An excellent turn-out for September’s WI Adderbury meeting for the new 2015-2016 winter season when it was really super to see so many members plus new friends, also visitors from Australia presently staying in Adderbury whom we sincerely hope enjoyed their time with us tonight. Our splendid 2016 WI Calendar arrived today in time for good meeting sales with further sales available at next week’s Community Food Market. Also on sale tonight, tickets for our Centenary social event with fish and chip supper, musical entertainment, quizzes and a great evening’s celebration for all. We are very pleased to report that special advisor Stella Oaks has accepted our invitation to join us for this event.
Diane and Committee Members in outfits from the last 100 years
Centenary social event tickets are still available and may be purchased from Bernice if you will kindly call her via home ‘phone number 812125 – and we look forward to seeing all who can make it to this very special evening.
tickets are still available from Bernice for our Centenary social event on 17th September
Diane reported on the new Banner being made by Pat for our participation in the Centenary Christ Church Cathedral Service on Tuesday, 15th September and the tickets made available to us.
Diane and Pat showing members how are new WI Banner is to be constructed
Agenda business items were dealt with by Diane with regard to the matter of expenses policy which is being tightened up to make it all more secure. Caroline spoke about the need to get things moving for this year’s Christmas tree decorations which are to be themed on our 100 year anniversary, asking for interested members to speak to her at the end of the evening. Caroline held up her prototype decorations of wool and needles and a lovely slice of “sponge-cake” so good and ready for eating! Diane asked members to vote for this special Centenary year’s Christmas meal, on the sign-up sheet, at The Cartwright Arms, in their Apricot Room, for a very nice two-course meal plus tea or coffee, mince pies and crackers all for a maximum of £10.00 plus drinks with the WI being happy to pay the difference. Also, now that everyone has their own copy of News and Views with notice of all outings and events, would members speak to Gill about making reservations for events they wish to attend?
Mary reported the weather had been good for the Cropredy Battlefield walk, and Brasenose Arms pub meal, she had organised, all of which had been much enjoyed by those who took part. Other walks dates will be organised when possible and Sheila is investigating the possibility of an Upton walk.
Members enjoying Mary’s Cropredy Battlefield Walk
The Book Group will now meet at Bernice’s home on Wednesday 9 September for The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and the Needlecraft Group will meet on Wednesday 16 September at Caroline’s home. A small collection of wool was go be found on our meeting table and we are thinking members may like to share unused wool, thread or fabric or make them available for WI projects like our proposed Christmas Tree decorations.
Caroline very warmly thanked Diane for her wonderful inspiration, effort and hard work she has put into our WI Calendar for 2016, which has been such a wonderful and inclusive project for all those involved in its completion and Diane thanked Margaret for project managing our WI wild flower garden at Katharine House Hospice; see News and Views report and photo of our WI garden at Katharine House Hospice.
Debbie invited all members to next week’s Community Food Market for which a numbered invitation has been given for the chance to “Win a Meal for Two” at Adderbury’s lively foodie gathering.
Tea and coffee at the conclusion of business matters was enhanced by the addition of Caroline’s beautifully made and decorated WI Centenary Anniversary celebration sponge cake which was much admired and appreciated.
Caroline’s beautifully made and decorated WI Centenary Celebration cake
Our Guest Speaker Polly Smith, gave an excellent hands-on talk and demonstration on the value and benefit of Reflexology, also aromatherapy and Reiki, with a brief mention of the history of reflexology which “nobody can date as it has always been done; there are even photos of Egyptian practitioners of the art of reflexology”.
Diane and Polly head-to-head for reflexology complementary therapy
Reflexology maps, charts and diagrams
With numerous charts, diagrams and maps Polly explained how these complementary systems worked and how we could all acquire basic reflexology techniques for ourselves and family. Polly told us “how you feel about your feet is how you feel about yourself”. Reflexology is all about the hands, feet and ears which may be massaged to relieve crystals which form and inhibit the flow of chi life force about the body. Polly briefly mentioned her training, her work with the elderly and her enthusiastic conviction that the human body is a wonderful thing which may be kept healthy and whole with body and mind alignment and congruence.
hand-on-hand reflexology participation
Questions were responded to, hands and feet were examined and discussed and a huge amount of interest in the subject matter of Polly’s talk was felt by everyone present.
and helpful booklets too….
On behalf of all members, Caroline gave a heartfelt vote of thanks to Polly for her illuminating and animated talk on reflexology and other complementary therapies.
Margaret Halstead – who must happily admit to having several reflexology sessions with Polly over the last year or two…..