The Chase Group of WIs travelled to Bath for a day’s outing on 9th May. It wasn’t a perfect day weather-wise but we did manage to dodge the worst of the rain while we went on a guided tour of the city. The party enjoyed the attention of two guides and both of them were excellent. We concentrated on the architecture of the city rather than the people who had lived there although of course, Jane Austen and Beau Nash came into the talk as well. The photos were taken by Dee Blackmore. I think she must have lain flat on the floor for the shot of the beautiful ceiling of the Abbey and the picture of the famous Pulteney Bridge from the other side of the river shows how the dark clouds had lifted as we strolled along to the next bridge. Many of us succumbed to eating Bath buns which are much lighter than they look---that is what we told ourselves anyway! An interesting day. Everyone appreciates the work involved in organising a group outing like this and thanked our Group convenor and hoped she would arrange another one. 15 May Did you read in the national press how Leicester and Rutland Federation members have been banned from baking cakes for the local hospice? They have been doing this for years and now the hospice isn’t allowed to accept their donations because of health and safety concerns: all the members’ kitchens have to be inspected and registered as food establishments. This bureaucratic nonsense raises its ugly head every few years and is one of the reasons behind BFWI running basic hygiene courses for members so that WIs can say that they have someone who holds a valid certificate when they cater for the public at garden parties or market stalls. The editorial of The Daily Telegraph poured scorn on the ruling in Leicestershire so perhaps something will be done about altering the decision and the patients can go back to enjoying a slice of cake with their teas. In the same issue of the paper there was a welcome piece about 3 criminal drug dealers being jailed under the Modern Slavery Act for forcing youngsters to be runners for drug trafficking between London and Portsmouth. It is good to see the legislation following WI campaigns being used in the war against this practice. The BFWI Annual Council Meeting on 1st May at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury was enjoyable and business-like. Pat Poole, the Federation Chairman reported on the past year’s events and heralded the programme for the centenary in 2020. The finances are healthy but there was disappointment when a show of hands revealed how few of the Bucks members use the MYWI website and our own Federation pages. Steve Irons, the BCC Resilience Officer with the help of Thelma Sackman gave an entertaining report on the work of his team in harness with the WI and announced tests and exercises planned for October 2019. Ruba Asfahani told us about new courses and visits being introduced at Denman College and encouraged everyone to try to attend either on her own or as part of a small group.
Thalia Jervis, CEO Healthwatch Bucks explained its purpose, how it responds to information from the public. It needs people to report good as well as bad practice experienced. Healthwatch had visited 24 care homes and GP surgeries last year. It was also tasked with translating information leaflets and notices into language which anyone with a reading age of 9 years would be able to understand: this is the average reading age of the public nowadays. (An intake of breath here from ex-teachers in the audience). The Red Box Project was explained by Janet Kingdon from a Wantage WI who is an active founder member of the scheme. This is a system for the provision of sanitary wear in secondary schools for the girls from poorer homes who had missed 138,000 days of schooling in 2017 because they could not afford adequate protection. What a worthy, thoughtful and practical solution to a problem undertaken by a WI ahead of government action! It was disappointing in the afternoon that Judge Francis Sheridan was unable to attend but Simon King OBE took advantage of the extra time as he showed examples of his wild life photography and recounted some of his adventures while making nature programmes for television. There was time for some federation news before the enjoyable meeting closed at 4pm. Winslow WI was delighted to see Daphne Preece receive the silver trophy for her Denman Cup entry. |
AuthorValerie Alsford has been a WI member for over 40 years. She has been writing a blog on the Buckinghamshire Federation Website for many years but we will put her posts on this site too! To see her historical thoughts please access the Bucks Website. Categories |