For Diane’s first meeting as President, our Guest Speaker Chris Windass of the Adderbury Ensemble, introduced himself with a little music….
Chris Windass and his music
Adderbury Ensemble Music Tapes
and then he began describing his musical beginnings, listening to his mother playing string quartet music at home and learning to love the sounds he heard. Whilst at Birmingham School of Music he took part in the School’s first resident string quartet; then he began to set-up the new Ensemble for Adderbury, musical evenings at The Institute and the Coffee Concerts at the Holywell Music Room from 1986, on most Sundays throughout the year. These concerts run from 11.15am with coffee at The Vaults and Garden Cafe from 9.00am Chris spoke of his growing awareness of the particular qualities of the violin and his burgeoning affection for its music as he realised he would eventually become a violinist himself.
We heard of impending financial difficulties for the Adderbury Ensemble, of the goodness and kindness of new friends Barbara and Francis Minter and of a growing band of supporters who came forward to provide helpful support. We were told of financial help from gifts and trusts, of local Council help which created a great amount of paperwork leaving less time for concentrating on the format of the concerts, the performances and the musicians.
Finally Chris told us of his musical passions which he’s shared with friends and supporters, which has inspired others to share his love and passion for the music he has organised to be performed with the Adderbury Ensemble and his Coffee Concerts.
Of the musicians who come to play at the concerts, they are all busy people with other performances to attend, so we fit their time with us around their other commitments, letting them decide which pieces to perform because we cannot pay them their due; we ask them to play music that is not too difficult to listen to and easy on the ear and its like putting a jigsaw together.
Next year will be our 30th year of performances and we are very grateful for everyone’s support over the years from 1986. We should like more help from the village to get our attendances up and to keep the Adderbury Ensemble going strongly forward and, for himself, Chris said he hopes to be able to continue passing on his love of music to others; giving that enjoyment to others is something he is very proud of having been able to do with the Adderbury Ensemble and the Coffee Concerts.
Caroline gave the vote of thanks to Chris Windass for his most fascinating talk on the Adderbury Ensemble and the music he brings to Adderbury.
Earlier in the evening, Diane had provided members with raffle tickets for a “thank you” draw with a chocolate Easter egg prize which was one by Lynn Simcox….
and the Royal Garden Party ballot was won by Wendy Tiernan….
who will travel with other members by coach to London for the Event …which will run between 3-5pm and will be in the presence of HRH Duchess of Cornwall….
Diane opened the meeting with an account of the OFWI Annual Council Meeting in Oxford on the 24th March, which she attended with Caroline, Laura and Gill.
Discussions then covered Matters rising; the Committee report; Correspondence/communications; Fund-raising; Any other business; Community items
Adderbury Calendar: Members were shown the proposed size and finish for our Adderbury Calendar, which will feature all of the pictures on the front cover. We have received many photos and the final 48 will be on display at Church House and Party in the Park to give everyone a chance to vote for their favourite photos. The Calendar will be on sale from September.
Programme and Activities: Book Group meet next Wednesday, 8th April at Mary Walker’s home and Bernice has her address; Needlecraft Group meet Wednesday, 15th April at Caroline’s home at 7.30pm; North Cherwell Group meeting at Bodicote Church Hall on Wednesday 22nd April at 7.30. Sign-up sheets were out for the Coffee Morning at Barford Village Hall for the Centenary Baton hand-over on Sunday, 19th April – for transport; for the Sulgrave visit on Thursday, 28th May and cost of attendance of £9.00 per person to next meeting on 7th May at Church House, please; for our Farm visit and Supper on Thursday, 25th June with our thanks to June Stilgoe for arranging this event, to which members’ husbands and partners are invited to attend and the cost for supper is a donation to Frank Wise School. A Walk will be arranged for later in April and members were invited to include their names and best date for a morning and an evening walk, for those members who are not free until the evening, so that suitable timed walks may be arranged.
Resolutions Evening: The OFWI Resolution for this year – Failing to Care – our choice, and chosen by the Oxford Federation, which we have to discuss as belonging to the Federation, at our meeting on Thursday, 7th May at Church House, at 7.30pm A Swishing Social Event will be held after our discussions to which members are invited to bring up to five accessory items – scarves, belts, handbags etc. – which may be exchanged for other items with unwanted articles going into a charity box
Centenary Celebrations: It has been proposed we should hold a Social Evening in September to mark the Centenary of the WI, to show everybody what we are all about, to which members of the village will be invited. So we need ideas from everybody please, shared experiences and helpful suggestions for the evening; and our Adderbury Calendar will be ready for sale at the Event.
Margaret Halstead.