The Musical 1970s

1970
A competition had been held in 1969 for a design for the cover of the Jubilee Year programme. The winner was Mrs. Comley of Templewood WI.

This year was the first time a Council Meeting was held in the evening.

WIs were formed at Berndene, Downley Village (evening) and The Ridge (evening). The Federation also welcomed Long Marston & Puttenham, which had been transferred from Hertfordshire.

1971
Federation Chairman – Mrs. Mabel Thirlway
Federation President – The Lady Burnham
Many WIs contributed to the planting of the Cublington Spinney after the Government decided not to site the third London Airport there.
WIs were formed at Akeley (evening), Chartridge (evening) and Wendover (evening).

1972

The Federation was asked by Bucks County Council to conduct, on their behalf, a pioneer survey to find out where a social transport service was needed.

The WI County Show was held in September and attracted over 300 entries to the nine classes on the schedule. The show was open for two days for members to view the entries. Among the many awards the Franklin Rose Bowl was won by Wendover WI.

The annual Art Exhibition was held in the County Museum from 25th October to 3rd November with 72 works being hung from 107 sent in by members.

Carol parties organised by the Music sub-committee continued to be very popular. This year five parties were organised throughout the county, but there were still 180 disappointed ticket applicants.

WIs were formed at Chalfont Centre, Langley Marish, Long Crendon (evening), Oakley and Sands Valley.

1973
All 400 seats were filled at a memorable concert, held at the Grange School in Aylesbury, where those present had the privilege of hearing the NFWI Music Society Choir (SE Section) conducted by Antony Hopkins and also the Bucks County Youth Orchestra.

Sport began to take its place among WI activities with 18 couples entering the NFWI Tennis Tournament and 18 individuals playing in a golf match with Oxfordshire. All this interest resulted in the setting up of a Sports sub-committee in the county.

A wonderful display of produce was organised at the Bucks County Show by the Agriculture & Produce sub-committee and showed Britain’s contribution to the Common Market. The sub-committee also held a County Produce Day with the theme “The Common Market and the Housewife”.

WIs were formed at Galley Hill (Stony Stratford) and Loughton & Shenleys (evening).

1974
Federation Chairman – Mrs. Patricia Sunley
Federation President – Mrs. Mabel Thirlway

At the Annual Council Meeting the following resolution was passed “That the members of the Buckinghamshire Federation of Women’s Institutes should do everything collectively and as individuals to encourage recycling of paper, metal, bottles, etc., because of the serious shortage of raw materials.”

“Better Driving” evenings were held in April, organised by the Public Affairs and Environment sub-committee. 165 members went to Bletchley, and there were so many applications (290) for another event in West Wycombe that a second evening had to be held.

At the Bucks County Show it was the turn of the Art sub-committee to show members’ work in the WI tent. Demonstrations of oil painting, Chinese brushwork, wood sculpture and pottery were given throughout the day.

“Tomorrow’s Heirlooms” was the title of a two day exhibition held in Aylesbury in November. It had been preceded by exhibitions in Bletchley and in High Wycombe, and the best exhibits were then chosen for Aylesbury. In a machine-made age it was a privilege to see perfect examples of crafts of every kind, proving that WI members had not forgotten how to use their hands and needles to create items of beauty and originality.

Due to County boundary changes six WIs were lost to Berkshire Federation – Datchet, Eton Wick & Boveney, Langley, Langley Marish, Magna Carta and Wraysbury. WIs were formed at Prebendal Farm (Aylesbury), Stantonbury and Tinkers Bridge (Milton Keynes).

1975
This year saw the publication of “A Pattern of Hundreds”, with fascinating memories of Buckinghamshire people, villages and countryside, contributed by members. The book was illustrated by Trevor Newton, and the Federation was honoured to have Sir John Betjeman write the foreword.

The Art sub-committee continued to hold the annual art day in Aylesbury, with 100 paintings being displayed this year.

The Craft sub-committee held a 5 day residential school at Woodrow High House near Amersham in conjunction with the Inter-County Craft Organisation.

The Drama Festivals also continued to go from strength to strength, with two area Festivals culminating in a final in Aylesbury with 21 finalists. Bucks was now one of the few Counties still holding WI Drama Festivals.

Carol parties, organised by the Music sub-committee, were still extremely popular. This year 580 members from 74 WIs attended parties at Bourne End, Emberton and Missenden Abbey.

Due to earlier County boundary changes Colnbrook transferred to Berkshire Federation and Iver (evening) to Middlesex Federation. WIs were formed at Haddenham Witchert and Soulbury.

1976
A Singing Day was held in February when the audience was able to join in a production of “Captain Noah and his Floating Zoo”.

To commemorate HM The Queen’s Silver Jubilee the Home Economics sub-committee staged a two-day event in September entitled “The Silver Year Exhibition”. Members exhibited items of cookery, preservation and flower arranging; there were also demonstrations of those subjects on both days.

Newton Blossomville transferred to Bedfordshire Federation and Flackwell Heath amalgamated with Flackwell Heath (evening). The WI at George Green was reformed after closing in 1955.

1977
The highlight of this year was A Cavalcade of Costume staged in the Civic Centre in Aylesbury, when members packed both the afternoon and evening performances.

Sadly the Federation was advised by the National Federation Treasurer to discontinue its tours to the continent, but this year saw an exchange visit from ladies from Germany.

182 WIs were represented at the Council meeting when Miss Christina Beckton received a gift from the members on her retirement after seventeen years as Federation Secretary.

1978
Federation Chairman – The Hon. Lady Runge
Federation President – Mrs. Sybil Dewick

The Drama and Music sub-committees combined to organise a Festival of 10-minute entertainments at Group level in preparation for the National Federation’s event “Scene 80”. The selectors saw 120 items from 26 Groups and from these 21 items were selected to be performed at a Gala Entertainment at the Elgiva Hall, Chesham in December.

Members attended an very informative meeting with talks about the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Crime Prevention, Planning and Consumer Protection.

Five carol parties were held at Wolverton, West Wycombe, Amersham, Little Kingshill and Waddesden.

1979
The Diamond Jubilee Cookbook was launched and proved to be very popular.

Members took part in the Golden Jubilee of the Associated Countrywomen of the World (ACWW). Small flags were passed through the counties on their way to Northumberland, from whence they were taken to the Triennial Conference in Hamburg.

A WI was formed at Cholesbury cum St.Leonards (Evening) after the closure of Cholesbury cum Bellingdon and St. Leonards, which had been formed in 1935.

At the end of the decade there were 180 WIs in the Buckinghamshire with a membership of 7,757

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