Al fresco

4th August
The President of our local WI held a garden party today to which everyone was welcome.The weather did not look promising as we set up marquees and stalls in the morning but the rain held off until we came to dismantle them in the late afternoon. Then it made up for lost time as we cowered beneath the remaining two gazebos and clutched bags of assorted sale items and display materials.The event was a great success: we raised some funds, drank many cups of tea, ate lots of cake and enjoyed an exchange of news and gossip.That's what garden parties are about, isn't it? However, there was a serious element to this social gathering because we were collecting signatures in support of our combined bid with the Town Council for a grant to establish a fitness area in the town. Several members were not aware of this project and the display, held over from when the Olympic Torch passed through, put them in the picture with lots of information.We need some letters to be written now and yet more forms to be filled in and then we will see what happens. It will do us good to extend our sporting activities beyond the sofa in the wave of enthusiasm engendered by the Olympics.

24-25th July
With a WI friend I have been spending the best part of two days at Denman College. Although we were booked in for a day course we decided to treat ourselves to dinner,bed and breakfast the night before. This was a very good idea because we were able to travel in a leisurely way to Abingdon, meet up with others already resident for 3 or 4 day courses.The food is excellent, the accommodation first class and the house as lovely as ever. I cannot say I like the new reception desk in the foyer because being vertically challenged, I would have liked a periscope to see the faces of the people behind the facia. Anyway, why were they behind the thing instead of stepping forward to greet us on arrival as they used to do? We had time to explore the gardens in the sunshine and had the opportunity to meet two members of the NFWI Board of Trustees.
Our course was about symbolism in art which was very interesting; the tutor was good and we were accommodated in the new lecture hall which was comfortable. After dinner, we asked permission to gate-crash two sessions of other courses: one on gardening and the other on rambling three fairly local rivers. I think the latter might be good for our Bucks Federation weekend as it can be done at any time of the year. The tutors take in flora and fauna as well as churches and village architecture along the way---not too far to walk either. I must remember to suggest it to our Denman Representative.
The Denman College experience is something I am sure all WI members should enjoy. Have a look at the latest brochure because we must keep the reservations coming in to enable our college to continue to function. After all, we are one of the federations nearest to Marcham in Oxfordshire.