Celebration and Discovery : 2010 - 2019
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. The £4000 donated was 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. 1200 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 we downhearted? Of course not - there was lots to see and do, and some very special cake to be sampled.
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. The £4000 donated was 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. 1200 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 we 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!
What a magnificent way to celebrate 90 wonderful years!
2011
In February the Chairman and Hon. Treasurer attended a reception at Denman to meet HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.
At the 2011 BFWI Annual Council Meeting in April, Bucks WI members passed a resolution calling on local Health and Social Care providers to make resources for the care of stroke survivors more effective. Members wrote to those who can make a difference to raise awareness of this issue, and work continues to ensure that existing facilities are maintained and new ones developed.
In February the Chairman and Hon. Treasurer attended a reception at Denman to meet HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.
At the 2011 BFWI Annual Council Meeting in April, Bucks WI members passed a resolution calling on local Health and Social Care providers to make resources for the care of stroke survivors more effective. Members wrote to those who can make a difference to raise awareness of this issue, and work continues to ensure that existing facilities are maintained and new ones developed.
The Art & Craft sub-committee organised seven very successful willow weaving classes, and there were also classes in glass sculpture.
Coach outings were organised to the Weald & Downland Museum near Chichester, the Warners Textile Museum and Beth Chatto's Garden.
WIs were formed at Bourne End (evening), Penn & Tylers Green (morning) and Wycombe Wenches (evening).
Coach outings were organised to the Weald & Downland Museum near Chichester, the Warners Textile Museum and Beth Chatto's Garden.
WIs were formed at Bourne End (evening), Penn & Tylers Green (morning) and Wycombe Wenches (evening).
2012
An exhibition showing all aspects and crafts of the modern WI was staged at High Wycombe Library from April to June. The Queens Diamond Jubilee was celebrated at Newton Longville with a lunch and speaker Hugo Vickers, The Queen Mother's biographer. The Chairman and Hon. Treasurer attended a garden party in Henley at which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was present.
It was a popular year for visits with trips to the V&A, the Royal Academy, Brighton Pavilion, Woburn Abbey Gardens, Ascot Race Course, Chatham Royal Dockyard and Upton House near Banbury. "Water, Water" Day attracted a lot of interest and discussion. Terriers Evening won the Three Counties Quiz. A BFWI choir was formed as a result of the NFWI’s “Sing for Joy” venture.
A new WI was formed at Beaconsfield and Haddenham merged with Haddenham Witchert and retained the latter’s name
An exhibition showing all aspects and crafts of the modern WI was staged at High Wycombe Library from April to June. The Queens Diamond Jubilee was celebrated at Newton Longville with a lunch and speaker Hugo Vickers, The Queen Mother's biographer. The Chairman and Hon. Treasurer attended a garden party in Henley at which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was present.
It was a popular year for visits with trips to the V&A, the Royal Academy, Brighton Pavilion, Woburn Abbey Gardens, Ascot Race Course, Chatham Royal Dockyard and Upton House near Banbury. "Water, Water" Day attracted a lot of interest and discussion. Terriers Evening won the Three Counties Quiz. A BFWI choir was formed as a result of the NFWI’s “Sing for Joy” venture.
A new WI was formed at Beaconsfield and Haddenham merged with Haddenham Witchert and retained the latter’s name
2013
The Trustees and Sub-committee members held an event to showcase Federation activities and meet members. Two Christmas Fayres and a Taste of India with Bollywood Dancing were held. Author Duncan McNair was guest speaker at the annual Literary Lunch. Visits included Manet at the Royal Academy, Greenwich, Eton College and Broughton Castle.
Campaign work was carried out on More Midwives, Love Your Libraries, Care of Stroke Survivors and No More Violence against Women. The Great Food Debate chaired by Baroness Parminter with an expert panel was held. “By George, that’s style too” was so popular it had to be run twice.
WIs were formed at Woughton WI and Newton Leys this year.
The Trustees and Sub-committee members held an event to showcase Federation activities and meet members. Two Christmas Fayres and a Taste of India with Bollywood Dancing were held. Author Duncan McNair was guest speaker at the annual Literary Lunch. Visits included Manet at the Royal Academy, Greenwich, Eton College and Broughton Castle.
Campaign work was carried out on More Midwives, Love Your Libraries, Care of Stroke Survivors and No More Violence against Women. The Great Food Debate chaired by Baroness Parminter with an expert panel was held. “By George, that’s style too” was so popular it had to be run twice.
WIs were formed at Woughton WI and Newton Leys this year.
2014
The popular Science & Investigation Day was supported this year with a grant from the Institute of Physics making it free to members.
A fashion show was held in the Street in the AVDC Building, Aylesbury. Members, including the BFWI Chairman, were the models and four local shops provided the clothes. Another new event introduced this year was the annual Jigsaw Challenge.
Visits to “Gems and Jewels of London”, Vikings Life and Legend, Eltham Palace & the Rangers House, Kensington Palace took place.
The popular Science & Investigation Day was supported this year with a grant from the Institute of Physics making it free to members.
A fashion show was held in the Street in the AVDC Building, Aylesbury. Members, including the BFWI Chairman, were the models and four local shops provided the clothes. Another new event introduced this year was the annual Jigsaw Challenge.
Visits to “Gems and Jewels of London”, Vikings Life and Legend, Eltham Palace & the Rangers House, Kensington Palace took place.
Wis were formed at Bishopstone, Bourne End & Wooburn and Risborough (Evening) this year.
2015
This was the Centenary year for the National Federation of WIs. Within the county this was celebrated in many different ways. There were two Museum exhibitions: in the summer an exhibition supported by local WIs was held in Milton Keynes Museum and in the Autumn, there was an exhibition in the County Museum in Aylesbury proceed by a parade of 40 banners through the town.
Members from the county went to Buckingham Palace for National Garden Party in June – the same week as the National Annual Meeting in the Royal Albert Hall. However, the major event in Buckinghamshire was a Garden Party on the Waddesdon Estate. On a lovely day two marquees were erected with a brass band, the county silver, the wacky party animal competition in them along with other displays. Outside there was room for picnics (and a picnic competition), the Best Dressed Lady Competition, Spirit of the Day Photograph competition, stalls etc.
To highlight the year various WIs organised Flower Festivals and Decorated Trees around the county and two Christmas Fayres were held. Downley Evening won the Three Counties Quiz. A new design was created for the BFWI badge, as a result of a competition; Hilary Chamberlain’s design was chosen as below.
This was the Centenary year for the National Federation of WIs. Within the county this was celebrated in many different ways. There were two Museum exhibitions: in the summer an exhibition supported by local WIs was held in Milton Keynes Museum and in the Autumn, there was an exhibition in the County Museum in Aylesbury proceed by a parade of 40 banners through the town.
Members from the county went to Buckingham Palace for National Garden Party in June – the same week as the National Annual Meeting in the Royal Albert Hall. However, the major event in Buckinghamshire was a Garden Party on the Waddesdon Estate. On a lovely day two marquees were erected with a brass band, the county silver, the wacky party animal competition in them along with other displays. Outside there was room for picnics (and a picnic competition), the Best Dressed Lady Competition, Spirit of the Day Photograph competition, stalls etc.
To highlight the year various WIs organised Flower Festivals and Decorated Trees around the county and two Christmas Fayres were held. Downley Evening won the Three Counties Quiz. A new design was created for the BFWI badge, as a result of a competition; Hilary Chamberlain’s design was chosen as below.
2016
An “In the Pink” Tea Party was held to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday followed by “A Royal Autumn Event” in September with various speakers. The County Show competition was “Tea for the Queen”.
Visits included Monet to Matisse at RA, Undressed at the V&A, Cirencester and Roman mosaics, Inns of Court and Mandir at Neasden.
WIs were formed at Berryfields and Winslow (Early Birds) this year.
An “In the Pink” Tea Party was held to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th Birthday followed by “A Royal Autumn Event” in September with various speakers. The County Show competition was “Tea for the Queen”.
Visits included Monet to Matisse at RA, Undressed at the V&A, Cirencester and Roman mosaics, Inns of Court and Mandir at Neasden.
WIs were formed at Berryfields and Winslow (Early Birds) this year.
There were some unusual visitors to the Annual Council Meeting on May 4th.
2017
Ashley Green WI proposed a resolution for reduction/eradication of “Plastic Soup” with strong support from the county and this was accepted at the National Annual Meeting as a campaign.
With respect to other campaigns questions were raised with Members of Parliament and prison governors about safeguarding vulnerable inmates in Woodhall prison, Homelessness and Violence Against Women.
Breaking new ground, there were radio broadcasts of a BFWI programme “Jammin with the WI” in August, September and October on Wycombe Sound.
Ashley Green WI proposed a resolution for reduction/eradication of “Plastic Soup” with strong support from the county and this was accepted at the National Annual Meeting as a campaign.
With respect to other campaigns questions were raised with Members of Parliament and prison governors about safeguarding vulnerable inmates in Woodhall prison, Homelessness and Violence Against Women.
Breaking new ground, there were radio broadcasts of a BFWI programme “Jammin with the WI” in August, September and October on Wycombe Sound.
Trips to Revolutionary Russian Art at the Royal Academy, Lacock Abbey and Fox Talbot Museum, and to “Great Stink” at Crossness Pumping Station were made, as well as an internal fashion show and a Christmas Craft Fayre held on “The Street” in the AVDC. Lastly, a very WI subject, “The Chemistry of Cream Teas” was also covered in the programme.
Bernewode WI (now Grendon Underwood) was formed this year from a merger of Grendon Underwood, Edgecott & Kingswood WI and Calvert Green WI). Chess Valley Afternoon WI is a new WI formed this year.
Bernewode WI (now Grendon Underwood) was formed this year from a merger of Grendon Underwood, Edgecott & Kingswood WI and Calvert Green WI). Chess Valley Afternoon WI is a new WI formed this year.
2018
The county took on board the recycling theme with a competition in August depicting Twice as Nice at the County Show.
Other campaign active areas included Climate Change, Food Waste, and Modern-Day Slavery. Two up-cycling Dabble Days making wreaths inspired by the talk “From Adversity to Prosperity” were held but in contrast two other events on embroidery and sequins were run inspired by the glamorous TV programme “Strictly Come Dancing”!
Visits included the National Stud at Newmarket, city of Ely, Winchester and Devon, and a Day at Denman. The Communications Sub-Committee was formed to provide support in print, digital media, TV, radio, newsletters, email and events programmes.
The county took on board the recycling theme with a competition in August depicting Twice as Nice at the County Show.
Other campaign active areas included Climate Change, Food Waste, and Modern-Day Slavery. Two up-cycling Dabble Days making wreaths inspired by the talk “From Adversity to Prosperity” were held but in contrast two other events on embroidery and sequins were run inspired by the glamorous TV programme “Strictly Come Dancing”!
Visits included the National Stud at Newmarket, city of Ely, Winchester and Devon, and a Day at Denman. The Communications Sub-Committee was formed to provide support in print, digital media, TV, radio, newsletters, email and events programmes.
2019
Historical notes are in development for 2019. While you wait, why not pop along to the Gallery page for a record of events, including the Bucks Show (below).
Historical notes are in development for 2019. While you wait, why not pop along to the Gallery page for a record of events, including the Bucks Show (below).
2020
In 2020, Buckinghamshire Federation celebrated its Centenary year. Unfortunately, this was difficult to do in a pandemic year, so many events, challenges and specially designed merchandise have been postponed to our "Centenary+1" year!
Historical notes are in preparation. In the meantime, pop along to the Gallery page for a record of the past year, including "WhattaLife" at Newton Longueville (below).
In 2020, Buckinghamshire Federation celebrated its Centenary year. Unfortunately, this was difficult to do in a pandemic year, so many events, challenges and specially designed merchandise have been postponed to our "Centenary+1" year!
Historical notes are in preparation. In the meantime, pop along to the Gallery page for a record of the past year, including "WhattaLife" at Newton Longueville (below).