WMWI
The National Federation of WIs campaign to improve women’s and family’s lives
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Monthly Newsletter: Aug/Sept 2015: No 120 www.womens-institute.org.uk/oxfordshire www.freewebs.com/wmwi
every Month at 8pm
President Lynn Coleman - Tel: 557226
Secretary Sue Field - Tel: 557843
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Next meeting
September 8th: 8pm
My career at the BBC
Carol Bunyan
Carol worked for BBC TV for 12 years before leaving to become a freelance director and writer.
We will be having a raffle this month so please bring some change with you.
Sue Mannifield has updated and re-organised our website. Do take a look. The Program, Cake and Washing-up Rota and a Suggestions tab are all included. Just hold your ‘Control’ button and click on the website address at the top of this page.
WMWI featured in the Oxford Mail
As part of their coverage of the WI centenary, a photographer from the Oxford Mail came to our knitting and stitching group. He was interested in our new banner, and took several photographs of us apparently working on it. This one will accompany a feature on the forthcoming event at the Cathedral on September 16th. Banners will be paraded on that day, including ours, thanks to Damaris and Sue.
This week’s Oxford Times contains an article and a nice photo taken in Lyn’s sitting room.
Last Meeting:
July 14th 8pm
The meeting opened with a reminder of the Micron theatre performance on the 27th of July and the cake sale at the Castle on the afternoon of July 18th.
It was then suggested that knitters could produce teddy bears for Gwyn’s daughter to take to Nepal. Lyn has the pattern.
The Group Meeting on October 28th, at Begbroke, will feature Sophie Grigson. Tickets will soon be available.
On the day of the actual WI Centenary, September 15th, there will be a ceremony at the cathedral, preceded by a parade of banners through the city centre. This is obviously the right time for a WMWI banner. Fortuitously, we have skilled needlewomen within our membership; two of them, Sue Bates and Damaris, are working on our banner, using the design on our pull-up version.
We were then reminded of our intention to submit a suggestion for next year’s resolution. The issue of mobility scooters should involve considerations of safety, insurance, proficiency, entitlement and funding. Initial ideas will be submitted to Tackley for re-wording and refinement.
Our presenters for the evening were then introduced. Anne Cashmore and her colleague, Claire McGinnis, talked about the practice of Tai Chi and the possible benefits for health and movement. Above, they can be seen demonstrating the greeting.
Tai Chi is a slow-moving martial art. It is an exercise with relaxed muscles and partially flexed joints. The various styles were invented by families in China, named by them and then kept secret. Anne and Claire were recommending a modernised form of Sun which is safe and beneficial for older people and those with arthritis. It is said to improve bone density, muscle strength and flexibility, as well as improving balance and lowering the blood pressure. Even the anti-ageing element of stem cells can be improved.
We were then given a demonstration of the slow, relaxed but precise and continuous movements and watched a video by Dr Lam which has been approved by the Arthritis Society. This can be accessed via YouTube. Tai Chi classes can be found in Oxford. If you are interested, ask Anne about them. Thank you, Anne and Claire, for an informative, useful and enjoyable session.
100 years survey
To mark the centenary, NFWI is conducting a survey. They want the views of members on major issues in their lives and the world, and the place of the WI. Results will be used to inform policy and future campaigns.
To take part online, access:
http://thewi.org.uk/100-years-survey
wanted
NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS
WIs can only run if they have a committee and officers.
Many of us have been on the committee for a number of years and some of us will not be standing for election to the committee next year. So 2016 is a time for change and you can be a part of it.
Please do consider this as we can only continue if we have a committee.
Please come to a committee meeting as an observer. Contact any committee member to express your interest. The work is not onerous and can be fun.
Please could we have offers of help from 3-4 people, to assist with washing-up at the end of each meeting? If everyone lends a hand, this will only be an occasional duty. Also, please replace your own chair in the store; this makes tidying of the hall so much easier.
There is also a rota for tea and cakes. We hope that many of you will feel able to contribute to this. Just once a year is enough.
KNITting and stitching group
Walton Manor needlework group continues to thrive. Projects may be for family, for self, or for charity, as shown above where children are showing off knitted teddies provided through Cocos Charity. At present, teddies are being knitted for Nepal.
Everyone is very welcome, including new members; just turn up. If you want to learn to knit, then we can help you.
The next date is:
Tuesday October 20th at 7pm
Lyn’s address is 33, Victoria Road in Summertown. 01865 557226 or 07836 687457.
Moodle - online training and resources
This is being re-launched. There are a number of online courses available, for example in preparation for taking on the role of treasurer. The Denman website has more information. If you are interested in being an online learner, please email Damaris as she can enable this.
Pauline goddard
was Sylvia Vetta’s castaway in the July edition of Oxfordshire Limited Edition. This is an opportunity to learn more about our Federation chair, the WI and Pauline’s career within it. If you cannot find a paper copy of the journal, it should be possible to read it online.
Wmwi Database
Damaris Darby kindly maintains this database of our membership, which talks to NFWI. However, she can only do this if we keep her informed, so please tell her if you change your address or email. Also, do tell her if you would like to receive the campaigns e-newsletter.
WI Day: Sept 16th
This is the actual centenary date. In Oxfordshire, this will be marked by an event at Christchurch on September 15th. Banners will be paraded along St Aldates, carried by members of the various WIs. This will include our new banner, constructed by Damaris and Sue Bates. There will be 7 members of WMWI at the ceremony.
denman college
Why not try a course at Denman College? This is conveniently situated for us, being near Abingdon, and a wide range of skills and knowledge is on offer. Below is a photo of Hil Godfrey and her class of silversmiths.
There are a number of bursaries available from OFWI or directly from Denman. Some of these are open to any member and others to particular categories, such as first-time attendees or carers. The only other stipulation is that an applicant should state how she would benefit from a particular course.
For a full list of available bursaries, see the Denman website.
For information about OFWI bursaries, please contact the Tackley office.
Congratulations
To our Lyn Coleman, who has completed training to become a WI Adviser. She will be taking on the Norton Group of WIs.
fund-raising
In order to continue with our activities and invite speakers, etc., we need to constantly raise funds. Subscriptions do not cover our expenses.
The month of August saw several fund raising events.
Lyn held 2 tea parties at her home. Lyn provided excellent food and we all enjoyed the company.
Donations for the car boot sale were sold by Sue Field and Sue Mannifield.
Some of us took WI publicity material and home-made cakes and preserves to a street food event at Oxford Castle. Although it started slowly, we eventually sold most of our produce and hope to have gained a few new members. Unsold cake was taken to the night shelter.
In addition, a good number of our members enjoyed supper at The Plough, Wolvercote, and an outdoor performance by Mikron Theatre. The latter was said to be excellent.
Lyn joined a large number of OFWI members for ‘Elvis’ at the O². This was also very good.
Associated country women of the world (Acww)
OFWI is a member of this, the largest international organisation for rural women, active in over 70 countries. It aims to raise the standard of living of rural women and their families mainly through education, self-help schemes, and by giving them a voice at international level through links with UN agencies. OFWI has raised many thousands of pounds to sponsor projects in South Africa, Colombia, India and Uganda, through the collection of small value coins. These donations can make a lot of difference to the lives of rural women.
WMWI will continue to contribute to this initiative. If you would like to help, please bring spare change to the meetings. Thank you.
news and Views
We buy a copy for each member. Please collect yours as it will contain up-to-date information about OFWI. A number of events are advertised in each edition. Please take a little time to scan your copy and see if anything is of interest to you. Take good note of the closing date or you might miss the boat.
Booking procedure
There will be booking forms available at the meetings, one for each event. If you are interested in attending any event, please inform Sue Field or Hannah, who will enter your details on the form; you will be able to see who else will be going. You must also provide a cheque for Damaris Darby, made out to WMWI. We are not permitted to buy tickets until we have received your cheque.
CAMPAIGNS
NFWI Public Affairs Department will soon re-launch the campaigns e-newsletter, which will keep you up-to-date with news on campaigns and resolutions. If you are interested in receiving this, do tell Damaris as she can arrange this.
Food Security
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Global and National Challenges of Food Security. During 2013, WI members were invited to hold a nation-wide series of debates that will help get to the crux of some of the questions the global food system faces and build understanding about the role that we all can play. Current discussion appears to be heavily focussed around the concept of 'sustainable intensification' which is effectively using GM crops and large scale intensive farms to increase yields and productivity. Whilst this will necessarily inform part of the debate, what other issues should be explored? Considering ways to cut down on food waste, ensuring we have the right policy environment for agriculture to flourish and confronting consumer attitudes to food and sustainability are just a few of the issues that the NFWI believes warrant further exploration. If you would like to help get the debate underway then get in touch. Telephone 01865 553304
Banana Price Wars
A low price for bananas is only achieved through poverty wages and living conditions for the farmers. Help to combat this trend by buying only Fair Trade bananas.
‘Help for Bees’ Action Plan
Bees pollinate up to 75% of agricultural crops around the world. Last year, the WI joined forces with Friends of the Earth to call on the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs to follow Wales' lead and introduce a comprehensive
bee action plan. The WI responded with thousands of postcards which were presented to the Environment Minister, and responses to a government consultation. The National Pollinator Strategy has been launched and the WI recognised through a campaign award from the Third Sector Excellence Awards, for best Charity Partnership. However, we all need to continue to support bees through our garden choices.
End Violence against Women
The UK Government has a declared commitment to an integrated strategy for tackling violence against women (March 2011).
Over 1 million women experienced domestic abuse in the last year, and over 60,000 women are raped each year; it is important to ensure that the Government continues to prioritise this issue.
Organ donation – make your wishes known
Following the over-whelming support for this year’s resolution, we are all urged to make others aware of our wishes regarding organ donation. No one should be left to guess. 7000 people are awaiting the gift of an organ, but this is a personal decision. We are also asked to encourage friends, family and members of our community to make their wishes known to others. It has been shown that donations increase with the raising of awareness.
Support dairy farmers
Milk prices paid to farmers are falling. Global demand has fallen and there is now a worldwide glut. British dairy farmers are losing their businesses. Please help them by buying dairy products made with British milk. Look for the Red Tractor logo, which indicates strict standards and UK produced milk.
Care not Custody
NHS England has announced a fresh wave of pilot projects that will seek to bring about a change to the way that mental health services are delivered within the justice system. These projects are a boost for the WI’s Care not Custody campaign. Theresa May praised the WI’s campaign at an event, last July, to review progress on the government’s promise to develop appropriate services for the mentally ill or learning disabled persons who come into contact with police, courts or prisons. Pilot services and early intervention have shown promising results.