More than 600 members attended this meeting in the Town Hall, Oxford. In the assembly room we could spend money at the retail tables, look in awe at the splendid Scrapbook about the making of the Designs for Life panels, wonder at the needlecraft involved in the construction of the many Gold Medal Competition boxes (see details and photo below) and have a cup of coffee before the meeting began in the main hall.
| The 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 book. If you missed it, look out for it at future large County meetings. The "flu" page is pictured. |
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In view of that days' discussion in Parliament on the closure of Post Offices, the encouragement to take action from the Campaigning and Current Affairs committee was particularly topical. Next we heard from two speakers on the NFWI Resolutions, both very convincing. We are urged to vote for the ban on bottom trawling for fish as it is so indiscriminately destructive. A good case was made too for the resolution on the inappropriate imprisonment of the mentally ill.
After a quick but entertaining "Stand and Stretch", photographed, the current Chairman of Betty's Tea Rooms and Yorkshire Tea made a very good case for being a WI member, and obviously regrets that, as a man, he cannot belong. The final speaker for the morning was Baroness Harris of Richmond of the House of Lords who gave an account of her work. | 
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After lunch and the latest 400+ Club draw, came the presentation of various awards. Marion Wotherspoon, Duns Tew WI is seen collecting her award for golf. Stephen Hackett, also pictured, is the new Principal of Denman College. He told us how the new buildings were coming along, including the one in which OFWI will sponsor a second bedroom.
Following the raffle and Denman Dip, the meeting ended on a humorous note with a very light hearted talk from Jen Green. She told us about her Auntie May, who turned out to have been quite a character, but this was only discovered after her death. You had to be there to see the funny side, and if you were not there because you think AGMs are dull, think again and try it next time if you can.
| The Gold Medal competition for 2008 was for a fabric box, not more than 30cm in any direction, made using a sewing needle. The winner is Jane Maddon of Marston WI; in 2nd place Paula Hessian, Weston on the Green WI, and in 3rd place Brenda Oliver, Stonesfield WI. |
| Many members visited the Gladstone Pottery and Wedgewood earlier this year. Here are some of the lovely photos they sent in. |
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CHOLSEY WI, newly formed in February 2008, can be seen here agreeing to start their own WI! Their meetings will be held on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7.30 pm in St Laurence Hall, Church Road, Cholsey. If you happen to live nearby - please go along, you would be made very welcome. | 
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From the moment we stepped through the door, Denman College worked its magic on Oxfordshire WI members! We all loved our tutors, our tutors loved us! We learnt lots of new skills and made numerous new friends - what more could be asked of a federation weekend.
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!
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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.
| 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.
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. | 
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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.
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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.
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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. 
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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. | 
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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.
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