At the September meeting of East Markham WI, members welcomed two representatives from Nottinghamshire Women’s Aid to talk about the services they provide to vulnerable and abused women across the county. The local office covers Mansfield, Worksop, Retford, Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, and employs 82 staff – most of whom work within the community providing counselling, one-to-one and group sessions on all aspects of abuse and vulnerability. In the first eight months of 2025, there were 3,940 referrals to the Nottinghamshire service. Funding and practical assistance come from a range of bodies including the government, social services, the NHS, businesses and other charitable organisations, though this is never enough to meet the demand.
A short multiple-choice quiz on the scale of abuse in the UK shocked many members, as the correct answer was always the largest number. The statistics were sobering: two women are killed every week by a partner or carer; one in three women experience some form of abuse each year; the police receive a report of abuse every 30 seconds; 20% of children have lived with abuse; and abuse costs the UK £23 billion annually. The talk prompted many thoughtful questions, which were answered in detail. As the organisation does not charge for talks, the WI presented a donation – the proceeds of the evening’s raffle – along with a box of much-needed pants and socks donated by members.
In October, members and visitors enjoyed An Evening with Waitrose, during which Josh introduced a selection of wines, including non-alcoholic options, from the store’s extensive range. These were accompanied by bread and cheese. On Tuesday 18th November, there will be a demonstration from Cathy’s Chocolate and Cakes. The Poppy Project has now been completed, with around 900 poppies attached to the netting and installed at the village War Memorial at the end of October. Members hope villagers will enjoy this addition during Remembrance Week, particularly poignant in the year marking the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day. They also look forward to speaking with villagers about the project during the Remembrance Sunday service.
New members and visitors (£6.00) are always welcome at the monthly meetings, which take place at East Markham Village Hall, starting at 7.15pm.
For more information, contact 07802 225999 or 07971 291883