NOTES FROM PENARTH PEERS WI MEETING, WEDNESDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2023
The meeting was opened at 7pm by Julie Davies. Members were reminded to collect name badges on arrival, also to ensure phones are switched off/turned to silent during meetings. There was also a reminder of the location of fire exits. Four visitors were welcomed to the meeting; it is hoped that they will decide to join the group.
Members from Penarth enjoyed the recent occasion at Llandaff Cathedral. Five representatives from Penarth attended and approximately 40 from across the Vale of Glamorgan. Some excellent banners were displayed, the Penarth banner depicted subjects linked to Penarth and to WI. Mary Stallard, the Bishop, conducted the service.
Forthcoming events:
Ladies Day – all members who signed up to attend, please pay Julie. A group ticket has been issued, 10 members will sit on the right side of the aisle and 10 on the left. Julie has made a card to show the seating plan.
BBC Visit – anyone attending, please pay Chris Curtin tonight. There might be two spare tickets as some people are on holiday.
Programme cards – to be given out this evening. Rosemary Martin explained that the cards will run from the AGM in May, giving a yearly picture of forthcoming events and activities.
Pantomime – further information to be given a future meeting.
Lunch Club – a new menu is coming out on 2nd October.
Julie then introduced the evening’s speaker, Lena Hops, a Transcendental Meditation teacher and co-founder of the Dawn Stalkers sea swimming group. Lena came to Wales from Germany as an au-pair to a Penarth family.
Lena thanked Julie for the introduction; she told the group that she came to Penarth in August 2020 during a lull in restrictions at the height of the pandemic. She originally intended to stay for 18 months, but finding she enjoyed the lifestyle in Penarth and being part of a busy household, she decided to stay on. She found sea swimming beneficial in terms of taking time for herself; the Dawn Stalker movement has since become extremely popular, with up to 200 swimmers taking part during hot weather.
Lena explained to the group that as a meditation teacher she emphasises how important it is, in a busy world, to take time to be mindful and present, particularly when spending time with loved ones and family. She then led the group in a meditation exercise, guided by voice. She explained how regular meditation can help the heart rate and blood pressure decrease. Lots of guided meditations can be accessed online, available on channels such as Youtube. Meditations can be focused on sounds, music, drawing etc. Lena has started offering mindfulness walks in nature, in places such as the Breacon Beacons, or shorter walks around Penarth. She will be starting 5 week courses for beginners.
Members had the opportunity to ask Lena further questions, then Sue Orpin gave the vote of thanks, saying how interesting it was to hear Lena’s story, and wishing her the best of luck in the future.
Further business:
GDPR forms are to be signed, please see Rosemary.
Quiz Evening – if anyone is interested in a quiz evening or a puzzle/games afternoon, please contact Joyce Stent.
The tea hostesses were thanked. and raffle prize winners congratulated.
The subject of the talk for next month’s meeting is Guide Dogs
Alison O'Brien
The meeting was opened at 7pm by Julie Davies. Members were reminded to collect name badges on arrival, also to ensure phones are switched off/turned to silent during meetings. There was also a reminder of the location of fire exits. Four visitors were welcomed to the meeting; it is hoped that they will decide to join the group.
Members from Penarth enjoyed the recent occasion at Llandaff Cathedral. Five representatives from Penarth attended and approximately 40 from across the Vale of Glamorgan. Some excellent banners were displayed, the Penarth banner depicted subjects linked to Penarth and to WI. Mary Stallard, the Bishop, conducted the service.
Forthcoming events:
Ladies Day – all members who signed up to attend, please pay Julie. A group ticket has been issued, 10 members will sit on the right side of the aisle and 10 on the left. Julie has made a card to show the seating plan.
BBC Visit – anyone attending, please pay Chris Curtin tonight. There might be two spare tickets as some people are on holiday.
Programme cards – to be given out this evening. Rosemary Martin explained that the cards will run from the AGM in May, giving a yearly picture of forthcoming events and activities.
Pantomime – further information to be given a future meeting.
Lunch Club – a new menu is coming out on 2nd October.
Julie then introduced the evening’s speaker, Lena Hops, a Transcendental Meditation teacher and co-founder of the Dawn Stalkers sea swimming group. Lena came to Wales from Germany as an au-pair to a Penarth family.
Lena thanked Julie for the introduction; she told the group that she came to Penarth in August 2020 during a lull in restrictions at the height of the pandemic. She originally intended to stay for 18 months, but finding she enjoyed the lifestyle in Penarth and being part of a busy household, she decided to stay on. She found sea swimming beneficial in terms of taking time for herself; the Dawn Stalker movement has since become extremely popular, with up to 200 swimmers taking part during hot weather.
Lena explained to the group that as a meditation teacher she emphasises how important it is, in a busy world, to take time to be mindful and present, particularly when spending time with loved ones and family. She then led the group in a meditation exercise, guided by voice. She explained how regular meditation can help the heart rate and blood pressure decrease. Lots of guided meditations can be accessed online, available on channels such as Youtube. Meditations can be focused on sounds, music, drawing etc. Lena has started offering mindfulness walks in nature, in places such as the Breacon Beacons, or shorter walks around Penarth. She will be starting 5 week courses for beginners.
Members had the opportunity to ask Lena further questions, then Sue Orpin gave the vote of thanks, saying how interesting it was to hear Lena’s story, and wishing her the best of luck in the future.
Further business:
GDPR forms are to be signed, please see Rosemary.
Quiz Evening – if anyone is interested in a quiz evening or a puzzle/games afternoon, please contact Joyce Stent.
The tea hostesses were thanked. and raffle prize winners congratulated.
The subject of the talk for next month’s meeting is Guide Dogs
Alison O'Brien