The WI out in force

18th April
It was announced in the media today that the WI with other women's groups had won a victory in the campaign against legal aid curbs for abused women. Kenneth Clarke said that now any woman whose partner or former partner had a caution for violence against her would be entitled to aid. The Government would also adopt the Police definition of domestic violence which includes emotional and psychological harm as well as physical abuse. A note from a doctor confirming abuse would entitle women to free legal support while those admitted to a women's refuge or receiving social services support would be entitled to claim legal aid too.
As we heard at the Annual Council Meeting BFWI had joined the NFWI campaign against the legal aid cuts and had written to all the Buckinghamshire MPs. Replies had been received from them all and one MP had included a reply from Kenneth Clarke in response to his letter forwarding our concerns.So remember, that if we can be bothered to write and express reasonable arguments, we can make a difference to the law of the land.

13th April
The Annual Council Meeting at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury was very well attended and much enjoyed by the Bucks WI members and guests.We heard that BFWI was financially healthy and learned the names of the Board of Trustees for 2012-2014. Peter Lien Head of the Cookery School at Denman College spoke engagingly about the changes in cooking over the last few years and Johnnie Walkers encouraged everyone to order their flowering bulbs through the WI Bulb scheme. Did you know that the UK grows more daffodils than anywhere else in the world? Roderick Watson described the development of the Dorney Lake until it became a suitable venue for the Olympics.
In the afternoon we received a progress report on the mandate passed in 2011 on care for stroke patients and went on to re-affirm two mandates agreed in 1982: the banning of the sale of snares and the discouragement of allowing children under secondary school age to take part in public demonstrations.Cups and Certificates were presented and then it was the turn of the main speaker to entertain us all. Adam Henson, the TV farmer and presenter was one of the fastest speakers I have ever heard but yet he spoke in sentences and was as clear as a bell.Perhaps this was because of his family's experience on the stage and the training on Countryfile and on the Coast programmes. He is certainly very ambitious for the success of his Cotswold Farm Park and supportive of British agriculture as a whole. Adam answered the many questions well. Altogether a very popular and entertaining speaker.
It was a good meeting with a full programme managed well by our own Chairman, Trustee Members and committee members.We look forward to the next ACM in April 2013. If you are asked to be a delegate or think you might like to attend as an observer, watch the Buckinghamshire Newsletter for notice of the speakers booked because they are always worth hearing and, as was explained at the meeting, this event is part of what you receive for your contribution to BFWI in your annual subscription.