At our 2nd meeting of 2015 among the business matters discussed, were the 7 NFWI Resolutions for 2015-2016, and members were asked to check out the list and choose one we would all like to go forward to the 2015 Annual Meeting at the Albert Hall in June.
Caroline told members “there are some extraordinary ones to choose from” for campaign ideas and “it will be a tough choice but the WI is not just jam and Jerusalem. The WI is a really powerful institution. Some campaigns from previous year’s Resolutions are still being acted upon, such as the Bees campaign and The Save our High Street campaign.”
The WI has a long history of bringing campaigns to the forefront of government and public notice and in this, our Centenary year, it is our privilege to be part of that long and distinguished history.
Here are the 7 shortlisted resolutions –
The next 100 years
Plant a tree for the future
Public access defibrillators
Failing to care – assessment of need in long-term care
Cutting back on food waste
Ending FGM
To curb the use of antibiotics
Under matters arising, Diane reminded members of the need for Adderbury photos for our WI calendar and, in particular, for summer views of our lovely village, and the deadline of 30th April. Then we had the committee report on our joining the 400+ club; the proposal for all members to receive a free copy of News and Views; thanks were extended to Bernice for drawing up an inventory of all the items held and stored, for use at various events and happenings, like the Adderbury Christmas Market; our new WI Adviser, Stella Oakes, who will be with us for our AGM in March; Denman courses, a list of which was available on the meetings table; Denman Taster Days which, with a show of hands, suggested that members would be happy to visit Denman this summer for a tour + coffee, lunch & afternoon tea; New Committee members for 2015-15 – Caroline invited members, who might be willing to become involved, to attend a committee meeting to see what goes on: a suggestion for an evening visit to Sulgrave Manor.
Fund-raising for Frank Wise School: Caroline suggested a social occasion at the Library on 26th March for a book or scarf swap, with nibbles and a glass of wine, for members and their friends might be a lovely idea for a fund-raising evening to which members responded with a good show of hands.
Future activities: Book group 7.30 Wed. 11 Feb at Su’s house for discussion of Jan.’s book – “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” & Feb.’s book “Sisters of Sinai”, Needlecraft group 7.30 at Holly House with Caroline, Wed. 18 Feb.; Committee meeting 7.30 Wed. 25 Feb. at Holly House; OFWI Annual Council Meeting 24 March at Oxford Town Hall; North Oxfordshire Group Meeting at Bodicote 22 April (sign-up sheet at Meeting) with Stella Oaks attending; Party in the Park Sat. 20 June for which cakes are needed this year; Farm visit and meal Thurs. 25 June and thanks to June who offered this lovely tour and meal; WI Christmas meal at an outside venue this year; Christmas tree festival for which perhaps our Needlecraft group could work on some ideas.
Community items: Adderbury Community Food Market Thurs. 12 Feb 6-8pm; Our First Aid course held over two evenings with Red Cross representative, all attendees given a pen with a pull-up list with emergency numbers; FOSMA Church House talk by Chris Wardley on The Great Exhibition of 1851, tickets available from various sources; FOC AL talk on Waddesdon Manor on Thurs. 20 Feb.
Caroline reported on a WI member who had been the subject of a fraudsters scam and warned everyone to be on their guard against such an occurrence as being tricked into giving bank details inadvertently or believing the plausibility of the need to give your bank card to a courier coming to your address – Ladies, Please Be Vigilant.
Adderbury & District WI AGM will be our next meeting on Thurs. 5 March at The Institute at 7.30pm.
Margaret Halstead