did you avoid the puddles!) but inside it was cosy, cheerful and welcoming.  In addition to the usual monthly events, this month we decided to raise funds for our charity, Maggie’s in Southampton (cancer support specialists).  Our fundraising continues for a year and last night we added £148 to the collection.  Well done everyone who contributed.  Next month is, of course, our Christmas meeting so time to dig out the sparkly and outrageous jumpers.  Only 46 shopping days to go as well as sending in a photo for the competition, brushing up on our singing for the Carol Concert, baking a couple of cakes, going for a healthy walk at the start of December and then there’s Wine Club – the list goes on.

This is WI’s current campaign as there are over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests a year in the UK, and less than one in ten people survive. Women have a lower chance of surviving than men. Early cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation can more than double the chances of survival. We call on WI members to work together to increase public confidence and training in the delivery of CPR and to work with local organisations to help improve access to defibrillators in their communities to give every person the best chance of surviving a cardiac arrest.

Next Thursday, 16th October, is Restart a Heart Day 2025.

If you only do one thing next week, please read and learn about what you can do.  Restart a Heart Day 2025 – learn life-saving CPR | St John Ambulance

As we met in Burbush car park, we put on our walking boots and jackets, after all it is October and the weather has been a little unpredictable (strong winds with Storm Amy, large puddles on the road) of late.  Seven of us set off across the land, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, the panorama stunning and the New Forest ponies were relaxed as we wandered by.  It wasn’t long before the jackets came off as the temperature was around 17C.  It was a perfect day to get together and admire our wonderful landscape.  Thank you to Linda for organising the walk.

Some members of Bransgore WI have explored a range of activities over the last couple of weeks.  Our History Group looked back by visiting an excellent interactive ‘Titanic’ exhibition at Sea City Museum, Southampton; our talented Crafty Girls are looking forward and planning for Christmas and the Camera Club stayed at home to examine (and reminisce) members photographs taken on a holiday.  The common thread?  Everyone had a good time with friends.  On Monday, it’s our regular trip for a coffee and cake at a local venue when we can chat about what we have been doing.

Many of you reading this will have spent a day at this year’s New Forest Show in July.  Did you visit the WI marquee?  If you did I’m sure you will  have been impressed by the vast array of beautiful items on display.  The theme for entries this year was  “Wonderfully Wild” and our clever BEWI members entered into the spirit producing items as diverse as “Knit a wild animal” to “Wildly arranged flowers”.  One that attracted substantial entry was to produce a child’s quilt for Southampton’s Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.  These charming quilts are now doing their job and hopefully lifting spirits for very sick children.

So a round of applause was well deserved last night at our monthly meeting for our inventive, imaginative and nibble fingered members – well done.