Presentations

​Did you spot the good news in the national press yesterday about the progress in the medical world towards being able to offer self-diagnosis via a urine test of infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV) and so do away with smear tests. Of course, it is in the future but it shows willing in line with last year’s WI mandate. It will not answer the question of how to ensure that young women actually do the test regularly but they will not have the excuse that it is an unpleasant way to spend one’s free time. It may also cover the gap after the inoculation programme starts in secondary schools for boys as well as girls.
On 31st October I went along to the BFWI Afternoon of Presentations arranged by the Speakers’ sub-committee at Oving. We listened to five speakers give potted versions of their talks which they hoped would lead to their being accepted on to the BFWI list. Subjects ranged from live bug specimens to Bucks part in espionage during World War II, from the writing of romantic fiction to feeding the troops in East Africa and we finished with an entertaining duo who sang to a large guitar. WIs are encouraged to send a couple of members to these sessions to get ideas for the following year’s programme: the pair can have their tickets paid for out of funds. So why are they able to fit into a small village hall? These meetings are so entertaining and useful---and the refreshments are marvellous. The next auditions are in High Wycombe in February. It is always worth enquiring if there are any spare seats after the “official” places are booked.
The local WI book group discussed “Old Baggage” by Lissa Evans. None of its members had requested this title so we were a bit doubtful as to why the community librarian had booked it for us but he was forgiven as most of us had enjoyed reading it. The main character is a former suffragette who lectures and talks about the campaign at meetings so that a lot of accurate information about the movement is provided. Mattie had been a very active member, a real fighter for the cause who in 1928 is missing the excitement of being involved in a national campaign and is not sure that women have achieved enough. She had suffered the loss of two brothers in World War I and when she discovers a niece of whom she was unaware among the girls she is training to be self-reliant strong members of society she makes an error of judgement which destroys her own position. There is a lot of humour in the novel but also it is a sad tale of someone who is completely ignorant of the feelings of those around her. This novel is set to be the first part of a trilogy.