Waddesdon

1st July

Once more the local WI was unable to hold its meeting in its proper venue. So on the hottest evening of the year we were crammed into a room which is too small and where an extensive drum kit made it impossible to get to all the windows to shut out the heat. In fact the members are feeling so unsettled that an instant referendum was conducted on whether a new WI should be formed in the town to meet perhaps in an afternoon. This might reduce our numbers and indirectly enable us to find a smaller and more reliable meeting place. But of course no one would volunteer to act as a temporary officer in a newly formed WI so that is a no -no.

Our speaker gave a slide presentation about her 2 month walk around New Zealand which proved how beautiful the country is and how absolutely fearless she was to undertake such an adventure. We heard the report of the National AGM in the Royal Albert Hall and the part our delegate had played in the debate on the resolution about Failure to Care which was eventually thrown out by the meeting.We listened to accounts of the garden party at Waddesdon and were amazed at the number of shawls already finished for the victims of fistula in Ethiopia. The market square has been decorated for the Farmers' Market on Sunday and an exhibition set up in the cafe, both in the window and inside. We were saddened to honour the death of one of our dearest WI members who had always contributed to the success of the WI in so many ways over the years.Freda will be sadly missed for her kindness, her sense of humour and final bravery in her fight against illness.

 

30th June

The local WI Book Group has been reading "We need to talk about Kevin" by Lionel Shriver. No one could say that she had enjoyed reading this novel but nearly everyone was glad that she had. It must be described as a challenging read dealing with a dark but topical subject: an American school massacre recalled by the mother of the schoolboy murderer. It was a study of the nurture-versus-nature debate and the danger of lethal weapons being in the possession of people moving about the community.The novel was very well constructed with a gradual build-up of dread for the reader and an horrific twist at the end. Needless to say the book generated a lot of discussion and it is one none of us will ever forget.

 

16th June

It was with a feeling of great relief that Bucks WI members woke to see the sun shining this morning for the Centenary Garden Party at Waddesdon Manor.We had begun to think our garden parties carried a jinx after the wash-out at Stowe and two local WI similar events which were endured under downpours of rain. People laden with chairs and picnics queued for the shuttle bus from the carpark but those unencumbered strolled up through the grounds and enjoyed the walk. There was a lovely array of stalls and displays. Some members had booked tours of the Manor and others went on guided walks around the gardens. The Joyful Divas sang several times and we listened to the Vintage Brass band and a lively ukulele band. Everyone had dressed up in honour of the occasion (lovely hats again) and it was a pleasure to stand around talking in the sunshine. The Pimms was very good too! The front lawn is an ideal venue for a garden party providing a level surface for stalls and picnic tables. I hope Waddesdon thought we behaved well and will allow us back when next we want to stage a big celebration--- 2020?