Outings

At various times in the year we arrange visits to local places of interest. Suggestions for other outings are always welcome as are offers to help organise them! Just contact a committee member.

2025 It was a perfect summer’s evening when 13 members visited Chippy Flower Farm near Little Tew. We were met by its founder, Tiff, who began by explaining how best to treat cut flowers to prolong their vase life. Then we were treated to a glass of prosecco or another cool drink and began to explore and admire the PYO beds, the long beds of perennials, the trees and shrubs that provide foliage, and the two polytunnels. Tiff outlined the history of the project and its philosophy of sustainability, explaining how the soil in what was previously a field had been improved with tons of green waste and how vital the condition of the soil is to the survival of the plants. There is no electricity or water on the site so rainwater is harvested from the roofs of the polytunnels and used on the seedlings, annuals and newly planted perennials. Flowers for weddings and online orders for bouquets or bunches of flowers form the core of the expanding business. We looked into the large metal container used for drying plants and saw examples of their use in the small sales area where we said a heartfelt thank you to Tiff. Everyone left feeling uplifted and inspired.

19 June was a very hot morning when 12 members and a friend met for coffee at FarmEd. Unfortunately it was too hot for the planned walk but the views were glorious, the coffee excellent and the company lively. Five stayed for lunch in the elegant cafe. We hope to return on a cooler day to explore the farm properly.

On 12 June 11 members enjoyed a visit to Mr Robert Stilgoe’s Adderbury farm on a perfect summer’s evening. We began with a gentle ramble to the old paper mill, stopping along the way to learn about the crops and the original boundary line, now just a deep overgrown ditch. We crossed the bridge over one of the two rivers on the farm and came to the mill building. First built as a paper mill and later converted to grind corn, it is now being restored using traditional materials to create a cottage, the braver among us explored inside. We then walked past other converted cottages as Robert told us more about the farm and the farm trails. Back to the lovely barn used for entertaining where June had laid out a splendid buffet supper for us. The evening ended with Robert showing us his collection of farm memorabilia, including a fierce looking implement for castrating bullocks.

On 7 May a small group of members joined a Heritage walk round Hook Norton, led by Sean Callery.He took us all over the village pointing out significant buildings and streets and bringing the history of the village to life. We went into the church and were amazed by the ancient carvings on the font. More members joined us for  lunch at Hook Norton Brewery.

On Friday 4 April four members enjoyed a visit to the Old Depot heritage centre at Weedon Bec.It is a fascinating site which began in the early nineteenth century as a store for muskets, ammunition and cannon and became the centre for the supply of everything soldiers needed to fight around the world. It closed in 1965. Many of the original buildings remain and some are now in use as workshops, craft, leisure and retail businesses, including a huge second-hand bookshop. On the way home lunch was enjoyed at the Forge in Culworth.

 

2024 Our first outing this year was on Wednesday 12 June when ten members enjoyed a delightful morning at Hill Close Gardens in Warwick. This was planned for last year but was cancelled because of extreme heat, but this time we had good weather and the sun came out as we ate our picnic lunch. The sixteen restored gardens are rare survivals of Victorian plots once used by townsfolk living above their businesses to escape from the crowded town. Matt, who gave us an excellent guided tour, told us how the gardens were saved from development for housing through a long campaign by local people and restored by the hard work of volunteers. The historic summer houses have been rescued, a modern visitors’ centre built and, again thanks to volunteers, the individual plots are full of flowers and fruit trees. A great del of research has been done into the many people who owned or tenanted plots over the years, so social history adds to the interest of a visit, The gardens are a wonderful resource for the community, for wildlife and for the two national plant collections held there. Matt told us that one of the reasons he enjoys his job is because visitors always leave with their shoulders lower than when they came. We certainly did.

On 14th August two members joined Bloxham WI on their annual outing. This year it was to the National Memorial Arboretum. After coffee and biscuits we were free to begin to explore the site which covers 150 acres and chose to visit the memorial for service personnel who have lost their lives either in combat, training, or as the result of mechanical failure or accident since 1945.Next we joined tour by land train with a commentary on the main memorials we passed, after which we enjoyed an excellent lunch in the Founders’ Room. For the rest of the afternoon we walked the route of the land train and some areas near to it so that we could look at the memorials more closely. Then it was time to board the coach for our journey back to Bloxham. It was a very rewarding experience. very well organised throughout, and we were very grateful to Bloxham members for offering us the opportunity to join them. 

2023 Our first outing this year was a very interesting visit to the Viridor Energy Recovery Facility at nearby Ardley on Wednesday 19 July. There is no landfill in Oxfordshire now and all waste that cannot be recycled is treated here in a vast furnace which creates energy to power local homes.

On 27 September Peter Barker, the volunteer from the RSPB Otmoor reserve who spoke at our April meeting, led a guided walk round the site. This was a memorable experience, enjoyed by thirteen members and a guest. A few were experienced bird watchers familiar with Otmoor, but everyone delighted in numerous sightings of birds including swallows, martins, swans, gadwalls, mallards, red kites, a march harrier, a kestrel, cattle egrets and most dramatic of all, two European cranes. As we walked we heard their bugling call, then saw the pair in flight and then at one of the hides we were lucky enough to see one land and stay for a long time for us to observe it. Peter’s engaging and insightful commentary was invaluable and we came away very impressed by the wonderful habitat that has been created for birds, mammals, insects, plants and trees. Most members ended the morning with a very good lunch at the Abingdon Arms in Beckley.

2022  Following her talk at our April meeting, our first outing this year was to Emma Hamer’s farm in Horley. A field walk to see a wildflower meadow and find common Spotted Orchids was followed by a delicious tea in Emma’s kitchen over which she answered our many questions about regenerative farming and her work for the NFU. Work on the Adderbury and Milton banner at the National Needlework Archive resumed in June and regular visits will continue each month. A planned visit to Hill Close Gardens in Warwick had to be postponed because of the heatwave. We hope to rearrange this next year. Seven members enjoyed an evening at the new cinema in Banbury where they watched the film ‘Elvis’. Our next outing was to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies on 10 August when Richard Weyers, who had spoken at a meeting held via Zoom in January, led us on a tour of the outstanding building and garden. We learnt more about the history of the Centre and its role locally, nationally and internationally in fostering research and understanding of Islam. Members were awed by the standard of craftmanship in stone, wood, tiles and woven materials and the beauty of the courts and garden. The visit ended with refreshments. A visit to Aston Pottery arranged for 8 September had to be cancelled this time because of very wet weather! At Bloxham’s Garden Centre Chequer Tree Tearoom on Wednesday 12 October eleven members gathered for a very enjoyable lunch of quiche, toasted sandwiches and salads and a great deal of interesting conversations.  Members travelled to Arty Crafty’s new premises at Middle Aston on Wednesday 10 November for another very exciting day of block printing, creating new designs for family Christmas gifts and cards. We went to Nicholsons’ Yurt for a delicious  lunch.  For a few members, whose first visit this was, their thrill and joy at being introduced to this art-form was infectious and contagious and it was highly enjoyable for everyone.  

2021 The ongoing impact of Covid-19 meant that outings were not an option this year, but we look forward to future outside events and garden visiting just as soon as possible.

2020 On 21 January a group of members had a very enjoyable evening at a performance of Crazy for You by the Oxford Operatic Society in the New Theatre. Another visit to the Arty Crafty Place was planned for the Spring, but sadly had to be cancelled because of lockdown. 

Earlier in the year members spent several days at the National Needlework Archive in Newbury being trained and working under supervision on the original 1921 Adderbury & Milton WI banner.  We completed a detailed description of the banner and its substantial wooden casing which will be entered on the NNA’s digital records.  On our next visit we began the lengthy process of cleaning the banner. We are also planning a visit to the Oxfordshire History Centre to look at the records of the early years of the first Adderbury WI, hoping to discover more about how and when the banner was made. Work will be resumed as soon as possible when Covid restrictions allow.

2019 Our visit to Arty Crafty in May had been such a success that members requested a return visit prior to Christmas. So a full day there was arranged in November.  We spent the morning printing on paper and card, with many members producing their own original Christmas cards and wrapping paper.  After a tasty lunch at the Yurt we returned to the workshop and spent the afternoon honing our fabric printing skills. Once again we left with our beautiful creations which included Christmas stockings, tea towels, T-shirts and pencil cases, many of which made excellent Christmas gifts.

Late October saw a number of very excited members going to visit the National Needlework Archive in Newbury, to see Constance Howard’s stumpwork mural, The Country Wife, created for the Country Pavilion
at the 1951 Festival of Britain held on London’s South Bank. We were also most fortunate to view the 1921 banner of the original Adderbury & Milton WI, which is now housed at NNA for safe storage and eventual cleaning and conservation.  Discussions were held with the Conservator and Director of the NNA and, as a result, a team of 8 members of our WI has formed to be trained in the necessary skills and to help with the conservation of the old banner.  This work will take place in 2020.

In October we made a group visit to Bourton House Garden at Bourton-on-the-Hill. Stormy weather was forecast but, having booked a table at the Horse and Groom, we decided to brave the weather and go anyway. We enjoyed a good hour’s visit at this truly glorious garden – its herbaceous border, white marguerite garden, espalliered house wall, shade house, exotic plantings and wonderful autumnal colour. Then dark clouds gathered overhead and thunder rumbled ominously, as we left this beautiful garden.

We enjoyed a lovely visit to Sezincote House and Garden – the Indian House, Gloucestershire – at the end of August. A beautifully dressed and decorated house in its own green and sumptuous setting. We were lucky to view it in its entirety on a glorious summer’s day, ending our visit in the Orangery for tea and cake.

In early July 2019, we had a visit to Banbury’s own Tooley’s Boatyard, which is one of the oldest working dry docks on the Inland Waterways, having been in continuous use since 1778. Matt Armitage, Director of Tooley’s Boatyard, was one of our speakers earlier in the year and his talk had whetted our appetites for more. So several of us spent a happy morning being shown round the site, seeing the 200 year-old forge in use, visiting the carpentry and paint workshops and then we enjoyed a relaxing and peaceful cruise along the Oxford Canal aboard Tooley’s narrowboat, the Dancing Duck.

In May we spent a thoroughly enjoyable morning at the fabulous Arty Crafty Place near Middle Aston. Here we were shown how to block print fabric using wooden blocks hand carved in India. Having had the technique explained and demonstrated to us we were let loose to play, laugh and create to our hearts’ content. The results were wonderful and very impressive and we are all proud of our ‘masterpieces’.  We rounded off our morning with a delicious lunch and more chat at Nicholson’s Yurt.

April saw the musical ‘Calendar Girls’ come to Oxford and quite a number of us, along with many other Oxfordshire WI members, filled the New Theatre.  It was an excellent production and a most enjoyable afternoon.  Everyone left the theatre with a smile on their faces.

In February 2 of our members were in the audience of the Playhouse Theatre in Oxford to see the musical ‘Made in Dagenham’ and a report is included below.

In 2018 outings included a guided tour of Rousham House and an afternoon spent in the beautiful gardens there. Earlier last year we had a day in Oxford which included a private guided tour of various locations in Oxford linked with the filming of Morse, Lewis and Endeavour episodes.

Previous outings have included a tour of the Ardley Energy Recovery Facility, where we met Meg the Megawattasaurus made from items sent for recycling. We have also visited a herbalist’s garden, Sulgrave Manor, Oxford County Court, the Lord Leycester Hospital in Warwick and Upton House.

More outings are being planned and suggestions of places to visit are always welcome.

Outings Reports

“Made in Dagenham”            Report by Sandra      14 Feb 2019

Pat and I had an enjoyable visit to see the Oxford University Student Company production of “Made in Dagenham”.

This musical is based on a film made about the historical actions of women sewing machinists at the Ford factory in Dagenham. They went on strike in 1968, asking for equal grading and pay as men for equivalent work.

The strike, eventually also involving all the male car workers, was instrumental in Barbara Castle, Secretary of State for Employment, introducing The Equal Pay Act in 1970.

As such, the story is very much in keeping with the campaigning ethos of WI – women getting together to get things done.

The talented and enthusiastic cast portrayed the way women were unjustly treated and how ordinary people could change things through sacrifice and determination. The 60’s style music and dance were well done, although a bit over- loud, and there was rather a lot of very earthy language, but in all it was an enjoyable and thought provoking show.

50 years later the fight for equality for women is still not won.