WI cake sales at Festival Fair, Sunday 13th

[annt]

Well Bawdy we'll be giving you a run for your dosh this year. Let's see if you can still clean up in 2 hours. Apparently, Blue Mountain cafe will be selling there too so there's definitely more competition.

[bawdy-nan]

Is cake-stalling some kind of contemporary extreme sport?

Is the WI in the habit of trying to give local community organisations a "run for their money" or is that just the "young and trendy" ones?

Blue Mountain were there last year too. Their cakes are delicious, of course, but I think people really like home-made cakes at that kind of event.

As I said already I think there's a tremendous appetite for home baked goods. Hope you have fun!

[Scruffy Mummy]

Good stuff guys! Think the young WI thing is great - just a quick word of warning to maybe seek advice from WI headquarters about the raising money for charity issue if it were to come up on the day (I know you haven't said this) - it just that as the group is so new, you probably aren't yet legally consituted as an offical member branch. Therefore, technically if you were to say that the money raised from the cake sale is going to charity, it might not be strictly true. However, if the money is going to WI headquarters (to be then re-imbursed to you when you are a branch) then it's probably ok.

Sorry to be pendantic. I don't want to be a wet blanket but I've got alot of experience of fundraising and charity law and wouldn't want your enthusaism to be shot down if someone was to complain on the day. It's also that the WI do also raise funds for local causes through bake sales and the like all over so people might also get confused about the purpose of the stall. Just a gentle piece of advice - it's not really a WI thing to run against other local charities or try to give them a run for their money. Community service is a big part of the WI ethos/mission and can I suggest that maybe a percentage of the ED WI takings go to a local charity??? Just a suggestion - I'm not part of the group (although I might join) and I understand why you need the funds to get things set up i.e. for the branch membership to the main WI, etc, etc. But it would also set the community service ethos as part of it from the beginning.

In the past, I've asked for support from local WI branches to provide tea and coffee making support at charity/community events I've run and they come in and do their thing like a well-oiled machine!! They know their health and safety, they have proper big hot water boiling and they make a mean cup of tea - and all for free as volunteers! The WI is fab in my book!!!

[bawdy-nan]

Indeed ...

I don't think we need to have a custard pie fight about it.:)) I really do think the more the merrier and that people really do love a good sponge (though gingerbread people are extremely popular too).

Its great that there's a new willing and able force for the community good on the scene and I hope you get lots of people signing up...

[Scruffy Mummy]

Despite their old fashioned image, the WI have a long traditional of campaigning and community service alongside their role in promoting crafts and baking while providing a social network for members. Many branches also respond to local emergencies and crisis in local areas with blankets, first aid, food etc. I've always found the branches I've worked with really well organised and co-ordinated in their responses to the needs of local communities - ready to get stuck in and volunteer. And many of their political campaigns are around important issues such as Fairtrade.

[bawdy-nan]

Indeed Scruffy M. When this was first proposed I have to confess to a good deal of pooh poohing and a nervousness about the feminist implications of a celebration of all things domestic and an attraction to pole dancing. I had, however, heard good things about the WI already and looked them up and think that they're rather marvellous.

I do hope the ED branch works out. Its great to see some community action and there's lots of projects they could be involved in. I wish them the best of luck. (And am sure their cakes will be delicious)

[David Mc]

Yes but will there be any lesbian jam?

[Scruffy Mummy]

Bawdy-nan - yes, I agree and if I didn't already know about the wider aspects of the WI, I would have had the same attitude! If this branch follows up with some of the campaigning and community service angle of the WI, I'll be in! Would be good to have some support and co-ordination of fundraising efforts for small local community groups and charities for whom even a few hundred quid will make a difference to the services they provide

[snowboarder]

Look - seriously - we just thought it would be fun to bake some cakes for the fair and have a bit of a presence so that people that don't use the forum will know that we are trying to set up a new group. I don't think we really have thought about actually coming out with a profit - it's not about that and we've not had a lot of time - if miraculously we do we will certainly check what we should do with the money.

Really looking forward to a fun day. Bawdy nan - maybe we should have hooked up earlier and we could have helped bolster your cake coffers!

x

[Scruffy Mummy]

Yes, I totally get what you are saying and I totally understand the challenges you face!! It's just that you could get questions selling cakes under the charity brand of the WI - that's all! And it's fair enough really for people to know if they are buying cakes under a charity brand where the money is going. But it sounds great and I'll definately drop in to get more info about what you are all up to.

And Bawdy - Nan looking forward to buying a cake to support the community nursery!

[Ko]

Bawdy-Nan - well done you for getting involved in the nursery fundraiser. (tu) I may even drop by and buy a yummy cake!

I understand that there has been a number of conversations with the people higher up in the WI about setting up and the cake bake has been discussed with them. We only met for the first time last week and there is a lot to do re admin, so the cake bake will just be a small affair which we first thought about last week.

Having met the absolutely lovely 'Annt', I am 100% sure that the quip about 'giving them a run for their money' was just light-hearted banter following on from previous threads on the WI!! :)) No one should desire to compete with a charity or something that is being done for the good of a community. I hope we all manage to sell our cakes and if any are left unsold, I am sure we can find a good cause to donate them to (old people's home etc who would appreciate the thought). By the way Scruffy Mummy - thanks for the tips. :)

[Cupcake]

Hello - I am up for making a couple of lemon drizzle cakes - I assume I just drop them at the stall on the day?

[bawdy-nan]

Of course Ko :))

Though I do wonder whether there just might be some mileage in cake-stalling as a new extreme sport? Like paint-balling but messier? Maybe it could be part of big ED alternative sports day. Sack races, cake-stalling, buggy slalem, arm-wrestling for the honour of local business etc

Sounds like it could be fun.

It would be lovely to have a big ED fete or something, with stalls and games (like the fantastic arts fete that's held at the V&A)

[annt]

I know about the issues concerning charity law etc, so that's why I definitely didn't say that we were raising money for charity. This is a very last minute effort by our fledgeling WI group to make a few cakes -we'll be very lucky indeed if we have enough money left over to make any kind of donation. The main reason for our presence really is to raise awareness that we are setting up a WI group. Maybe you'd fancy joining our 'wild' nights at the WI???!

[annt]

To any of you WI wannabee's who have not read my recent email, we would like some more cake baking contributions please!!

Please let me know asap if any more of you will be making a cake for the fair on Sunday!!! or if you can help out on the stand????

Thanks ..Tracey

[Ko]

Hi Cupcake - that's great! Yes, bring them along before the 11am start on Sunday. Thanks x

Cupcake Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hello - I am up for making a couple of lemon

> drizzle cakes - I assume I just drop them at the

> stall on the day?

[monica]

hy tracey il bring along the free from fairy cakes il have a list of ingredients for you just in case anyone wants to know whats in them.Il be down about 1030,im working sunday so i cant help but im sure it will be good fun.

[annt]

Thanks Cupcake and Monica and everyone. That's great. Contributions are starting to look better.

BTW, I think I must've missed a few messages before as I was busy baking. I have to say that of course I was joking when I said something about giving someone a run for their money. I do hope we are allowed a bit of light-hearted banter in this forum??????!

[Ko]

Light hearted banter? Not me! Goodness, this is serious stuff. If anyone refuses to buy one of our cakes, I'll have my handbag ready to clobber them with... ;-) Now which handbag shall I take with me...

[bawdy-nan]

of course, annt - taken in the spirit it was intended:))

[cazzercav]

I've made some cupcakes but I'm going to Somerset tomorrow morning. Annt (or someone else, maybe KO?), can I drop off the cakes tomorrow momring? Let me kn ow if that's possible. (otherwise I'll eat them for breakfast!)

Cath:-)

[Ko]

Hey there. I am going down to the coast tomorrow, leaving 7am ( !) If you can get to mine by then, that's great - I'll send you a private message with my address. If you can't make that, and if no one else sees your message and suggests an alternative, you could just leave them in in my front garden (in a tub and a carrier bag as it is supposed to rain tomorrow!) Have fun in Somerset!!

[Mogs]

I could pick them up as I am taking a trestle table down to the fair by 9am.

Just PM me with the best time and address to collect from

[annt]

Cath

Hope you enjoyed your breakfast or found alternative arrangements. Only just seen your email. Sorry. We should all swap telephone nos at our next meeting. It would make life easier.

[Ko]

Hi. Just got home to find Cath's cupcakes which look scrumptious! Mr Ko wanted to nick one to sample it, but I told him he would have to buy one tomorrow.

I will bring the cupcakes and my 2 cakes to the fair before 11 tomorrow.