The Ladies In Waiting - clue #3

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Theme: Don't hide under a rock! Celebrate 70, 75 and 125 years in 2022.

Ok, now I suppose you think we are a bit confused. Why three different numbers?
You know FWIO is celebrating 125 years, which is truly amazing and noteworthy, beginning small and spreading far and wide through ACWW.
Our Princess Elizabeth branch is celebrating 75 years in 2022 and because of the Royal connection, the glorious achievement of 70 years on the throne needs attention too.
Princess Elizabeth joined the Sandringham WI branch in 1943 when the emphasis was on looking after evacuees during WWII as well as making jam to avoid wasting excess produce and to support the rationing system. Did you know that? Isn't it wonderful to think of her majesty stirring a pot of jam? She continues to attend this branch each year as part of her winter stay in Norfolk. Truly a member for life!
Elizabeth Windsor was a Princess in 1947, a WI member and widely admired, so she became our branch namesake. Generally, there was a great deal of interest in the Royal family and anticipation that Elizabeth would live a long life as a Princess. But, fate intervened and five years later she became our Queen. This year is her platinum celebration honouring 70 years with lots happening in the busy month of June. Our 96 year old Monarch has had some health issues which did impact her attendance at some special events. One of the cutest things posted online was a private tea party at Buckingham Palace with Paddington Bear. Google that for a chuckle and look for a surprise in her traditional black purse.
OK, back on topic! The branch name remained unchanged as a tribute to her original title.
Traditionally, ties between England and Canada were strong. The familiar Union Jack predated the creation of our own familiar maple leaf design in 1965. Do you remember seeing that new flag flying for the first time?
Our "Ladies in waiting" decided to honour this heritage by posing for our photo in the Tavistock Legion, Branch 518, where there is still a Union Jack on display. Just beyond the edge of the photo was a photo of the Royal couple. Veterans from both World Wars served valiantly, when most needed. Let us not forget.
We dressed up for this occasion and wore our gloves. Please excuse some of us for not wearing a hat, as protocol would have suggested. The photo contains our finished masterpieces as well as Royal plates, another way to celebrate special occasions and keep collectors happy. And of course we included blue and gold table coverings.
We are proud of the original members who formed our branch, our longtime members who have contributed much throughout the years, our members who joined after retirement and our newest members who bring fresh eyes and enthusiasm to our 75 year old branch.
As our theme for this WISH activity, we chose "Don't hide under a rock! Celebrate!!"
Brainstorming led to great ideas to use on our rocks: a tribute to FWIO's 125 years and friendship as well as to celebrating PEWI's 75 years. These two rocks ended up with blue and gold colours with printed letters WI and PEWI, words "Friends" and "Celebrate" and the two milestone numbers.
Oh yes. All rocks were given a base coat of gold metallic spray because we just knew these would be treasured.
Our third rock (from the sun, haha...couldn't resist getting that in there!) had the upper visible glittery part which when flipped over revealed nature: trees, water, land, sky as a reminder of the need to take care of our fragile environment. This is a tribute to the long term efforts of WI to encourage the use of the 3R's, recalling that reduce is first, followed by reuse and finally recycle; to be good stewards of the land and advocate for important environmental issues.
We thought words of inspiration would be most appropriate for one special rock because WI has truly inspired us through the years and will continue with newer members. "When it rains, look for rainbows. If it's dark, look for stars." You can probably imagine the design flowing from those words.
Our original plan for June was a picnic in the park. Unfortunately, threatening weather encouraged us to meet indoors. That meant a change in plans for distributing the rocks we had painted. We decided that the members with the most experience, actually the foundation "rocks" for our branch would receive the painted creations. Gladys Stock, Mary Nicklas and Opal Kwasnick were in attendance. Ruth Rosenberg was unable to attend, but a rock was delivered to her too.
PEWI has celebrated many anniversaries, does maintain an honour roll of deceased members and has a wonderful Tweedsmuir History tradition. All tributes to the years gone by.
Questions for readers:
How many years has your branch been celebrating WI? (Celebrations galore!)
Do you know the story behind your branch name?
How do you plan to celebrate 125 years of FWIO?
Do you have a strategy to attract new members? Remember: "Don't hide under a rock!"
How many times have we sung the anthem to celebrate our gracious, noble, long reigning monarch?

God save our gracious Queen.
Long live our noble Queen.
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious, happy and glorious.
Long to reign over us.
God save the Queen.

How inspirational is our Queen who has served us so well?
Happy celebrations from
"The Ladies in Waiting"

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