New President takes over the reins at Stokes Bay WI

The preparation is done, the day finally arrived, and there were smiles plus a few emotional moments.  It was Presidential Handover Day at Stokes Bay WI!

Normally the position is for three years but President Angela MacCallum did a magnificent eight years – now the time has come for her to sit and enjoy being a relaxed ordinary member at meetings!

Angela is a retired headteacher of a large local infant school.  Those skills came to the fore with her teaching of crafts from household recycled items.  Now we think twice and save everything – who knew what we could make from yoghurt pots and toilet rolls!  The displays for our King’s Coronation party received special commendation and the St Mary’s Christmas tree festival always features a Stokes Bay WI fir tree with 100 (to represent our 100 members) decorations crafted by members under her guidance. 

We have had fascinating meetings, exciting outings, innovative fundraising, stunning events and amazing quizzes!  As leader of our ‘ship’ at Stokes Bay WI, Angela has been a steadying and encouraging point of influence and members were effuse in their praise of her undoubted skills.

It is time to move on, and Tracey Whatley takes over as President now for the next three years.  Tracey has shadowed Angela for a year and is ready to move us forward with an interesting programme to come.  Stokes Bay WI has just sponsored a beautiful tree at the Parish Centre in Alverstoke in recognition of our meeting place being freshly renovated.  A fitting place to pass on the baton to Tracey and for our group to continue to thrive and grow.