THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCERPTS FROM PREVIOUS FEDERATION EVENTS

The singing and drama groups enjoyed entertaining themselves - and us; The flower arrangers learnt how to use coloured oasis to best advantage as can be seen above; the patchwork group worked their magic with their squares of material to come up with a masterpiece like this below called, Through the Garden Gate; the cooks made ready for Christmas - and the wine tasters - well they're ready for Christmas too!

from this

to this

The photos show just some of the activities that went on and we are all looking forward to our next federation weekend which will be in 2009 - OFWI's 90th anniversary year.

BEN FOGLE

There haven't been many speakers across the years who have managed to create such an extraordinary instant rapport with their audiences as Ben Fogle did at the King's Centre in September.   His charm, youth, eloquence and sheer joie de vivre captured us all; he spoke of his background and exploits with candour and enthusiasm.

  We were engaged in the accounts of his adventures from start (usually in a pub, in a state of alcohol-induced bravado) to finish - often physically suffering, as after his Atlantic crossing with James Cracknell.

  Now married for a year, Ben's inclination is to stay at home rather more - although he has spent eight of those twelve months away! He spoke of his background and family, how he grew up not being good at sports, not good enough to get to drama school, not being very academic, and quite happy to admit that he took part in extreme adventures simply in order to take part and finish; winning is not important.

  The audience figures for 'Countryfile' are certain to rise now that Ben had so many more fans in Oxfordshire - we are the first Federation to have invited him to talk to us.

FOOD & FLOWERS

This colourful event was a huge success. Everyone watched in awe as the cookery expert, Sue Bridger, produced some mouthwatering food for all to admire. Recipes were handed out and many notes made as Sue talked her audience through the method, giving lots of useful tips as she went along. This was followed by another expert and professional demonstration, this time of flower arranging, given by Jackie Eyre, who can be seen here with some of her breathtaking arrangements. A truly wonderful occasion.

Turning Science into Art

  To help celebrate 50 years of Particle Physics, the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Didcot invited OFWI members to a lecture presentation on the discoveries that have been made in that field of science. Members were asked to produce instant pieces of artwork on canvas, using paint and sundry other items supplied, and using the talk as inspiration. The amazing pictures produced were to be exhibited at the public versions of the lecture to take place later that week. RAL professors were so impressed with the standard of artwork that they have since decided to exhibit them, along with many photos taken on the day, at other events, including a celebratory dinner. Once again, the WI and Harwell have worked together on a science-based project following, on a smaller scale, the success of the Diamond Site panels, which are now housed in the building next door to the Laboratory. Members really enjoyed a creative day, producing some very beautiful images, as can be seen in the photographs.

DIAMOND SITE - the story of Designs for Life

300 plus members and their families took advantage of a unique opportunity to visit the the Diamond Light Source during construction in 2006. Based at the Harwell Chilton Science campus in Oxfordshire it is the largest science facility to be built in the UK for 30 years. The building will cover the size of about five football pitches and will be the home of intense light beams, a thousand billion times brighter than hospital X-rays. The technology is expected to lead to enormous breakthroughs in the scientific fields of biotechnology, medicine, engineering and environmental sciences.   Since the WI visit, the Oxford Trust, The Diamond Light Source and the WI have joined together and with funding from the Wellcome Foundation have planned, designed and produced a huge wall hanging, known as Designs for Life, for the atrium of the main building. Shown in the photograph are Lord Lieutenant, Hugo Brunner, and Maureen White, OFWI Project Leader, showing samples of the designs they considered right at the start of the project.

Anne Griffiths, a member of Filkins & Broughton Poggs WI and an expert textile artist, was one of our super-stitchers coordinating the design of the fabric panels which more than 90 WI members began creating at the end of April. With a team of Group Leaders, Anne masterminded the making of 30 panels, each 50cm square, which make up into two huge hangings to be displayed in the atrium of the building. The photo (left) shows Anne with Claire Dimond of the Diamond Site at the OFWI AGM.

Shown here is one of the last panels to be completed for the Diamond Site hanging. It represents the aspergyllus fungus, which is given off by rotting leaves and compost heaps. This can cause breathing difficulties and asthma in those who are allergic to it. Pictured discussing the design and putting the finishing touches to the panel are, from the left, Group Leader Jane Probitts (Stoke Row WI), Jennifer Smith from Greys, Jeanette Creewel from Stoke Row and Elaine Douglas from Peppard WI. This is the second panel the Group took on with members from Dunsden, Woodcote, Goring and South Stoke. Their first one was of a DNA fingerprint, worked in seminal patchwork. Altogether 30 members helped on these two panels and Jane says they are sorry the project is over. They have enjoyed getting together and working as a team and "don't know what we are going to do with ourselves now!"

Also pictured is Joan Creese, Stanton St John WI, adding her few stitches to a panel at the Federation Weekend at Denman College, where more than 70 members had the chance to add their bit while they were attending courses there.

The panels for the 'Design for Life' project are now complete. OFWI has been greatly privileged to be involved in this project. The photograph shows some of the OFWI stitchers admiring their panels at Science Oxford where the panels were first exhibited.

Further information on the Diamond Light Source can be seen on www.diamond.ac.uk, the Oxford Trust on www.oxtrust.org.uk and the Wellcome Foundation on www.wellcome.ac.uk. For further details on Anne Griffiths and her stitching you can also visit www.stitchhost.co.uk/pocketmouse/home.php and click on Designs for Life for more pictures of the panels. The photo here shows some of the Trustees adding their stitch to one of the panels at a Board meeting.

Inauguration of the Designs for Life art piece at The Diamond Light Source

Over 150 members of the Federation gathered together at Diamond Light Source in November 2007 to mark the finale of one of the largest art/science projects in the UK. The innovative science/art collaboration - called Designs for Life - resulted in the production of 30 textile art panels depicting some of the 'dangerously beautiful' viruses and diseases such as HIV, breast cancer and Alzheimer's, that are likely to be investigated as part of biosciences research at the new UK synchrotron facility. The ceremony saw the artwork installed in its final position in the atrium of the Diamond Light Source building as can be seen here.

  Everyone concerned is justifiably proud of the final result. Isabelle Boscaro-Clarke, Diamond's Head of Communications says, "Diamond is extremely grateful to all the members of the Oxfordshire Federation of Women's Institutes who contributed to this exciting science/art project. The initiative has been a fantastic success and reflects Diamond's commitment to working with the local community to promote a better understanding of our work."

  The photo on the left shows members admiring their work and on the right, Steeple Aston WI members with their panel which depicted the Foot & Mouth disease.

HM The Queen meets our Super Stitchers

  In November 2007 Anne Griffiths, Filkins & Broughton Poggs WI, introduced HM The Queen, to Pauline Goddard, Federation Chairman, and Pat Clark, Burford & Fulbrook WI. It was a great thrill when several of the members who had been involved with the design and production of the Designs for Life project received their silver invitations to the official opening of the synchrotron building. Imagine the delight and excitement when it was discovered it was to be in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.

Anne Griffiths was given the task of explaining the reasoning behind the panels and introducing our super stitchers to her majesty. The Queen smiled warmly at everyone and spoke to several, with her Lady in Waiting bringing up the rear, followed by Hugo Brunner the Lord Lieutenant.

Reassembling in the atrium the Queen and Prince Phillip joined them once again for the official unveiling of a sculpture. Following this it was outside to watch the Red Devils parachuting down and then champagne and cake cutting, collecting a commemorative book and, an added bonus, a limousine ride back to the distant car park. A day they will all treasure for many years to come.   All photos by kind permission of The Diamond Light Source

OFWI now has a splendid Scrapbook about the making of the Designs for Life panels. This superb scrapbook was compiled by Valerie Cantrell of Sutton Courtenay WI, ably assisted by Maureen White of Wolvercote WI. With beautiful photographs of the panels, the story is told of how the project progressed from a small mention to a very prestigious project, all turned into a very professional looking scrapbook. The page on Alzheimer's Plaques is pictured.

FLOODS IN OXFORDSHIRE

OFWI recognized from the first the value of being on a register whereby our organisation's various skills and talents could be implemented in the event of any type of emergency in Oxfordshire.

After consultation with John Kelly, the County Emergency Planning Officer, several of our volunteers took part in training days. Members had a presentation by John at our AGM at Oxford Town Hall and from this we were able to construct a list of prime contacts who in turn would cascade and involve others. This plan was put into good use during the recent floods and Oxfordshire Federation of Women's Institutes are proud to have been of help.   The whole ethos of our organisation is built upon voluntary work and we value each and every one of our members who give so freely of their time in many aspects of community life. Some of our members here can be seen helping out at the Eynsham Rest Centre for those evacuated from residential homes in Witney.

  Many of our members have since been invited to Receptions to thank the all those who helped out during the floods.

On the left we see a member of Wheatley WI being thanked by the Duchess of Gloucester and below a small group of volunteers from the Abingdon Fire Service and district.

LARS THARP

Followers of the Antiques Roadshow were in for a real treat as they arrived at the King's Centre for a Lunch with Lars Tharp, one of the specialists on porcelain from the programme. Two such lunches were held in June and July. Greeted with a lovely glass of Pimms, guests had time to chat before taking their seats at the tables ready to be entertained by the charming, Copenhagen born, Lars. He told stories from behind the making of the programme, with amusing anecdotes of the presenters as well as of the antique items and their owners and, of course, values. A superb lunch was served with more Pimms and time to chat and walk round the centre over coffee time. Lars then continued with pictures of some of the programmes' discoveries and then comprehensibly described and valued some of the items the guests had brought along.   It turned out to be a very relaxed and enjoyable way to spend four hours in very good company, as can be seen in the photographs.

OFWI AGM 2007

The 2007 AGM offered a variety of interesting speakers as well as the latest Federation news. Liz Eaton, NFWI Trustee and former OFWI Chairman, came to report back from the Cycle Cuba project she had organised to raise money for Denman College. 34 cyclists, including 3 from Oxfordshire had taken part and Liz had been greatly impressed by the team bonding that had carried them all through some very difficult moments. The staggering sum of £80,000 had been raised so far and Liz praised the efforts of all who took part and thanked Oxfordshire members for their support of the project.   The photo shows Chairman Pauline presenting Cecilia Leighton with a bouquet for her 100th birthday as we all sang "Happy Birthday".

  Churchill, Sarsden & Kingham WI had proposed a Resolution which read, " The WI urges HM Government to consider realistic alternatives to prison for women, with particular reference to the drastic effect on their children and families". This was passed with a very large majority and more information is available on the Current Affairs page. Sara Thornton, Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, was the guest speaker for the morning session and gave members a fascinating insight into life as a policewoman and her rise through the ranks.

The afternoon speaker Gabriela Leonowicz had us crying with laughter at her entertaining talk. Displayed in front of the stage were the final Diamond site panels, including the members' panel in the centre, to which so many members added at least one stitch each, as it travelled around the county. All thirty panels are now on tour, see Federation Projects for details. This will be your last chance to see them before they go to the Diamond Site so, if you have not seen them already, do go, they are well worth a visit.

Easter Parade Showcase

  The prize winners were:

Challenge Shield for 'Come to Tea' - Wheatley WI- see photo left Runners Up - The Heyfords WI 3rd - Otmoor WI OFWI Cookery Cup for Lemon Drizzle Cake - Brenda Oliver, Stonesfield WI 2nd - Janet Veale, Quarry WI 3rd - Doreen Whitton, Weston-on-the Green WI Challenge Cup for Flower Arrangement - Julia White, Weston-on- the-Green WI 2nd - Joan Creese, Stanton St. John WI Joint 3rd - Kaye Trollope, Shipton-under-Wychwood WI, Peggy Miles, Chinnor WI

Mac Grundy Cup for Simnel Cake - Susan Partridge, Shiplake WI (on right) 2nd - Nancy Lyle, Churchill, Sarsden & Kingham WI 3rd - Sue Evans, Shiplake WI (on left) Easton Hastings Cup for Lemon Curd - Jane Wilson, South Leigh WI 2nd - Pat Bannister, Shipton-under-Wychwood WI 3rd - Wendy Bridgeman, Churchill, Sarsden & Kingham WI

Julia Downes Cup for an Easter Card - Karen Howes, Stonesfield WI Joint 2nd - Virginia Lawrence, Otmoor WI; Corrine Mitchell, Shelswell WI; Nancy Willington, Charlton WI. Picture shows winning cards. Tusmore Cup for a Planted Container - Jane Maddon, Marston WI 2nd - Linda Franklin, Otmoor WI 3rd - Hilda Hyde, Stonesfield WI Children's decorated Easter egg Up to 7 years old - Nicole Bishop 7-11 years old - Stuart Howse

OXFORD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Pauline Goddard, Federation Chairman, and Diana Kerley, Federation Treasurer, were invited to the Donor Open Day held in December at the new Children's Hospital . They found the new premises to be bright, colourful and well thought out and were very impressed by the play and leisure facilities for all ages and physical ability. For example, the outside area (flanked on all sides by the building so in effect an internal enclosure) had a division so the more able and boisterous wouldn't knock into those who were more frail but still able to enjoy the outdoor environment.

  There are one or two Common Rooms with fittings as diverse as a kitchenette, tables and chairs, soft seating, books and sewing machines. It is here that children would be able to keep abreast of their schooling or pass the time away as they pleased. The cartoons above are used to identify certain areas of the hospital and children have much fun in looking for their animal character on the new ward signs around the hospital.

  The Hospital was officially opened in January 2007 amid much media attention. OFWI are very proud to state that donations from almost all our WIs have helped to make this possible. We look forward to seeing the OFWI plaque in place in the Milk Kitchen. This was thought to be particularly relevant to the WI, remembering how and why the organisation began in the days of Adelaide Hoodless when infants were dying in rural areas due to a poor knowledge of milk hygiene. It is hoped to have a plaque stating this reasoning installed in the Kitchen, which will be fully equipped for parents to prepare their baby's milk and food, while they are staying in the hospital.

2006

AN EVENING WITH PAM AYRES

The lucky 900 that went to this Celebrity event had a very enjoyable evening. Pam Ayres was clearly delighted to be in front of a "home" audience and in fact knew some of them from her childhood days in Stanford in the Vale. She now lives in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in a delightful farmhouse with her husband, two dogs and has her own sheep and cattle. She told the audience stories of all of this, interspersed with relevant poems of course. The cocktail nibbles and drinks disappeared fast from the many trays being taken around in the interval. After question time, Pam drew the winning raffle tickets and then chatted happily as she signed books and programmes. She is pictured here with Pauline Goddard, Federation Chairman. The transportation of 900 people to and from the two Park and Rides went as smoothly as could be expected given the logistics of fourteen coach trips to organise. Everyone was returned safely to their cars, having had a happy and sociable evening amongst friends, which is just as a WI event should be!

MIDSUMMER FAYRE

What a glorious day we had. Hot and sunny, with more than 500 members and guests, the College grounds were filled with chatter, children, competition and a full day of stalls, games and events to take in. The dogs and ducks were very popular, with the ducks enjoying their splashdown from the water slide, see picture. The stars were probably the Irish dancers, who had a delightful 4 year old Molly in their line up (as pictured) but the whole day was a huge success.

  It was good to see so many children enjoying the day. They had plenty to see and do with a fire tender and the Air Ambulance helicopter there and games to play. Target Bowls and Welly-Wanging proved very popular with young and old alike.

  Some of the Sport and Leisure Committee are pictured here taking a well earned break between organising badminton and bowls.

The pig roast and ice creams provided a welcome addition to members' picnics as they relaxed under the shade of Denman College's trees and the cold drinks and strawberry scones were well received all afternoon. The proceeds from the raffle on the day were handed to a very grateful Liz Eaton for her Cycle Cuba Challenge to add to her total raised for the College refurbishment.

CYCLE CUBA

16 - 25 November 2006

  Oxfordshire Federation send their congratulations to Liz Eaton and Sue Evans on completion of Cycle Cuba and are delighted to give Liz's report below.

  We did it! - we Cycled Cuba - and 'We did it for Denman' and what a fantastic experience it was. The letters and emails that I have received from our bikers since we returned home have shown how life changing and fulfilling their challenge was. The comradeship and support that extended throughout the group is absolutely wonderful and just what the WI is all about. At times I find it almost overwhelming.

  So what about Cuba? It is such a very beautiful county, but it is a police state - and it is so very poor too. Our biking started from the Bay of Pigs, and we had the opportunity to visit the museum showing the Cuban view of the American's invasion in 1961.

  The bike ride was quite eventful - with the first puncture as we started out on the first morning! The first fall also occurred on the first day when one of us sailed over the handlebars! Fortunately no bones were broken. The scenery in the Escambray Mountains and along the Caribbean coastline was absolutely magnificent. One particular special memory is everyone singing Jerusalem whilst half way up a mountain - we really did!

  Havana is a changing city due to money which I believe has been donated by UNESCO. Many of the dilapidated buildings are once more looking splendid as they undergo a major face lift. Cuba too may change greatly in the near future -and I feel privileged to have visited now and to have talked to our support team about their lives and what they have to cope with. Maybe our contact and friendship will be of use to them in the future.

  Do not be mistaken into thinking this was one big holiday - the tail winds never got behind us (as promised!) so we were constantly facing long steep 'undulating' hills whilst cycling straight into head winds. And the heat…. We had a major dehydration - which gave me the opportunity to be rushed through the narrow streets of Trinidad in a wailing ambulance as I accompanied one very poorly cyclist, but I also witnessed the kindness and expertise of the medical staff who had so little of the equipment we would expect to see in hospitals here - AND was it squeaky clean. We also had four muggings during our final afternoon - and a mad panic to get those bikers out of the police station, new passports and to the airport in time for their flight home.

  But now all the difficulties are but a distant memory and we are fixing a date to meet up again at Denman, not just to carry on friendships but also to be at the very place that we all worked so hard for so long, to support. At the moment I do not know how much we raised but it will be over £50,000. I personally, and Denman, would like to thank all Oxfordshire WIs and individual members, most sincerely, for their support.

FEDERATION WEEKEND 2006

Seventy OFWI members filled Denman College for a Federation Weekend in June. The courses on offer to choose from were Watercolour painting for beginners, Talks and slides of St Petersburgh, Beadwork Jewellery, and a very upmarket Cookery course.

The painting group are pictured (left) with their tutor and some of their results behind them, while the St Petersburgh group are seen (above) outside in the college gardens to take advantage of the beautiful weather.

  The course entitled Contemporary Cooking for Ladies Who Lunch was the envy of the College when they made the most of the shade thrown by wonderful trees at Denman to enjoy their lunch.

They later enjoyed wine and a mouthwatering selection of canapes a sample of which are shown here.

  Other members are pictured here waiting for the evening entertainment to begin.

This is a traditional do-it-yourself evening where members provide their own entertainment in the form of poems and readings etc in a very humourous and sometimes surprising display of hidden talent, after a hard days work at their chosen subject. Breaking with tradition, this was held outside as the evening was so hot. This made for an interesting finale by the two College Chairmen, our own Pauline Goddard and Barbara Gray, who had to do their reading by improvised torchlight as it had got quite dark by then!

  A very good time was had by all and we can't wait for the next one in November 2007.

NFWI AGM Cardiff June 2006

Fay Mansell took the Chair of her first AGM with charm and confidence. As her photo shows she obviously enjoyed the day and was full of smiles.   She paid tribute to Barbara Gill and highlighted Barbara's interest in forming partnerships with industry and Government such as her work on Food Standards and children's diets in particular. This then was the theme of the morning speakers, from a campaigning chef, to the Food Standards Agency to Marks and Spencer's presentation on trans fatty acids and what they are doing about them.   The two resolutions were debated and passed, see below for further details. The Treasurer's report was very upbeat, thanks to several bequests in memory of past members.

  Liz Eaton, former OFWI Chairman and now on the NFWI Board, gave an interesting update on the training progress of the 34 members and friends (33 ladies and one lone man!) who are doing "Cycle Cuba". This fundraiser for Denman College sets off in November on a testing cycle ride round Cuba. Two Oxfordshire members are taking part, Liz herself and Sue Evans from Shiplake WI. If anyone would like to help sponsor either of them, cheques can be made out to either of these admirable ladies and sent into the Federation office to be passed on. WIs are allowed to donate from funds raised as this is to the benefit of all members.

  During the lunch break, members could see the winning entries for the photo competition, the scrapbooks and the Makower Quilts. Our congratulations to Josie Johns from Stanton St John WI, who was awarded a second place in the photo competition. Her entry for 'Women in Action', which showed a lady engrossed in preparing fish in a fishmongers market stall, was excellent. There was some stiff opposition from many other entrants and Josie did extremely well to come second in this category. Josie's photo is seen on display, far left, amongst its competitors at the Cardiff AGM.

  The amazing Makower quilts included an entry from Mavis Graham, Sutton Courtenay WI, who gained a very worthy runner up place. Her stunning quilt (left) called Fantasy of Flowers is seen here in all its glittering glory. The winning quilt (right) came from Surrey Federation and was titled Gothic Fancy.

  A hot and sunny day, that for most of us had started a little earlier in the day (6 am) than we would have chosen, but proved to be very worthwhile and enjoyable. And the coach pickups worked well too!

SCRAPBOOKS FOR 90@90 STEPPING OUT

  OFWI chose three scrapbooks, the makers of which have received talking pedometers as a prize, from those sent in by WIs across Oxfordshire for this NFWI competition.

  Sample pages are pictured here but cannot do justice to the amount of work which obviously went into their making. Members have again shown how imaginative and gifted they are at producing items such as this.

  The books from Chalgrove WI and Shutford WI went forward to NFWI for final judging. The winning book, announced at the AGM in Cardiff, is pictured here, an entry from Dorset Federation.

CHOX - The Oxford Children's Hospital

As a substantial contributor to the Oxford Children's Hospital Fund, the OFWI was invited to visit the new building at the John Radcliffe site in the early stages of construction. Four members of the Board of Trustees joined a small group for a tour of the site led by Assistant Project Director, Karen Kearns. After a short briefing on Health and Safety, Trustees were asked to don hard hats, fluorescent jackets, tough gloves and steel-reinforced boots before they set off.

  It was all most impressive, from the walls painted in lots of lovely colours, to the murals and signs for the various departments. Even the wooden floors have tiles inserted with various animal and bird tracks pointing the way for little feet to follow. There are both indoor and outdoor playrooms for the younger children and adolescents will be able to play pool and practice their drumming and guitar-playing skills in a soundproof room without disturbing other patients. Another welcome feature was that each bed for inpatients has a bed beside it to enable a parent to stay beside their child. The whole atmosphere has been designed to make a hospital stay or visit as pleasant as possible for sick children, so that they will not have too unhappy memories of their time in hospital. The Children's Hospital is due to open in early 2007 and OFWI members can be proud to have helped to make it happen.

In June four members of OFWI Board of Trustees were very proud indeed to represent their members at a reception at The House of Lords, sponsored by Lord Drayson, who lives in Oxfordshire with his young family and is also helping with CHOX funding. The major fundraisers had been invited and between us 8 of the 15 million pound target has been raised. Also represented were corporate fundraisers such as the Newsquest Group (Oxford Times, etc. who have been raising money through their readers) and several individual families who have had a child treated at the Radcliffe and wanted to make a contribution to help others in need of care.

  OFWI has chosen to have a Milk Kitchen named after them. It was thought to be particularly relevant to WI, remembering how and why the organisation began in the days of Adelaide Hoodless when infants were dying in rural areas due to a poor knowledge of milk hygiene. It is hoped to have a plaque stating this reasoning installed in the Kitchen, which will be fully equipped for parents to prepare their baby's milk and food, while they are staying in the hospital. Trustees are pictured with Lord and Lady Drayson (far left).

OFWI AGM 2006

Audience participation to enable members to have a stretch and change from sitting down. A lot of arm waving exercise which had to be seen to be believed! Our AGMs are definitely not boring!

  750 delegates and guests met in Oxford Town Hall for this occasion and after a warm welcome from Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Pauline Goddard, Federation Chairman gave her address and told how the federation had enjoyed an excellent year with numerous activities including workshops, competitions, outings and sporting events. Pauline told how OFWI are keen to raise the profile of current affairs within the federation and intend to form a separate committee named, Campaigning and Current Affairs. Looking forward Pauline launched the Midsummer Fayre to be held at Denman College on Monday 24 July when many attractions will provide an excellent day out for members, their families and friends. A new look for News & Views, the federation newsletter, has met with many compliments and Pauline was pleased to inform members that the cost has been frozen for the second year. In conclusion Pauline urged members to spare a thought for shy, new members when they walk into their local WI meetings and welcome them with one of the great strengths of the WI organisation - friendship.

OFWI Chairman, Pauline Goddard, is seen having lunch with Anne Harrison from NFWI, who came to explain the advantages and benefits of having the new membership magazine, which will be known as WI Life, delivered as part of our membership subscription.

  Diana Kerley, Federation Treasurer gave a short presentation on the Accounts for the year ending 31 October 2005 and these were subsequently approved by delegates. Other speakers for the day included Liz Eaton on Cycle Cuba (more below); John Kelly, County Emergency Planning Officer, who briefed members on their role in the case of an emergency in Oxfordshire; Maureen White, Chairman of Home & Garden Committee on the wall hanging OFWI are helping to design and produce at the Diamond Light Source (more below); Sue Cox, 2nd Vice Chairman, on forthcoming campaign against excess packaging Day and son of James Herriott (photo below). A packed and enjoyable day for delegates and guests alike.

Speaker James Wight, the son and biographer of James Herriot, gave a very amusing and very" Yorkshire" account of his life. He is pictured signing books for members.

Vice Chairman Sue Cox chats to guest speaker Hilary Moriarty over lunch. This lively writer of the Not the WI Diary in Home & Country had a very infectious sense of humour and told us how as a member entering a piece for the Lady Denman Cup led to her being asked to write for the magazine. Inspiration for us all to enter more competitions perhaps?

  S.W.I.M. (Searching for W.I. Members) The purpose of the SWIM campaign was to challenge each WI to increase their membership level by at least 10%. An award was to be given to the WI achieving the highest growth for the period ending 28 February 2006. How did we do? We have 155 WIs, with a total membership of 4490 at the beginning of April 2005. By the end of February 2006 our membership had grown by 255 giving a new total of 4745, which is an overall growth for the Federation of 5.67%. Eleven WIs achieved 20% and over, but the overall winner with an increase of 35.29% was Sunningwell and Bayworth WI who were delighted to receive a cheque for £50. The photo below shows the President, Mrs Dee (left) receiving the cheque from Ruth Webb, former Chairman of the Membership Committee. The worthy runner-up was Walton Manor WI, who managed a 34.78% growth and received a cheque for £25.

2005

A Day of Dance and Laughter

  Laugther lines got as much exercise as did the dancing feet of members at the excellent Federation Day of Dance and Fitness. After mastering the Salsa, and rolling shoulders and hips in the Belly Dance, most of the dancers collapsed in laughter while attempting a rather too ambitious country dancing set. A more genteel creative dance, based around the Ascot Gavotte from My Fair Lady, produced some lovely hats.

WORLD PRESIDENT COMES TO ABINGDON

  Nearly 100 Oxfordshire WI members met at the Northcourt Centre for A Taste of Malaysia with Ursula Goh, World President of the Associated Country Women of the World, and Chee Hoong, who is a student at Oxford University. In a room enhanced with posters, maps and orchids, Ursula told of her childhood on a rubber plantation in Sarawak and also about Malaysia as it is now. She also gave much food for thought about the women of the world and what ACWW does. Chee is from Penang and told of his early life there and how the country has changed over the years, using the flag to emphasise his points. He also taught us a few words of the Malay language. Many questions followed and members were fired with enthusiasm to visit Malaysia. A lunch with a Malaysian flavour followed which was much appreciated and we then heard from a member who was brought up in pre-war Malaya and escaped the Japanese invasion. A quiz followed and several members went home bearing orchids as raffle prizes. On a very wintry day in Oxfordshire Ursula and Chee had brought some much appreciated sunshine.

HALLOWEEN SHOWCASE

  Stunning colours of autumn and Halloween made a spectacular display at Exeter Hall. The WI corporate entries were of a very high standard and members and visitors alike were delighted at the imagination and skills shown in depicting the theme of Halloween. Individual entries, particularly the flower arrangements and wonderful knitted garments, added yet more colour and vibrance to the hall and the winning Fudge Muffins looked most tempting! Craft demonstrations offered further interest and helped round off a very successful event. Pictured below is Virginia Lawrence, Otmoor WI, receiving the Mac Grundy Cup for her marmalade from the Federation Chairman, Pauline Goddard.

  and the winners of the CHALLENGE SHIELD for a niche on the theme of Halloween were:

  Shipton-under-Wychwood (centre display on photo below)

  Very well done to you all!

Gervase Phinn

  Oxfordshire WI members and guests had a most entertaining evening in the company of Gervase Phinn this autumn. Gervase has many hilarious tales from his life as a Schools Inspector in the Yorkshire Dales, and being a born raconteur, gave us all an evening to remember. He is seen here with our Federation Chairman, Pauline Goddard, and the following accolades sum up an extremely successful event.

"What a lovely evening we had with gervase Phinn! Served delicious canapes with our drinks and a speaker who made us laugh till we cried. Congratulations on a very successful evening."

"... looking around the audience during the evening, everyone laughing and enjoying themselves, was a real tonic. The only problem was that the time went far too quickly, we could have listened to Gervase for hours!"

"... as was expected, Gervase proved to be a brilliant speaker - but the whole evening was a delight..."

Walking holiday in Shropshire

  In 2005 twenty-six intrepid members spent a very happy weekend walking in the hills of Shropshire, organised by the Sport and Leisure Committee. Staying in a splendid hotel, nestled spectacularly in the forested hills around Long Mynd most of us walked about 20 miles over the four days. A very happy and well mixed band of members and guests, including a few brave husbands, returned refreshed from the break.

Some members pictured on a walk on Christmas Common, an eight mile walk which some were more surprised than others to complete! A good laugh, a very steep hill, interesting walks through the Paul Getty family Estate, red kites, deer and March hares, all helped to make it a very enjoyable and fulfilling walk. Not forgetting the pub and picnic stop halfway!

OFWI AGM 2005

  Oxfordshire WI members were in for a treat when they turned out in their hundreds for their AGM. A surprise guest, hardly known to any of them, proved to be an amazing success! Paul Whittaker, profoundly deaf since birth, spoke for an hour with such precision and humour that his audience were themselves left almost speechless with admiration. Some 450 members listened to Paul, who founded an organisation to encourage and enable children who are deaf, to learn to play music. An accomplished piano player himself, he struggled in his youth to find a music teacher that would take him on, bearing in mind he can neither hear what is said or played to him, and also that he cannot hear what he himself is playing. Eventually, one of our own colleges in Oxford took this difficult task on and so Paul has a place in his heart for our City and was happy to make the trip down south (he lives in the North of England) to speak to WI members and re-visit the City that turned his life around. He was clearly delighted to see inside the impressive Town Hall, where he had passed by many times some 20 years ago. With his infectious sense of humour and comic timing, WI members were left in awe of his abilities as he played the piano and, as a finale, "sang" to us in sign language, miming perfectly to a recorded CD that he could not hear, but his audience could.

  During the rest of the meeting a cheque was presented to Dr Peter Richards from the John Radcliffe Hospital (seen in photograph with Pauline Goddard, Chairman of OFWI). WI members have raised over £18,000 for the building and equipping of the new Children's Hospital which will open there in 2006.

  The WI National Chairman, Barbara Gill, also spoke, giving a resume of her time as Chairman so far, with some humorous anecdotes of this the 90th year of WI. These highlight were interspersed with some business, presentations of sporting trophies and other achievements and college bursary draws and members left a very busy all day meeting in high spirits.

Pictured are the beautiful tote bags made by members for the Gold Medal Competion. These were on display at the AGM and much admired by the members and guests. The winning bag, shown in the centre of the second photograph,was made by Lynn Higgins of Holton and Waterperry WI and she was presented with the Gold Medal. The Silver Medal went to Jane Madden of Marston WI.

2004 - OFWI CELEBRATED 85 YEARS

The Jubilee 69 group arranged a celebratory evening, starring Colin Dexter, of Inspector Morse fame.(Pictured with Pauline Goddard, Federation Chairman) A very amusing and modest man, he is a born storyteller with superb comic timing and had the audience enthralled.

A different kind of celebration is on permanent display in Abingdon, for the summer at least. A local member organised, in conjunction with "Abingdon in Bloom", a garden especially planted with the initials WI, and a plaque commemorating our 85th birthday. This garden, pictured below, could be seen near the shopping centre in Abingdon.

Members gathered at Denman College in July to celebrate 85 years of OFWI. More than 350 members went to the grand picnic birthday party and although the sun could have shone more it stayed fine enough for picnics in the beautiful gardens and more than one bottle of wine could be seen amongst the cups of tea. For those with energy to spare there were sporting activities to try, including the Parachute Game as shown in the photos below and boules and badminton for the more enthusiastic.

FIJIAN EVENING

  The International Sub Committee hosted an excellent Fijian Evening recently and members were able to see, hear and learn about the different traditions, costumes and crafts of that fascinating country. Shown below is a Fijian Warrior and a young Fijian girl in a wedding dress.

TRICIA STEWART AT THE AGM IN OXFORD TOWN HALL 2004   Tricia Stewart, Calendar Girl, congratulates new OFWI Chairman, Pauline Goddard