LATEST NEWS :
September 2024
On Thursday 5th September, Steve Bruce will be giving a talk about buyingand selling antiques titled "Tales from the Auction Room"
Barford Memorial Hall at 7:45pm
Visitors are welcome.
Angela Watkins
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JUNE 2024 :
At the June meeting Rachel Harwood gave a splendid demonstration of willow weaving and had brought along several examples of her work. The hare was particularly life like. Everyone had a chance to weave a simple heart shape. An intriguing mixture of results!
On Thursday 11th July, members’ night will be in the Memorial Hall. 7:00 for 7.30pm.
Following last year’s success members are asked to bring a dish and drink of their choice.
A welcome drink will be served. Remember to bring your pretty corsage and you may win the prestigious rose bowl. You will also need a few coins so you can vote for your favourite corsage.
The money raised will go into the Flower Box.
Angela Watkins
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MAY 2024:
At the start of the May meeting, Bill Cowley from Home Instead gave a talk about how to avoid all kinds of scams. It is frightening how convincing some of these can be. Always be on your guard.
Members discussed the resolution to be voted on at the National AGM in June after an excellent presentation by Hilary Maynard and Diane Sinclair. Members voted overwhelmingly in favour.
It is hoped to organise a boat trip on the Avon at Stratford for Members’ Night in July. There will be an outing to the Autumn Malvern Show in September.
Members enjoyed a tasty and varied ‘bring a plate’ supper together with their favourite tipple – mostly alcoholic surprisingly.
Angela Watkins
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APRIL 2024 :
Four visitors were welcomed to the April meeting when
Lucy Hartley gave an illustrated talk on how to ensure
your flower borders have all round colour and interest.
The sales table with plants donated by members was a
success with lots to buy. £45 was raised for Myton
Hospice.
At the start of the meeting Bill Cowley from Home Instead will be explaining how to
avoid postal scams and telephone and internet fraud. Important information for us
all as it can be so easy to be duped.
Visitors are always welcome to join us at the Memorial Hall at 7.45pm.
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MARCH 2024
In March Dr. Susan Dunnett gave a very informative talk on Medical Detection Dogs.
Click here for their website.
Humans have up to 5 million smelling sensors whilst dogs have up to 300 million and can breathe in and out simultaneously wasting no smelling time.
The dog's training costs £29,000 and takes up to 2 years.
At their centre in Milton Keynes there are two arms to their training.
Bio-Detection Dogs detect smells in urine and sweat samples enabling earlier diagnosis in many diseases such as Parkinson’s, prostate cancer, some lung infections and malaria.
Medical Alert Dogs are paired with one human and assist them maintain independent lives by warning of impending dangerous health events allowing the necessary action to be taken.
Sue’s canine partner, Nelson, is being trained by her to alert her to drops in sugar level common in type I diabetes. Nelson added to the evening with lots of tail wagging and appeared to enjoy Sue’s talk as much as her audience. The evening’s book sale proceeds were donated to this very worthy charity.
Meetings are in the Memorial Hall and start at 7.45pm. Visitors are always welcome.
Betty Woodcock
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FEBRUARY 2024 :
In December, Rebecca from Oak and Ivy produced a lovely Christmas floral display as members watched with delight. Liz Hainey was the lucky lady who took it home.
In January members enjoyed a social evening with their favourite board games. The committee served delicious canapes and everyone was welcomed with a glass of Prosecco. A fun evening to start the WI year with lots of lively chatter and a good variety of games.
At the February meeting Tim Oliver gave a fascinating and informative talk about how to trace your ancestors on line. He had brought along his family tree which he had printed and illustrated and then framed. Certainly some members will now be ready and able to trace their forebears. Tim warned that it can be addictive.
Meetings are in the Memorial Hall and start at 7.45pm. Visitors are always welcome.
Angela Watkins
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NOVEMBER 2023 :
At the Annual Meeting in November everyone enjoyed a sociable time with the tasty array of food that had been brought along by members.
Sheila Malin was elected President and Ingrid Oliver and Betty Woodcock will be joint secretaries. Sheila Barclay continues as treasurer.
Meetings are in the Memorial Hall and start at 7.45pm. Visitors are always welcome.
Hilary Maynard
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OCTOBER 2023 :
They say diamonds are a girls best friend but after yesterday's talk by Helen Plumb other coloured gem stones will be very popular too. Helen is a highly qualified geologist who has worked on oil rigs all over the world but became fascinated by gemstones, and as a side line started dealing in stones and now has a shop in Winchcombe, where she makes jewellery to order.
She told us all about the properties of gems and which ones are suited to which items of jewellery.
Everyone was very attentive. I think a few members will be making their way to Winchcombe before Christmas.
Hilary Maynard
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SEPTEMBER 2023 :
At our September meeting, Anthony Cleary came to tell us how his book “Nobody Comes” came to be written during the first lockdown. It documents the problems that he encountered whilst trying to adopt a small Romanian boy from one of the notorious orphanages in that country. He was eventually successful and adopted Dominic who had many problems arising from his time in appalling conditions during his first two years but is now a happy and successful young man.
The book is a very good read and you will need a box of tissues.
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JULY 2023 :
July's meeting was held at Phil Derbyshire's lovely garden on a warmish summer evening. Everyone brought a plateful of food to share which provided quite a banquet. Silly games got members mingling and everyone agreed it was a very enjoyable evening. Many thanks to Phil and husband David for their hard work hosting the event.
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JUNE 2023 :
At our June meeting Janet Wroe and her friend another Janet came along to tell us of their experiences on taking part on TV quiz shows. Janet W. went on Egg heads with a team of midwives and got to the final round only to be beaten by the question “Which is the smallest island in Japan”?, missing out on £17,000 prize money,
Both Janets did very well on Pointless but missed out on the jackpot. The information about what goes on behind the scenes at a TV studio was very interesting. They also entertained us with songs and jokes from the Concert party to which they belong.
Around twenty members enjoyed a lovely day out at Middleton Hall, an old manor house in North Warwickshire which is made up of building from the 1400s to Victorian times. The house was rescued from dereliction by a team of trustees and craftspeople and work is on going. There were guided tours, lunch in the courtyard cafe and a lovely walled garden and lakeside to explore.
Next month is Members Night, 6th July at 7pm..
Phil Derbyshire has offered her lovely garden as a venue but should the weather be poor we will be in the Memorial Hall. In a change to the usual format please bring a plate of food to share, your own cutlery and plate and glass and something to drink.
Hilary Maynard
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MAY 2023 :
A select number of members attended the May meeting which was a week later than usual due to the elections, to discuss this years resolution.
The resolution, which urges the government to reduce pollution in our rivers from sewage discharges and run off from agriculture so that clean areas can be designated as safe bathing areas, was passed unanimously.
Everyone had brought a small plate of food to share so a mini feast concluded the evening.
Hilary Maynard
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APRIL 2023 :
The April meeting was very well attended as members came along to hear Jennifer Ryan explain how some colours can enhance our appearance or detract from it. We all need certain colours and shades in the clothes we wear to be in harmony with our skin and hair tones. Several brave victims were used to demonstrate this.
Hilary Maynard
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MARCH 2023 :
Our March speaker was David Page, a paramedic who has served for 36 years in a demanding occupation. He gave us an interesting and amusing account of his life and of all the changes over the years. His talk lifted the lid on how the system works with all it’s triumphs and occasional failings. Unfortunately, quite a few of us have had to call for help from the ambulance service and members agreed that paramedics are heroes to be applauded for the work they do.
To celebrate the King’s Coronation there will be a picnic on the Village Green on Sunday May 7th so come along with your tables, chairs and food and drink, dressed in red, white and blue, and let us make it an occasion to remember.
Barford WI made good use of a £200 bursary which we received from National Federation of WI following the sale of Denman House.
In February we held a flower arranging class where all participants produced a delightful floral table arrangement by the end of the session.Thanks are due to Ingrid Oliver for instructing this group.
In March members of Stratford-upon-Avon Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers demonstrated their many skills in creating garments and rugs from home-spun wool. We all learnt much about the properties of wool and enjoyed experimenting with spinning wheels and various types of loom.
Thanks to Diane Sinclair for arranging this fascinating activity.
Hilary Maynard
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JANUARY 2023 :
Members were greeted with a glass of bubbly at the January meeting to celebrate the New Year.
Sylvia Udell was the short sighted caller with help from Sheila Barclay as members played a few rounds of bingo.
There was much hilarity as everyone tried hard to concentrate on their numbers. The committee had prepared trays of delicious canapés to feed the brain power of the ladies - which seemed to help.
Angela Watkins
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