Underground rumblings

October 3
Local WI monthly meeting when we were entertained to a talk on language. This proved to be an interesting subject as it covered dialects and how our language continues to change. The delivery was rather flat which was a pity but most people got something out of the evening.
We took in nominations for next year's committee and planned our coming Group Meeting when we will be the hostess WI.
October 4-11
Fourteen members from Bucks' WIs travelled to Sicily on a very enjoyable and educational holiday. We visited Syracuse and studied the antiquities from centuries before the birth of Christ and the Roman period afterwards. We were awed by the smoking Mount Etna and by the enormity of the spread of its lava after recent eruptions. The sea was warm, the hotel impressive and the food and wine delightful.
We shared our experiences with a group of Americans many of whom were alumni from Michigan University. I was so proud of how much more mobile we WI members were and it was kind of cute to be referred to as "The Brits"!
October 13
Today is the opening day for the Bucks outings to the Tutankhamun Exhibition at O2. Originally just two coaches were booked but it was soon obvious that demand would be high. We were lucky to secure another 46 tickets to the exhibition but no more are available before Christmas.
How difficult it is to sort out an oversubscribed event! Cheques have to be altered, numbers cut, new dates offerred etc.etc. Sure to be grumbles and claims of unfair allocations. However, it shows that this is what the members want and we do our best.
October 15
There was a good turn out for the Group Meeting to hear Gabriella talk about her progress from convent to convicts. She got to the topic eventually as is her wont! Gabriella is of Polish descent but has been brought up in Wolverhampton: she has a marvellous personality which comes across to an audience almost immediately.
The reports from other WIs are always interesting and one is amazed by the variety of subjects and activities covered. The outings that the Group Convener organises are very popular and help to finance the group meetings. It is the end of term for group conveners so nominations are being sought but if she is good we tend to keep her as long as possible.
October 22
I suggested to the local WI that our members all did something today to reduce their carbon footprint. Anything, however small. I wonder whether anyone remembered. I did not wash my teeth under a running tap; I got out of the bath instead of adding a little more hot water in order to wallow there for longer; I didn't fill the kettle over full for a pot of tea. Now I must keep it up and add some more savings in order to feel I am making a difference--as everyone is fond of saying.
October 23
The Bucks Half yearly Council Meeting--the last at the Civic Centre, Aylesbury. The WI has had a love/hate relationship for years with that place. Catering has always been the chief bone of contention.I enjoy council meetings and I was particularly interested in the talk about ACWW from a member of the Hampshire Federation which is hosting the next European Conference.
The display of BFWI's prizewinners' silverware was most impressive and looked very attractive. The Federation Archivist reminded us of the past glories of BFWI which is an historian's remit but ours is busy making plans for us all for the future too which is good to know.
The speaker James Wight was entertaining. It is strange how amusing these bluff Yorkshire men appear to be eg Gervaise Phynn, Derek Longden and Freddie Trueman. It cannot be just the accent.
October 29
Did you see the items about WRAP , the agency for reducing household food waste? They were quoting the WI as an authority on producing good food and then re-using the leftovers. It seems to be a Bring Back Bubble and Squeak campaign--except the recipe in the Daily Telegraph used olive oil! Never! Olive oil? What's wrong with lard or dripping?
October 31
A neighbouring Group Meeting was held tonight and I had been asked to talk about Coins for Friendship and the ACWW and its links with the WI. It is amazing how few WIs actually know why we collect for ACWW but happily contribute every year. I feel it is an opportunity missed if it is not explained as those coins are the main source of income to the organisation.
After 10 minutes of that, I rushed out for my local committee. One misses the pre-November committee meeting on pain of finding oneself assigned some ghastly task for the coming year! It should all be left to the members to sort things out for the next session of the committee but a lot is really fixed in advance which is not really all that democratic. Unfortunately apathy rules in many cases which is sad.Members get what they deserve in those situations!