From Joan Steel
Several members were away on holidays, so Margaret chaired the July meeting and Janet took notes on the very enjoyable evening, a practical session, organised by Heather Cawthorn on making “Bling Brooches”. After a short demonstration, Heather supplied little cushions for members to decorate with ribbons, buttons, pieces of pretty material, beads and coloured threads plus anything that members had brought themselves. Heather gave help and encouragement. The finished brooches were arranged on a small table and made an amazing display of different designs and ideas. Everyone enjoyed the evening so much that they would like Heather to come again!

Mr Thomas Campbell, our speaker at the September meeting gave a slide talk on “Work Aid”. This project was started by twelve people at an Amersham church, 27 years ago who decided that they had to do something practical to help victims in the Ethiopian famine. The aid given provides refubished tools to enable people living in poverty to work and so earn a living to support a family. Work Aid not only supplies the “Tools for Life” but also ensures that the recipients have facilities for training to make the best use of the equipment. There are now over 200 volunteers, from all walks of life, who collect and refurbish tools for woodwork, metalwork, sewing machines, knitting equipment, drills, lathes, horticultural impliments, electrical equipment etc. Instruction is given to new volunteers and work is done to a schedule of requirments. Sixty represenatives in different parts of the country collect the refurbished goods, clean, test, check to prove that things are fit for purpose and pack equipment to ship to approved vocational projects in many deprived areas all over the world. The interesting slides showed the tools being used by men and women in remote villages. It is possible to have a guided tour of our local work centre and small shop (open Thur. ri and Sat 10am-4pm) in Chesham at the Old Boot Factory, which has work space of 1,400sq ft on 3 floors. Goods that are not required for projects, or not suitable, are sold or recycled. Volunteers enjoy the comradeship, and a chance to use their skills to help others. Finally “Work Aid “needs you, your unwanted tools, also your financial help. Several questions were asked about this very valuable and well organised charity. Heather proposed the vote of thanks.

On 4th October we have our 47th AGM and supper. Please bring cutlery, plate and glass also a £4 wrapped gift.

From Joan Steel

In May we had a talk with short film by Dr Eatam about the charity Plan which plans to give the worlds most vunerable children the chance of a better life. We were told that the charity started after the Spanish civil war which left many children orphaned. John Langdon Davies decided to organise the children to live in colonies and have foster parents from all over the world to sponsor them. Plan now operates in 50 of the worlds poorest countries helping to raise children out of a life of poverty into a life of opportunity. The film which was narrated by a remote village child was called “Because I am a Girl”and highlighted the cruelty, violence, abuse and disadvantages suffered by girls because they are not valued or educated and mostly not wanted. The Plan programme helps to empower chidren to improve their lives and take control of their future, without help they may not have a future at all. Sponsors correspond with the child and are allowed a short visit and are sent photographs, thus they share in the joy of supporting a life full of opportunity. (Sponsor forms are available from Valley Wives members.) Doreen gave the vote of thanks, saying what good work is being done by Plan and how lucky we all feel to live in this country. £60 was donated from the meeting.

In June, Heather, a Trustee of South Bucks Counselling Service described her work and the aims of this non-profit making organisation which is a registered charity. It is a service which offers you help when you feel you can no longer cope. The counsellors are volunteers chosen for their social skills and are highly trained, at university on a 3 year course. They are able to provide longer term help than the NHS who are only able to provide a 6 to 8 week session. Patients are often then referred to a counsellor. It is also possible to self-refer. The sessions do not provide a quick or easy answer to a problem, but by talking to a counsellor you can begin to see your situation more clearly then are able to make decisions in order to achieve a more satisfying life. It helps you to know yourself better and forgive yourself more. Clients are asked to make a contribution towards the cost of their counselling, according to their means. Hilary, who accompanied Heather, raised £1,500 towards the charity by running in a marathon race. Heather Meyer gave the vote of thanks to Heather and Hilary for telling us about the valuable and really good service that the counsellors provide.

Our next meeting on July 6th is a practical session on Bling Broaches The interesting object begins with letter L. On August 2nd ww have a Pot Luck Supper in the Small Hall at 8pm, please bring food,drink cutlery, plate bowl and glass. Sept 6th is an Open Meeting on “Workaid”. All Welcome.

From Joan Steel
Margaret made the announcements this month and introduced Valerie Statterfield, our speaker who gave a very interesting talk entitled “Being a Headmistres – a way of life”. Valerie’s lifetime career in teaching started in 1966 and ended six years ago. After thirty years of teaching in a wide selection of schools in Britain and the USA while her own children were little, then eventually became Headmistress of Pipers Corner School. Valerie found this very fulfilling, as well as challenging and complex. A head has to be authoritative, democratic, supportive, have a good leadership style, and able to create a positive, all round learning environment where academic achievement is paramount but there must be development of the whole character. Every child is gifted and talented so schools must be inclusive, everyone should feel valued as individuals, and be given high expectations. A school should not be complacent Valerie found that being head if a boarding community as well as living in a bungalow on the premises, was very strenuous as she was never off duty. She was always responsible even for nursing, and had to have legal medicine training. Dealing with many childrens issues, was like having a large family! Administrative issues and paper work could be all consuming eg Governors meetings, parents associations, staff appointments (Valerie outlined the atributes that she looked for in a good teacher), child protection issues that needed agency co-operation, meetings with architects ,dealing with government and political intrusion etc. However Valerie always kept “grounded” by doing some teaching and getting to know the girls and for them to know her. She paid tribute to her outstanding staff. School assemblies were thought provoking and strengthened the co-operative life of the school promoting the enduring power of love. Valerie was warmly thanked for her very interesting and informative talk.

Our next meeting is on April 5th when Mary Gamester’s fabrics talk is on “How India Has Influenced my Work”. The interesting objects competition is for something beginning with the letter R.