aNNUAL rEPORT 2024/25

The November AGM voted in a new committee consisting of previous committee members. Thanks were given to committee members who were standing down.

Our December entertainment came from All Saints Warlingham Handbell Ringers who played festive music on handbells. Seasonal refreshments of mulled wine (non - alcoholic) and apple juice along with mince pies and stollen were served. June also announced the formation of a new family history group.

The January meeting was cancelled due to bad weather. Thank you to Margaret who braved the snow and went round to the hall in case anyone hadn't got the message!

In February we welcomed David Chave, a former senior detective, to talk about Murderous Women. Michele presented a cheque of £1,845 to Zoe Snelgrove from I Choose Freedom who explained how the money would be spent. We then voted on the 2025 resolutions.

March had Michelle Erncoult on Gardening for Bees and other Pollinators. We voted on our next charity and decided to select Renewed Hope Trust, a local charity which supports homeless and vulnerable adults.

April gave us Jane Muddle who talked about Bags and Hats from Madagascar and brought along her very popular bright coloured wares. Sadly we said goodbye to a longstanding member, Claudia Payne.

In May Margaret Gordon gave a short presentation on this year's resolution 'Bystanders can be Lifesavers' before we took a vote. After the vote members of the Poetry Group read a selection of poems on the theme of Spring. May also brought more sad news that another longstanding member - June Halliwell had passed away.

June saw Margaret Watson, Life on a Harpstring, who brought along her full sized beautiful harp. The REWI annual garden party was held at Rachel Doherty's and was the usual success as the rain stopped and the sun began to shine 10 minutes before the start. Thank you to all who helped organise the event and to rachel for the use of her garden.

July gave us Kate McBain - 'Oh for a slice of naughty but nice - An exciting career in the food industry'. After the break Gareth Owen from the Community Funf for Reigate and Banstead explained how the fund helped local charities.

August, our annual summer social was a 'Murder Mystery', held at St Mary's Hall and peformed by a grouo of professional actors. I don't think the majority of us would make very good detectives!

September introduced Gill Thompson - Men and Women speak differently. Gill talked about the research into the way women and men talk in a variety of ways. After the break we had an update from Hugh Sergeant of Renewed Hope, our supported charity.

October had Kay Williams - a musical entertainment - singing songs and encouraging memebrs to sing along. One of our members, Gill Reynolds, then spoke about the Re-engage charity which helps to combat loneliness in later life (aimed at the over 75s).

We still have a couple of active friendship groups. Some new groups were added to the mix - Travel Together, Craft and Chatter and Family History along with the various book groups, wine society, gardening, film club, art society and poetry.

Finally a reminder that the NFWI resolution for this year is Bystanders can be Lifesavers.

REWI Secretary

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