2010

This year the Buckinghamshire Federation celebrated its 90th birthday.  All WIs were invited to hold a Big Friendly WI Coffee Morning in June, and to share the proceeds with the Federation.  Events were held throughout the county,not just coffee mornings but tea parties, breakfasts and lunches, and the £4,000 donated will be used for the new 20-10 Bursary to be available for the first time in 2011.

The main event of this celebratory year was the Anniversary Garden Party held in Stowe Landscape Gardens on August 10th.  1,200 Wi members, their families and friends arrived with picnics, tables, chairs and all manner of awnings ready to enjoy a good day out - then it rained, and rained, and rained!!!!!  Were they downhearted? of course not - there was lots to see and do and some very special cake to be sampled.  Seven 12" rich fruit cakes were made and decorated by Ann Spalton (a past County Chairman) - the list of ingredients is amazing:-

16lbs 10oz currants; 4lbs 6oz raisins; 8lbs 5oz sultanas; 4lbs 6oz mixed peel; 4lbs 6oz cherries; 8lbs 5 oz sugar; 8lbs 5oz butter; 10lbs 8oz flour; 91 eggs; 7 lemons; 2 bottles rum; 8 kilos marzipan; 9 kilos sugar paste; spices and cocoa

What a magnificent way to celebrate 90 wonderful years.