To celebrate the 90th anniversary of OFWI, the Sport & Leisure Committee organised a Barn Dance at the Langdale Hall in Witney in the middle of October. In the event it turned out to be both a successful and very enjoyable evening with the music provided by Pandemonium, a versatile local musical entertainment band, and the ploughman's supper by Marilyn North's team. From the start Ruth, the caller, had an engaging manner and managed to get everyone up dancing and so it continued throughout the evening. We danced our way, under clear instruction, through a whole range of country and folk dances, some more vigorous than others, but nobody seemed to get out of puff. In fact, one of the best things about the evening is that it was totally inclusive, with everyone joining in, even in pairs. We have had calls for another one, so watch this space!
It was a memorable Science lecture at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory this year. We heard three eminent members of the Royal college of Surgeons - Miss Louise Jary recalled the history of the College and the vital role played by several famous female surgeons; Mr Mahmood Bhutta MRCS a college research Fellow, explained the many new techniques now being used in ear, nose and throat surgery. Mr Bhutta's other big passion was to enlighten us to the plight of workers in Asia making NHS and other equipment for a pittance. He felt Fair Trade should try and cover this issue. Mr Chris Milford FRCS, Consultant Surgeon at the John Radcliffe Hospital also focused on Otolaryngology in particular the condition of glue ear in children which might prove to be genetic. A most fascinating and interesting talk.
There was a superb array of paintings, photography and 3 D work at the Members Art Exhibition, staged in Benson Parish Hall. More than 180 paintings displayed various member's talents, with some stunning and professional looking exhibits among them. A further 71 photos captured all manner of images from wildlife, nature and people to places of beauty visited. Some of the 3D work included papier mache, pottery, mosaics and stained glass. With demonstrations ongoing all day, visitors had plenty to see and could even buy some of the goods on display.
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The Federation competition for an Anniversary card caused a lot of interest with all the entries displayed including the judge's views and of course the two winning entries. Benson WI won the group entry, their card is pictured below as are their members accepting their certificate from Federation Chairman, Pauline Goddard.
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| Sheila Westall from Yarnton WI won the individual class with her card shown on the right. Also on display were some of the photographs from the banner celebration held at Christ Church earlier in the year. Members had fun spotting themselves or finding their own banner amongst them and some went away with copies for their scrapbook. Refreshments and a raffle completed an excellent day. | 
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The variety of scarecrows at this event at Millets Farm was vast and here are a few to illustrate our members' skills and imagination! The winners of the competition can be seen on News
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At the tea party for our 90 year olds and over, held in the lovely Horton cum Studley Millenium Hall, we had two very special guests of honour amongst the 90 or more people there. Cecilia Leighton was our oldest member present at 102 and has been a member of Watlington WI since 1945. Mary Tame is 95 and joined Dorchester WI in 1935 at the age of 21, so she is our longest serving member with 74 years totted up. These two super ladies used to be friends through Wallingford Market, years ago, and were delighted to be reunited at the tea. They are pictured cutting the cake, which was a joint effort between Trustees Barbara Gray and Carrol Eaton.
Cecelia is in the light blue ensemble in the photos which also show Pauline Goddard, Chairman, congratulating them both, with Mary on Pauline's left. Treated to tea, courtesy of the Board of Trustees, all the guests (which included two men who had been drivers for the day) thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon of singing, sandwiches and scones, plus cakes galore and a bottomless pot of tea.
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MUSICAL AUDITIONSA rare mixture of Abba, Elvis Presley, Folk music, bagpipes and songs from World War 2, entertained members one lovely warm evening in June. Between acts guests were able to enjoy some delicious refreshments provided by the Year Book Committee and to wander outside in Kirtlington fields. The Three Pressed Men, pictured, were the final act of the evening and performed some lovely old English songs. | 
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| AFRICA DAYThis event gave visitors a real insight into Africa and many of the problems, and joys, of that continent. David Marsh showed some stunning photos of his safari trips; Liz Eaton talked movingly about a girls' school she is helping having built in Kenya; Ann Sharman outlined the problems facing sub-Sahara women because of the climate change and Mary Gregory, again with some amazing pictures, talked about trailing gorillas in Uganda. Even lunch, Bobotie and fresh fruit, had the African theme and everyone agreed it had been an extraordinary day. |
HATFIELD HOUSEMembers felt privileged and honoured to have their own personal opening of Hatfield House in celebration of OFWI's 90th Anniversary. They not only enjoyed the services of an excellent guide, they were also able to wander around the gardens which were at their very best! A memorable occasion. | 
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Oxfordshire members proudly paraded with their banners down the aisle at Christ Church Cathedral on a beautiful day in April, walking to the music from Chariots of Fire from the great organ, it was a moving and unforgettable sight. For this 90th Celebration there were inspirational readings and speeches from Pauline Goddard, Federation Chairman; Helen Carey OBE, former NFWI Chair; the Revd David Mann and Stephen Hackett, Principal of Denman College. One of our oldest members, now 102, was there to enjoy it with 850 of the Oxfordshire membership. The sound of that many female voices joined in singing Jerusalem and World in Union was uplifting, as was the sound of the female soloist, who sang Alleluia from Mozart's Exultate Jubliate from high above in the balcony. It was the banners however that stole the day, nearly 90 of them, some old, some new, they came in all sorts of fabrics, designs and colours. Some had been made specially for this event, others taken down from attics and lofts. The Quad at Christ Church provided a wonderful backdrop for this fabulous display and one and all enjoyed the sunshine!
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ACTION ON RESOLUTIONS IN TRINITY COLLEGE | 
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| Baroness Jean Corston and Ruth Bond Chairman of NFWI Public Affairs (pictured left) came to speak to Oxfordshire Federation members at Trinity College in March. Ruth Bond covered the recent mandates and emphasised just how much WIs could do to get behind and support campaigning especially in Oxfordshire where we have shown our support for positive action on issues from ACWW, climate change, ending Violence against Women (EVAW) and prison reform. Among the 43 recommendations in her report, Baroness Corston called for a ban on routine strip-searching of women in prison, a government "champion" to oversee policy on women offenders and a network of women's community centre for those at risk of offending. |
Lady Corston made it clear that the dominant male ethos of prisons is particularly inappropriate for women offenders and that the majority of young women in prison are in need of assistance with social and emotional problems, often resulting from childhood traumas. Self-harm, as a way of coping with this grief, is commonplace amongst women prisoners. Over 40 per-cent of women in prison either self-harm or attempt suicide.
She spoke of various pilot schemes that are now under way such as the Together Women projects were for providing a route back into the community for women offenders and reducing re-offending rates. Moreover, they are certainly value for money with the cost of a place at one of them - the Asha centre-costing no more than £750 a year compared to the £77,000 cost of a prison place She was able to announce at the conference that that whilst not all; the recommendations had yet to be accepted by the Government, the routine strip searching of women is no longer a requirement thanks to the report.
The feedback from OFWI members was overwhelming with many saying that they wanted to be more involved in helping vulnerable women on our communities develop life skills.
CRAFT DABBLE DAY |
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More than 100 members packed Yarnton Village Hall for this full day of craft tasters. Members had a variety of options from crochet to card making and rug ragging to willow weaving and a few more besides. By moving around from table to table as spaces became free, most went home with a couple of cards, a fabric corsage, a piece of rug, weaving and crochet plus a fish, woven from willow and rush. Tea, coffee and biscuits were available all day to supplement packed lunches and everyone seemed pleased with their results, whether they had stayed all day or just awhile to try something new. No less than three of the many tutors were Board of Trustee members, demonstrating how versatile they are. Well done, to the members who came and also to the Home & Garden Committee who staged the event as part of our 90th Celebrations.
DAIRY DAY - 23 January |
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A cold January morning saw around seventy WI members gather at Kirtlington Village Hall for a 'Dairy Day'. The first speaker, Neil Rowe, a farmer from Marcham, had been researching, (courtesy of a Nuffield Scholarship) and then implementing on his farm a system of milking which relies on the individual cow going to the milking parlour as and when she pleases. Neil was convinced that the traditional method of morning and evening milking, while convenient for farmers, was not so good for the cows, and that they really enjoyed choosing for themselves, entertained by Classic FM. The information gathered from each cow during the milking process allows Neil to ensure an efficient programme of calving, and also to collect milk produced by some cows which contains high levels of melatonin, well known as a treatment for insomnia, which he can sell to the pharmaceutical industry at three times the normal price for milk.
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As part of a delicious ploughman's (ploughgirl's?) lunch we sampled cheeses made by our afternoon speaker, Roger Crudge of Crudges Cheeses at Kingham. Roger sells his cheese at several Farmers' Markets across our area. He uses unpasteurised cows' and goats' milk, and makes a variety of cheeses for all tastes. We had an entertaining talk, and more samples, while he produced, as we watched, the first process of cheese making. |