Fair Game

​31st October
With two cars packed to the gunwales, three of us set off for the WI Christmas Fayre in Buckingham. There were about 20 stalls in the Centre all crammed with articles of craft, cakes and toiletries and the refreshment tables were laden with gorgeous cakes, the sight of which alone added extra inches to one's waist.The wares were similar but nearly everyone reported a successful day. However, it was the usual pattern where people pay lip-service to homemade or crafted items but then don't want to pay a realistic price for things which have taken hours to make.The members appreciate the opportunity to sell our work like this and it is all good publicity for the WI. The public came in and there was a happy atmosphere in the hall. I imagine quite a few of the workers collapsed with a gin and tonic when they arrived home.
 
27th October
The local WI held its Games Evening tonight at a convenient restaurant/pub in the High Street. It is a while since I have been able to go along and join in, so I had forgotten what fun a game of cards or dominoes can be among friends with a glass of wine to hand. The regulars are treating themselves to a Christmas supper and a bingo session next month.
 
27th October
The Book Group met this afternoon and there were only 3 apologies for non-attendance so once more we only just had enough chairs for everyone to be able to sit down : I swear if we ever all turn up there will be standing room only.We have been reading "The 100 year old Man who climbed out of the window and Disappeared" by Jonas Jonasson. The novel was met with a mixed reception: some readers didn't think it funny, some thought it too long but others had laughed out loud and finished it ready to read another novel by the same author.If you describe the life of a centenarian it gives you the scope to comment on all the political events of  the whole 20th century. OK , these events were pretty hair-raising at times for us all to watch or take part in but it is fun to see how ridiculous some of it could be if viewed through the eyes of a non-political and non-religious man. The novel could not be anything except far-fetched but it carried a very real message. If you didn't laugh, you would cry at the worldwide machinations of national philosophies and egos.
 
20th October
The neighbouring WIs met together this evening for a Group Meeting at Stewkley. The speaker or demonstrator was a land and seascape artist Susan Gray. Susan was painting with acryllics and in front of us produced a lovely picture of a Cornish beach. She was able to talk all the time she was applying paint and explain how she achieved the textures and colours and how she was able to rectify things when she thought she had gone wrong. It was fascinating to watch and the display of paintings was wonderful. Some of us are going to try to visit her exhibition in Wendover in the middle of November. We listened to the reports of the 5 WIs' activities in this celebratory year and were very pleased that our Group Convenor, who arranges these two meetings a year, is prepared to stand again. She does a splendid job finding good speakers and arranging group excursions.
 
19th October
The Craft group, rather reduced in numbers, spent a lovely afternoon knitting and sewing together and planning what to do next. We are going to learn how to make some Christmas decorations involving curtain rings and beads and sparkly things. We also sorted out some items for the Christmas Fayre in Buckingham which three of us will endeavour to price and tag one day next week. These will be either given for WI funds or sold but the maker will give 10% to WI funds as agreed at the monthly meeting.