District 129 covers Plymouth, Roborough, Tavistock all of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

“Cornwall is one of the most beautiful places in the World, and because the South West of England and Cornwall is where my roots are, I wanted to share this lovely place with my friends in Figeac”
These are the words of Polly Tolliday a member of the Figeac Club.
It started a year ago, when Polly wrote to Fran Tregaskas (Secretary of District 129) to ask her if she thought one of her clubs might be interested in starting a communication with Figeac en Quercy. Fran responded positively and sent several Club contacts.
The Figeac Club responded very enthusiastically and wanted to take it further.
President Catharine left it to Polly to decide which Club to choose out of a number of Club’s that had replied to Fran’s request.
The Inner Wheel Club of Truro was one of the Clubs that responded. Anita Bryce, a member of the Truro Club, has a house in the Tarn just two hours from Figeac. She knew the region well. Polly and Anita then started a conversation by email. The Truro Club were delighted to take this relationship further and considered forming a link of friendship with the Figeac Club. We were delighted when IW Figeac decided to invite us to be their link Club.
Newsletters between the clubs and conversations between Polly and Anita helped everyone to get to know each other, and a few months later members of both Clubs were ready to formalise their relationship.
Members worked hard to make the Zoom linking ceremony a fun and memorable occasion. Documents were drawn up for the signing. Members photographs were sent in advance from each club so we did not feel like strangers. All who attended on both sides of the Channel agreed it was indeed quite an occasion!
The Zoom sign-in was expertly managed by a member of the Truro Club and the event went smoothly. The Figeac members were gathered in small groups with their nibbles and aperitifs. They proved to be a lively group of ladies. Anita and Polly managed the language barrier speaking in French and English.
Once the signing was completed, the Truro Club celebrated with non-alcoholic ‘fizz’, while the French ladies moved onto Champagne!
We were delighted Association Immediate Past President Ann Acaster, Association Constitution Committee Chair Liz Swinton and District Chairman, Hilary Genes were able to join us for the occasion. Their greetings sparked off lively conversations between the two clubs. Subjects included Poldark, the War of the Roses and how to make a Cornish pasty! The Champagne was certainly flowing in France with the Figeac Club looking forward to their first visit to Cornwall.


The Truro Signing

Anita visited the Figeac Club in July last year and enjoyed a superb lunch and friendship, in a small village close by.
We continue to exchange news and friendship and look forward to our two clubs meeting up very soon. There is so much we share, but there is also so much that is different, and this is what makes it exciting.
We would like to encourage you all to think about linking with an Inner Wheel Club in another country

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Margaret Julian died on 31st May. She had been a member of Inner Wheel for 49 years. She was greatly respected and loved by members of the Truro Inner Wheel Club.The private family funeral is on Monday 15th June and donations in aid of Little Harbour Children's Hospice SW, can be sent to the undertakers :Malcolm Carveth, San Marino, Goonbell, St Agnes TR5 0PQ

Happy Birthday Inner Wheel! If everything was as 'normal' we would be getting dressed in our finery now and setting out for the Alverton Manor. It was lovely to receive President Anita's correspondence about the Birthday Lunch and I am sure we will all be celebrating it … although in isolation… with glasses at the ready. It's a wonderful organisation, especially in times like these, and long may it continue.
Just a thought; some of us, being older, might be more vulnerable than the young but don't forget we are more resilient to all the changes we have to face. We are used to being at home, many of us alone for some part of each day. We have faced many difficulties, even wars. Some have lost loved ones and we cannot manage to do all the things we did when we were younger. However we know how to cook simple meals, grow vegetables and knit and sew. Who knows how useful our 'make do and mend' skills will prove to be?

Here is a piece a friend sent about sunflowers. I hope you enjoy it:

Sunflowers turn according to the position of the sun. In other words, they "chase the light." You might already know this, but there is another fact that you probably do not know! Have you ever wondered what happens on cloudy and rainy days when the sun is completely covered by clouds???
This is an interesting question. Isn't it?
Perhaps you think the sunflower withers or turns its head towards the ground. Is this what crossed your mind?
Well, that's incorrect! This is what happens?
They turn towards each other to share their energy.
Nature's perfection is amazing. Now let's apply this reflection to our lives. Many people may become low-spirited, and the most vulnerable ones, sometimes, become depressed.

How about following the example of the beautiful sunflowers i.e. "Supporting and empowering each other". Nature has so much to teach us.
Wishing everyone a "Sun flower" trait of turning towards each other on cloudy and gloomy days. Spread goodness...it will come back to you.
Sarah Chaplain, Royal Cornwall hospital, Treliske, suggested on Spotlight that we all write a letter to a patient who cannot access visitors at the moment. They will laminate the letters and distribute to patients. Please refrain from saying anything about 'getting better' etc as sadly some patients will not recover. A notelet or one side of writing paper would be ideal. The address is:

The Chaplaincy (patient letter)
Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust
Treliske
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 3LJ

In November the Inner Wheel Club of Truro hosted a Beauty and Fashion evening at Carnon Downs Village Hall. The event proved to be a 'sell out' raising funds for the Cornwall Refuge Trust and other Inner Wheel charities. The audience was treated to a highly amusing and informative hair-dressing display from new Truro salon, 'S-J Hair'. A model's hair was cut into a new style (and it proved to be a transformation!), elements of hair care were explained, myths about the many hair products we all purchase were dispelled, and our questions were answered by the stylist and the colour technician. After refreshments, staff from Truro White Stuff took to the stage and gave a riveting talk about their new autumn collection. The audience came away knowing more about 'dressing to suit your shape', dressing confidently and adding style with stunning accessories. The manager explained how the White Stuff company is run on highly ethical lines such as providing education for the children of parents who work in the factories in India, fair trade wages are paid and working conditions are monitored closely, Furthermore, much of the cotton used for their garments is grown and produced organically using less water and chemicals. Everyone was impressed to hear that this high street store is bringing fashion to our city centre of Truro whilst furthering the ethics of fair trade in their factories abroad.