All WOW activities came to an abrupt halt in March 2020, along with the rest of the country. We were very sad to suspend all our groups as well as our monthly meetings. The Ukulele group however has been continuing using Zoom and apparently going well - hopefully we will hear them all playing when we can get back together! The committee have also been trying out Zoom for meetings - the wonders of modern technology!
We have had to cancel our intended barge afternoon tea trip on the canal from Chester, the sewing group has had to cancel a trip to an fabric outlet in Manchester, we have had to cancel all planned craft workshops.

But it has not all been gloom and doom. Our WOW WI Whatsapp group has been bustling with messages, pictures memes (certainly a new addition to my vocabulary recently) to amuse and appeal to us. Many ladies love this contact and communication: some are not so keen but it is a choice for us all to pick up or drop down as we choose. Many of our groups also have Whatsapp groups to share ideas and keep in touch.
Members of our sewing group (also open to non WOW WI members) have been busy making a variety of items: scrub bags and headbands for NHS staff, Face masks for their own friends and families as well as people in the wider community and ladies in our WI who needed them. Some ladies have even been making actual scrubs for NHS, a real commitment.
Our president, Angela, started a fantastic system early on in the lockdown: she made a card and sent it to all our members (over 100) with a letter. These were so well received that Angela repeated it and sent out an Easter card again with a letter. This has been followed by a St George's Day card and a VE Day card, all accompanied by letters from herself and other members. It's a tremendous project and means a lot to many of our members.
We had a limerick writing project early on and produced a sheet of all the limericks members had written, and also one of our members has produced quizzes for people to keep their brains active! No prizes, just the pleasure of doing them.
So WOW is very much alive and kicking - as this is written, an Afternoon Tea is being planned for July, with venue to be decided (maybe at home) - and when the great day comes when we can all meet up again, no one will have forgotten about the friendships in our great WI.
​

Tuesday 17th March Quiz session is cancelled. The committee took this decision after careful consideration of current developments and advice. The committee will meet shortly to make further plans for the WI as a whole. Members will be informed of any further decisions made.

3 craft workshops were planned in February and March for members. Skills learned can be used to create items for the Lancashire Show in September. All workshops have been held at the Simpson Ground in a lovely light room with plenty of table space. We have secured the services of a great teacher, Liz S who took us through the stages carefully and patiently, she even had an extension activity ready for when we had a short time left -  so 2 for the price of 2! Everyone was pleased with their results
​Making a Dreamcatcher in February was popular.
Making a waterfall card in March - who ever knew what a waterfall card was before the workshop! I certainly didn't.
Making a stamped card has not happened yet as this goes to press - so watch out for pictures from there at a later date.

In early February, our WOW WI ukulele band took part in World Ukulele Day held in Liverpool 1. There were many people there all strumming their ukuleles and singing a variety of popular songs. Our players, who have only been learning for about 12 months, had a fabulous time and loved being part of the ukulele scene! If you google Wolrld Ukulele Day Liverpool you will be able to see some video clips to get a feel of how many uke players were gathered together on the day. Well done our players! First gig was at WOW WI Christmas party night, followed by Liverpool 1 ....Where next I wonder?
​

Each January, LFWI hold regional quiz competitions. WOW WI went up to Rainhill church hall and entered 3 teams of 4 this year - and they all enjoyed the evening with 2 teams taking 2nd and 3rd places. WOW team comprising Jean D, Janet H, Anne W and Sally C came 2nd out of 16 teams, and Bloomin' Woolton team comprising Jan G, Liz S, Viv H and Colette M took 3rd place. Our third team - Woolton Pie came a respectable 11th - Ange B, Wendy F, Marg S and Liz J. They had at least 2 scratch members who were very inexperienced at quizzing! The winning team came from Childwall WI - so we were definitely flying the flag for Liverpool! Well done ladies!

On January 15th, a group of Ladies walked off their Christmas and New Year excesses with a brisk walk along Otterspool prom on Wednesday 15th. the weather was fantastic, though cold, with a clear sky and sunshine. 

Next walk is on Wednesday 29th January, in Princes and Sefton Parks. 

We have a number of regular groups meeting during the week, for members of WOW WI. 
Walking group - walks once or twice a month organised by Margaret S.
Craft and Natter - takes place at the Simpson Ground on the 2nd Tuesday of the month
Tai Chi - takes place on Wednesday mornings at the Arncliffe Centre, Halewood.
Quiz evenings - take place on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Simpson Ground
Table Tennis - as long as there is enough interest, on Monday evenings at SFX.
Book Club - monthly on Thursday evenings as long s there is enough interest, at the Simpson Ground
Committee Meetings - take place on Monday evenings at the Simpson Ground. If there is anything members want to be discussed, please contact a member of the committee

The classes for Calligraphy, Art and Ukulele have re-started this year. The Calligraphy was very popular and the group (now full) was formed from the 2 taster sessions held in the Autumn. There will be some beautiful writing coming from that group soon!
The Art group has been meeting regularly for a long time and really enjoy their time together. There is often scope for new members. If interested, ask at a monthly meeting.
The Ukulele groups meet on 2 separate evenings each week. They are all learning well and thoroughly enjoy their music time.

There will be some craft workshops for members coming up during the year. Look out for information at Members meetings and on emails.

Our first meeting of 2020 was an inspiring talk by Yvonne Matthews about bees, beekeeping and her business involving bee products. Yvonne lives locally and is an enthusiastic beekeeper. The editor missed this meeting, but from all accounts, Yvonne was a very engaging speaker and the evening was most enjoyable..

​

 n December, the ladies enjoyed a lovely evening with mulled wine and mince pies, entertainment from the Halewood Community Choir ............. and .............the debut performance from our very own........

              *    *        WOW WI Ukulele Band!       *      *

This groups of ladies (there were some absentees due to illness, holidays etc) have only been learning for a short time. They have been dedicated in their approach to learning and amazed the membership with their skills! Well done the band and we look forward to your next performance!

​