Out and About

14th May
Holiday and Tour Operators are always very keen to work with the WI Federations. It may be that the WI has a lot of members who are of an age to enjoy the "grey pound" and are widows or full-time carers who don't want to drive or plan the details of a holiday on their own but whatever the reason, these firms are in fierce competition for our custom.The Federations receive a commission which rises or falls depending on how much work the WI Travel Group puts into the outing. The amount of work by the WI depends on the commitment or enthusiasm of the local WI Travel Group.
It is an interesting and rewarding position which can be time-consuming but that time can be fitted into one's personal timetable : there are few deadlines.It is also possible to share the workload with a friend or with 2 others. Is there anyone out there who would consider volunteering to help BFWI in this role?
15th May
Today 3 coaches travelled to the National Arboretum at Westonbirt. Last night the weather forecast was diabolical and the south of the county suffered a thunderstorm between 6am and 7am which made several people rethink the idea of tramping around woods all day. What a pity! Once off the coaches at the Arboretum, we never had a drop of rain. Although we were all a little late for our pre-booked tours, the guides were welcoming and knowledgeable.The trees looked marvellous and the blossom, undamaged by the overnight rain, was beautiful. Even the bluebells were still in flower. Judging by the greenery carried on to my coach, I reckon the plant centre had a good day too!
It is a sobering thought to be told that the park was saved as a national site by only one vote when it was given to the Nation in lieu of death duties. Now it has developed new collections as well as taken on the preservation of trees 2000years old.
Many of the party today plan to return under their own steam for the autumn colours when the trees will look magnificent but there will not be the freedom from crowds which we enjoyed. After all,one of the purposes of WI outings is to encourage members to visit these places again either with family or with their own local WI.
17th and 20th May
The members of the local WI had been invited to set up a promotional stand at the Town Council's event at which the councillors hoped to launch a scheme to construct a Town Plan. Our stand attracted quite a lot of attention and comment and the occasion was good for talk between the various organisations in the town.There were certainly lots of comments and suggestions pasted up on to the boards by the visiting public.Unfortunately, the age group attending on the Saturday was predominately over 50 years old but in the evening there were a few more of the younger inhabitants of the town.When one considers that the 20-30 year olds are more likely to be around to enjoy the future of the town longer, it is a pity there were not more to offer an opinion. The display is going into the local primary school but the youngsters who are on the brink of being able to cast a vote in a national election are going to miss out completely. Mind, quite a few WI members were conspicuous by their absence too!
20th May
The Book Group met this afternoon and we have a new member which is a great delight. Differing views were held on Kate Atkinson's Case Histories and The Book Thief was re-discussed as other members had missed the previous meeting. We've come to the end of one list of sets of books from the County Library Service so we have been let loose this time to see what we pick up over the next month.
22nd May
The Education and Current Affairs sub-committee met over lunch in Prestwood to finalise details for the forthcoming Taste of Poland Day. There was a new face at the meeting which is always welcome but we could do with another couple to join us. The event sounds as if it will be excellent and very interesting. Maybe we are a bit late in our timing as the media tells us that the visitors from Poland are now drifting back home. The hospitals and hotel businesses will miss them: they weren't all plumbers!
23rd May
The local working party planning our annual fundraising event in November met this evening.It is always better to have a small group organising these things rather than waste time at the monthly meeting discussing the virtues of scones above cakes or the order of the programme. I wish the authorities would stop altering the rules about licences--who needs one, how to apply etc.It drives you silly and as for what one has to do to conform to Health and Safety rules...Nothing like a bit of risk and hazard to make life interesting.Whatever will we do without the unexpected?