WI learn to revamp old clothes and love their leftovers

MEMBERS of Women’s Institutes in Carmarthenshire have been learning how to revamp their old clothes and make the most of their leftover food.

The WI teamed up with the council’s waste and recycling section to hold an event to inspire members on how to turn their leftover food into delicious meals and give their wardrobe a new lease of life – not only saving money but helping the environment too.

TV cook Lisa Fearn, who runs The Pumpkin Patch Cookery & Gardening School, was there to give some hints and tips and mouth-watering meal ideas with practical cooking demonstrations throughout the day.

Members were also asked to bring along some old clothes so that up-cycled clothes maker and designer Carys Hedd could help them to get creative and come up with some original designs.

There are 55 WI branches across the county with a total membership of more than 1200.

Amaryllis Stock, chair of the Carmarthenshire Federation of WI, said: “We are hoping that today’s event will inspire members to re-use what is left over when they have made a meal and not just throw it into the bin.

“We are also looking at what we can do with the clothes we have had for years; instead of buying new, maybe embellishing it, cutting the collar off or changing the sleeves, I’m sure we will have lots of ideas.

“The members here today will then be able to take back what they have learnt to other members, and then they too can pass it on to their families and friends.”

The event ties in well with The WI Great Food Debate which was launched last year to encourage members and their communities to look at the food issues facing society today.

Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Colin Evans said: “Events like this are very important; families are wasting something like £600 a year on food that they don’t eat, that’s money that could go a long way, especially today when some families are having to make a choice between putting food on the table and heating the house.”

Cllr Evans explained the importance of working with groups such as the WI: “The local authority is facing severe financial difficulties and we will have to be much smarter in the way we provide services working collaboratively with town and community councils, with the third sector and with organisations such as the WI who will be instrumental in this process.”