There was a good turnout for the Annual General Meeting of the Lymington Section Catholic Women's League this week: the brightly refurbished Hospitality Room seemed cosily full on St Valentine's Day. Our League guest was Jeanette Collins, Portsmouth Branch Treasurer; soon to become National Treasurer. Our surprise guest was Father Danny, who had been invited to observe the AGM. He may also have been tempted by the array of cake, flapjacks and biscuits provided by the good ladies of the branch. Father D offered some good-natured heckling from the sidelines but our chairman Margaret remained unruffled: it's no surprise that she was unanimously re-elected to post at the meeting.
The Branch also elected a new Vice Chairman, Treasurer and committee members. Our wonderful Secretary Ann was unanimously re-elected. Time was taken at the beginning of the meeting to remember the much loved departed Freda Collins, who had been elected Branch Vice Chairman at last year's AGM.
photo by Barbara
One brave and articulate member (it was Pat and it was her birthday) voiced concerns that the membership of the Catholic Women's League has declined drastically since the 1970s. The consensus is that this needs to be addressed at branch level but also at national management level. The CWL is often seen as an older ladies' club: we need to redefine the inclusivity of the League for Catholic Women of all ages and from all walks of life. Jeanette Collins had travelled from Jersey to speak to us. She emphasised the essential support the CWL continues to provide to CAFOD and other international aid agencies. She also spoke about the local support provided to members who are suffering hardship or are incapacitated by illness or disability.
Report by Gigi
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