6th May
The local WI held its resolution meeting tonight and we were delighted to welcome 3 visitors to a well-attended gathering. One visitor was from one of the Yorkshire federations; she is staying in the area conducting some research into her family history so we were very pleased that she had seen our notice and decided to drop in. The other two visitors were even more exciting as they were a mother and daughter who wish to join. I hope we made the young girl welcome enough for her to want to keep coming. Actually it was a very lively meeting because the members had taken part in so many different events during the month that there was one report after another and all of them interesting and revealing lots of aspects of WI life.The member who presented the resolution on the health of honey bees did so in a very cunning way. She gave us all a quiz on bees and then while talking us through the answers was able to transmit most of the information on the notes from NFWI so the whole operation was quite painless and produced more feedback than usual in these debates. Then we did a little sketch--albeit read-- about the process behind the production of a resolution which went down well.
7th May
Notice in the press that The Calendar Girls are going to produce another calendar next year. Is this wise I ask myself? The original was such a success and a trailblazing exercise which has been copied almost to boredom that I wonder whether they should just rest on their laurels now. We have seen firemen, farmworkers and nurses all in the buff and much of the appeal of the original was in the surprise element of members of a respectable society stripping off. Maybe you think differently on this.
I hope some of you have noticed the changes on the BFWI website recently. Have a look at the members' page which is getting up-to-date and of course, the home page is different too. Could we re-vitalise the discussion part now?
11th May
The local craft group from our WI has finished the pictorial side of its sampler but unfortunately we have forgotten what to write on the reverse! A case of diving around to find the instructions is called for.Meanwhile there are some whirly-gig scarves being knit following the pattern in the newsletter a couple of months ago. I had much rather produce something like this than fiddle about with quilling! The sessions are very enjoyable as the members bring problems along and there is usually someone who can sort them out. Also it gives us time to make arrangements for transport to events or arrange outings to craft exhibitions.
13th May
I popped over to another WI to take the members through the Bee health resolution today. I felt rather guilty but I copied what our own member had done for us and I am pleased to say it worked just as well again.The bonus here was that one member had a son who kept bees so she was able to add even more information and give us a firsthand account of what it feels like to open up a hive and find that the bees have been attacked by the verroa mite.That WI had also lost the instructions for the back of the sampler so we are not alone in our quandary.
14th May
Today was the meeting of the Education and Current Affairs sub-committee at which everyone moves round for the next year.We had received very favourable reports of the crossword workshop so we are arranging another for those who missed out last time. We are also planning to hold an international day in October and looking ahead to lots of events for 2010. If only people would reply to letters and e-mails, even if it is just a one word answer...One can send SAEs asking for just that and get no response. I am afraid I think it is a case of bad manners, not just thoughtlessness but I am old-fashioned.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Friday, 1 May 2009
That was April, that was
April 15th
I bet you are enjoying the irony of someone who is always saying that things must be up-to-date falling so far behind with the blog, so I had better do some catching up!
The local WI had its first session for a small group who fancied doing some playreading. We were ably guided by a member who is part of the town's amateur dramatic society.We had borrowed several sets of plays from the Bucks WI drama collection at Stuart Lodge.This is an amazing resource where Mrs Barbara Edwards had annotated and catalogued all the plays--- a real labour of love which should not be forgotten.Anyway we spent an enjoyable afternoon and roped in a passing grand daughter to read a part too. We have agreed to meet again and are plotting a contribution to the WI Christmas meeting.
April 20th
Not such a happy occasion today as about a dozen members attended a well-loved member's funeral.It is always sad to lose someone but this occasion was kept as a celebration of her life which went some way to soften the blow of an unexpected departure from our midst.
April 27th
Local WI meeting of the Book Group. We had expected a newcomer to the meeting but unfortunately she didn't appear so we will need to chase her up. The novel under discussion was "About Grace" by Anthony Doerr which was set in the Caribbean and Alaska. It contained some strange characters, all of whom seemed to have consuming interests in a subject such as metal sculpture, model boat making, sea creatures or (the main character's) the structure of snowflakes. The hero (if that is the right word) also suffered from severe attacks of deja vu about coming disasters which in most cases proved remarkably accurate and affected his life decisions.I had rather hoped people would be prompted to talk about this phenomenon which probably we have all shared at some time but I got the feeling the others didn't want to. Anyway the novel received a mixed reception.The next evening I watched a TV programme about snow crystals which was a bit weird--not the programme, but the timing.
April 28th
There was a meeting organised by the Education and Current Affairs sub-committee today at Bierton in a little hall still owned by the village WI.These halls are a mixed blessing to the WI.The accounts have to be kept separate but the buildings cost a lot to maintain and equipment tends to become out-of-date.We certainly battled today with desperate tables and metered heating but these problems were soon forgotten as 40 people pitted their brains against a selection of crosswords brought along by a devilish crossword setter for the Times and other newspapers. Tim Moorey was a wonderful speaker, quite charming and able to hide the workings of his devious mind behind a very engaging manner.We all enjoyed ourselves immensely and he liked us too and has promised to come back to hold another session for the members balloted out this time.
April 29th
An outing to Wimpole Hall was arranged for today by the new sub-committee for Homes and Gardens. Three coachloads of members and friends set out on a beautiful morning. Unfortunately one of the coaches broke down but the driver coped with the situation very well and within an hour a replacement coach had picked us up and we were on our way again. I wished that I had picked up the newspaper before I left the house so I could have exercised my improved skills at finishing cryptic crosswords.Instead during the wait with everyone else on our side of the coach we surveyed the portaloo across what looked like the trenches of the Somme battlefield and I wondered whether I would be the first to have to leg it across to the builders' facility!
Wimpole Hall is gorgeous and the gardens too but the stewards in the hall itself were so approachable and enthusiastic about the place that it added a lot to the visit.
As our coach had been given extra time because it arrived late, we had hardly had a quick wash before it was off to the local WI committee meeting.We heard what a good Council meeting it had been in spite of the fact that the County Chairman was too ill to attend.I was sorry to have missed it as I really enjoy council meetings and catching up with what is happening outside my patch.Our own meeting had been very successful when the members were asked to bring a photo meaningful to them and then talk about it.AND THEY DID.So that is a useful idea when a speaker leaves you in the lurch.Our treasurer has produced a budget for the year which we will discuss at the May meeting, then there are lots of events attended to report on and plans to make, so the evening should be full even though there is just one resolution to discuss.There was an active bees' nest in the structure of the wall in the walled garden at Wimpole Hall. They looked busy and healthy; I hope they keep that way.There is a lot of information about bees on the TV and in the papers at the moment so members should be quite well-informed for the Annual General Meeting at the Royal Albert Hall in June.
I bet you are enjoying the irony of someone who is always saying that things must be up-to-date falling so far behind with the blog, so I had better do some catching up!
The local WI had its first session for a small group who fancied doing some playreading. We were ably guided by a member who is part of the town's amateur dramatic society.We had borrowed several sets of plays from the Bucks WI drama collection at Stuart Lodge.This is an amazing resource where Mrs Barbara Edwards had annotated and catalogued all the plays--- a real labour of love which should not be forgotten.Anyway we spent an enjoyable afternoon and roped in a passing grand daughter to read a part too. We have agreed to meet again and are plotting a contribution to the WI Christmas meeting.
April 20th
Not such a happy occasion today as about a dozen members attended a well-loved member's funeral.It is always sad to lose someone but this occasion was kept as a celebration of her life which went some way to soften the blow of an unexpected departure from our midst.
April 27th
Local WI meeting of the Book Group. We had expected a newcomer to the meeting but unfortunately she didn't appear so we will need to chase her up. The novel under discussion was "About Grace" by Anthony Doerr which was set in the Caribbean and Alaska. It contained some strange characters, all of whom seemed to have consuming interests in a subject such as metal sculpture, model boat making, sea creatures or (the main character's) the structure of snowflakes. The hero (if that is the right word) also suffered from severe attacks of deja vu about coming disasters which in most cases proved remarkably accurate and affected his life decisions.I had rather hoped people would be prompted to talk about this phenomenon which probably we have all shared at some time but I got the feeling the others didn't want to. Anyway the novel received a mixed reception.The next evening I watched a TV programme about snow crystals which was a bit weird--not the programme, but the timing.
April 28th
There was a meeting organised by the Education and Current Affairs sub-committee today at Bierton in a little hall still owned by the village WI.These halls are a mixed blessing to the WI.The accounts have to be kept separate but the buildings cost a lot to maintain and equipment tends to become out-of-date.We certainly battled today with desperate tables and metered heating but these problems were soon forgotten as 40 people pitted their brains against a selection of crosswords brought along by a devilish crossword setter for the Times and other newspapers. Tim Moorey was a wonderful speaker, quite charming and able to hide the workings of his devious mind behind a very engaging manner.We all enjoyed ourselves immensely and he liked us too and has promised to come back to hold another session for the members balloted out this time.
April 29th
An outing to Wimpole Hall was arranged for today by the new sub-committee for Homes and Gardens. Three coachloads of members and friends set out on a beautiful morning. Unfortunately one of the coaches broke down but the driver coped with the situation very well and within an hour a replacement coach had picked us up and we were on our way again. I wished that I had picked up the newspaper before I left the house so I could have exercised my improved skills at finishing cryptic crosswords.Instead during the wait with everyone else on our side of the coach we surveyed the portaloo across what looked like the trenches of the Somme battlefield and I wondered whether I would be the first to have to leg it across to the builders' facility!
Wimpole Hall is gorgeous and the gardens too but the stewards in the hall itself were so approachable and enthusiastic about the place that it added a lot to the visit.
As our coach had been given extra time because it arrived late, we had hardly had a quick wash before it was off to the local WI committee meeting.We heard what a good Council meeting it had been in spite of the fact that the County Chairman was too ill to attend.I was sorry to have missed it as I really enjoy council meetings and catching up with what is happening outside my patch.Our own meeting had been very successful when the members were asked to bring a photo meaningful to them and then talk about it.AND THEY DID.So that is a useful idea when a speaker leaves you in the lurch.Our treasurer has produced a budget for the year which we will discuss at the May meeting, then there are lots of events attended to report on and plans to make, so the evening should be full even though there is just one resolution to discuss.There was an active bees' nest in the structure of the wall in the walled garden at Wimpole Hall. They looked busy and healthy; I hope they keep that way.There is a lot of information about bees on the TV and in the papers at the moment so members should be quite well-informed for the Annual General Meeting at the Royal Albert Hall in June.
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
world affairs and exercise
16 March
Tonight there was a gathering of local WIs in our WI Group. The subject was "Weird and wonderful weddings across the World" which sounded interesting and proved to be most enjoyable. The speaker was an anthropologist who brought along a marvellous collection of visual aids and hardly stopped for breath as she discussed each item.We are lucky to have a good group whose members get together for outings as well as welcoming each other to their special events.I feel sorry for WIs when their group has fallen into disuse because a group really widens the opportunity to hear different speakers--not that a higher fee guarantees a better speaker but it means one can offer a larger audience which appeals to some speakers from farther afield.
24 March
Local book group this afternoon at which we were discussing "Gem Squash Tokoloshe" by Rachel Zadok. It's no good: I cannot remember that title and had to look it up again. However I shall remember the book for a long time.Some readers were put off by the first chapter in which the author took a risk of this happening but once through that, the story became spell-binding as it was about the childhood of the lead character as her mind was filled with the myths and legends of her African culture. What a terrifying imaginative world she lived in!
Other titles were discussed because we all seem to get through many books in a month and pass them around to share. We also went through a list of titles we had covered over the years in order to see whether we had enough to concoct a display based on the different world localities in which our books were based. No problem! What a contrast between the atmosphere conjured up in Gem Squash and the new series on TV of the Number One Lady Detective's Agency in Botswana!
25 March
Four stalwarts this morning met as a working party to plan an event coming up in May. I have always felt a bit guilty meeting in a hotel foyer, having a coffee and staying over an hour with papers all over the table but after today I will stop, as we were surrounded by other groups doing exactly the same, including (would you believe ?) 5 women who I am sure were sharing books in a book group.So if a venue is a problem, why not try that?
Our local WI committee was held tonight at which we discussed our main fund-raising event in November and how best to present it to the members so that they embraced the idea as well.It is rather ambitious and different so we will need everyone's support both in practice and in theory. We are back to 51 members and discussed this idea of becoming de-registered with the Charity Commission. It sounds as if it will cut down on a lot of form-filling without us losing any advantage of registration. Presumably each WI will still be protected under the Federation charity number but lose the individual number which few WIs used anyway.We have also received another letter of thanks from the RAF overseas which always encourages the members to buy the extra bag of sweets or toiletry when shopping.
26 March
Off to the WI Quiz evening in Buckingham tonight where 35 teams of three from the northern half of the county battled it out.It was an enjoyable affair but why these days cannot one remember a name within the time allotted? Actually our team thought there were too many American questions but no one else was heard to mutter on that score. Of course we didn't win but we never have, so we were very content to just enjoy the evening. The winning team contained a lady who told me because she was over 80 she wasn't as good at remembering as she used to be. You could have fooled me!
27 March
This week has been a week of ballots for events which is good because it shows the Federation is putting on activities that the members wish to attend. However it is sad for the organisers that they have to turn people away and much soul-searching goes on before those letters are posted. Many events are limited by the size of the hall available or the number of tickets we can obtain from a museum or a show. Sometimes the tutor cannot take more than a certain amount in order to give enough attention to everyone. The Federation keeps an account of members turned down for every event and this is consulted before another cut is made in order to try to be fair.Then if one is doing a cut in ratio, one has to consider places in a car and not reducing down to singles... It is a can of worms and now we open a lot of events to non-members, that problem comes into the equation.We really do the best we can but obviously do not please everyone.
28 March
I am still suffering the after-effects of our WI's Fun and Fitness Day! Actually it was fun but I was obviously unfit to take part.We spent the morning doing exercises on chairs and then gently, standing up. After a healthy lunch we went into line dancing and ended up on the floor with more exercises and then relaxation.There was plenty of time for drinks and chat and laughter throughout the day although there was serious intent too. Our instructor was very good and we did enjoy ourselves and learned quite a few ways to keep fit. It's only a matter of keeping at it.Whatever happened to Elliman's Embrocation?
Tonight there was a gathering of local WIs in our WI Group. The subject was "Weird and wonderful weddings across the World" which sounded interesting and proved to be most enjoyable. The speaker was an anthropologist who brought along a marvellous collection of visual aids and hardly stopped for breath as she discussed each item.We are lucky to have a good group whose members get together for outings as well as welcoming each other to their special events.I feel sorry for WIs when their group has fallen into disuse because a group really widens the opportunity to hear different speakers--not that a higher fee guarantees a better speaker but it means one can offer a larger audience which appeals to some speakers from farther afield.
24 March
Local book group this afternoon at which we were discussing "Gem Squash Tokoloshe" by Rachel Zadok. It's no good: I cannot remember that title and had to look it up again. However I shall remember the book for a long time.Some readers were put off by the first chapter in which the author took a risk of this happening but once through that, the story became spell-binding as it was about the childhood of the lead character as her mind was filled with the myths and legends of her African culture. What a terrifying imaginative world she lived in!
Other titles were discussed because we all seem to get through many books in a month and pass them around to share. We also went through a list of titles we had covered over the years in order to see whether we had enough to concoct a display based on the different world localities in which our books were based. No problem! What a contrast between the atmosphere conjured up in Gem Squash and the new series on TV of the Number One Lady Detective's Agency in Botswana!
25 March
Four stalwarts this morning met as a working party to plan an event coming up in May. I have always felt a bit guilty meeting in a hotel foyer, having a coffee and staying over an hour with papers all over the table but after today I will stop, as we were surrounded by other groups doing exactly the same, including (would you believe ?) 5 women who I am sure were sharing books in a book group.So if a venue is a problem, why not try that?
Our local WI committee was held tonight at which we discussed our main fund-raising event in November and how best to present it to the members so that they embraced the idea as well.It is rather ambitious and different so we will need everyone's support both in practice and in theory. We are back to 51 members and discussed this idea of becoming de-registered with the Charity Commission. It sounds as if it will cut down on a lot of form-filling without us losing any advantage of registration. Presumably each WI will still be protected under the Federation charity number but lose the individual number which few WIs used anyway.We have also received another letter of thanks from the RAF overseas which always encourages the members to buy the extra bag of sweets or toiletry when shopping.
26 March
Off to the WI Quiz evening in Buckingham tonight where 35 teams of three from the northern half of the county battled it out.It was an enjoyable affair but why these days cannot one remember a name within the time allotted? Actually our team thought there were too many American questions but no one else was heard to mutter on that score. Of course we didn't win but we never have, so we were very content to just enjoy the evening. The winning team contained a lady who told me because she was over 80 she wasn't as good at remembering as she used to be. You could have fooled me!
27 March
This week has been a week of ballots for events which is good because it shows the Federation is putting on activities that the members wish to attend. However it is sad for the organisers that they have to turn people away and much soul-searching goes on before those letters are posted. Many events are limited by the size of the hall available or the number of tickets we can obtain from a museum or a show. Sometimes the tutor cannot take more than a certain amount in order to give enough attention to everyone. The Federation keeps an account of members turned down for every event and this is consulted before another cut is made in order to try to be fair.Then if one is doing a cut in ratio, one has to consider places in a car and not reducing down to singles... It is a can of worms and now we open a lot of events to non-members, that problem comes into the equation.We really do the best we can but obviously do not please everyone.
28 March
I am still suffering the after-effects of our WI's Fun and Fitness Day! Actually it was fun but I was obviously unfit to take part.We spent the morning doing exercises on chairs and then gently, standing up. After a healthy lunch we went into line dancing and ended up on the floor with more exercises and then relaxation.There was plenty of time for drinks and chat and laughter throughout the day although there was serious intent too. Our instructor was very good and we did enjoy ourselves and learned quite a few ways to keep fit. It's only a matter of keeping at it.Whatever happened to Elliman's Embrocation?
Tuesday, 17 March 2009
Busy March
3rd March
There was a meeting down at the Federation Office for those interested in updating the Bucks website and setting up a team to keep it rolling. Members have lost interest in the discussion page and the campaigns information is almost 4 years out of date.This is not only embarrassing but a shame as there has been a lot of work done within the County recently on the projects promoted by the NFWI, such as the BIG Tidy UP and Violence against Women and the protest against cuts in adult education.You will be pleased to know that all will be rectified soon and we will be informed when the new website is launched.It would be good if WIs could get into the habit of sending snippets in about their own activities. We will probably be able to include photos now. The wonders of modern technology!
It was busy at High Wycombe as the WI shop was open and there were people coming and going. The shop is only open twice a month (the first and third Tuesday) but one can buy from a wide range of cards and stationery, gifts and kitchenware as well as the WI tools of the trade, such as registers and account books.It is worth going down to visit--perhaps to include a walk on the Rye now the weather is improving.
4th March
Our WI speaker tonight was a Wimbledon umpire who told us about her training and experiences on the tennis court. The rules and regulations about dress are as draconian as the poshest public school. The lady was a good speaker and everyone enjoyed her talk. We had quite a long discussion on what to do for our meeting where we have had a cancellation and I was able to put through some of the suggestions from the comments on my last blog. Imagine ...comments actually received! Anyway, there were lots of ideas put forward and I think we know what we are going to do.There was also a good report from one of the members on her course at Denman College where she was experimenting with machine embroidery.We were able to view her lovely work of art even though it is not quite finished. We always like an account of visits to Denman especially if the member went on our WI bursary.
9th March
I went over to a neighbouring village to iron out a long agenda this morning and finished the morning off learning about different species of snowdrops. I have always looked at snowdrops and thought how pleased I was to see them, heralds of Spring etc. but not recognising all the tiny differences there are between the varieties. I went straight home to stare into the faces of our garden flowers and was really pleased to find they were not all the same, and not just short and tall types either.
In the afternoon it was the local WI craft group meeting. The bad news here is that we will more or less have to start again with our sampler because of assembly difficulties.Personally I was disappointed that no one felt they had the time to produce a story sack as requested by the Federation for the Chiltern Show. It has to be the work of three people so that is that, I suppose.
11th March
This evening the Bucks Federation had been invited to attend the Soroptimists International Women's Day event in Aylesbury so two members of the Education and Current Affairs sub-committee went along with a promotional display and information on ACWW (Associated Countrywomen of the World).The Soroptimists seem to have the same concerns as the WI on campaigns such as violence in the home and the dreadful lack of food and facilities suffered by women across the world.We spent time chatting, listening to the Radio Oxford speaker and watching a fashion show but the real highlight was the variety of stalls selling wonderful hats and ethnic handicrafts from around the world and a presentation on the work done in Nicaragua.
12th March
Up and away this morning to the subcommittee meeting of Education and Current Affairs. We have received the full complement of replies from the county MPs about cuts in adult learning opportunities and thanks for our efforts with the campaign against Violence against Women in rural areas. The full report on the survey makes interesting, although depressing reading. Most of the agenda was to do with forthcoming events because we have a lot at the planning stage at present. The trip to the Darwin Exhibition was oversubscribed and it is with relief we can report that the Crosswords workshop will be able to go ahead. One never knows with something absolutely new whether it will appeal to members or not.We all live on tenterhooks until the budget deadline is reached.
After the meeting a physiotherapist joined us for a session on Core Wellness. I cannot describe this as a hands on session, more an-on-your-knees activity. Luckily we knew each other quite well beforehand but we certainly knew each other a lot better afterwards.It was really worthwhile to learn the exercises and was good fun but I don't know whether we would get any takers for a bigger event for the WIs, which is what the organisers want us to do. You know, "cascade", which in this context is an unfortunate word to use! But it is good that people will now talk about problems with pelvic floors which would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.
There was a meeting down at the Federation Office for those interested in updating the Bucks website and setting up a team to keep it rolling. Members have lost interest in the discussion page and the campaigns information is almost 4 years out of date.This is not only embarrassing but a shame as there has been a lot of work done within the County recently on the projects promoted by the NFWI, such as the BIG Tidy UP and Violence against Women and the protest against cuts in adult education.You will be pleased to know that all will be rectified soon and we will be informed when the new website is launched.It would be good if WIs could get into the habit of sending snippets in about their own activities. We will probably be able to include photos now. The wonders of modern technology!
It was busy at High Wycombe as the WI shop was open and there were people coming and going. The shop is only open twice a month (the first and third Tuesday) but one can buy from a wide range of cards and stationery, gifts and kitchenware as well as the WI tools of the trade, such as registers and account books.It is worth going down to visit--perhaps to include a walk on the Rye now the weather is improving.
4th March
Our WI speaker tonight was a Wimbledon umpire who told us about her training and experiences on the tennis court. The rules and regulations about dress are as draconian as the poshest public school. The lady was a good speaker and everyone enjoyed her talk. We had quite a long discussion on what to do for our meeting where we have had a cancellation and I was able to put through some of the suggestions from the comments on my last blog. Imagine ...comments actually received! Anyway, there were lots of ideas put forward and I think we know what we are going to do.There was also a good report from one of the members on her course at Denman College where she was experimenting with machine embroidery.We were able to view her lovely work of art even though it is not quite finished. We always like an account of visits to Denman especially if the member went on our WI bursary.
9th March
I went over to a neighbouring village to iron out a long agenda this morning and finished the morning off learning about different species of snowdrops. I have always looked at snowdrops and thought how pleased I was to see them, heralds of Spring etc. but not recognising all the tiny differences there are between the varieties. I went straight home to stare into the faces of our garden flowers and was really pleased to find they were not all the same, and not just short and tall types either.
In the afternoon it was the local WI craft group meeting. The bad news here is that we will more or less have to start again with our sampler because of assembly difficulties.Personally I was disappointed that no one felt they had the time to produce a story sack as requested by the Federation for the Chiltern Show. It has to be the work of three people so that is that, I suppose.
11th March
This evening the Bucks Federation had been invited to attend the Soroptimists International Women's Day event in Aylesbury so two members of the Education and Current Affairs sub-committee went along with a promotional display and information on ACWW (Associated Countrywomen of the World).The Soroptimists seem to have the same concerns as the WI on campaigns such as violence in the home and the dreadful lack of food and facilities suffered by women across the world.We spent time chatting, listening to the Radio Oxford speaker and watching a fashion show but the real highlight was the variety of stalls selling wonderful hats and ethnic handicrafts from around the world and a presentation on the work done in Nicaragua.
12th March
Up and away this morning to the subcommittee meeting of Education and Current Affairs. We have received the full complement of replies from the county MPs about cuts in adult learning opportunities and thanks for our efforts with the campaign against Violence against Women in rural areas. The full report on the survey makes interesting, although depressing reading. Most of the agenda was to do with forthcoming events because we have a lot at the planning stage at present. The trip to the Darwin Exhibition was oversubscribed and it is with relief we can report that the Crosswords workshop will be able to go ahead. One never knows with something absolutely new whether it will appeal to members or not.We all live on tenterhooks until the budget deadline is reached.
After the meeting a physiotherapist joined us for a session on Core Wellness. I cannot describe this as a hands on session, more an-on-your-knees activity. Luckily we knew each other quite well beforehand but we certainly knew each other a lot better afterwards.It was really worthwhile to learn the exercises and was good fun but I don't know whether we would get any takers for a bigger event for the WIs, which is what the organisers want us to do. You know, "cascade", which in this context is an unfortunate word to use! But it is good that people will now talk about problems with pelvic floors which would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.
Sunday, 1 March 2009
books and crafts
23 February
A meeting of the local WI Book Group today. We seem to have got through a lot of titles over the last few weeks.We are also bang up-to-date with our "set" books because one was "The Reader" by Schlink and the other was "Faceless Killers", a Wallandar detective story as seen on TV.We had quite a long discussion on whether we liked to see a film after we had read the book or not. Personally if I have enjoyed the book, I don't like to interfere with my feelings towards it by seeing someone else's take on the book. The flyers for the very successful film of "The Reader" seemed to emphasize the concentration camp part of the novel which worried me slightly as it was crucial on the page but there was more to it than that. However I hear that the film does follow the order of presentation of the story and the acting is great. It is a good short novel and the characters are strong and believable. Discussion led us on to "The Welsh Girl" by Peter Ho Davies and "Suite Francaise" by Irena Nemerovski which covered the prisoners of war in British camps and the early years of the German Occupation of France.
The detective Wallander is not a person I would like to have any dealings with. You cannot say he is a pleasant character and if the author,Henning Mankell wants us to be on his side, he doesn't really succeed. I am told that his private life is a link between the stories but I became tired of his dietary problems, let alone his shattered marriage so I wont be watching any of the TV series. The scenery will obviously be attractive on the screen which could act in its favour.
The Book Group has been asked to prepare a display for this year's Winslow Show so we will have to think of something that will attract people into the WI tent from our readings in the past.Perhaps geographical, as this month we have touched on Germany, Sweden, France and Wales.
24 February
The Arts and Home Crafts sub-committee held a Craft Collation meeting at Cheddington today. It was well attended and very enjoyable.It managed to be quite informal although there was a large audience. The show -and -tell session was difficult because of the lack of a microphone but most people were audible. The work shown was of a high standard, varied and beautiful. Most items were decorative rather than useful. Ideas were tossed around and it was good to learn that the Federation is planning some competitive projects for the future eg some more story sacks and samplers. Competition brings out the best in the craft circles and a shared purpose binds a group together.There were a lot of crafty bargains to be bought at giveaway prices and the cakes at teatime were wonderful.
25 February
The local committee meeting was very busy and chatty .There are lots of events planned in the county over the next couple of months and we have our own Group Meeting coming up too. We were pleased to have received a supportive reply from our MP against the proposed cuts in adult education. He had already signed the Early Day Motion.The programme setters have a problem cancellation for June. We are wondering whether a do-it-yourself session might go well instead--not home improvements, but short talks from our own members either on a theme or based on a personal photo. It has been done successfully elsewhere and someone suggested it in our questionnaire.
A meeting of the local WI Book Group today. We seem to have got through a lot of titles over the last few weeks.We are also bang up-to-date with our "set" books because one was "The Reader" by Schlink and the other was "Faceless Killers", a Wallandar detective story as seen on TV.We had quite a long discussion on whether we liked to see a film after we had read the book or not. Personally if I have enjoyed the book, I don't like to interfere with my feelings towards it by seeing someone else's take on the book. The flyers for the very successful film of "The Reader" seemed to emphasize the concentration camp part of the novel which worried me slightly as it was crucial on the page but there was more to it than that. However I hear that the film does follow the order of presentation of the story and the acting is great. It is a good short novel and the characters are strong and believable. Discussion led us on to "The Welsh Girl" by Peter Ho Davies and "Suite Francaise" by Irena Nemerovski which covered the prisoners of war in British camps and the early years of the German Occupation of France.
The detective Wallander is not a person I would like to have any dealings with. You cannot say he is a pleasant character and if the author,Henning Mankell wants us to be on his side, he doesn't really succeed. I am told that his private life is a link between the stories but I became tired of his dietary problems, let alone his shattered marriage so I wont be watching any of the TV series. The scenery will obviously be attractive on the screen which could act in its favour.
The Book Group has been asked to prepare a display for this year's Winslow Show so we will have to think of something that will attract people into the WI tent from our readings in the past.Perhaps geographical, as this month we have touched on Germany, Sweden, France and Wales.
24 February
The Arts and Home Crafts sub-committee held a Craft Collation meeting at Cheddington today. It was well attended and very enjoyable.It managed to be quite informal although there was a large audience. The show -and -tell session was difficult because of the lack of a microphone but most people were audible. The work shown was of a high standard, varied and beautiful. Most items were decorative rather than useful. Ideas were tossed around and it was good to learn that the Federation is planning some competitive projects for the future eg some more story sacks and samplers. Competition brings out the best in the craft circles and a shared purpose binds a group together.There were a lot of crafty bargains to be bought at giveaway prices and the cakes at teatime were wonderful.
25 February
The local committee meeting was very busy and chatty .There are lots of events planned in the county over the next couple of months and we have our own Group Meeting coming up too. We were pleased to have received a supportive reply from our MP against the proposed cuts in adult education. He had already signed the Early Day Motion.The programme setters have a problem cancellation for June. We are wondering whether a do-it-yourself session might go well instead--not home improvements, but short talks from our own members either on a theme or based on a personal photo. It has been done successfully elsewhere and someone suggested it in our questionnaire.
Saturday, 21 February 2009
Fiddle and fume
9th February
Today was the first real craft group meeting for our local WI because last month we combined a craft shopping expedition with a light lunch to celebrate the new year. One of our members demonstrated the art of quilling and then we experimented making flowers and decorations for greeting cards. It was all rather fiddley but we ended up with at least one reasonable card! We will return to this craft next month when we hope to progress to animal designs and more recognisable flowers. Some time was spent on the progress of our WI sampler too.It was very pleasant to get out of our houses after all the snow ---although the footpaths were still lethal for the walkers.
One of the subjects of conversation, over juggling with tiny pieces of paper, was the WI subscription book of vouchers which members receive every year. Some members think this is a waste of money but in actual fact the WI brings in funds to the organisation from the advertisers, even if individual members just bin it.So it must be worth the advertisers' while to make those offers contained in the token book. In our own WI, I have heard of people who have more than paid for their WI subscription by taking advantage of offers on holiday bookings, insurance, new sewing machines and vacuum cleaners. Also if no one in one's own family has allergy problems, there is nothing wrong with handing the token over to another member who would be glad of it.Also there are shops where one receives a discount if one shows the WI membership card from the front of the token book.
This entry is rather late because my family has been struggling with the installation of Broadband which we thought would swing us into the 21st century, seamlessly providing an all-singing-all dancing service.Don't you believe it! It has taken a good three weeks and finally ended up with my threatening to take the engineer hostage unless he had fixed it before leaving the house.He thought I was joking! In place of the extra back-up service provision subscription, I think BT should arrange something on the same lines with the Relate marriage guidance people.How the Powers that Be can say they plan to have everyone on Broadband beats me, when the willing horse to the trough cannot drink the waters there of. And then to put on the box "Just follow the easy set -up guide and you are off"... Where are Trade Descriptions when you need them?
Today was the first real craft group meeting for our local WI because last month we combined a craft shopping expedition with a light lunch to celebrate the new year. One of our members demonstrated the art of quilling and then we experimented making flowers and decorations for greeting cards. It was all rather fiddley but we ended up with at least one reasonable card! We will return to this craft next month when we hope to progress to animal designs and more recognisable flowers. Some time was spent on the progress of our WI sampler too.It was very pleasant to get out of our houses after all the snow ---although the footpaths were still lethal for the walkers.
One of the subjects of conversation, over juggling with tiny pieces of paper, was the WI subscription book of vouchers which members receive every year. Some members think this is a waste of money but in actual fact the WI brings in funds to the organisation from the advertisers, even if individual members just bin it.So it must be worth the advertisers' while to make those offers contained in the token book. In our own WI, I have heard of people who have more than paid for their WI subscription by taking advantage of offers on holiday bookings, insurance, new sewing machines and vacuum cleaners. Also if no one in one's own family has allergy problems, there is nothing wrong with handing the token over to another member who would be glad of it.Also there are shops where one receives a discount if one shows the WI membership card from the front of the token book.
This entry is rather late because my family has been struggling with the installation of Broadband which we thought would swing us into the 21st century, seamlessly providing an all-singing-all dancing service.Don't you believe it! It has taken a good three weeks and finally ended up with my threatening to take the engineer hostage unless he had fixed it before leaving the house.He thought I was joking! In place of the extra back-up service provision subscription, I think BT should arrange something on the same lines with the Relate marriage guidance people.How the Powers that Be can say they plan to have everyone on Broadband beats me, when the willing horse to the trough cannot drink the waters there of. And then to put on the box "Just follow the easy set -up guide and you are off"... Where are Trade Descriptions when you need them?
Friday, 6 February 2009
More snow, birds and glass
Yet more snow.The snow is bringing about a great communal spirit in the town. Groups of adults and children are standing around talking or building snowmen. Someone said there were so many snowmen in the Winslow Hall field that they looked like Chinese warriors! Some of the talk will be about the proposed new 3500 house development planned for the old Little Horwood airfield. It is only a proposal so far but it resulted in a huge public meeting in the town this week and this is proving another unifying agency among the locals.
Our garden was visited by two fieldfares today much to the annoyance of the regulars.They were given a poor welcome but after a while began to give as good as they got. I was so disappointed with our results from the recent Garden Bird Watch. I especially waited to start my hour until the green woodpecker alighted but he never showed up all weekend.The trotty wagtails came along, all jaunty the next day, the ring collared doves went elsewhere so I was left with a very dull tally, when the garden has a wide variety of birds normally. However, they tell you not to cheat, so I didn't but was sorely tempted.
4th February
The bad weather caused us to have a rather select meeting which was a pity as the speaker was most interesting. He was talking about glass, its uses and manufacture and he had plenty of visual aids and a pleasant relaxed manner.The meeting was taken for the first time by our new Vice-President which gave everyone a chance to judge her performance. She obviously came up to scratch and members got to know her a little better. We had changed the format of the meeting again and it was very satisfactory--- except for the events book as I mentioned last week.Plans are well afoot for our WI Health and Fitness day at the end of March and we can now open it to other organisations in the town.Our own members have had first bite of the cherry.The WI programme is going to be added to our County website entry soon. The letter about adult education cuts is written and approved so that can go to our MP to join those from other WIs across the country. The boxes for the Forces overseas are still receiving contributions and this scheme was really brought into context for me because when I returned home the News was on television.Amazingly a handsome young army major was being interviewed in Basra about the planned withdrawal and he was my son's primary schoolfriend. I wonder whether he remembers the pair of them setting off to remove the wallpaper from my son's bedroom walls using pieces of metal toy train track as scrapers. Fortunately in those days, if you clipped the ears of a near-neighbour's child, you did not receive a court summons but a box of conciliatory chocolates and a friend for life! Keep safe, lad.
Our garden was visited by two fieldfares today much to the annoyance of the regulars.They were given a poor welcome but after a while began to give as good as they got. I was so disappointed with our results from the recent Garden Bird Watch. I especially waited to start my hour until the green woodpecker alighted but he never showed up all weekend.The trotty wagtails came along, all jaunty the next day, the ring collared doves went elsewhere so I was left with a very dull tally, when the garden has a wide variety of birds normally. However, they tell you not to cheat, so I didn't but was sorely tempted.
4th February
The bad weather caused us to have a rather select meeting which was a pity as the speaker was most interesting. He was talking about glass, its uses and manufacture and he had plenty of visual aids and a pleasant relaxed manner.The meeting was taken for the first time by our new Vice-President which gave everyone a chance to judge her performance. She obviously came up to scratch and members got to know her a little better. We had changed the format of the meeting again and it was very satisfactory--- except for the events book as I mentioned last week.Plans are well afoot for our WI Health and Fitness day at the end of March and we can now open it to other organisations in the town.Our own members have had first bite of the cherry.The WI programme is going to be added to our County website entry soon. The letter about adult education cuts is written and approved so that can go to our MP to join those from other WIs across the country. The boxes for the Forces overseas are still receiving contributions and this scheme was really brought into context for me because when I returned home the News was on television.Amazingly a handsome young army major was being interviewed in Basra about the planned withdrawal and he was my son's primary schoolfriend. I wonder whether he remembers the pair of them setting off to remove the wallpaper from my son's bedroom walls using pieces of metal toy train track as scrapers. Fortunately in those days, if you clipped the ears of a near-neighbour's child, you did not receive a court summons but a box of conciliatory chocolates and a friend for life! Keep safe, lad.
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