Posts by WI

theWI Adderbury & District Meeting – Minutes of Meeting held on Thursday, 2nd April 2015

Posted by on Apr 10, 2015 in Reflections

Minutes of the meeting held at The Institute, Adderbury, 2 April 2015 7.30 pm     As our new President Diane welcomed 30 members and one visitor. She said how much she was looking forward to her time as President, though a little nervous and thanked Caroline for all her work in the role. The Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2015 were approved and signed by Diane as a correct record. Matters arising: Diane reported on the OFWI annual meeting which she, Caroline, Laura and Margaret had attended. She found it inspiring to feel part of a large and active organisation and enjoyed the social aspect of sharing lunch with the other Adderbury members. Our banner was on display and can be seen in photos on the website. The WI calendar committee have agreed the format of the calendar and Diane showed an example which was well received. They will shortly choose the 48 photos for members and the public to vote on to decide which 12 will be on the final version. The calendar should be on sale in September. Committee report: Committee members have agreed to the following roles: Margaret will continue to manage the web site and notice board and circulate information at meetings. She will also act as Vice-president. Gill will be the new membership secretary. Caroline, supported by Chris, will co-ordinate groups, taking over from Bernice, and will also co-ordinate additional activities and events. Bernice, Trina and Laura will continue in their current roles. Trina has agreed to co-ordinate the bulb orders this year. There is still a vacancy for Treasurer and interested members were asked to speak to Diane. The role is not as demanding as might be thought. Training and support are available and the duties can be shared. It was stressed that without a treasurer the WI will not be able to continue. Wild flower seeds: Margaret has received twelve packs of wild flower seeds from Kew. She asked members for suggestions as to where they might be sown as a requirement of the initiative is that they should be grown in a public space. Contacting the Lakes committee and the Parish Council were suggested.       Correspondence/communications Diane drew attention to the members’ Open Days at NFWI headquarters in November, to the WI Centennial Fair in Harrogate and to the current list of courses at Denman. Members were given slips for a ballot to represent our WI at the Buckingham Palace Garden party. This was later won by Wendy Tiernan.   Fundraising: On a show of hands it was agreed that any profits from calendar sales should be shared equally between our own funds and Frank Wise School. Diane explained that our funds would be needed for providing members with copies of News and Views and for subsidising the Christmas meal.   Programme and activities: The WI committee will meet on Tuesday 21 April at 46 Rochester Way. Our next WI meeting will be held in Church House on 7 May (the Methodist room is not available that evening). As required for May there will be discussion of the Resolution and there will also be a Swishing event. Members are invited to bring up to five items – scarves, bags, jewellery to exchange. A Centenary celebration evening is planned for September. Caroline will send the cheque and form for our stall at Party in the Park The next book group meeting will be on Wednesday 8 April at Mary Walker’s house when members will share their views on ‘A Man Called Ove’ by Frederik Backman. The...

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theWI Adderbury & District WI Meeting – Thursday, 2nd April 2015

Posted by on Apr 7, 2015 in Reflections

For Diane’s first meeting as President,  our Guest Speaker Chris Windass of the Adderbury Ensemble,  introduced himself with a little music….   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...

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theWI Adderbury & District – We are at OFWI Annual Council Meeting – 24th March 2015

Posted by on Mar 30, 2015 in Reflections

Dear Ladies, Four of our members, Caroline Rathbone, Gill Hunt, Laura Martin and Diane Danton were present  at the Annual Meeting of the Oxfordshire Federation at the Oxford Town Hall on Tuesday, 24th March 2015. These are the photos which Diane very kindly took, on my behalf, and here they are for you to see as well. Thank you very much Diane – they’re smashing photos of what must have been a very good Event.             I’m booking my ticket for next year’s Oxford Federation Annual Meeting now!!!   Margaret...

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theWI Adderbury & District – Centenary Baton Hand-over on Sunday, 19th April 2015

Posted by on Mar 29, 2015 in Reflections

Dear Ladies, As you all know, those members attending the Centenary Baton Hand-over from Banbury to Barford on Sunday 19th April, have been asked to wear 1915 style hats for the occasion, at Barford WI’s coffee morning in the Village Hall from 10.30am Being a keen and enthusiastic wearer of hats, I was intrigued to find out how I could decorate and trim up an own hat for the Event at Barford, so I set myself the task of tracking down a few photo examples which I might possibly emulate. My online research lead me to the Victoria and Albert Museum where I wandered through their catalogues and found the following items which I’ve downloaded with their consent, with all images credited as follows: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London                 Well, that’s  few rather splendid photos  but I’m still looking for a few more. Copyright © Victoria and Albert Museum, London Margaret Halstead...

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theWI Adderbury & District WI Meeting Agenda – Thursday, 2nd April 2015

Posted by on Mar 28, 2015 in Reflections

    theWI Adderbury & District   The Institute, Adderbury, 2 April 2015 7.30 pm President’s welcome and opening remarks Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2015 to be approved and signed Matters arising: Social evening, OFWI meeting, WI calendar Committee report: Members’ roles, need for a treasurer, bulb catalogue co-ordinator, wild flower seeds Correspondence/communications Fund –raising: Use of profits from calendar sales. Future support for charities. Programme and activities: May WI meeting, Centenary celebration evening, Party in the Park, meetings programme for 2015/16, walks, book group, needlecraft group, suggestions for other events Any other business Community items Speaker: Chris Windass will talk about the Adderbury Ensemble...

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