The Retford Mayflower WI September meeting was a talk from Autism East Midlands (AEM) by Suzannah, the Deputy Head at Sutherland House in Nottingham and Laura from the Leadership Team.
AEM take children aged from three to 19 years within approximately one hour distance of Sutherland House and they are referred by the local authority. The school helps to bring out specific abilities within children and they use Makaton sign language where necessary.
The school has been fortunate to be able to place some of the students on work placements, helping towards their future independence. After the interesting talk and questions, Suzannah and Laura were handed a considerable number of wiggle worms which members had made.
On 27th September several members attended the Retford in Bloom awards evening at Grove Street Methodist Church Hall, which is organised by the Civic Society. Mayflower were honoured to have been nominated for a Community Award for their litter picks around the town. It was a very informative evening, and the homemade cakes afterwards were enjoyed by everyone.
October saw the AGM followed by a quiz. On Wednesday 8th November Janice Holmes from Janice Rose Lingerie, based at Sutton-on-Trent, will give a talk on ladies’ underwear and how important it is to have a correct fitting bra.
Then on 26th November, Mayflower members will once again be back in the Buttermarket serving refreshments at the Christmas Market – pop along and support them! They will also be exhibiting a special tree at St Swithun’s Christmas Tree Festival.
The year will be rounded off in December with the Christmas party evening.
If there are ladies who are free on the second Wednesday of the month, all are welcome at Stephen House on Chapelgate for 7.30pm as a visitor to see what the local WI has to offer besides friendship and fun.