Singing in the rain

12th August
A slightly different group of the local WI members met tonight to plan the fund-raising event booked for the end of October. As usual we are sharing the proceeds with a local good cause: this time, the fund to refurbish the meeting room on the Square where the WI used to meet for many years until it outgrew the premises and got fed up with regularly blowing the fuses when switching on the speakers' projectors! We are trying to make sure that very few members have to be incarcerated in the kitchen and so miss all the fun. Of course the more we do ourselves the more profit there will be, but there comes a point when one has to recognise that we are taking advantage of our willing helpers. So this time we are shopping around for labour-saving services whenever possible---naturally we are not going to lose our excellent reputation for delicious desserts.

11th August
The discussion group met today and spent two hours talking about "respect". I heard once that part of the examination for one of the older universities was a three hour paper on one abstract word such as "charity" or "mercy". It took two hours for 7 people to discuss "respect" and it was extremely entertaining as well as raising concerns on the loss of many outward signs of respect and, more seriously, it was thought that the whole concept seems to be in danger of disappearing.We ranged from respect for age, authority, place, religion to the worth of history. We took in the recent cases where the stepping stones in Dovedale have been lifted up with lumps of cement and an ancient bridleway on Exmoor which is to be covered in concrete, all for health and safety reasons.The discussion was not all negative because we found out who was still admired and respected by those present which as you may imagine caused some argument!

10th August
After all that IT RAINED, almost from start to finish! The spirit of the Blitz took over and everyone made the best of it and agreed that it was a wonderful day.There were about 1300 people at Stowe to celebrate the Bucks Federation's 90th anniversary. Seventeen coaches massed in the carpark. The tents and marquees proved themselves watertight and the Temple provided cover for the needlework exhibits and the lovely birthday cake. The trade stalls were interesting and the children enjoyed the physics experiments at one stall as well as the games provided in the open. Some brave souls ventured into the grounds to see the lake and count temples. The church was welcoming and the sound of the bells was lovely. A small group gave an impromptu rendition of Jerusalem in the church attracted by the echo.The brass band played manfully throughout the afternoon; the sale of Pimms was brisk because they had to be drunk in competition with the wasps which always head for the Pimms tent at any event.The picnics in the competition were beautiful if a bit bedraggled by the rain and the Group and WI stalls provided lots for people to see and buy.Beneath dripping umbrellas everyone talked and laughed and appreciated what had been arranged for the day. Well done to all who organised the day and it wasn't your fault it was the wettest day of the year in Bucks.

9th August
Today was spent by Executive members, committee members and helpers recruited into the workforce in setting up the WI event at Stowe Landscape Gardens. I think many members will have no idea of the enormity of planning such an event nor of the sheer physical strength needed by this party to put on an occasion like this. Where and when do you begin? Booking the venue and marquees and extra mobile loos; the tickets and the coaches; the band and the trade stalls are all matters outside the WI that have to be organised.Within the federation, a huge quantity of cake must be baked and one beautiful one iced and decorated for ceremonial cutting. Then there has to be a large van hired and some WI member has to be prepared to drive it. It has to be loaded with all the items from Stuart Lodge that the Executive and committees need for their stalls. Space has to be allocated inside the tents and once on site the tents have to erected. For this the WI member is at least a foot too short to fasten the fabric sides, hammers have to be wielded, safety concerns considered, tables carted about the site and draped.Never is that old cliche "Things don't just happen" more true than on occasions like this and I think we all owe a great debt of gratitude to Executive and to Betty Furner for masterminding such an event which will do us credit in the eyes of everyone who attends whether a WI member or a casual visitor. Thank you.