August

30th August
Bucks County Show today.After all the rain the actual showground was already a sea of churned up mud but luckily because of the long spell of wet weather, it hadn't been possible to cut the fields set aside for car parking so the wheels stayed on top of a cushion of long grass.It is always pleasant to wander round and meet WI members either for a cup of tea or in the Home and Garden tent where the competitions are staged.I think there were 19 entries from WIs this year because the theme was very topical "Olympic Glory". It is amazing the different interpretations there are on any subject and this year was no exception. We all thanked the Heavens we were not called upon to be the judges as the standard was very high again. Bledlow WI, Longwick WI and Brill WI all deserved their medals.A lot of work goes into setting up these displays by the WIs but we must not forget the hours spent by the organisers planning the event and of course, the judges for doing their job early in the morning in uncomfortable surroundings whatever the weather.

28th August
The WI book group met in spite of it being a holiday month and nearly everyone was present. We had read "Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett which was an extremely long book to tackle. Most of our readers thought it a very good story full of interesting details about medieval stone-masons building cathedrals and wicked barons riding amok among the local peasantry.The book was filled with powerful women and the hero was a celibate monk but it was a man's book---lots of gore, rape and pillage---but I suppose that is what the Middle Ages were like really. We are going for something more recent next time with a bit of humour thrown in too.

27th August
Bank Holiday Monday so it is the day for local shows and events. We never learn that it is also the day when the weather throws whatever it can down on us---if it isn't rain, it is a high wind to test the tents or blazing sun to make the animals' and small children's lives a misery.This time it was rain in fierce bursts and sudden gusts of wind.The local WI didn't have a display tent again but most members were present either in the crowd or helping on other stalls for different local organisations. I am sure quite a lot of WI business was conducted on the field in an informal manner because it is an event of importance in the life of the community

9th August
This evening the Great and the Good of BFWI met for supper in Buckland Village Hall. This supper is an annual event hosted by different WIs across Bucks and it affords the committee members who serve the federation a chance to get together socially. It is not a freeby but everyone feels it is worth the outlay just to be away from committee work and meet as people again. As you will imagine some business always creeps in and there is a lot of passing of papers and parcels but it is predominately social. It also brings some funds to the hostess WI. This year it was Buckland, Drayton Beauchamp& Aston Clinton WI who provided a wonderful meal for us.

8th August
The local discussion group met to talk about "Water". Well, we had done "Alcohol" the time before and two members had attended the Current Affairs day event on "Water,water everywhere" last month and wanted to share some of the information they had gathered there.The conversation flowed tonight and ideas were swapped for saving water and sins owned of particular ways in which we waste water.Actually it is a huge topic when you cover droughts, floods,sport and recreation. One realises how much we take for granted in this country and how lucky we are living when and where we do.The WI has always campaigned to help countries where water is scarce and recently has led a campaign to stop people buying bottled water in a land with excellent water services;by doing so,road traffic is increased and yet more plastic is produced to pollute the atmosphere.