Activities and Forthcoming Events

  Each committee has separate aims and events, communicating with every member via a monthly newsletter known as News and Views. While each WI has extra meetings amongst its own members, the county is responsible for organising larger events that might otherwise be difficult for smaller groups to arrange or finance.

A Selection of events to look forward to

FOLLOW THE TRESHAM TRAIL 8 May

*COOKERY FROM ROUND THE WORLD 1 May in Kirtlington

BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY HALL CONCERT 1 May in Birmingham

GARDEN ORGANIC RYTON 15 May

INTER WI QUIZ 22 May

BEDOUIN SPARKLE 30 June

2000 YEARS - A SQUARE MILE 2 July

See newsletter for more details.

  Most events are by ticket only. Members can obtain these through their own WI. Occasionally, events are open to the public (marked *) giving non-members the chance to see a small part of what we do and join in with our activities. Non-members are advised to check with the office (01869 331081) prior to attending these open events.

Please visit our site again for regular updates.

Activities within the OFWI

Combined Arts From poetry to painting, theatre tips to music appreciation talks, this Committee covers all aspects of the Arts. The Committee members are pictured here in Oxford Town hall.

  Purchase and Retail.   The committee is responsible for offering an ever-increasing range of cards, fancy goods, some kitchenware and tea towels.
  Our full range of goods is available at all of our large meetings and functions throughout the year and a reduced selection at many of our other events. Individual WIs are encouraged to collect a box of goods from our office to sell on our behalf at their meetings.

As most other committees we serve a dual purpose, to offer something fresh and innovative for members at an attractive price whilst raising funds to boost the operating income of our Federation.   Our newest item is this OFWI bag. This reusable bag adorned with the OFWI logo, is only £2 and very sought after providing a practical alternative to supermarket plastic bags.   One of our most popular sales items is the OFWI calendar. This useful appointment calendar with tear-off postcards is very favourably priced and can be obtained from the OFWI office on 01869 331081. The 2008 calendar, which features 'double takes' of Oxfordshire animals and plants is pictured on the left.

400+ CLUB

  The Club exists for WI members, WIs and Country market shareholders and now has over 400 subscribers. Half of the funds raised are given back in prizes and the rest is given as a donation to the Federation. It costs £10 per year to join and the year starts in January with a draw every month and bumper ones at the Annual meetings of both the Club and the Federation. Contact the Federation Office to 'join the Club'.

The Year Book Committee is responsible for the production of the Year Book, which is the "Who, Where, and When?" of Oxfordshire WIs, covering the Office, the Board of Trustees, Committees, Groups and individual WIs. The Year Book contains a list of speakers and demonstrators on a wide variety of subjects. The Year Book Committee arranges Speaker Selection days, when those wishing to be on the Speakers List are auditioned and the audience, comprising WI members, are asked for their comments on whether or not a new speaker should be included. A popular speaker in Oxfordshire is Chrissie Harper who speaks on Owls, their history, behaviour and conservation. Chrissie is shown here with one of her owls.

Home and Garden tries to encourage high standards in home-craft, horticulture, food production and presentation. The subjects covered include cookery, crafts, flower arranging, gardening and interior design. Workshops, exhibitions and demonstrations are arranged for members to watch and have a go. Competitions are organised county-wide to help further these aims.

Environment, Agriculture and Science aims to encourage and motivate our members to be aware of environmental and agricultural issues. We also cover any topic with a Science connection, including issues of health. We do this by arranging a variety of events, visits and lectures.

  Oxfordshire WIs support specific practical projects overseas, mostly by helping to fundraise and by encouraging the buying and using of Fair Trade goods.

Campaigning & Current Affairs

  What are we all about? Well, we want to get things 'done' and get more OFWIs involved this coming year. (We are happy to come to see you at your monthly meetings too.) We will aim to follow through on some of the NFWI campaigns as well as local issues and the Resolutions as a fundamental aim of the committee. We will promote action on mandates and ensure our members are fully acquainted with a whole spectrum of current affairs which affect us, our families and communities. We are always looking for help and involvement from everyone so if you want to join us on a specific campaign dear to your heart, or on this committee, please contact OFWI at Tackley, you will be very welcome! Meanwhile, click on Current Affairs to learn more about our current projects.

Sport and Leisure

  How sporty are you ! This committee aims to promote, and encourage OFWI members to take part in, various sport and leisure pursuits, whatever their age and abilities.
  It also encourages them to take matters of health and fitness seriously. Various tournaments and competitions are arranged throughout the year and include golf, skittles, table tennis, bowls, darts and scrabble. Any new suggestions are always welcome. Pictures here show members having a go at bowls, archery, flying and table tennis.

Events Each year we organise a selection of day trips to places of interest for our members and their friends. In 2007 we visited Kew, Mapledurham, Ironbridge and the German Christmas Market in Southampton. In 2008 we have already had a day in the potteries at the Gladstone Pottery Museum and Wedgwood Heritage Site, followed the Tresham Train in Northamptonshire and, due to popular demand, made a return visit to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the National Army Museum. Plans for the rest of this year include a visit to Portsmouth, Wilton & Salisbury and the Square Mile in London.   We are always looking for new ideas and welcome any suggestions to help us provide varied and enjoyable days out together.

Foreign Affairs organises events which highlight specific countries and the problems of their inhabitants, particularly those of the women. This year we've already held a Fashion Show promoting Fair Trade clothes and goods and are looking forward to a cookery demonstration using recipes from around the world and, in the summer, a talk on the costumes and jewellery worn in the Middle East. The work of ACWW, mentioned elsewhere, is included in the brief of this Committee. The aim is to help women and their families in the developing world.

Each year OFWI choose an overseas project to sponsor and this year we are hoping to fund sanitation in early childhood centres in Sri lanka. Last year the money we raised went to a project in Colombia. The photograph shows families in Colombia being trained to grown their own vegetables and it is hoped they will eventually form their own co-operatives to sell surplus produce.