24 May
I went this evening to another WI Group Meeting which had been thrown open to neighbouring WIs from other groups.The speaker was Charlie Ross the antiques adviser whom we know from TV's Flog It and the Antiques Roadshow.The advantage of these larger meetings is that the hostess WI with the help of the Group Convenor can afford to invite speakers who appear either on TV or on the stage. The fact that a lot of these speakers donate their fees to their pet charities is an added feel-good factor to the WIs concerned.Mr Ross entertained everyone and involved us all in a mock auction which revealed how much and how little the audience knew about the antique world.
The annual reports of the WIs in the group were worth listening to and proved once again that the WI enjoys its food, its walks and its meetings on all sorts of varied subjects.Several WIs cater for the general public in their towns and villages so the members have to keep their hygiene certificates up to date: there must be at least one among the caterers involved. I often look around garden fetes and wonder whether these rules are followed by other organisations.The BFWI is planning some more basic hygiene courses and refresher courses--in the north of the county this time. Halls are always a problem for during the day as most halls have resident playgroups but I am sure somewhere will be found.
28 May
Listening to the test cricket commentary on radio I was surprised to catch the commentator discussing the WI calendar. Of course the match was in Yorkshire! Anyway he was explaining that the calendar's appeal had been because it featured real women (like they had at home!) and because the whole idea of posing naked was bucking the nation's image of the WI. How true!
Later in the evening did you watch the Zimmers making their recording which will rocket to the top of the charts for exactly the same reason?Here is a group of people over 70 years old refusing to lie down and conform to what everyone thinks they should be doing at their age. They should be sitting in a circle clutching at crocheted multi-coloured blankets vaguely aware of a TV which is blaring out rubbish.
The real purpose of the programme was to make people think about the standards of care for the elderly in society--physical and mental. It was so sad and I hope WI members took note and will re-vitalise all our mandates on the care of the elderly because we do have them--mandates, I mean. How can these care homes slip through the net of inspection? Can't the families see what is wrong when the old person is literally dying of boredom because his/her body has worn out before the mind? We all know of cases where grandparents bring up children or regularly child-mind. This has always happened after family tragedies but nowadays many are expected to do it in order to meet the mortgage requirements of the parents. Is this a just reward to look forward to for our generation?
As the song says "Let me die before I grow old".
30 May
Good Lord! My husband has looked at Ceefax which is announcing the cast for the next series of Big Brother. It includes a lap dancer, a female MP and a WI member! Please may I be excused from watching that. I bet she wins however they judge these things.
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Saturday, 19 May 2007
grumpy old woman meets new WI
May 14th
Local WI book club today. We are trying a new system for choosing the books to read. Originally we tended to follow the Daily Mail selection and buy copies over the internet as a group at a reduced price but then we heard that the County Library had sets of titles which could be ordered monthly. So we perused the list and marked what we had already read. It is a long list, very varied and in some ways rather strange. Anyway we sent up our list and Lo and Behold nothing which we considered was available. I think we were all amazed at the obvious popularity of reading groups in all sorts of different organisations across the county. I began to wonder whether this was the right way to spend the book fund on sets of 20 or so of several hundred titles when money was so scarce in the public libraries.
We were given a latest list of five to choose from and chose Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. I know it has won prizes and is wonderfully written about an unusual topic but really I wonder about the novel having a place in the core collection. It has the capacity to shock readers of a sensitive disposition who are not forewarned of its content.Our readers are a broadminded group and we certainly found it educational but should it have a place on the list?
May 15th
I went off this evening to visit one of the newest WIs in Bucks. I was scheduled by the Art and Home Crafts sub-committee to take along the Craft basket to the meeting. This is a fine collection of craft work collected over the years which has been done by WI members. Apparently there are 14 different crafts to exhibit in the basket.It is a popular item to have at a meeting--and fairly cheap too! One arranges its loan through the Federation Office in High Wycombe.
Without wanting to appear a grumpy old woman, I just wish that the examples exhibited more modern practice of the traditional techniques. No one is interested in making crocheted doilies or smocked romper suits today but there are marvellous modern crochet patterns for clothes and they appear in fashion shops at exorbitant prices.The skills shown in the basket are amazing but could be put to use in much more appealing modern items.
This is probably our youngest in age WI in Bucks. The members are interested in crafts and a fair smattering have mastered several skills, even tatting, and what was their competition that evening? Cake-making! And the standard was very high indeed--nothing from Marks and Sparks here! They discussed the resolution about community hospitals; the members are involved in their new local community; they are making a banner and took some ideas away from the craft collection; they have an appealing WI website. They are taking what the WI has to offer in the way of learning and appreciate what has been achieved in the past but are going their own way with the programme and activities for the year.So you see it isn't just Fulham and Islington that can set up such a WI!
May 19th
After all the rain of last week, it dawned clear and bright for the first of the Leisure and Performing Arts sub-committee's summer rambles.This was based on Emberton and the local WI (shortly to be celebrating its 70th anniversary) provided a light lunch for the 40+ walkers.It is lovely rolling countryside at the northern extremity of the county and we walked across fields and along ancient bridleways. Of course there was too much chatter for birdwatching but that wasn't the object of the exercise--just the companionable exercise which is so enjoyable. Many WIs now meet together for gentle walks between meetings and actually these walks do encourage new people to join. One has time to talk and explain what the WI is about and swap useful information on speakers and activities---and enjoy a bit of gossip as well.
There are several other rambles planned about the county and I do recommend them. They blow away the cobwebs and I returned with nothing to grumble about!
Local WI book club today. We are trying a new system for choosing the books to read. Originally we tended to follow the Daily Mail selection and buy copies over the internet as a group at a reduced price but then we heard that the County Library had sets of titles which could be ordered monthly. So we perused the list and marked what we had already read. It is a long list, very varied and in some ways rather strange. Anyway we sent up our list and Lo and Behold nothing which we considered was available. I think we were all amazed at the obvious popularity of reading groups in all sorts of different organisations across the county. I began to wonder whether this was the right way to spend the book fund on sets of 20 or so of several hundred titles when money was so scarce in the public libraries.
We were given a latest list of five to choose from and chose Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. I know it has won prizes and is wonderfully written about an unusual topic but really I wonder about the novel having a place in the core collection. It has the capacity to shock readers of a sensitive disposition who are not forewarned of its content.Our readers are a broadminded group and we certainly found it educational but should it have a place on the list?
May 15th
I went off this evening to visit one of the newest WIs in Bucks. I was scheduled by the Art and Home Crafts sub-committee to take along the Craft basket to the meeting. This is a fine collection of craft work collected over the years which has been done by WI members. Apparently there are 14 different crafts to exhibit in the basket.It is a popular item to have at a meeting--and fairly cheap too! One arranges its loan through the Federation Office in High Wycombe.
Without wanting to appear a grumpy old woman, I just wish that the examples exhibited more modern practice of the traditional techniques. No one is interested in making crocheted doilies or smocked romper suits today but there are marvellous modern crochet patterns for clothes and they appear in fashion shops at exorbitant prices.The skills shown in the basket are amazing but could be put to use in much more appealing modern items.
This is probably our youngest in age WI in Bucks. The members are interested in crafts and a fair smattering have mastered several skills, even tatting, and what was their competition that evening? Cake-making! And the standard was very high indeed--nothing from Marks and Sparks here! They discussed the resolution about community hospitals; the members are involved in their new local community; they are making a banner and took some ideas away from the craft collection; they have an appealing WI website. They are taking what the WI has to offer in the way of learning and appreciate what has been achieved in the past but are going their own way with the programme and activities for the year.So you see it isn't just Fulham and Islington that can set up such a WI!
May 19th
After all the rain of last week, it dawned clear and bright for the first of the Leisure and Performing Arts sub-committee's summer rambles.This was based on Emberton and the local WI (shortly to be celebrating its 70th anniversary) provided a light lunch for the 40+ walkers.It is lovely rolling countryside at the northern extremity of the county and we walked across fields and along ancient bridleways. Of course there was too much chatter for birdwatching but that wasn't the object of the exercise--just the companionable exercise which is so enjoyable. Many WIs now meet together for gentle walks between meetings and actually these walks do encourage new people to join. One has time to talk and explain what the WI is about and swap useful information on speakers and activities---and enjoy a bit of gossip as well.
There are several other rambles planned about the county and I do recommend them. They blow away the cobwebs and I returned with nothing to grumble about!
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
WI under water at Pann Mill
May 11th
I happened to watch "Ready, steady cook" this afternoon. Angela Baker was a participant with her new husband Rev Charles Knowles.Angela was Miss February on the WI Calendar and it was her husband's death from cancer which inspired the local WI members to pose nude for the calendar.It was lovely to see her so happy after her recent marriage to Charles who had been a friend of John's.It was also pleasing to hear her say that the only thing she criticised the film of Calendar Girls for was the way in which it looked as if the NFWI hadn't supported the members in planning the calendar when they had been given approval all along.But that wouldn't have been such a good story, would it?
May 13th
It was National Mill Day today and the BFWI was booked to attend the open day at Pann Mill in High Wycombe. We were all geared up with a treasure trail, a promotion stand and a good site.The WI has been a part of this open day for 3 years now because it links in with local heritage and the Environmental Centre on the Rye.
Last year there wasn't enough water in the river to turn the mill wheel.How different this year! From the cover of our tent we watched the river level rise at least 6 inches as the rain came down non-stop. We abandoned the trail as no parent or child would enjoy trekking about the Rye looking for items of natural interest.Several people, mostly WI members already, dropped in to talk or shelter but there was hardly anyone there. Such a shame because the setting is lovely and the mill was going great guns grinding the corn and so much work had gone into the preparation nearly all done by volunteers.
Anyway when the RNLI bailed out the WI did too! We had got to the point when we were all wet, the tent needed the water on the roof shaken off every 2 minutes and our display was sodden.The things we do for the WI!
There was a good article in the Stella magasine part of the Sunday Telegraph talking about the growth of new WIs catering for younger members. It was a well written piece, very positive with lots of photos of members in Fulham and Islington. They looked very glamorous in their little black dresses but the other photos were what was described as the traditional WI image. Unfortunately, the editor had gone back to wartime pictures of members in turbans making jam and unflattering shots of icecream-eating members at the AGM. I agree that the average WI member of today doesn't wear smart little black numbers for the monthly meeting but neither do they wear pinnies and turbans! We may not be under thirty but we still dress up well and engage in all the activities that the younger WIs are now embracing too. Just a bit unfair I thought and we have some Bucks members who are under thirty and working. The reasons why these young members join are exactly the same as when we older members did--the need for friendship, a place and voice in the community and the chance to be ourselves and have fun.
I happened to watch "Ready, steady cook" this afternoon. Angela Baker was a participant with her new husband Rev Charles Knowles.Angela was Miss February on the WI Calendar and it was her husband's death from cancer which inspired the local WI members to pose nude for the calendar.It was lovely to see her so happy after her recent marriage to Charles who had been a friend of John's.It was also pleasing to hear her say that the only thing she criticised the film of Calendar Girls for was the way in which it looked as if the NFWI hadn't supported the members in planning the calendar when they had been given approval all along.But that wouldn't have been such a good story, would it?
May 13th
It was National Mill Day today and the BFWI was booked to attend the open day at Pann Mill in High Wycombe. We were all geared up with a treasure trail, a promotion stand and a good site.The WI has been a part of this open day for 3 years now because it links in with local heritage and the Environmental Centre on the Rye.
Last year there wasn't enough water in the river to turn the mill wheel.How different this year! From the cover of our tent we watched the river level rise at least 6 inches as the rain came down non-stop. We abandoned the trail as no parent or child would enjoy trekking about the Rye looking for items of natural interest.Several people, mostly WI members already, dropped in to talk or shelter but there was hardly anyone there. Such a shame because the setting is lovely and the mill was going great guns grinding the corn and so much work had gone into the preparation nearly all done by volunteers.
Anyway when the RNLI bailed out the WI did too! We had got to the point when we were all wet, the tent needed the water on the roof shaken off every 2 minutes and our display was sodden.The things we do for the WI!
There was a good article in the Stella magasine part of the Sunday Telegraph talking about the growth of new WIs catering for younger members. It was a well written piece, very positive with lots of photos of members in Fulham and Islington. They looked very glamorous in their little black dresses but the other photos were what was described as the traditional WI image. Unfortunately, the editor had gone back to wartime pictures of members in turbans making jam and unflattering shots of icecream-eating members at the AGM. I agree that the average WI member of today doesn't wear smart little black numbers for the monthly meeting but neither do they wear pinnies and turbans! We may not be under thirty but we still dress up well and engage in all the activities that the younger WIs are now embracing too. Just a bit unfair I thought and we have some Bucks members who are under thirty and working. The reasons why these young members join are exactly the same as when we older members did--the need for friendship, a place and voice in the community and the chance to be ourselves and have fun.
WI abroad in Florence
April 27th
Sleepers in towns across Bucks stir in their beds and wonder why their neighbours are putting the bins out so early.Not so--it is the WI trundling their wheelie cases along to catch the coach for an early departure to Florence from Stansted.It was my first experience of a budget flight and I cannot see the problem with the legroom on board for a short flight. I think I would like to have an allocated seat rather than queue to obtain an early place but now I know the system I'll rush to stand in a queue at the departure gate with the other seasoned travellers.
Anyway the journey out went according to plan and once we had convinced the coach driver in Pisa that we didn't want to immediately go to see the Leaning Tower because we had been up all night, we were taken to our lovely hotel in Florence.Spacious bedrooms, roof-top restaurant with real live fully grown trees and good food and cheerful staff and the sunshine, what more did we want?
April 28th
The following day we met for a walk around the city with a charming guide and then it was everyone off to do their own thing.Many of the party had pre-booked visits to the Uffizzi Gallery either by phone or by the website, so don't tell me the WI is not computer literate when it wants to be! The art on show is breathtaking and we were able to view the most famous exhibits before having to admit to Madonna fatigue and seek out ice-creams! In a sacrilegious manner I couldn't help remembering the "Allo, Allo" programme with the Madonna with the big boobies! I had Madonna with strange red hat, Madonna with angel with the deformed foot etc.Seriously, it is a marvellous collection and well worth the visit.
April 29th
Next morning we visited the Chianti region. The coach travelled up and down through this marvellous landscape to a little market town of Breve which is a centre for the production of the Chianti wine. It was Sunday morning so the square was free of stalls but all the shops and restaurants were open. Suddenly over 100 motorbikes roared into the square to the acclamation of the locals. How they gleamed and revved--not the locals, the bikes! The driver intimated that this was part of a Tuscan rally.The Italians love motorbikes and Florence is packed with scooters which is a very sensible way of getting about the cities with their very narrow crowded streets.
We boarded our coach for wine-tasting and lunch and travelled up a windy road to a typical Tuscan castle perched on the hillside. Marvellous we thought until we realised that no one was expecting us because the Florentia Bus Company had not booked us in.The vineyard people were very polite and promised us a wine-tasting at the shop on the main road and recommended a restaurant some miles away on top of a hill and a wild boar festival in a nearby village. Off down the hillside (still beautiful) we swing past the wine-tasting shop mentioned and the driver turns into another vineyard which is just closing. We sense that the driver is a very unhappy man but off we go to the top of another hill with a restaurant and obvious signs of activity. The driver reported that we would have to wait 10 minutes and then we could eat outside under the trees.It was more than 10 minutes but it was well worth the wait. The meal was marvellous, beautifully presented, lovely local food and masses of Chianti to drink. We had a wonderful time, made so welcome and our meal with all the wine and the happy ambience came to 10 Euros each! Who wants wine-tasting when you can quaff the stuff in the sunshine ? Who wants to go to eat wild boar sandwiches! A triumph out of a potential disaster to the relief of everyone.
April 30th
Next day we spent in Florence trying to visit the places we had not yet seen. The city was very crowded, very beautiful and we needed more time to cover everything that we wished.Then it was off to look at Pisa on the way to the airport. It was a bank holiday and the traffic into Pisa made our time schedule impossible as we crawled along at the M25 average speed so we opted for the airport straightaway.Our flight was the last of the day and we couldn't risk missing our scheduled departure.
We enjoyed the weekend, met several new people from other WIs and just hope that they will spread the word that these holidays are friendly, educational and sometimes have unexpected elements within them.I'm vowing to have some Italian at my disposal before we go to Sicily in October.
Sleepers in towns across Bucks stir in their beds and wonder why their neighbours are putting the bins out so early.Not so--it is the WI trundling their wheelie cases along to catch the coach for an early departure to Florence from Stansted.It was my first experience of a budget flight and I cannot see the problem with the legroom on board for a short flight. I think I would like to have an allocated seat rather than queue to obtain an early place but now I know the system I'll rush to stand in a queue at the departure gate with the other seasoned travellers.
Anyway the journey out went according to plan and once we had convinced the coach driver in Pisa that we didn't want to immediately go to see the Leaning Tower because we had been up all night, we were taken to our lovely hotel in Florence.Spacious bedrooms, roof-top restaurant with real live fully grown trees and good food and cheerful staff and the sunshine, what more did we want?
April 28th
The following day we met for a walk around the city with a charming guide and then it was everyone off to do their own thing.Many of the party had pre-booked visits to the Uffizzi Gallery either by phone or by the website, so don't tell me the WI is not computer literate when it wants to be! The art on show is breathtaking and we were able to view the most famous exhibits before having to admit to Madonna fatigue and seek out ice-creams! In a sacrilegious manner I couldn't help remembering the "Allo, Allo" programme with the Madonna with the big boobies! I had Madonna with strange red hat, Madonna with angel with the deformed foot etc.Seriously, it is a marvellous collection and well worth the visit.
April 29th
Next morning we visited the Chianti region. The coach travelled up and down through this marvellous landscape to a little market town of Breve which is a centre for the production of the Chianti wine. It was Sunday morning so the square was free of stalls but all the shops and restaurants were open. Suddenly over 100 motorbikes roared into the square to the acclamation of the locals. How they gleamed and revved--not the locals, the bikes! The driver intimated that this was part of a Tuscan rally.The Italians love motorbikes and Florence is packed with scooters which is a very sensible way of getting about the cities with their very narrow crowded streets.
We boarded our coach for wine-tasting and lunch and travelled up a windy road to a typical Tuscan castle perched on the hillside. Marvellous we thought until we realised that no one was expecting us because the Florentia Bus Company had not booked us in.The vineyard people were very polite and promised us a wine-tasting at the shop on the main road and recommended a restaurant some miles away on top of a hill and a wild boar festival in a nearby village. Off down the hillside (still beautiful) we swing past the wine-tasting shop mentioned and the driver turns into another vineyard which is just closing. We sense that the driver is a very unhappy man but off we go to the top of another hill with a restaurant and obvious signs of activity. The driver reported that we would have to wait 10 minutes and then we could eat outside under the trees.It was more than 10 minutes but it was well worth the wait. The meal was marvellous, beautifully presented, lovely local food and masses of Chianti to drink. We had a wonderful time, made so welcome and our meal with all the wine and the happy ambience came to 10 Euros each! Who wants wine-tasting when you can quaff the stuff in the sunshine ? Who wants to go to eat wild boar sandwiches! A triumph out of a potential disaster to the relief of everyone.
April 30th
Next day we spent in Florence trying to visit the places we had not yet seen. The city was very crowded, very beautiful and we needed more time to cover everything that we wished.Then it was off to look at Pisa on the way to the airport. It was a bank holiday and the traffic into Pisa made our time schedule impossible as we crawled along at the M25 average speed so we opted for the airport straightaway.Our flight was the last of the day and we couldn't risk missing our scheduled departure.
We enjoyed the weekend, met several new people from other WIs and just hope that they will spread the word that these holidays are friendly, educational and sometimes have unexpected elements within them.I'm vowing to have some Italian at my disposal before we go to Sicily in October.
Friday, 4 May 2007
dairy farming and WI
April 23rd
The local craft group spent the afternoon finishing off the bags that we had been making and being instructed on the high-tec of modern sewing machines.This was a revelation to me--all those computerised programmes to help the dressmaker or embroiderer to perform wonders.I quite expected the machine to speak up to tell one when the cotton was about to run out, like the modern car reporting on the remaining petrol in its tank. Perhaps these machines sing out "Call that a straight line?!" I'm only jealous because the amount of use I would make of mine would no way justify the expense.
Later in the afternoon it was a dash to a meeting to finalise arrangements for the Great Milk Debate. We admired the display that the WI members had put together on historical farming in the local area.It is rather unsettling to discover how recently history seems to start these days.I am sure this display will create a lot of interest on the night.I wish we knew how many people were coming!
April 25th
Winslow WI hosted the first of three Great Milk Debates (as suggested by NFWI in conjunction with the NFU) to be held in Bucks. Speakers were Tim Whitlock, the NFU secretary for the North Bucks area, Simon Bates the director of Dairy UK and Nigel Stacey, a local farmer. Local food producers were displaying their wares around the hall and several local retailers had provided items either for the refreshments or for the raffle. Over 120 people from the north of the county were present and it was a really lively affair.
WI is famous or infamous for being a very practical organisation.The purpose of the national Great Milk Debate was to hammer out some plan of action to try to help the struggling dairy industry.It was quite in keeping with WI history that we should be holding such a debate because the WI movement started originally in Canada to improve the hygiene of milk production following the death of the infant child of Adelaide Hoodless.
We listened to very good speakers and they fielded some good questions. We heard statements from the floor and the Chairman read out prepared statements from various supermarket chains. To sum up:-
It seems legitimate to blame the supermarkets for being able to call the tune on sales of dairy produce but that is not the total answer. The supermarkets have and do take notice of what their customers demand. They have started to stock Fairtrade products, local produce, organic foods, specialist dietary foods and even begun to reduce packaging. They have definitely taken notice of this joint venture of the WI and the NFU. They are running scared to promise an extra 4p per litre to the farmer, but the date of implementation appears hazy. Even then, the profit margin is pretty good.
There needs to be some sort of investigation into the dairy sector as a whole to ensure that the dairy farmer is protected. Hopefully that would alter the balance of commodity product sales and slow the present rate of dairy farm sales.
But we , the consumers must change our ways too. We must think LOCAL. We have shown that we will pay extra for Fairtrade coffees etc. and organic milk. We could go back to local milk deliveries and perhaps ask the dairyman to increase the local produce that they deliver too.
It seems we would like DEFRA to get its act together. We want the Government to lessen the bureaucratic hold on the farmer, to enquire closely into the monopoly of the supermarkets' powers to go back on contracts which may be short-term to them but must by their very nature be long-term for the farmer.
We, as human beings, value our countryside and recognise the role of the farmer in our communities as an employer and in maintaining the environment. Farming has had a bad press over recent decades and some of the blame for this must be laid at the environmentalists' doors. No farming, no green and pleasant land.
So LOCAL and VOCAL. Over 90 people signed the petitions and promised to send postcards to their MPs and Euro MPs and talk to retailers.I am absolutely confident that these meetings will make the Government and the retailers sit up and take notice.I was a little surprised that on the eve of local elections the invited district councillors were not present but perhaps they thought that it was not relevant to their interests!
The local craft group spent the afternoon finishing off the bags that we had been making and being instructed on the high-tec of modern sewing machines.This was a revelation to me--all those computerised programmes to help the dressmaker or embroiderer to perform wonders.I quite expected the machine to speak up to tell one when the cotton was about to run out, like the modern car reporting on the remaining petrol in its tank. Perhaps these machines sing out "Call that a straight line?!" I'm only jealous because the amount of use I would make of mine would no way justify the expense.
Later in the afternoon it was a dash to a meeting to finalise arrangements for the Great Milk Debate. We admired the display that the WI members had put together on historical farming in the local area.It is rather unsettling to discover how recently history seems to start these days.I am sure this display will create a lot of interest on the night.I wish we knew how many people were coming!
April 25th
Winslow WI hosted the first of three Great Milk Debates (as suggested by NFWI in conjunction with the NFU) to be held in Bucks. Speakers were Tim Whitlock, the NFU secretary for the North Bucks area, Simon Bates the director of Dairy UK and Nigel Stacey, a local farmer. Local food producers were displaying their wares around the hall and several local retailers had provided items either for the refreshments or for the raffle. Over 120 people from the north of the county were present and it was a really lively affair.
WI is famous or infamous for being a very practical organisation.The purpose of the national Great Milk Debate was to hammer out some plan of action to try to help the struggling dairy industry.It was quite in keeping with WI history that we should be holding such a debate because the WI movement started originally in Canada to improve the hygiene of milk production following the death of the infant child of Adelaide Hoodless.
We listened to very good speakers and they fielded some good questions. We heard statements from the floor and the Chairman read out prepared statements from various supermarket chains. To sum up:-
It seems legitimate to blame the supermarkets for being able to call the tune on sales of dairy produce but that is not the total answer. The supermarkets have and do take notice of what their customers demand. They have started to stock Fairtrade products, local produce, organic foods, specialist dietary foods and even begun to reduce packaging. They have definitely taken notice of this joint venture of the WI and the NFU. They are running scared to promise an extra 4p per litre to the farmer, but the date of implementation appears hazy. Even then, the profit margin is pretty good.
There needs to be some sort of investigation into the dairy sector as a whole to ensure that the dairy farmer is protected. Hopefully that would alter the balance of commodity product sales and slow the present rate of dairy farm sales.
But we , the consumers must change our ways too. We must think LOCAL. We have shown that we will pay extra for Fairtrade coffees etc. and organic milk. We could go back to local milk deliveries and perhaps ask the dairyman to increase the local produce that they deliver too.
It seems we would like DEFRA to get its act together. We want the Government to lessen the bureaucratic hold on the farmer, to enquire closely into the monopoly of the supermarkets' powers to go back on contracts which may be short-term to them but must by their very nature be long-term for the farmer.
We, as human beings, value our countryside and recognise the role of the farmer in our communities as an employer and in maintaining the environment. Farming has had a bad press over recent decades and some of the blame for this must be laid at the environmentalists' doors. No farming, no green and pleasant land.
So LOCAL and VOCAL. Over 90 people signed the petitions and promised to send postcards to their MPs and Euro MPs and talk to retailers.I am absolutely confident that these meetings will make the Government and the retailers sit up and take notice.I was a little surprised that on the eve of local elections the invited district councillors were not present but perhaps they thought that it was not relevant to their interests!
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