19th April
The Bucks Federation of WIs held its Annual Council Meeting in the new Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury. This was a very successful event and everyone coped excellently with the challenges of a completely new venue--not just the WI but also the staff at the theatre who were not sure what they were in for either.The long glass sided corridor made an excellent exhibition area for the displays from the sub-committees and the competition for a handknitted bag. These were many and all totally different. The conference room at the end which had been set aside for pre-ordered lunches proved surprisingly elegant too: a definite improvement here on the Civic Centre. The sun shone so those members who had brought picnic lunches were able to sit outside in the pattern of the Albert Hall Annual General Meeting which must have been good publicity for the WI.
The business element of the meeting was well conducted by our Chairman, Jean Morris, ably assisted by Sara Galloway, the Federation Secretary. In fact all the WI speakers were very polished. The resolution on Support for Stroke Victims and their carers was well presented by Bledlow WI and was carried by a large majority. It now becomes a mandate for BFWI to work on on behalf of the members.
Lynne Stubbings from the NFWI Trustees gave what I am sure must have been an inspiring talk on the work of the WI and how she became so involved with it.Pam Rhodes was an accomplished speaker, very relaxed but although she had consulted the website about the WI she had failed to take on board that it is a non-sectarian organisation which is eager to welcome new members who follow other faiths. But then, if one works in the rarified atmosphere of Songs of Praise for 30 odd years, that isn't really surprising.It was good to watch the presentations of cups and awards and listen to the news from the various sub-committees. We then watched Christopher Biggins talking about his career on stage and on television.The audience obviously enjoyed this but I came to the conclusion, not that I must get out more, but I must watch TV more frequently so that I have a better understanding of the enthusiasm generated for this speaker.Have you been watching Lucy Worsley on TV in a programme called If Only Walls Could Talk? You remember Lucy was the speaker on Kensington Palace down at High Wycombe for the BFWI's Autumn Event. Now she can really speak and be 100% interesting in a lively manner! The afternoon concluded with a demonstration by the TrapDoor Drama School which sent us home in a sort of maternal glow from watching these little people working hard at remembering where they should be at any one time; one little boy who never was and the lefthanded wee girl who nearly always swung left when she should have swung right.
In all, it was a really good meeting which everyone seemed to enjoy. I hope members go home feeling proud of the WI and BFWI in particular to enthuse those who didn't come so that we have enough people in the audience to be able to afford to book the theatre again next year. I presume the theatre staff will have us back.
11th April
We managed to double the turnout for crochet lessons this week but still constitute a small group. Progress is being made and we hope to meet again in May.
4th April
Have you ever tried to make a covered coathanger? That was the task set at the local WI's craft group today. It looks so simple: tale a hanger, some padding and some material, then sew it on.That's it really. However, I am wiser now and I do possess a covered coathanger but I think it will be forever a lone effort on my behalf. As for making them as presents...There were moments when this piece of wood behaved like a hazelwood branch in the hands of a successful water-diviner. It twisted and turned and the holding pins at each end lacerated my arms so that it will be weeks before I can go without sleeves again. And what have I got? A bumpy hanger which will have to go to the back of the wardrobe where no one will see it! We all have our limitations and the manufacture of coathangers is certainly one of mine.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Softly softly
9th April
Another promotion session at the Milton Keynes theatre where The Calendar Girls is just closing after a run of two weeks. Next week the show moves to High Wycombe. It is still playing to packed houses although this is its second showing at MK and it is booked again for the autumn sometime. It is great to see the members of the audience come out laughing after the first act and after the end of the show contributing so generously to the collections for leukemia research which is the real purpose behind the original calendar, the film and now the show. Most of the people whom we approached seemed to be from Bedfordshire so we were encouraging them to join WIs in another county but that doesn't matter as long as they become WI members somewhere.
5th April
A full house today for the local WI book group meeting. We returned briefly to Trespass by Rose Tremain because there had been quite a few people absent last month. We then discussed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. When this book was first recommended to me I thought it was a joke but I am very glad to have read it. I think we all learned a lot about the suffering and hardship which the people of Guernsey underwent during World War Two as described in the novel. In spite of the occupation the author included several members of the invading forces who were not villains and some quite unpleasant natives to the island. Some readers don't like novels written as a series of letters but it worked really well here because the different characters all showed a different style of writing in their correspondence: even the telegrams added something to the story. It was not just a romance: it had humour and a lot of discussion about literature in general, publishing and journalism. The characters were believable and some of the experiences heart-breaking. Even so, it was a lighter book to read than the Rose Tremain and I would recommend it to anyone--- especially someone going on holiday to the Channel Islands.
4th April
This was one of those days when one is not sure whether one is in control of one's life or whether the WI has taken over. I had forgotten that I had promised to do a second session of crochet teaching in the afternoon so was taken by surprise when the first pupil arrived on the doorstep. Then another WI person came along to conduct a ballot on one of the Rambles which was over-subscribed. There are more people wanting to walk than ever before which is good news but creates headaches when the catering WIs have to draw the line at a certain number for practical reasons. At home we managed to fit in a meal and a change of clothes and then it was off to promote the WI at Milton Keynes theatre, a solo effort because my partner cried off sick.I don't think I caught any new potential members but spent a long time chatting to people from local WIs and during the first act, to the stall-holders in aid of Leukemia who were pitched in the foyer beside our display. I think the WI profitted in a way from not having things to sell. It is difficult to draw the fine line between standing back while people read the display and rushing up to accost them and so frightening them away! I know I shy off when a shop assistant approaches me too quickly when "I am just looking". Don't you?
Another promotion session at the Milton Keynes theatre where The Calendar Girls is just closing after a run of two weeks. Next week the show moves to High Wycombe. It is still playing to packed houses although this is its second showing at MK and it is booked again for the autumn sometime. It is great to see the members of the audience come out laughing after the first act and after the end of the show contributing so generously to the collections for leukemia research which is the real purpose behind the original calendar, the film and now the show. Most of the people whom we approached seemed to be from Bedfordshire so we were encouraging them to join WIs in another county but that doesn't matter as long as they become WI members somewhere.
5th April
A full house today for the local WI book group meeting. We returned briefly to Trespass by Rose Tremain because there had been quite a few people absent last month. We then discussed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. When this book was first recommended to me I thought it was a joke but I am very glad to have read it. I think we all learned a lot about the suffering and hardship which the people of Guernsey underwent during World War Two as described in the novel. In spite of the occupation the author included several members of the invading forces who were not villains and some quite unpleasant natives to the island. Some readers don't like novels written as a series of letters but it worked really well here because the different characters all showed a different style of writing in their correspondence: even the telegrams added something to the story. It was not just a romance: it had humour and a lot of discussion about literature in general, publishing and journalism. The characters were believable and some of the experiences heart-breaking. Even so, it was a lighter book to read than the Rose Tremain and I would recommend it to anyone--- especially someone going on holiday to the Channel Islands.
4th April
This was one of those days when one is not sure whether one is in control of one's life or whether the WI has taken over. I had forgotten that I had promised to do a second session of crochet teaching in the afternoon so was taken by surprise when the first pupil arrived on the doorstep. Then another WI person came along to conduct a ballot on one of the Rambles which was over-subscribed. There are more people wanting to walk than ever before which is good news but creates headaches when the catering WIs have to draw the line at a certain number for practical reasons. At home we managed to fit in a meal and a change of clothes and then it was off to promote the WI at Milton Keynes theatre, a solo effort because my partner cried off sick.I don't think I caught any new potential members but spent a long time chatting to people from local WIs and during the first act, to the stall-holders in aid of Leukemia who were pitched in the foyer beside our display. I think the WI profitted in a way from not having things to sell. It is difficult to draw the fine line between standing back while people read the display and rushing up to accost them and so frightening them away! I know I shy off when a shop assistant approaches me too quickly when "I am just looking". Don't you?
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Trees for life
31st March
Clue in today's Daily Telegraph Toughie Crossword: "Sign, one defining the WI?" (4). The WI often features in clues. I suppose there are a lot of words that contain w and i within them for anagrams.If you haven't already got the answer, it is "omen".
21st March
A busy day for some of us because an early start was needed to get down to High Wycombe for the Trees for Life event. In spite of last minute worries and panics it was a success.We could have done with more members attending: the response was disappointing considering that many members pay lip service to the need to conserve our trees and preservation had featured in the short list of resolutions for this year's AGM in Liverpool in June.Right at the beginning we were asked to imagine our world without trees. It presents a horrific picture if one can imagine it at all.
The four speakers all made good presentations which prompted many questions from the audience. Dr Helen Read talked about ancient trees and her work in Burnham Beeches; Martin Woolner described the work of the Woodland Trust; Alan French reported on the setting up of Community Orchards and Mohammad Rafiq represented the Rainforest Alliance.The information available in the meeting room covered related topics and included an interesting display from the Wycombe Museum on wood crafts.I hope some members will have been inspired to take advantage of at least one of these organisations because our trees need all the protection they can get.
A local farmer to us has cut down 19 middle-aged healthy trees along the roadside and the BCC Tree Preservation Officer, although alerted halfway through the devastation, could do nothing to stop it happening. I must admit that I had thought that that was what his job specification was all about but apparently not so.After listening to Helen Read I went north and was looking at old trees with new eyes, studying evidence of pollarding, height of flood levels and occupation by mosses and lichen.I even went so far as to force the grandchildren to look at the trees around them in more detail in the hope that when they were under threat there would be someone still around to say, "Hang on a minute! These trees are special."
In the evening the local WIs came together for the Spring Group Meeting where we heard from Susan Howe talking about her experiences working for John Betjeman and other celebrities. She was a very amusing speaker who had been snapped up by our Group Convenor after her invitation to speak at the Bucks Council Meeting a couple of years ago. The competition was for a teddybear which resulted in nearly 50 bears coming to the meeting---all shapes and sizes and in all states of disrepair. It just shows that we WI members are sentimental people who cannot bring ourselves to get rid of our childhood toys. A trip to the Bank of England is planned for the summer which should prove popular. It is always pleasant for the WI members to get together and hear what we are all doing. This year's reports revealed that the WI is gaining members which is heartening for us all.
Clue in today's Daily Telegraph Toughie Crossword: "Sign, one defining the WI?" (4). The WI often features in clues. I suppose there are a lot of words that contain w and i within them for anagrams.If you haven't already got the answer, it is "omen".
21st March
A busy day for some of us because an early start was needed to get down to High Wycombe for the Trees for Life event. In spite of last minute worries and panics it was a success.We could have done with more members attending: the response was disappointing considering that many members pay lip service to the need to conserve our trees and preservation had featured in the short list of resolutions for this year's AGM in Liverpool in June.Right at the beginning we were asked to imagine our world without trees. It presents a horrific picture if one can imagine it at all.
The four speakers all made good presentations which prompted many questions from the audience. Dr Helen Read talked about ancient trees and her work in Burnham Beeches; Martin Woolner described the work of the Woodland Trust; Alan French reported on the setting up of Community Orchards and Mohammad Rafiq represented the Rainforest Alliance.The information available in the meeting room covered related topics and included an interesting display from the Wycombe Museum on wood crafts.I hope some members will have been inspired to take advantage of at least one of these organisations because our trees need all the protection they can get.
A local farmer to us has cut down 19 middle-aged healthy trees along the roadside and the BCC Tree Preservation Officer, although alerted halfway through the devastation, could do nothing to stop it happening. I must admit that I had thought that that was what his job specification was all about but apparently not so.After listening to Helen Read I went north and was looking at old trees with new eyes, studying evidence of pollarding, height of flood levels and occupation by mosses and lichen.I even went so far as to force the grandchildren to look at the trees around them in more detail in the hope that when they were under threat there would be someone still around to say, "Hang on a minute! These trees are special."
In the evening the local WIs came together for the Spring Group Meeting where we heard from Susan Howe talking about her experiences working for John Betjeman and other celebrities. She was a very amusing speaker who had been snapped up by our Group Convenor after her invitation to speak at the Bucks Council Meeting a couple of years ago. The competition was for a teddybear which resulted in nearly 50 bears coming to the meeting---all shapes and sizes and in all states of disrepair. It just shows that we WI members are sentimental people who cannot bring ourselves to get rid of our childhood toys. A trip to the Bank of England is planned for the summer which should prove popular. It is always pleasant for the WI members to get together and hear what we are all doing. This year's reports revealed that the WI is gaining members which is heartening for us all.
Sunday, 20 March 2011
Just a matter of scale
While I have been doing all the usual things one does on a Sunday morning, I couldn't help thinking about those poor souls in Japan--- no house, no water, no food, no warmth and for thousands, no family either. And we grumble about disruption for a few days because of snow and the dreadful potholes in the roads! What a load of wimps we are! I wonder whether our Emergency Teams can even imagine where to start in that situation. I doubt if the WI could rustle up cups of tea and sympathy in that scenario but maybe I under-rate it.The world is so small these days that people in our town knew the frequency and scale of the after-shocks before it was listed on the web or TV; all courtesy of the personal mobile phone.
18th March
Cheltenham Gold Cup. Did you watch Denman battling it out in the race? Just think, if you had been on him for the last five years you would have had no problem for WI funds. Treasurers, only joking, of course! I think it is too late now because he is getting a bit old but he has the heart of a lion.Even finishing second you would have had a return on your outlay. I must find out how he came by his very WI name which brought him to my notice. I know there is a syndicate of WI members who share ownership of a flat-racing horse but I don't think they own a bit of Denman---more's the pity.
16th March
The local WI has a select group which is trying to make its voice heard on the town website. We met this evening to celebrate having got an entry about the April meeting actually printed on it. To achieve even this, we had to go on through other agencies than the web-master. There is much talk of wanting the WI and other town organisations to contribute but material sent up disappears into a black hole while we wait for the web-master to have time to add it on.It is so frustrating because this would be a marvellous tool for promotion and other communities are using their websites to good account. We also know what we want to do with it. We have called ourselves the Ginger Group but I think we want a name more aggressive than that. The Insurgents? Anyway our meetings are a good excuse for a good talk over a glass of wine.
15th March
A rather depleted meeting of the local WI Book Group this afternoon. It was not for lack of will to come along but pressures of work, grandparent duties and illness which thinned the ranks.We enjoyed discussing two novels: the "set" book The Time Traveller's Wife and Trespass by Rose Tremain. The first title was well received by the majority because it is such an intrigueing idea. Even those who don't normally appreciate sci-fi were fascinated by the workings of the plot. The characters were well drawn and amazingly believable whatever the complications of their DNA. How did the author write it? Did she describe the action at first chronologically and then sort of shuffle the chapters like a pack of cards? Anyway, well worth reading but not easy for the visually impaired to listen to on a tape. Trespass was a dark read but absolutely gripping. Another novel with wonderful characters even though they were mostly people one wouldn't like to spend time with. It is set in an isolated part of France where dreadful deeds go undisclosed for generations. The plot is tightly constructed and the aims of the avenging woman so well executed that one fears that she will become unstuck at any moment. One of those stories where one finds oneself on the side of the murderer I always enjoy Rose Tremain.We are going to return to this book next time when the others can add their twopennyworth.
We have learned of the new system for borrowing books for reading groups from the County Library Service which we will need to abide by. It is interesting to note that it doesn't tell us how we will be able to benefit from loans if or when our library becomes a community library. I imagine it will then involve going by community transport at least 7 miles to collect the books. We will see.
18th March
Cheltenham Gold Cup. Did you watch Denman battling it out in the race? Just think, if you had been on him for the last five years you would have had no problem for WI funds. Treasurers, only joking, of course! I think it is too late now because he is getting a bit old but he has the heart of a lion.Even finishing second you would have had a return on your outlay. I must find out how he came by his very WI name which brought him to my notice. I know there is a syndicate of WI members who share ownership of a flat-racing horse but I don't think they own a bit of Denman---more's the pity.
16th March
The local WI has a select group which is trying to make its voice heard on the town website. We met this evening to celebrate having got an entry about the April meeting actually printed on it. To achieve even this, we had to go on through other agencies than the web-master. There is much talk of wanting the WI and other town organisations to contribute but material sent up disappears into a black hole while we wait for the web-master to have time to add it on.It is so frustrating because this would be a marvellous tool for promotion and other communities are using their websites to good account. We also know what we want to do with it. We have called ourselves the Ginger Group but I think we want a name more aggressive than that. The Insurgents? Anyway our meetings are a good excuse for a good talk over a glass of wine.
15th March
A rather depleted meeting of the local WI Book Group this afternoon. It was not for lack of will to come along but pressures of work, grandparent duties and illness which thinned the ranks.We enjoyed discussing two novels: the "set" book The Time Traveller's Wife and Trespass by Rose Tremain. The first title was well received by the majority because it is such an intrigueing idea. Even those who don't normally appreciate sci-fi were fascinated by the workings of the plot. The characters were well drawn and amazingly believable whatever the complications of their DNA. How did the author write it? Did she describe the action at first chronologically and then sort of shuffle the chapters like a pack of cards? Anyway, well worth reading but not easy for the visually impaired to listen to on a tape. Trespass was a dark read but absolutely gripping. Another novel with wonderful characters even though they were mostly people one wouldn't like to spend time with. It is set in an isolated part of France where dreadful deeds go undisclosed for generations. The plot is tightly constructed and the aims of the avenging woman so well executed that one fears that she will become unstuck at any moment. One of those stories where one finds oneself on the side of the murderer I always enjoy Rose Tremain.We are going to return to this book next time when the others can add their twopennyworth.
We have learned of the new system for borrowing books for reading groups from the County Library Service which we will need to abide by. It is interesting to note that it doesn't tell us how we will be able to benefit from loans if or when our library becomes a community library. I imagine it will then involve going by community transport at least 7 miles to collect the books. We will see.
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Marching on
10th March
A sub-committee meeting in Stuart lodge today at which we made last minute plans for our Trees for Life day next week.Most unusually I looked at my e-mails before leaving home and was shaken to find that one of our main speakers booked was changing his job so not only could he not fulfil his commitment to speak but he wouldn't even be in the country. It is moments like these that turn WI committee members grey overnight! Besides this temporary setback, I am pleased to say that everything else promises to be really interesting. We are also busy planning the summer activities with a nature walk and an outing to Blenheim Palace. Before that, we are giving a presentation for Women's International Day in Aylesbury and coming to give our news at the Spring Council Meeting where the ACWW representative will be able to announce that BFWI has reached its target for the Kenyan project.
8th March
There were several Bucks WI members among the invited audience at the Women's Aid 25th anniversary celebration in Aylesbury this afternoon.The work that this organisation does is marvellous and fulfils a vital need for women and children who have been subjected to physical and mental abuse in their homes.One had to admire the women who were able to stand up and tell everyone of their experiences and how Women's Aid had helped them. The WI has an on-going campaign against Violence against Women and works hard to support the needs of the abused here and abroad.Our WI always tries to save worthwhile items for the local centres and BFWI has a supply of leaflets if anyone wishes to learn more about them. Of course secrecy about the whereabouts of safe houses has to be maintained which must make fund-raising that much more difficult.I must say the refreshments were well up to WI standards but then some of them were made by WI members!
7th March
Some members of the local WI met this afternoon to learn how to crochet. This was quite amusing as there were a couple of absolute beginners who seemed determined to produce corkscrews but after a little while little pieces of flat crochet were appearing.We really need to meet several times to develop our skills but it is so difficult to find a regular slot which doesn't cross with other WI activities. We are all so busy and so involved with the town's activities.It is a shame if craft skills are lost and the new young members of the WI nationally want to learn them. It is also a very pleasant way to spend time with each other where there is a lot of talk and laughter and the opportunity to exchange ideas about life in general, not just the WI.
2nd March
One of the editorial team from the local newspaper came to talk at our regular monthly meeting tonight. We found what she had to say very interesting and she answered a lot of questions about the way in which the team selects items for the issues. Of course we complained that WI reports were often edited down and that sometimes our invitations to the press to attend events were disregarded.Our speaker was able to tell us why and we made her promise to cover our WI in a very positive fashion when we celebrate our 90th anniversary next year. We are planning an outing with our group WIs to the Bank of England and to repeat our Sports Day type of meeting as an extra in August. Then there are county competitions in which to participate for the Chiltern Show and the Bucks County Show and, wait for it...it will be soon time for the big fund-raising event we always hold in October or November.The initial plans sound different and exciting.Did I tell you we had 6 new members this year and our meetings are will become even more lively as none of them are exactly shrinking violets.
A sub-committee meeting in Stuart lodge today at which we made last minute plans for our Trees for Life day next week.Most unusually I looked at my e-mails before leaving home and was shaken to find that one of our main speakers booked was changing his job so not only could he not fulfil his commitment to speak but he wouldn't even be in the country. It is moments like these that turn WI committee members grey overnight! Besides this temporary setback, I am pleased to say that everything else promises to be really interesting. We are also busy planning the summer activities with a nature walk and an outing to Blenheim Palace. Before that, we are giving a presentation for Women's International Day in Aylesbury and coming to give our news at the Spring Council Meeting where the ACWW representative will be able to announce that BFWI has reached its target for the Kenyan project.
8th March
There were several Bucks WI members among the invited audience at the Women's Aid 25th anniversary celebration in Aylesbury this afternoon.The work that this organisation does is marvellous and fulfils a vital need for women and children who have been subjected to physical and mental abuse in their homes.One had to admire the women who were able to stand up and tell everyone of their experiences and how Women's Aid had helped them. The WI has an on-going campaign against Violence against Women and works hard to support the needs of the abused here and abroad.Our WI always tries to save worthwhile items for the local centres and BFWI has a supply of leaflets if anyone wishes to learn more about them. Of course secrecy about the whereabouts of safe houses has to be maintained which must make fund-raising that much more difficult.I must say the refreshments were well up to WI standards but then some of them were made by WI members!
7th March
Some members of the local WI met this afternoon to learn how to crochet. This was quite amusing as there were a couple of absolute beginners who seemed determined to produce corkscrews but after a little while little pieces of flat crochet were appearing.We really need to meet several times to develop our skills but it is so difficult to find a regular slot which doesn't cross with other WI activities. We are all so busy and so involved with the town's activities.It is a shame if craft skills are lost and the new young members of the WI nationally want to learn them. It is also a very pleasant way to spend time with each other where there is a lot of talk and laughter and the opportunity to exchange ideas about life in general, not just the WI.
2nd March
One of the editorial team from the local newspaper came to talk at our regular monthly meeting tonight. We found what she had to say very interesting and she answered a lot of questions about the way in which the team selects items for the issues. Of course we complained that WI reports were often edited down and that sometimes our invitations to the press to attend events were disregarded.Our speaker was able to tell us why and we made her promise to cover our WI in a very positive fashion when we celebrate our 90th anniversary next year. We are planning an outing with our group WIs to the Bank of England and to repeat our Sports Day type of meeting as an extra in August. Then there are county competitions in which to participate for the Chiltern Show and the Bucks County Show and, wait for it...it will be soon time for the big fund-raising event we always hold in October or November.The initial plans sound different and exciting.Did I tell you we had 6 new members this year and our meetings are will become even more lively as none of them are exactly shrinking violets.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
a mixed bag
1st March
I have just been reading the Buckinghamshire WI News which is full of lovely things to do right through to July. However, what a shame that 22 Bucks WIs did not return a single vote in the choice of resolution for the AGM in Liverpool in June! It seems a great pity that when every member now has the opportunity to express a preference she doesn't use the chance. Not one person out of 22 WIs! Part of me would like to see that the guilty WIs are refused the right to attend the Annual General Meeting but we"can't do that there here" as they say.
24th February
A busy day today rushing from one planning meeting to another. First of all a small working party met to arrange the summer literary lunch which promises to be great this year.We have booked a good author who is also a good speaker and we are holding the event in exceedingly comfortable surroundings. I'm not going to tell you any more at present so you will have to wait for a proper announcement in the Newsletter. Keep 28th June free though!
After that it was off to look at High Wycombe Town Hall to see how to lay out the room for the Education and Current Affairs sub-committee Trees event in March.It really is a pleasant venue and the buses stop right outside which avoids having to spend a small fortune in the carparks.The station isn't far away either.I always come away from these sorties quite convinced that something has been forgotten. It is rather like moving house when you realise that the diningroom table will not actually go through the door!
After that we repaired to the local Costa to draft the long agenda before returning home to feed the halfterm hordes.
23rd February
A lovely morning to go to the Wallace Collection on the visit organised by the Arts and Craft sub-committee.We were all punctual and enjoyed a good run in to London. It was pleasant to arrive in time for a coffee before setting out with our guides to look around the exhibition. These guides are so knowledgeable and make it sound as if they are fresh to the job when one knows they can be asked to do three tours a day. Although it was halfterm the rooms were not overcrowded and in the afternoon we were able to go back to see whatever we were most interested in with more time to really browse. The lunch was fine, a bit rushed because we had spent extra minutes on the tour, but it really was a very interesting way to spend the day. The journey home was slowed by a holdup on the motorway but one cannot make provision for that eventuality---better to happen on the way home than arrive late at our place of interest.
22nd February
It is always thrilling to suddenly see faces one knows on the national television.Sitting drinking a bedtime coffee, I was very surprised to see WI members from Bucks hobnobbing with the Duchess of Cornwall at Denman College! Apparently it was all kept secret when, as a WI member from Tetbury in Gloucestershire, the Duchess came to look around the WI college. She visited all the classes and was very interested in everything that was going on that day.
16th February
Tonight our local WI held a new members' evening in the President's house.We are rather proud of having seven new members and we agreed that they would get more out of their membership and more quickly, if we shared our experiences with them in a social setting. And it worked. It was a most enjoyable evening with lots of information given about the history and structure of the WI both nationally and at a local level. There was a lot of laughter too of course and I suspect that the committee members were spotting talent as well. I did hear someone say that the best way to get to know about the WI was to join the committee. I bet you were not the first person to be caught like that! It happens to most of us.
15th February
Over lunchtime the local WI helped one of its members run a jigsaw swap in the village hall in aid of Adoption UK. We had masses of puzzles to exchange or buy secondhand. We served coffees and soup and rolls and Lo and Behold the local press turned up --uninvited. Isn't it just the way when you ask, it fails to arrive and when you don't in walk the reporter and photographer. Anyway, there was a lot of chat and some jigsaw pieces added to the one on the table to complete and we raised £117. Something different which could be done again, preferably without a funeral going on nextdoor.
I have just been reading the Buckinghamshire WI News which is full of lovely things to do right through to July. However, what a shame that 22 Bucks WIs did not return a single vote in the choice of resolution for the AGM in Liverpool in June! It seems a great pity that when every member now has the opportunity to express a preference she doesn't use the chance. Not one person out of 22 WIs! Part of me would like to see that the guilty WIs are refused the right to attend the Annual General Meeting but we"can't do that there here" as they say.
24th February
A busy day today rushing from one planning meeting to another. First of all a small working party met to arrange the summer literary lunch which promises to be great this year.We have booked a good author who is also a good speaker and we are holding the event in exceedingly comfortable surroundings. I'm not going to tell you any more at present so you will have to wait for a proper announcement in the Newsletter. Keep 28th June free though!
After that it was off to look at High Wycombe Town Hall to see how to lay out the room for the Education and Current Affairs sub-committee Trees event in March.It really is a pleasant venue and the buses stop right outside which avoids having to spend a small fortune in the carparks.The station isn't far away either.I always come away from these sorties quite convinced that something has been forgotten. It is rather like moving house when you realise that the diningroom table will not actually go through the door!
After that we repaired to the local Costa to draft the long agenda before returning home to feed the halfterm hordes.
23rd February
A lovely morning to go to the Wallace Collection on the visit organised by the Arts and Craft sub-committee.We were all punctual and enjoyed a good run in to London. It was pleasant to arrive in time for a coffee before setting out with our guides to look around the exhibition. These guides are so knowledgeable and make it sound as if they are fresh to the job when one knows they can be asked to do three tours a day. Although it was halfterm the rooms were not overcrowded and in the afternoon we were able to go back to see whatever we were most interested in with more time to really browse. The lunch was fine, a bit rushed because we had spent extra minutes on the tour, but it really was a very interesting way to spend the day. The journey home was slowed by a holdup on the motorway but one cannot make provision for that eventuality---better to happen on the way home than arrive late at our place of interest.
22nd February
It is always thrilling to suddenly see faces one knows on the national television.Sitting drinking a bedtime coffee, I was very surprised to see WI members from Bucks hobnobbing with the Duchess of Cornwall at Denman College! Apparently it was all kept secret when, as a WI member from Tetbury in Gloucestershire, the Duchess came to look around the WI college. She visited all the classes and was very interested in everything that was going on that day.
16th February
Tonight our local WI held a new members' evening in the President's house.We are rather proud of having seven new members and we agreed that they would get more out of their membership and more quickly, if we shared our experiences with them in a social setting. And it worked. It was a most enjoyable evening with lots of information given about the history and structure of the WI both nationally and at a local level. There was a lot of laughter too of course and I suspect that the committee members were spotting talent as well. I did hear someone say that the best way to get to know about the WI was to join the committee. I bet you were not the first person to be caught like that! It happens to most of us.
15th February
Over lunchtime the local WI helped one of its members run a jigsaw swap in the village hall in aid of Adoption UK. We had masses of puzzles to exchange or buy secondhand. We served coffees and soup and rolls and Lo and Behold the local press turned up --uninvited. Isn't it just the way when you ask, it fails to arrive and when you don't in walk the reporter and photographer. Anyway, there was a lot of chat and some jigsaw pieces added to the one on the table to complete and we raised £117. Something different which could be done again, preferably without a funeral going on nextdoor.
Sunday, 13 February 2011
Meetings and more meetings
February 10th
Someone somewhere ought to invent a new word which we could use alongside "meeting": I seem to have to utilise the word all the time and it sounds too formal to describe the different kinds of gatherings which WI members find themselves attending. We all know about the meeting which the person whom we call on the phone is always engaged in, which I suspect is a nice little chat around the office coffee machine but then there are all the others; those where we do meet together when it is more like a conversational visit but has hopefully an end result.What should we term those?
Our local WI book group meets informally in a member's house. Sometimes there is debate about the books read, sometimes just conversations. This week we were discussing The Risk of Darkness by Susan Hill which is the middle part of a trilogy featuring the author's detective, Simon Serrailler. It is a thriller which everyone found gripping although some members criticised the fact that the story contained pieces which obviously harked back to the first instalment or were hooks needed for the next.It was an exploration of the idea of evil being a basic element present in most people: it may remain dormant but can be activated by situations experienced in their lives.About six other books were exchanged and recommended so we will not be short of material next month.
February 9th
We had fixed the topic for the discussion evening before the mounting concern for the future of our local library branch. It was an opportunity for those who had attended the recent public meetings to put those who hadn't, in the picture.The Read-In at the library the previous Saturday had been very successful.In discussion it transpired that there were those present who could imagine a future without a library as we know it today, a time when people will be reading their books downloaded on to their electronic plastic pads but the majority of us couldn't find it in themselves to look forward to such a development. We discussed our experiences of libraries throughout our childhoods and student years and also what we could expect of a volunteer community library, if that should prove to be the only way to maintain our town library.
February 8th
The local WI Craft Group fell into abeyance before Christmas so this afternoon we had a meeting of interested parties to try to rectify the situation. It would be a great pity if craft activities went underground again, as it were. There is a lot of talent in every WI and one of the aims of the WI movement is to keep crafts alive. Many of the new WI members cite the wish to learn crafts as the reason why they have become members. The good news is that we seem to have rescued our group and in order to involve ourselves in a corporate effort, we are going to enter some of the BFWI county competitions. This will give us a purpose and a way of finding out what everyone is able to do. It is however, quite possible to run side by side with some members just getting together like an old-fashioned sewing bee and those working towards a competition or dare I say it producing a new WI tablecloth or something for a charity.But let's keep the ideas flowing and the crafts alive.
February 3rd
Two thirds of the local WI membership enjoyed an outing to the new theatre in Aylesbury. We spent the morning being guided around backstage and then in the afternoon we watched the matinee of "Annie".These tours may be booked by any group and the young managerial staff members are available to come out as speakers to WI meetings provided they may be fitted in to their heavy workload. It was a most interesting day and we were all impressed by the amount of activity backstage, the enthusiasm of the staff and the architectural features of the theatre.It really adds to Aylesbury's image as a growing town. We just wonder about the need for parking and especially somewhere to set down for the coaches. Anyway, make sure you come along to the BFWI Council Meeting on April 19th when you may see the theatre for yourself. Let's show them we can fill it too!
February 2nd
There are some who can throw a successful pot and there are those who can't. This we learned at our February meeting when we had a pottery demonstration instead of a speaker. We now have around 55 members paid up and more to come which is very rewarding. There are lots of events on the calendar, outings and meetings on various topics, workshops and the inter-WI county quiz. Badminton continues and the Wednesday morning walks are popular so there are lots of other things available beyond the monthly meeting.The names of volunteers to help with providing teas for the blood-donor service were taken and helpers came forward to assist at the Jigsaw Swap on February 15th in aid of Adoption UK. Members appreciated the work of the new committee and it is already planning the annual fund-raiser in October. It will be something completely different again I am sure.
Someone somewhere ought to invent a new word which we could use alongside "meeting": I seem to have to utilise the word all the time and it sounds too formal to describe the different kinds of gatherings which WI members find themselves attending. We all know about the meeting which the person whom we call on the phone is always engaged in, which I suspect is a nice little chat around the office coffee machine but then there are all the others; those where we do meet together when it is more like a conversational visit but has hopefully an end result.What should we term those?
Our local WI book group meets informally in a member's house. Sometimes there is debate about the books read, sometimes just conversations. This week we were discussing The Risk of Darkness by Susan Hill which is the middle part of a trilogy featuring the author's detective, Simon Serrailler. It is a thriller which everyone found gripping although some members criticised the fact that the story contained pieces which obviously harked back to the first instalment or were hooks needed for the next.It was an exploration of the idea of evil being a basic element present in most people: it may remain dormant but can be activated by situations experienced in their lives.About six other books were exchanged and recommended so we will not be short of material next month.
February 9th
We had fixed the topic for the discussion evening before the mounting concern for the future of our local library branch. It was an opportunity for those who had attended the recent public meetings to put those who hadn't, in the picture.The Read-In at the library the previous Saturday had been very successful.In discussion it transpired that there were those present who could imagine a future without a library as we know it today, a time when people will be reading their books downloaded on to their electronic plastic pads but the majority of us couldn't find it in themselves to look forward to such a development. We discussed our experiences of libraries throughout our childhoods and student years and also what we could expect of a volunteer community library, if that should prove to be the only way to maintain our town library.
February 8th
The local WI Craft Group fell into abeyance before Christmas so this afternoon we had a meeting of interested parties to try to rectify the situation. It would be a great pity if craft activities went underground again, as it were. There is a lot of talent in every WI and one of the aims of the WI movement is to keep crafts alive. Many of the new WI members cite the wish to learn crafts as the reason why they have become members. The good news is that we seem to have rescued our group and in order to involve ourselves in a corporate effort, we are going to enter some of the BFWI county competitions. This will give us a purpose and a way of finding out what everyone is able to do. It is however, quite possible to run side by side with some members just getting together like an old-fashioned sewing bee and those working towards a competition or dare I say it producing a new WI tablecloth or something for a charity.But let's keep the ideas flowing and the crafts alive.
February 3rd
Two thirds of the local WI membership enjoyed an outing to the new theatre in Aylesbury. We spent the morning being guided around backstage and then in the afternoon we watched the matinee of "Annie".These tours may be booked by any group and the young managerial staff members are available to come out as speakers to WI meetings provided they may be fitted in to their heavy workload. It was a most interesting day and we were all impressed by the amount of activity backstage, the enthusiasm of the staff and the architectural features of the theatre.It really adds to Aylesbury's image as a growing town. We just wonder about the need for parking and especially somewhere to set down for the coaches. Anyway, make sure you come along to the BFWI Council Meeting on April 19th when you may see the theatre for yourself. Let's show them we can fill it too!
February 2nd
There are some who can throw a successful pot and there are those who can't. This we learned at our February meeting when we had a pottery demonstration instead of a speaker. We now have around 55 members paid up and more to come which is very rewarding. There are lots of events on the calendar, outings and meetings on various topics, workshops and the inter-WI county quiz. Badminton continues and the Wednesday morning walks are popular so there are lots of other things available beyond the monthly meeting.The names of volunteers to help with providing teas for the blood-donor service were taken and helpers came forward to assist at the Jigsaw Swap on February 15th in aid of Adoption UK. Members appreciated the work of the new committee and it is already planning the annual fund-raiser in October. It will be something completely different again I am sure.
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