26 November
The members of our own WI plus some from neighbouring WIs enjoyed a lovely tea party this afternoon in a private house. Not only were the cakes definitely up to WI standard but there was also an interesting selection of books on offer as part of a book swap. The activity was in response to the plea from Denman College to finance some building improvements to the college by asking members to provide cups of tea @ £1 each to their friends and neighbours. This way the NFWI calculates that if every member of the 210,000 or so membership just sold one cup, sufficient money would be raised with little effort.A good idea and a very pleasant way to achieve the required funds.
25 November
What a lovely afternoon about 100 WI members from across the county enjoyed today! Such a simple idea too! Fill a room with people interested in craft of all kinds and get them to "Show and Tell" in true kindergarten manner, have a bargain sales table of materials and thread and serve teas.It was marvellous to see what others had created and the bulk of it was the result of putting their skill into making something of their own design, not just following a printed pattern. Some of the work was inspired by foreign travel where a traditional craft had been studied and then adapted into use in the home country.I lost count of the different crafts on display and some of the items produced were to die for. If you missed this meeting watch out for the next wherever it is held.Bucks doesn't need Kirstie Allsopp!
24 November
A few of us drove over to the WI shop which was temporarily set up in a private house in Stony Stratford. There was another at Little Missenden on the same day.This scheme enables those of us at a distance from Stuart Lodge in High Wycombe to see what is on offer.The northern shop seemed very busy when we were there and there was a good selection of items from which to choose.Then of course there was the opportunity to chat over a mince pie and coffee.
23 November
This wasn't an official WI event but as it was held by one of our local WI members, lots of the WI attended. We heard a presentation by a representative of the Food Bank which has its headquarters in Milton Keynes. I think people who just go to the centre for shopping have no idea of some of the poverty in the various communities within the city grid. As we were told, it only needs a combination of misfortunes to reduce a family to needing a basic box of food: most boxes are given out over a short period of time and all who receive are referred by a social welfare body or a church or a job centre to avoid the system being abused.I think the work of this organisation, completely staffed by volunteers, ties in well with the NFWI work with the campaign to make people aware of the domestic violence against women. Quite a few reduced to desperate straits are escaping a home where violence has become too much to bear.A tin of baked beans can sometimes be a feast. The Food Bank can only deal with food that does not require refridgeration as neither it nor the recipients have the means to keep things frozen.The WI has always kept the needs of the family as part of its aims and objects so the afternoon was relevant to what the WI is about.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Competitions and campaigns
14 November
The local WI craft group has been invited to take part in the town's Christmas Tree Festival so its members are putting their minds and hands to work on our entry. Although it isn't a competition we want to do our best and basically if truth was told we want to be the best. Did you watch Kirstie Allsopp on ITV this week pitting her skills against other WIs at the Hampshire and New Forest Show? She became very competitive and is in awe of WI judges.I must admit that I don't think the average WI member would go so far as to take an expensive course in some new craft in order to enter a class but it makes more interesting television and is good publicity. All the exhibits looked good and professional and the members were a suitably mixed bunch of normal people enjoying themselves, although competing.How lucky Hampshire Federation is to still have a designated marquee at their county show!
10 November
A very busy meeting of the Education & Current Affairs sub-committee today.It is part of this committee's job to keep up-to-date with the national and county campaigns.At present there is a lot of activity about the planning system reform, the scaling back of the legal aid system and the threatened closure of libraries.The WI has mandates on all these topics so every WI member may do her bit by keeping the government aware of the likely impact on women in the UK from changes in legislation. Locally, of course we are working on the care of stroke victims and their carers and BFWI has also been asked to be part of the consultation process on the trial of street lighting cuts in Buckinghamshire. At the same time we try to host interesting events and outings to broaden the members' minds, such as writers' workshops and historical or environmental days.It all sounds rather blue-stockingish but we also have a lot of fun. I wonder if anyone would like to come and join us or just arrange to sit in on a meeting? You would be welcome so get in touch with the office at Stuart Lodge.
8 November
The local book group has been reading Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. This is a prize-winning teenage novel. Several readers thought it too tough meat for teenagers but when you see what they watch on screen I don't agree.The majority considered the novel well worth reading. It is a Romeo and Juliet story set in an indeterminate time and place where the white population is subservient to the coloured---the reverse of the school segregation battles in the American South. The author doesn't give us a happy ending and the characters are so well drawn albeit in simple language that we did care about their decisions as they grow up and struggle against the society operating in the world around them.
The local WI craft group has been invited to take part in the town's Christmas Tree Festival so its members are putting their minds and hands to work on our entry. Although it isn't a competition we want to do our best and basically if truth was told we want to be the best. Did you watch Kirstie Allsopp on ITV this week pitting her skills against other WIs at the Hampshire and New Forest Show? She became very competitive and is in awe of WI judges.I must admit that I don't think the average WI member would go so far as to take an expensive course in some new craft in order to enter a class but it makes more interesting television and is good publicity. All the exhibits looked good and professional and the members were a suitably mixed bunch of normal people enjoying themselves, although competing.How lucky Hampshire Federation is to still have a designated marquee at their county show!
10 November
A very busy meeting of the Education & Current Affairs sub-committee today.It is part of this committee's job to keep up-to-date with the national and county campaigns.At present there is a lot of activity about the planning system reform, the scaling back of the legal aid system and the threatened closure of libraries.The WI has mandates on all these topics so every WI member may do her bit by keeping the government aware of the likely impact on women in the UK from changes in legislation. Locally, of course we are working on the care of stroke victims and their carers and BFWI has also been asked to be part of the consultation process on the trial of street lighting cuts in Buckinghamshire. At the same time we try to host interesting events and outings to broaden the members' minds, such as writers' workshops and historical or environmental days.It all sounds rather blue-stockingish but we also have a lot of fun. I wonder if anyone would like to come and join us or just arrange to sit in on a meeting? You would be welcome so get in touch with the office at Stuart Lodge.
8 November
The local book group has been reading Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman. This is a prize-winning teenage novel. Several readers thought it too tough meat for teenagers but when you see what they watch on screen I don't agree.The majority considered the novel well worth reading. It is a Romeo and Juliet story set in an indeterminate time and place where the white population is subservient to the coloured---the reverse of the school segregation battles in the American South. The author doesn't give us a happy ending and the characters are so well drawn albeit in simple language that we did care about their decisions as they grow up and struggle against the society operating in the world around them.
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Annual Meeting
2nd November
Tonight was the time for the local WI to hold its annual meeting and there was a good attendance. Some members do not enjoy this meeting so think of other things to do. If they intend to try to escape being assigned duties in helping to run the WI, they have another think coming! We always catch up with them and this year with a slightly smaller committee there will be no hiding place. The review of the year is always interesting and never ceases to amaze me at what we manage to achieve within the 12 months. We have increased our membership, attended lots of out of town events and done well in competitions.Some reservations were expressed on parts of the recent fundraiser but so what: in 8 years there is room for a slight blip and anyway the majority enjoyed themselves.The various sections continue to flourish so there are plenty of opportunities to share different interests, whether it be craft or badminton, reading or walking, discussion or becoming a lady who lunches.A few of us are getting together to take part in the local church Christmas Tree Festival which at the moment seems to involve a lot of cut and paste and collecting toilet roll cardboard centres but I am sure will look quite professional in the end.
What did you think of the last issue of WI Life? It was the one that focussed on the history of the WI. I read it from cover to cover and thought it was really interesting. It would be worth making a visit to the Women's Library to examine some of the exhibits. It was pleasing to see our BFWI archivist mentioned and of course you may read about our history in Bucks if you go on to the BFWI website. This website is in the process of being revitalised so keep your eyes open for when it launches in its new format.
Tonight was the time for the local WI to hold its annual meeting and there was a good attendance. Some members do not enjoy this meeting so think of other things to do. If they intend to try to escape being assigned duties in helping to run the WI, they have another think coming! We always catch up with them and this year with a slightly smaller committee there will be no hiding place. The review of the year is always interesting and never ceases to amaze me at what we manage to achieve within the 12 months. We have increased our membership, attended lots of out of town events and done well in competitions.Some reservations were expressed on parts of the recent fundraiser but so what: in 8 years there is room for a slight blip and anyway the majority enjoyed themselves.The various sections continue to flourish so there are plenty of opportunities to share different interests, whether it be craft or badminton, reading or walking, discussion or becoming a lady who lunches.A few of us are getting together to take part in the local church Christmas Tree Festival which at the moment seems to involve a lot of cut and paste and collecting toilet roll cardboard centres but I am sure will look quite professional in the end.
What did you think of the last issue of WI Life? It was the one that focussed on the history of the WI. I read it from cover to cover and thought it was really interesting. It would be worth making a visit to the Women's Library to examine some of the exhibits. It was pleasing to see our BFWI archivist mentioned and of course you may read about our history in Bucks if you go on to the BFWI website. This website is in the process of being revitalised so keep your eyes open for when it launches in its new format.
Sunday, 23 October 2011
Poetry and dance
22nd October
After about a year's planning the local WI held its annual fund-raiser, an international evening concentrating on dance.We were delighted to welcome 92 people from different organisations in the town as well as members from neighbouring WIs.We bought in fish and chip suppers but provided home-made desserts. The Indian dancing performed by Geet Kala's little troupe was very good but it was the Morris Dancers who stole the show.I think we could all appreciate the steps and timing with their sticks far better when seen up on a stage rather than on the village green.The reggae singing was interesting but we would have liked more story-telling from the Caribbean compere.The hall looked good and there was an attractive display of Indian materials and jewellery for the audience to look at during the interval.The guests seemed to have enjoyed themselves so when the dust has settled we will start to plan another different event for next year.
The morning's Daily Telegraph featured the WI on the front page where our National Chairman was complaining that there are not enough women in the Cabinet to stand up for women's concerns.This is especially disappointing to the WI because our campaigns, such as combatting violence in the home, need Government support.I think we agree that we want the best and most honest people to be Cabinet Ministers whatever their politics or sex. However, to expect half its members to be women is unrealistic: the pool of women MPs from which these must come, is so much smaller than the male so the standard would have to be skewed to do this.What we should be going for is more women becoming MPs and that cannot happen until childcare facilities and care of the elderly are both improved to free women to think of entering politics.For many years this has been the aim of NFWI for more women to become parish councillors, town councillors and magistrates and so work their way into Parliament.The ability is there: it is the time that is lacking.
11th October
Our WI Book Group met this afternoon and because of a slight hiccup in planning we had all taken home different books to read---not the usual "set" book. Several different novels by Jodi Piccoult and some poetry selections from Carol Ann Duffy, Andrew Motion, Seamus Heaney and Roger McGough were the objects for discussion.Some readers found Jodi Piccoult's books rather upsetting to read.Even when they knew that the author always dealt with a controversial social issue, they didn't want to get so involved with the problem but felt compelled to carry on reading which is a mark of her success as a writer, I suppose. We wondered how the poetry would work out in the Group but it was a great success. We picked out favourite poems and read some of them aloud. We even considered how different the writing of verse had become since we were schoolchildren. How much easier it was to learn poetry in our youth and how it sticks in one's memory down the years.The real mark of success was that some of the readers intend to borrow the poetry from the library and to buy some for Christmas presents. Perhaps we ought to do it again.
After about a year's planning the local WI held its annual fund-raiser, an international evening concentrating on dance.We were delighted to welcome 92 people from different organisations in the town as well as members from neighbouring WIs.We bought in fish and chip suppers but provided home-made desserts. The Indian dancing performed by Geet Kala's little troupe was very good but it was the Morris Dancers who stole the show.I think we could all appreciate the steps and timing with their sticks far better when seen up on a stage rather than on the village green.The reggae singing was interesting but we would have liked more story-telling from the Caribbean compere.The hall looked good and there was an attractive display of Indian materials and jewellery for the audience to look at during the interval.The guests seemed to have enjoyed themselves so when the dust has settled we will start to plan another different event for next year.
The morning's Daily Telegraph featured the WI on the front page where our National Chairman was complaining that there are not enough women in the Cabinet to stand up for women's concerns.This is especially disappointing to the WI because our campaigns, such as combatting violence in the home, need Government support.I think we agree that we want the best and most honest people to be Cabinet Ministers whatever their politics or sex. However, to expect half its members to be women is unrealistic: the pool of women MPs from which these must come, is so much smaller than the male so the standard would have to be skewed to do this.What we should be going for is more women becoming MPs and that cannot happen until childcare facilities and care of the elderly are both improved to free women to think of entering politics.For many years this has been the aim of NFWI for more women to become parish councillors, town councillors and magistrates and so work their way into Parliament.The ability is there: it is the time that is lacking.
11th October
Our WI Book Group met this afternoon and because of a slight hiccup in planning we had all taken home different books to read---not the usual "set" book. Several different novels by Jodi Piccoult and some poetry selections from Carol Ann Duffy, Andrew Motion, Seamus Heaney and Roger McGough were the objects for discussion.Some readers found Jodi Piccoult's books rather upsetting to read.Even when they knew that the author always dealt with a controversial social issue, they didn't want to get so involved with the problem but felt compelled to carry on reading which is a mark of her success as a writer, I suppose. We wondered how the poetry would work out in the Group but it was a great success. We picked out favourite poems and read some of them aloud. We even considered how different the writing of verse had become since we were schoolchildren. How much easier it was to learn poetry in our youth and how it sticks in one's memory down the years.The real mark of success was that some of the readers intend to borrow the poetry from the library and to buy some for Christmas presents. Perhaps we ought to do it again.
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
History on hand
10th October
This evening about 20 of our local WI members joined with others from the surrounding WIs for a Group Meeting. We are very fortunate in this area that we are still able to find a volunteer Group Convener to arrange two meetings a year and, doubly so because she also organises an outing in the summer. We heard that many groups have ceased to function because no one thinks she has the time to act in this way which is a pity.Clubbed together we can afford more expensive speakers although cost is not always a good yardstick for judging performance. It is also a chance for the members who cannot attend the larger meetings to mix with other WI members. Actually the one criticism I had of last night's get-together was that we sat around tables designated to our own WIs rather than mixed up but there was fraternization during the refreshment break.
The speaker was Mary Forlenza who talked about the wide topic of "Women". She gave an amusing well-constructed talk which everyone enjoyed. The female subjects whom she used to illustrate the changes in recent history which have most affected women were interesting and she very diplomatically ended with Adelaide Hoodless the founder of the WI. It was a very good meeting with lots of talk and an excellent selection of refreshments.
5th October
The local WI meeting tonight was very interesting. We entered the hall to see a machine made of wood and brass which would have graced the bridge of an ocean-going private yacht. It turned out to be a change of the century magic lantern projector which had been lovingly restored by the speaker. The members then enjoyed a demonstration of moving pictures and cartoons:some of these were historically significant in their own right, others were amusing and some I'm afraid we recognised were early examples of advertising. It is good to hear of enthusiasts about the country who make sure that historic items and interests do not disappear from memory in this throw-away society of today.
Talking of history did you see that a new account of the WI has been published recently? "A Force to be Reckoned with" by Jane Robinson is a history of the WI movement which has had quite good reviews, except for the title. I am sure the author could have thought of a better one than that.If you are a keen or new WI member it might make a nice present or reserve it through your local library which should make sure it is bought for stock.
There seems to be a wide range of events coming up this autumn so a lot of the meeting was taken up with reports and plans for the future and, of course, arrangements for the Christmas Dinner. Already? Where did 2011 go?
1st October
The SSAFA organisation held a public event in the town to advertise the wealth of activities available for "oldies" so naturally it asked the WI to participate! Having explained yet again that we were not a senior citizens' gathering, we agreed to have a publicity stand because obviously we will welcome new members whatever their age. It was a very successful event and we stand to gain at least 2 new members who are moving to the town but we didn't ask their age.A lot of interest was shown in our display and in a way it made up for not having a tent at the Winslow Show this year.
This evening about 20 of our local WI members joined with others from the surrounding WIs for a Group Meeting. We are very fortunate in this area that we are still able to find a volunteer Group Convener to arrange two meetings a year and, doubly so because she also organises an outing in the summer. We heard that many groups have ceased to function because no one thinks she has the time to act in this way which is a pity.Clubbed together we can afford more expensive speakers although cost is not always a good yardstick for judging performance. It is also a chance for the members who cannot attend the larger meetings to mix with other WI members. Actually the one criticism I had of last night's get-together was that we sat around tables designated to our own WIs rather than mixed up but there was fraternization during the refreshment break.
The speaker was Mary Forlenza who talked about the wide topic of "Women". She gave an amusing well-constructed talk which everyone enjoyed. The female subjects whom she used to illustrate the changes in recent history which have most affected women were interesting and she very diplomatically ended with Adelaide Hoodless the founder of the WI. It was a very good meeting with lots of talk and an excellent selection of refreshments.
5th October
The local WI meeting tonight was very interesting. We entered the hall to see a machine made of wood and brass which would have graced the bridge of an ocean-going private yacht. It turned out to be a change of the century magic lantern projector which had been lovingly restored by the speaker. The members then enjoyed a demonstration of moving pictures and cartoons:some of these were historically significant in their own right, others were amusing and some I'm afraid we recognised were early examples of advertising. It is good to hear of enthusiasts about the country who make sure that historic items and interests do not disappear from memory in this throw-away society of today.
Talking of history did you see that a new account of the WI has been published recently? "A Force to be Reckoned with" by Jane Robinson is a history of the WI movement which has had quite good reviews, except for the title. I am sure the author could have thought of a better one than that.If you are a keen or new WI member it might make a nice present or reserve it through your local library which should make sure it is bought for stock.
There seems to be a wide range of events coming up this autumn so a lot of the meeting was taken up with reports and plans for the future and, of course, arrangements for the Christmas Dinner. Already? Where did 2011 go?
1st October
The SSAFA organisation held a public event in the town to advertise the wealth of activities available for "oldies" so naturally it asked the WI to participate! Having explained yet again that we were not a senior citizens' gathering, we agreed to have a publicity stand because obviously we will welcome new members whatever their age. It was a very successful event and we stand to gain at least 2 new members who are moving to the town but we didn't ask their age.A lot of interest was shown in our display and in a way it made up for not having a tent at the Winslow Show this year.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Glory,glory
27th September
An Evening of Fish Cookery may not be an invitation that appeals to lots of people but over 100 Bucks WI members and friends thoroughly enjoyed watching the demonstration given at Newton Longueville Hall tonight. Carrie O'Regan from Denman College showed us how to make 7 different dishes and inspired us to try something a little more stylish and interesting when cooking fish.She started out with a spinach and smoked salmon roulade which looked easy to do, even though the thought of producing any sort of roulade has many cooks retreating to a dark corner in tears.Congratulations to the organising sub-committee Home and Garden for presenting the evening and choosing such a good venue. Carrie will be one of the course leaders when Bucks takes over Denman College in November this year so we know already how good this option will be.
22nd September
Two coachloads of Bucks members and friends set off at the crack of dawn to visit the Olympic Village site under the guidance of 2 Blue Badge guides who met us at Woolwich Arsenal. The event was heavily over-subscribed so another date has been found for those who were disappointed in the ballot. On my coach we had a troublefree run into London and even had time for a comfort stop en route. I mention this only because I know how long some people have to be in the coach before reaching the destination, especially if it involves entering London: this can make travellers hesitate from booking on outings.I think many passengers were pleasantly surprised at the included film and tour of the Firepower Museum before lunch. It was impressive to listen to the young soldiers recently returned from the Middle Eastern battlelines. After a good lunch, we nipped in to the Greenwich Heritage Gallery to see its embroidered panels depicting the history of Greenwich and Woolwich. I could have spent much longer here but then we were off to look at the site for the Olympic Games. This was very impressive indeed, mostly ahead of schedule and much, much bigger than I for one had somehow envisaged. We viewed from the viewing platform and toured round in the coach seeing where the outlying buildings were and what events they were going to house. Our tour was called Land of Hope and Glory and we couldn't have had a more enthusiastic guide. It was good to listen to someone who was so positive about the staging of the Games and of the UK too. And as for Seb Coe, she obviously worshipped him! The outing was full of interest and very busy: everyone enjoyed the day and to arrive home so quickly, was just the icing on the cake.
19th September
It doesn't get better than that! Front page of the Daily Telegraph "WI joins battle to save the Green Belt" and inside a photo of our National Chairman heading an article on the way in which the WI has always fought for our greeen and pleasant land. Along with other organisations such as the National Trust, the Countryside Alliance and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the WI is joining in the battle against the Government's controversial changes to planning rules, the Hands off Our Land Campaign. Watch the media and if you are asked to write to MPs and Councillors please make time to do so. Imagine the effect of 208,000 letters bombarding the Government offices! Could save the Post Office too, although I bet we are asked for e-mail votes.
An Evening of Fish Cookery may not be an invitation that appeals to lots of people but over 100 Bucks WI members and friends thoroughly enjoyed watching the demonstration given at Newton Longueville Hall tonight. Carrie O'Regan from Denman College showed us how to make 7 different dishes and inspired us to try something a little more stylish and interesting when cooking fish.She started out with a spinach and smoked salmon roulade which looked easy to do, even though the thought of producing any sort of roulade has many cooks retreating to a dark corner in tears.Congratulations to the organising sub-committee Home and Garden for presenting the evening and choosing such a good venue. Carrie will be one of the course leaders when Bucks takes over Denman College in November this year so we know already how good this option will be.
22nd September
Two coachloads of Bucks members and friends set off at the crack of dawn to visit the Olympic Village site under the guidance of 2 Blue Badge guides who met us at Woolwich Arsenal. The event was heavily over-subscribed so another date has been found for those who were disappointed in the ballot. On my coach we had a troublefree run into London and even had time for a comfort stop en route. I mention this only because I know how long some people have to be in the coach before reaching the destination, especially if it involves entering London: this can make travellers hesitate from booking on outings.I think many passengers were pleasantly surprised at the included film and tour of the Firepower Museum before lunch. It was impressive to listen to the young soldiers recently returned from the Middle Eastern battlelines. After a good lunch, we nipped in to the Greenwich Heritage Gallery to see its embroidered panels depicting the history of Greenwich and Woolwich. I could have spent much longer here but then we were off to look at the site for the Olympic Games. This was very impressive indeed, mostly ahead of schedule and much, much bigger than I for one had somehow envisaged. We viewed from the viewing platform and toured round in the coach seeing where the outlying buildings were and what events they were going to house. Our tour was called Land of Hope and Glory and we couldn't have had a more enthusiastic guide. It was good to listen to someone who was so positive about the staging of the Games and of the UK too. And as for Seb Coe, she obviously worshipped him! The outing was full of interest and very busy: everyone enjoyed the day and to arrive home so quickly, was just the icing on the cake.
19th September
It doesn't get better than that! Front page of the Daily Telegraph "WI joins battle to save the Green Belt" and inside a photo of our National Chairman heading an article on the way in which the WI has always fought for our greeen and pleasant land. Along with other organisations such as the National Trust, the Countryside Alliance and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the WI is joining in the battle against the Government's controversial changes to planning rules, the Hands off Our Land Campaign. Watch the media and if you are asked to write to MPs and Councillors please make time to do so. Imagine the effect of 208,000 letters bombarding the Government offices! Could save the Post Office too, although I bet we are asked for e-mail votes.
Saturday, 17 September 2011
New term for WI members too
16th September
Love your Library Day and the birthday of the Women's Institute.Every WI member was exhorted to borrow a book from her library to reinforce the message given at last June's AGM in Liverpool that the WI was against library closures. It was a pretty insignificant gesture locally so I hope more was made of it nationally. We needed a banner really and actually we could have got away with just passing backwards and forwards through the library door because books issued are not recorded so much as the "footfall".It all went wrong when the authorities started to refer to clients instead of readers. Anyway several of us dutifully attended and let's hope that 4,000 or so Bucks members did the same. We got a mention in the local press.
14th September
The local WI discussion Group enjoyed a good evening when a member reported back on having attended a meeting where the speaker explained about New Leaf. This is an organisation set up to help rehabilitate prisoners who have been in prison for under 2 years. Two WI members had attended in order to tell the rest of us following our discussion on the Care not Custody campaign. The WI was more interested in the sentencing of lawbreakers who had mental disabilities, the topic which had been covered by a pair of magistrates at a neighbouring WI. We revisited the subject and also discussed the mandate passed by the Bucks Federation on Care for Stroke victims. We decided to advise the members at the next WI meeting to contact their MP and local organisations to express our concern about provision of help and information.
13th September
We were almost back to full strength at the Book Group today after the holidays. We started with a brief reprise on Africa House by Christina Lamb for those who had missed the last meeting. Then we turned our attention to The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton which everyone had enjoyed reading.It was a long novel with some unexpected twists. The style of writing which tells the story in turns between 3 generations is confusing but seems to be a popular tradition in today's novels. Some of the descriptions were a bit Dickensian but the characters were interesting although we thought that one male could have been brought to the fore which would have darkened the plot.We like a bit of the sinister in our books!
12th September
Those WI members who did not sign up for the Art Day at Cheddington missed a treat. Professor Anthony Slinn talking about the Impressionists was a delight and we all learned a great deal. The food at lunchtime had a French theme and was excellent. The exhibition of art from WI members was of a high standard. There was lots of talk over lunch and everyone was full of praise for the small team which had planned and carried out such a successful event.Well done to the Executive members hard at work in the kitchen!
2nd September
A brief mention of an article in the fashion pages of the Daily Telegraph which featured Jazz Domino Holly who has just published a book called Queen of Crafts. Apparently it all started with the author wanting to learn to knit, then forming the Shoreditch Sisters WI to encourage others and the WI grew to over 100 members mostly working girls with Jazz as President for a couple of years, doing much more than craftwork as we all know WIs do.
1st September
The Bucks County Show and for once it was a lovely fine day. The Bucks Federation had space in the Produce marquee and showed off displays with the title of Our County. It was fascinating to see the different interpretations of the subject and to take part in a joint effort. It is all good experience in showing and following the schedule to the letter because WI judges are famous for their strictness in such matters. The training to become a WI judge is stiff but well respected in the world of county shows so that they are often asked to judge for other organisations.It's something to think about doing if you know you have the expertise in either craft or cooking.
Love your Library Day and the birthday of the Women's Institute.Every WI member was exhorted to borrow a book from her library to reinforce the message given at last June's AGM in Liverpool that the WI was against library closures. It was a pretty insignificant gesture locally so I hope more was made of it nationally. We needed a banner really and actually we could have got away with just passing backwards and forwards through the library door because books issued are not recorded so much as the "footfall".It all went wrong when the authorities started to refer to clients instead of readers. Anyway several of us dutifully attended and let's hope that 4,000 or so Bucks members did the same. We got a mention in the local press.
14th September
The local WI discussion Group enjoyed a good evening when a member reported back on having attended a meeting where the speaker explained about New Leaf. This is an organisation set up to help rehabilitate prisoners who have been in prison for under 2 years. Two WI members had attended in order to tell the rest of us following our discussion on the Care not Custody campaign. The WI was more interested in the sentencing of lawbreakers who had mental disabilities, the topic which had been covered by a pair of magistrates at a neighbouring WI. We revisited the subject and also discussed the mandate passed by the Bucks Federation on Care for Stroke victims. We decided to advise the members at the next WI meeting to contact their MP and local organisations to express our concern about provision of help and information.
13th September
We were almost back to full strength at the Book Group today after the holidays. We started with a brief reprise on Africa House by Christina Lamb for those who had missed the last meeting. Then we turned our attention to The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton which everyone had enjoyed reading.It was a long novel with some unexpected twists. The style of writing which tells the story in turns between 3 generations is confusing but seems to be a popular tradition in today's novels. Some of the descriptions were a bit Dickensian but the characters were interesting although we thought that one male could have been brought to the fore which would have darkened the plot.We like a bit of the sinister in our books!
12th September
Those WI members who did not sign up for the Art Day at Cheddington missed a treat. Professor Anthony Slinn talking about the Impressionists was a delight and we all learned a great deal. The food at lunchtime had a French theme and was excellent. The exhibition of art from WI members was of a high standard. There was lots of talk over lunch and everyone was full of praise for the small team which had planned and carried out such a successful event.Well done to the Executive members hard at work in the kitchen!
2nd September
A brief mention of an article in the fashion pages of the Daily Telegraph which featured Jazz Domino Holly who has just published a book called Queen of Crafts. Apparently it all started with the author wanting to learn to knit, then forming the Shoreditch Sisters WI to encourage others and the WI grew to over 100 members mostly working girls with Jazz as President for a couple of years, doing much more than craftwork as we all know WIs do.
1st September
The Bucks County Show and for once it was a lovely fine day. The Bucks Federation had space in the Produce marquee and showed off displays with the title of Our County. It was fascinating to see the different interpretations of the subject and to take part in a joint effort. It is all good experience in showing and following the schedule to the letter because WI judges are famous for their strictness in such matters. The training to become a WI judge is stiff but well respected in the world of county shows so that they are often asked to judge for other organisations.It's something to think about doing if you know you have the expertise in either craft or cooking.
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