aNNUAL rEPORT 2022

The REWI year of 2022 finally started to look normal again after almost two years of Covid restrictions and we were able to meet back in the hall, although we kept up Zoom meetings for those who preferred to stay “virtual”. The November AGM voted in a new committee consisting of new and previous committee members. Thanks and flowers were given to committee members who were standing down. Our December entertainment came from Roger Hinds. The original plan of a sing‐along was altered due to Covid so that Roger entertained the members with music and songs from the 40s and 50s.

January saw Aimee Clarke, Director of People Engagement from Surrey Wildlife Trust give a fascinating talk about Surrey and it’s varying and sometimes rare wildlife and habitats. In February we had a very informative talk from Dr Steely outlined the symptoms and risk factors of ovarian cancer that occurs most commonly in post‐menopausal women. March had Kate Segal from Inside Out Health and Spencer Copping from Reigate Business Guild speaking about the future of Reigate High Street. April gave us Helen Miller, Services Manager for Reigate and Banstead Citizens Advice Bureau who talked about the type of work the CAB do in the community and how important their work is to many vulnerable people in the borough.

In May we heard from Zahra Dhaimish and Cathy Leamon from Surrey Care Trust (SCT), our chosen charity. SCT tackles disadvantage, social exclusion and hardship in local communities with the Gateway Allotment bringing a strong emphasis of nurturing through nature. June brought Rosemary Horton who gave a talk on “Cheese Please” – a light‐ hearted take about how English cheese is made, as well as a delicious cheese tasting at the end of her talk. July gave us Jenny Nockolds speaking about Elephants in Thailand where she had spent 4 weeks volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand in 2015. August was our annual summer social. We had an evening beetle drive held at St Mary’s Church Hall in Reigate with fish and chips delivered to our tables. I believe a good time was had by all who attended.

Sadly September saw the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 2 and wemarked it by a short silence. We then introduced Michael Laikin, who gave apresentation on “ A day in the life of an Antique Dealer “ giving an interesting insight into his journey through antiques. Finally October brought Renee Canter, aka the Girl Who Gardens, who gave a presentation on wreath making using items foraged from gardens and local walks. Friendship groups continued and throughout the year the special interest groups ‐ book clubs, wine society, gardening, film club, art society and poetry all managed to start meeting up in person again. The NFWI resolution for this year is around the support and diagnosis of women and girls with AHD/ADHD, one of the finalists that many of our members voted for.

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