theWI Adderbury & District WI Meeting – Thursday, 2nd April 2015
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...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District – We are at OFWI Annual Council Meeting – 24th March 2015
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...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District – Centenary Baton Hand-over on Sunday, 19th April 2015
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...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District WI Meeting Agenda – Thursday, 2nd April 2015
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...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District WI – First Walk of the Season – Friday 20th March 2015
On the first day of Spring, with a partial eclipse happening as we readied ourselves for our circular walk to Cotefield for coffee, we set off to walk across the fields, past the windmill and through the still murky post-eclipse atmosphere to Cotefield. The sky was tinged black-blue, the murky atmosphere became misty and hazy in the most welcome bright spring sunshine. It became very warm and so did we, dressed as we were for a cool spring day. We were delighted to reach Cotefield and to sit outside and chat over coffee; and then we wandered back towards Adderbury after an excellent walk around the fields of our glorious village. Here’s a few photos from this morning… Here’s to our next Adderbury & District WI walk …. Margaret...
Read MoretheWI Adderbury & District WI Committee Meeting – Wednesday, 18th March 2015
Dear Ladies. We had our first Committee meeting under Diane’s new Presidency last night and proceedings went brilliantly. So now we are all systems-go for Diane’s first year as President and we are looking forward to an excellent year. We’re looking forward to our first WI Meeting on Thursday, 2nd April and catching up with everyone then. A new Tea Rota will be circulated shortly and posted up at The Institute. For unavoidable changes to members’ availability for any tea rota listing, will all participating members kindly utilise the new WI Member Spreadsheet to contact a stand-in for any relevant date. The new WI Member Spreadsheet will be circulated shortly. Margaret Halstead ...
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