We are delighted to welcome GINGHAM GIRLS WI, KINGSTON BLOUNT WI, WALLINGFORD WI and WEST OXFORDSHIRE WI to the Oxfordshire Federation.
The Gingham Girls WI will be meeting on the first Tuesday of the month at 8pm in the Fogwell Sports Pavilion, Fogwell Road in Botley, Oxford.
Kingston Blount WI will be meeting on the 2nd Monday of the month at 7.45pm in Kingston Blount Village Hall.
Wallingford WI will be meeting on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Portcullis Social Club, Goldsmith Lane in Wallingford.
West Oxfordshire WI will be meeting on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7.30pm in St Mary's Parish Room in Chipping Norton.
New members are very welcome at all these venues - just go along! Further details from OFWI 01869 331081.
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An exhibition of members' talent with textiles was held in Horton-cum-Studley in October 2011. A fabulous collection of different crafts was displayed, from a wedding dress and christening gowns, through many quilts, big and small, pictures fashioned in stitches and beads, knitted goods and crochet, lacework and a tapestry firescreen, to coats of many colours.
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Members have also made 70 pennants, each one unique, for the Olympic Games in London next year. These were displayed at the well attended exhibition before being taken to the organisers of the Games. They will now sort and photograph them, before they are exhibitied in the Houses of Parliament and then each participant will be given one in their welcome pack at the Games. So, a little piece of Oxfordshire could end up on the other side of the world, adorning someone's wall.
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These pictures show just some of the wonderful examples of members' creativity, patience and skill.
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A new initative this year, the two Ladies Who Lunch events, were held in Benson and Shipton-under-Wychwood and proved a great success. The food was imaginative and extremely well received, and the speaker, Julie Summers pictured, was as always highly professional, interesting and informative. Members are already looking forward to next year's Lunches! |
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The semi-finals of the Darts League were played in Abingdon this summer between teams from Shipton-under-Wychwood WI, Garsington WI and two teams from Stoke Row WI, each having won their own league played throughout the year. With Stoke Row A team and Shipton-under-Wychwood going through to the final matches, play continued after a sandwich and chip supper. A very close match ended 3-2 to Shipton-under-Wychwood, pictured left, and the trophy and plate were duly presented in front of the supporters. The runners up, Stoke Row A team, are pictured on the right, including their reserve player, far left, who had helped to get them to the finals, but did not play on the night. .
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Oxfordshire members who went to the AGM in Liverpool this June were so proud to see Judith Nunn, South Leigh WI, go up on stage to collect the Huxley Cup from the National Chairman for her winning flower arrangement at the East of England show in 2010. It seemed a long wait for the Cup which Judith won last summer, but as you can see, it was well worth the wait! |
The day had the usual popular mix of business interspersed with interesting speakers and a bit of controversy this year when a member from Kent Federation begged leave "to move to the next business" after the debate on the Resolution concerning Mega Farms. Before the voting could take place, this motion was put and carried by the delegates and this means that the WI has no mandate on which to act so there will not be a campaign. The whole area of factory farming, mega farms, environment and animal welfare, not to mention future food security, is now on the nation's agenda.
97.79% of delegates voted FOR, and therefore passed, the resolution entitled, 'The Closure of Local Libraries'. The mandate is as follows:
'This meeting urges H.M. Government to maintain support for local libraries, as an essential local educational and information resource.'
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The Annual Council Meeting was, as always, a wonderful friendly occasion when members could not only meet with others, but hear about the achievements of our members over the last 12 months and enjoy a variety of super speakers.
The Gold Medal competition
for a shoulder bag with a decorated flap produced some stunning creations and the winners, pictured left are Jane Madden, Marston WI, winner of the
Winners Class; Marion West, Cuddesdon & Denton WI, who won the Silver Medal and Kay Shortland, Shipton-under-Wychwood WI, who won the
Gold Medal. Their winning bags are picture on the right.
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The splendid Oxford Town Hall can be seen here with the stage set up for the wonderful illustrated talk by Professor David Mcdonald, founder of Wildcru and Oxford's first Professor of Wildlife Conservation. Who can forget those amazing photos he showed of foxes and the amusing family of meerkats!! |
NORMAN ROCKWELL 29 February
FENCING TASTER DAY 14 MARCH
OFWI ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING 28 March
TRIP TO WORCESTER 17 April
DICKENS LONDON 24 April
MALVERN SPRING SHOW 11 May
ANGLESEY ABBEY, CAMBS 17 May
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) for ticket availability.
Click here for previous News and Pictures.
Please visit our site again for regular updates.