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This evening the members listened to an interesting talk by Bob Harding, a paramedic with 40 years’ experience recounting tales of answering calls to the service. Most of these had been genuine pleas for help but unfortunately some had been a misuse of the service or an unnecessary call out. We spent some time making plans for the coming fund-raising Jazz Night and the Chase Group meeting at Mursley. Nominations were taken in for the committee next year in preparation for our Annual Meeting next month. The entry for the Bucks Village Book was on display and we are quite hopeful that it will be included in the final publication.
The WI Reading Group met on 25th September. A lot of people were still on holiday but had sent in their opinions on “1000 Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hossein . I think everyone had been moved by this novel and felt it was equally worth reading as the “Kite Runner”, his earlier work. The story ends hopefully at 2007 but unfortunately we knew how tragically things had turned out after that date in Afghanistan. It was amazing how the author was able to feel for the sufferings of the women through the constantly changing regimes in their lives and the private situation in their homes. It is tragic to see how the beautiful  cities, the history  and their culture have been destroyed by war. We will have to read the next book by Hossein.
In between whiles, I have been reading two books which are so relevant to the national WI campaigns that I would like to recommend them to you: first, non-fiction, “Somebody I used to Know” by Wendy Mitchell and then a novel by Gail Honeyman called “Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine”. Wendy Mitchell was diagnosed with early onset of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of fifty and she tells her story of how she thought out ways of surviving as normally as possible even though she was fully aware of the slow deterioration of what she could actually achieve. It is a brave account of what can be done, obligatory reading for anyone dealing with this affliction personally or in a family member. Gail Honeyman’s book is sad and hilarious in parts and it is a mystery story too. The main subject is the effects of loneliness and trauma . One just cannot put it down so try and borrow a copy because it will help everyone to understand what loneliness and depression can do to people.

Open air concert at Denman College 15th September
Over 200 WI members with friends and family travelled to Denman College to share in the celebrations planned to mark its 70th birthday. Hosted by the NFWI Chair Lynne Stubbings and Pat Tulip, the vice Chair we were entertained to “Sounds of Summer”. There was music to suit all tastes---Gilbert and Sullivan songs from Opera Anywhere and a contribution from the Young Women’s Music Project, through to symphonies from the Isis Chamber Orchestra followed by the showmanship of the Temple Funk Collective and finishing with a local WI favourite, Lola Lamour singing songs from the shows. The pre-booked hampers were full of lovely food; there were little tents where the visitors could try their hand at willow-work, biscuit decoration or make decorative hearts. For the more active people there were activities such as badminton, croquet, welly whanging and table tennis. Inside the house, tables were laden with haberdashery for sale and of course there was a raffle with generous prizes. A nip in the air towards the end of the evening provided a welcome excuse to visit the bar for warmth of one kind or another.
I couldn’t help wondering why there were not more members from Bucks: after all, we are almost next door to Denman. It is always a risk to attend outside events but we survived abominable weather conditions at Stowe a few years ago and came through cheerfully wet. A pity as so much work had gone into the event and it was such fun! It was advertised in WI Life for several months. There were no coach parties present either but individuals had travelled from Wales and Kent.
September 10th
The local craft group has resumed its meetings. Members are struggling along with their poppies for Remembrance Sunday. We were disappointed to hear that the murder mystery evening at Wendover had been cancelled ---not for lack of support but because the sponsor had pulled out. A shame because the evening had been successful and enjoyed last year.
September 12th
It was sombre listening to the speaker Liz Gough at our monthly meeting. I hasten to add not because of the speaker but because of her subject. Liz has had first-hand experience of helping at refugee stations in Greece. The theme was human trafficking and modern day slavery which are topics relevant to WI campaigns at present. It is difficult for us to imagine the mindset of people prepared to appear to be greeting refugees after the trauma of crossing the seas and then delivering them straight into the hands of the traffickers. We must all keep our eyes open for those poor men, women and children who are unable to escape the clutches of these people. It isn’t just happening elsewhere---it is a local problem too.
The summer tea at Pendley Manor had been enjoyed and plans are well advanced for our Jazz evening in October. Tickets are now available. The village book is in hand. The monthly competitions are well supported now as the members work their way through the alphabet with their entries. I thought “I” was difficult but I think “J “may be more so.
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The original concept behind this blog (as some of you may remember) was that under a cloak of anonymity I could write as an “ordinary” Bucks WI member about what was happening in Bucks WIs and comment on whatever was appearing in the national media of interest and relevant to our campaigns. The reason why I used the photos of gates and doors as my profile picture was because I consider that the WI opens doors to all manner of interests and activities for WI members. This intention still remains good but what does one do when the summer recess is upon us? Many WIs in Bucks do not hold meetings in August but have social gatherings such as outings or cream teas. This is the case with mine: we have had garden events but nearly always we have been rained off or blown away so have become discouraged with that game.
At the end of July, the Book Group met to discuss “Tall Oaks” by Chris Whitaker and last week we had read “Fingers in the Sparkle Jar” by Chris Packham of Spring Watch fame. This tied in with the recent National Federation’s presence at Blenheim Palace with Countryfile. We found Packham’s book fascinating---an insight into understanding the man we see on TV---and it helped us to appreciate the problems of a child suffering from autism. The observation of nature was very detailed and the writing lyrical. We will never look at snails or tadpoles in the same way again.
I attended an exhibition in Milton Keynes on Landscape in Quilts which featured work by local artists some of whom are WI members. It reminded me that Bucks members have been asked to produce squares to represent their village/town /WI for another wall-hanging, comparable to the one which features in the committee room in Stuart Lodge. This comes out on display and will probably be on view at the Bucks County Show this week. If you haven’t seen it or have never been down to visit Stuart Lodge why not pop down on a Tuesday to the shop and explore your Bucks HQ.
I saw in the national press that the first case against someone allowing FGM (female genital mutilation) is coming up in the autumn. This subject has been of concern to the WI for years but so far no cases have been brought to court: perhaps now the campaign to raise awareness will bear fruit. I read in the Bucks WI newsletter that Bucks members are being asked to fill in a questionnaire about their use of the Bucks website. I hope you will do this ---perhaps in social time at your next meeting. I hope those people who read the blog will not condemn it to the bin. You never know, it might get some more readers. Everyone who contributes to the website will welcome your comments because the editors will then know what you want from the site. After all, it is for your information and enjoyment.
September and October are going to be busy months for WI members so we look forward to getting out and about to meetings again after the summer holidays.
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Yesterday 39 Bucks members visited the National Stud at Newmarket and then spent the afternoon in Ely. We were under grey skies all day but that was probably a relief from the recent heatwave. This outing was arranged by the Science and Society sub-committee who always plan interesting and educational events. We had the services of a very good guide full of information about the horses which we were able to view close at hand and even pat the foals and mares. No such liberties allowed with the stallions! However, we didn’t receive any racing tips for the Newmarket meeting today. After that we were driven on to the city of Ely for a lunch stop and went sightseeing. Most people viewed the beautiful Cathedral even climbing up the tower and the belfry, others went to look at the wonderful stained glass exhibition and others visited Oliver Cromwell’s House and the Maltings down by the river. There was so much to see that I think we might be able to repeat this part of the day in the future. Thanks to the girls who organised the event and brought us all home safely.
While we all bask in the reflected glory of a victorious football team, I think the UK should also share the success of another team---the seven expert divers who have risked their lives to extricate those youngsters from the cave in Thailand. I know I am not the only one who has thought of that scenario, both above and below ground, last thing at night and first thing in the morning.
The July WI meeting is always a busy one because as well as the speaker we usually hear the report from the delegate returned from the National AGM and then there are loads of things to arrange for the summer break over August. However, this year it was busier than ever because the main attraction of the evening was a mock trial in which several members had to take parts. They were very relieved not to have to learn the script as they were given hard copies of their roles. The audience were fully engaged as a larger than life jury and everyone enjoyed the activity. The delegate gave an interesting report on the AGM and encouraged everyone to take the opportunity if it ever came their way. The craft bequest was once more on show until its future is determined. The summer outing has been shortened into a cream tea at Pendley Manor. I think now after reading the last edition of WI Life we should have planned to go to Blenheim palace to the Countryfile event on 2-5 August where the NFWI is going to have a presence. Perhaps we can go as individuals instead. A vain effort was made to counter the negative unfounded rumours being circulated about the future of the WI following our own annual meeting. Cometh the hour, cometh the woman I believe.
There has been another gap in transmission in my blog from the middle of June. This was caused by a private holiday and physical disability from a frozen shoulder which rendered my right arm more or less useless. I never realised just how right-handed I have been all these years. Fortunately, I could still talk so attended the local WI’s discussion evening when we considered New Towns. Of course, we all said our bit about Milton Keynes as it was the one we all knew most about but we covered others North and South. I think everyone sang the praises of MK and rejoiced that the city is no longer such a popular victim of music-hall-type jokes.
There have been craft meetings as well where the members are making poppies for Remembrance Day either knitted or crocheted. Some flowers look more like roses or rather flat dahlias but who is going to notice on a wreathe probably in the rain.
 
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At the AGM the WI members were told about the Women’s Suffrage processions planned for the four capitals of the UK on Sunday 10th June and they were encouraged to join in. I watched the event on the BBC and I thought it was very impressively staged and did peacefully celebrate the achievements of both the Suffragists and the Suffragettes. The on-going struggles for equality were given a voice via all the beautiful banners and the link interviews. Representation in Cardiff seemed thinner than elsewhere but I know of two WIs who were there and I imagine there were lots on the other marches too.
Last time the NFWI held its AGM in Cardiff the members stood in a long queue in pouring rain to enter the hall so that we sat and steamed for the first half hour of the meeting. The very opposite this morning and the sun shone all the time while we were in Wales. The Motorpoint Arena is a very good venue and looks spacious even when every seat is taken. Lynne Stubbings, our new National Chairman, appeared relaxed and confident. Her “state of the union address” was very positive with lots of good news about membership and activities planned for the future. Membership now stands at 220,039 with nearly 30,000 new members and 86 new WIs formed. Lynne encouraged us to make good use of MYWI and book tickets for a special showing of Peter Pan in Birmingham.
Julia Roberts, the Honorary Treasurer, continued with good news about the finances and flagged up the changes about the paying of Gift Aid to come after the present negotiations are concluded. The resolution about mental health was well presented: the expert Andrew Maliniski from Oxford spoke convincingly and encouraged the WI to campaign at a local level to improve awareness in the general public of all ages. Money was desperately needed to fund research. The points raised from the floor were relevant and well managed and there were several from BFWI too. The resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority.
Dame Stella Rimington, the former Director General of MI5, spoke entertainingly about her introduction into the world of spies and the challenges of being the first woman in the official administrative body rather than doing very brave things on war fronts. Some of you will remember that Stella came to High Wycombe Theatre for an Evening with …event arranged by BFWI some years ago. I thought she had improved as a speaker---maybe that’s what being made a dame does for you!
Pat Tulip advertised Helping Denman packs and the WI Anniversary Book. After lunch Huw Edwards the journalist, presenter and newsreader set out to flatter the WI by acknowledging what had been achieved in our campaigns and congratulating us on tackling the subject of mental health. He talked about changes in society and the dangers of social media which had come to overshadow the benefits that it can bring. It could be a useful tool for democracy but it has become destructive of proper debate and in politics because it can so easily be invaded by those who will not tolerate others’ points of view. The BBC is at a crossroads at present as patterns of viewing are changing: sometimes the speed of communication can act as a drawback if inaccuracy is allowed to creep in. Trust is destroyed and trust has always been the bedrock of the BBC. This sounds dry but it was not: It was an important message wrapped up in an amusing manner. And we got to know the secret of the raised eyebrow which has amused us for years as we watched Huw on our tv screens.
The chairman and Amanda Willday advertised the benefits of MYWI and promoted Walking Netball. (What about it Bucks?) The meeting concluded with the national anthems: the extra members from Wales made the Land of My Fathers sound even better than usual.
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