New Members

Structure

National Federation of Women’s Institute (NFWI) – the main offices are located in London.

NFWI (Wales) – offices located in Cardiff.

NFWI is separated into Federations. We are part of the Gwynedd/Meirionnydd (GMFWI) although we operate separately. Gwynedd has an office in Caernarfon with a paid secretary. From time to time we join them for ‘interfed’ quizzes or social events.

Meirionnydd (MFWI) is the only county with an unpaid county secretary who works from her home. We do have some accommodation in Dolgellau for storing photocopiers etc.

Each Federation is then divided into groups. Our group is Artro and consists of Harlech, Llanfair, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Talybont and Barmouth. The group hold a meeting about three times a year which is attended by two of our members who report back to us with up and coming events and any news.

Each year a conference is held for Wales and there is a National Conference. Resolutions are proposed by various groups at the National Conference, and a wide range of issues are discussed and voted on. NFWI are represented on many government committees and have a great influence…even M&S have consulted us when deciding on their new clothing range!

Now for the important information – Harlech

Harlech WI is a registered charity, number 1021317

Monthly meetings - These are held on the second Wednesday of each month in the Memorial Hall in Harlech and start at 7pm and normally run until 9ish.

We start each meeting by singing Meirion (in England Jerusalem is sang) which can be in Welsh or English (if you can’t speak Welsh don’t worry!), followed by an update on anything that has been happening within our area followed by the minutes of the last meetings. We then have a speaker who talks for about 1/2 an hour to forty minutes on a range of topics to interest everyone, this is followed by tea and a biscuit or a piece of Jan’s wonderful cake – dieters be warned! And we all spend time catching up with our friends.

During the meeting we have a raffle – the prizes are either purchased or donated by a member. We also have a competition table where we are asked to bring in something relevant to the talk of the evening.  Points are given to the first, second and third place. These points are accumulated and at the year end a prize is given to the member with the most points. We also have a bring and buy table where members can sell their unwanted goods. 5p out of each pound is given to our funds.

March, the month of St Davids day is always a special meeting for us as it has become tradition to invite members from local institutes.

What else do we do?

January – we provide food and entertainment for Teulu Castell, the over 60’s club in Harlech.

April & May – we provide the flowers on the War Memorial adjacent to the Spa and on Remembrance day we place a wreath.

We also have representatives on the committees of the Memorial Hall, Old Library and the Horticultural Society.

Croquet – this is played on Wednesdays at Hafod Wen.

Dining Club – we arrange evenings throughout the year to enjoy each others company. Some establishments will offer us a discount. Sometimes we invite our husbands and partners along.

Craft days – we arrange various days where we make cards etc.

County Letter

This lists other events and happenings throughout the course of the year. Events such as Luncheon at Portmerion in the autumn with a well known speaker. Weekends at Plas Tan y Bwlch, ten pin bowling in Bala, scrabble, darts and rambles.

Please don’t feel as though you have to join in all events……join in as much as you want. Most of all we all enjoy the friendship and fun the WI offers. We hope you come along and join us.

The words to Meirion

Dear Lord, confer Thy blessing

As we meet here this day

The glory of our country

May we reveal this way

In all things ‘to do better’

Shall be our joyful aim;

Let all our work and leisure

Give Glory to Thy name

Let us perceive the talent

Thou has bestowed on each

And let us as one body

Help all within our reach;

Give peace to all our members

Let non her duty shirk

And for our home and country

Together may we work

Meirion in Welsh

Dy fendith, Arglwydd, dyro

Ar ein sefydliad ni;

Gogoniant Cymru eto

Ddatguddier drwyddi hi.

Yn llon gad i’n gyfeirio

Yn union at y nod

A bydded gwaith ein dwylo

Yn wasted er dy glod

Rho nerth i ni weled

Y ddawn sydd ym mhob un

A chadw ni rhag myned

Bob un i’w ffordd ei hun;

I’n cwmni dyro dangnef,

Cyd- dynne a fo’n bri

A thros ein gwlad a’n cartref

Yn ddiwyd gweithiwn ni.