Norley News July 2017
Not just jam How are your & Jerusalem Sunflowers? What do you think of when you think about the WI? Do you think of baking, handicrafts, friendly meetings and Jerusalem? You would not be completely wrong; all of this forms part of the WI make-up. But did you know that the WI has a long and successful history of campaigning on national level on a wide range of issues and has brought about many changes in legislation and government policy? For instance, in 2009 the SOS for Honey Bees campaign was launched asking for increased funding for research into honeybee health. Concerned that the outlook for bees remained bleak, despite funding for research and improved awareness of pollinator declines, the NFWI later joined with Friends of the Earth to campaign for more national leadership; the National Pollinator Strategy was launched in November 2014. Campaigns are based on “resolutions”; these are concerns put forward by members, and this year alone 85 resolutions were submitted and narrowed down to six by WI representatives to be voted on by members. One of these is Alleviating Loneliness and the recognition of loneliness as a serious health issue. Loneliness is an emotional rather than a physical state and although there is no set definition it is generally described as “mismatch between the quantity and quality of social relationships that we have, and those that we want”. We are all familiar with the notion of loneliness in the elderly, but statistics show that a wide range of people are affected by loneliness. 15% of working aged people (people aged 45 – 54) are likely to suffer from loneliness. In 2010 the Mental Health Foundation found loneliness to be a greater concern among young people than the elderly. There are factors that can make people more vulnerable to loneliness; poor health, living alone and away from family and what it is called our modern lifestyle. The number of hours we spend socially interacting in person has fallen dramatically in the
Norley News | July 2017 | norleynews@mail.com
Let us know how your sunflowers are growing, don’t forget there will be a mystery prize for the tallest! WIth all this great weather there are sure to be some strong contenders! Send photos of progress or any other news you would like featured to norleynews@mail.com
Sunflowers kindly provided from Alice at Delamere Flower Farm, contact@delamereflowerfarm.co.uk last 25 years and we are less likely to have strong friendships or know our neighbours than 25 years ago. The health and social implications are rather shocking; lonely people are likely to suffer from depression, have an increased risk of high blood pressure and more likely to develop dementia. Loneliness has been shown to be more damaging to health than physical inactivity and obesity with health implications to be on par with smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Norley offers a great range of organisations that offer social activities, support and friendship and many of you are activity participating in these. continued on page 4
Inside... Arts Feature ..............................................2 Norley Village Garden Show Class information & entry forms ..........................9 Norley C of E Primary - year in review......10
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