I cannot quite believe I am writing about July & August already, the year is whizzing past so quickly! Some of our girls have been to all sorts of places, gardens and events, including two of us who went to Buckingham Palace for a Royal Garden party, we can’t all do everything, but it’s great to have so much choice! We do try to have both daytime and evening events, to cater for as many of our “girls” as possible.

• Wednesday 1^st; Scrabble with Brenda Broadbridge
• Monday 6^th July, Coffee at Style Acre tearooms, 10.30am
• Tuesday 7^th; Lyn’s walk, 9.30 at Blewbury Village hall
• Monday 20^th July, Denman day
• Tuesday 21^st July; Croquet taster evening, (with tea & cake)
• Wednesday 22^nd July; Kate Lace “Army Officer to Romantic Novelist”, an interesting change of career, Blewbury School, 7.30pm
• Saturday 1^st August; return visit to Mary Rose & Historic Dockyard
• Wednesday 5^th August, Theatre trip, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”
• Wednesday 26^th August; Garden Party at Linnets, 5pm

We are in the process of shooting some photo’s for our “Blewbury Belles” calendar for 2016, hopefully they will be available from mid-September onwards, with all proceeds to the village hall refurbishment fund.

For more details of any of our events, or if you wish to join us, please ring Karen on 850219. Our new webpage is now launched, http://blewburywi.wordpress.com where you will find more information on the things we get up to!

Love from Karen

2015 is the Centenary year of the WI, this month sees the centenary baton come to Oxfordshire, and it is in Aston Tirrold on the 14^th and then on to the Diamond Light Source at Harwell, on the 15^th, there are events in Oxford on the 16^th, before the baton is passed on to Buckinghamshire, and ultimately to London for the AGM in June, which we shall be joining in with, without leaving the village!

• Mah Jong; Every Monday 2.30pm, ring Judy for venue!
• Lyn’s walk, Wednesday 1^st April, meet at 9.45am, village hall, all welcome,
• Coffee at Style Acre Tearoom’s, Tuesday 7^th, with Joan, 10.30am
• Scrabble; Ring Judy for date & venue
• Tuesday 14^th; Aston Tirrold Baton event
• Wednesday 15^th Baton event at Harwell
• Thursday 16^th; Sound of Music; Abingdon Operatic Society
• Monday 20^th; Crochet Workshop at Liz’s 7.30pm
• Wednesday 22^nd, Meeting at Blewbury School, guests welcome.
• Monday 27^th; Crochet workshop at Karen’s, 2pm
• Wednesday 29^th, Spring Garden Visit, Greys Court

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For more details of any of our events, or to join the Mah Jong or Scrabble group, or if you wish to join us, please ring Karen on 850219.

Love from Karen

As I write this, the sun is shining, the birdies are singing, the crocus, daphne and aconites are blooming in the garden, and its well over half way through February, and spring is almost here! I feel so much better already! We have wonderful plans for this years’ outings and events, and I am looking forward to some more happy days with the “girls”! If you would like to make new friends, meet up with old friends, learn new skills and crafts, go to new places, re-visit old haunts or just want a chat over a cup of tea, come and join us, we are a very friendly group of ladies, of all ages and backgrounds. New members very welcome!

• Mah Jong; Every Monday 2.30pm, ring Judy for venue! (New players always welcome, non WI too, a lovely way to spend a wintery afternoon!)
• Lyn’s walk Tuesday 3rd, meet at 10.30am, Tickers Folly, all welcome,
• Coffee at Style Acre Tearoom’s, Wednesday 4^th , 10.30am with Susan
• Group Meeting in Didcot; Wednesday 4th
• Scrabble; 4^th at Judy’s
• Speakers selection day 19^th
• RAL; 20^th “Light Fantastic”
• OFWI annual meeting; 24^th
• Tai Chi workshop; Melland room, Thursday 26^th
• Our AGM; 25^th, Blewbury School, 7.30pm & local speaker.

For more details of any of our events, or to join the Mah Jong or Scrabble group, or if you wish to join us, please ring Karen on 850219, or come to the PO!

Love from Karen

I have spotted many snowdrops and the odd daffodil, and even a couple of crocus out in bloom on my travels around the village, there are buds on some of my shrubs in the garden, and although there are signs of spring, I fear a spell of icy weather will be upon us soon, most of our events are indoors at this time of year, apart from Lyn’s walk, which will take us somewhere new, with a coffee stop somewhere, come and join us! We have many exciting outings coming up, including the Jane Austen Centre in Bath, Ludlow Castle, a boat trip on a steamer around Oxford and a tour of Oxford on an open topped bus, all in warmer weather of course!

• Mah Jong; Every Monday 2.30pm, ring Judy for venue! (New players always welcome, non WI too, a lovely way to spend a wintery afternoon!)
• Coffee at Style Acre Tearoom’s, Monday 2^nd February, 10.30am with Marilyn
• Lyn’s walk, Wednesday 4^th, meet at 10.30am, village hall, all welcome,
• February 4^th, Trip to London to see Cats
• Scrabble; 11^th February at Bernadine’s house.
• A Woman’s Lot; Freeland Village Hall.
• Wednesday 25^th; Youngest Ever Mayor of Abingdon, with Duncan Brown, 7.30pm at Blewbury School, guests welcome.

For more details of any of our events, or to join the Mah Jong or Scrabble group, or if you wish to join us, please ring Karen on 850219.

Love from Karen

I can’t quite believe that its nearly November already, I am sure that many of you are starting to get organised for Christmas, making plans & going shopping, but there is still time to go kicking the autumn leaves up in the woods, and for getting together with friends over a baked potato and a sparkler!

• Mah Jong; Monday 3^rd, 2.30pm
• Lyn’s walk Wednesday 5^th, 9.30am Village Hall (all welcome)
• Scrabble; Wednesday 5^th, 7.30pm
• Coffee at Style Acre; Monday 10^th, 10.30am
• IT & Computer Workshop, Thursday 13^th, Aston Tirrold village hall, 2-4pm
• WI meeting; Wednesday 26^th, Blewbury School, 7.30pm, “Dinosaurs of Oxfordshire” with Paul Sargent, visitors always welcome.

For more details of any of our events, or to join the Mah Jong or Scrabble group, or if you wish to join us, please ring Karen on 850219.

Love from Karen

We’ve been pretty busy during July and August with the monthly talk by Dr Anne Borrowdale on the subject of being an exam invigilator proving quite amusing,. Our trip to London involved a guided tour around the Royal Albert Hall, a visit inside the Wellington Arch and culminated in a visit to Harrods for tea and cakes. A fantastic day!!

We are all looking forward to our August Meeting which is the annual Garden Party at Linnet’s, South Street, commencing at 5.00pm. Our September Meeting is on Wednesday 24^th September and the speaker is Roger Shaw who is giving a talk called “Sailing in New England”. This talk has a nautical tack, together with the history of whaling.

Our major dates for the coming month are:

3^rd September – Lynn’s Walk. Local walk – meet at Village Hall at 10.00am. Bring stout shoes and pennies for coffee.

7^th September – Visit to the Rare Plant Fair at Adwell Estate. Meet at Village Hall at 1.pm – transport will be available. Husbands and non W.I. members all welcome.

8^TH September – W.I. Coffee Morning at Style Acres, Savages. Meet at 10.30am – Susan is the host.

10^th September – Art Dabble at Joyce’s at Abners – 2pm to 4pm. Even if you don’t paint – pop in for a cup of tea and chat.

SEPTEMBER SCRABBLE – Monday 8^th at 7.30pm at Graeme’s.

For more details of our events or if you would like join the Mah Jong or Scrabble Groups, or you wish to become a member of the W.I., please see Karen in Blewbury Post Office or ring her on 850219.

THOUGHT FOR SEPTEMBER: Nothing messes up your Friday more than realizing that it’s only Wednesday!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: MONDAY 6th OCTOBER To support this year’s fund raising for the refurbishment of the Blewbury Village Hall, the W.I. is hosting “AN EVENING WITH A BBC CELEBRITY” at Blewbury Village Hall The evening will begin with a glass of wine and nibbles The guest speaker is a BBC Celebrity (author, broadcaster and explorer) WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FULL DETAILS. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN DUE COURSE

Happy WI-ing, Eileen

BLEWBURY W.I. NEWS

Our May meeting involved the 2014 NFWI Resolution: "The NFWI notes that three people die every day whilst waiting for an organ transplant. We call on every member of the WI to make their wishes regarding organ donation known, and to encourage their family and friends, and members of their local communities to do likewise." Following an informative presentation and enlightening discussion, votes were: For – 26. Against – 0. Abstention – 4.

A lively presentation was then given on how to exhibit at the forthcoming VPA Show. I think the VPA members will now have more competition this year!

Our July Meeting is on Wednesday 23^rd July and our speaker is Dr Ann Borrowdale who is giving a talk called ‘The Invigilator Who Set Fire To His Trousers’ – should be an amusing evening. Our August Meeting is the annual Garden Party which, this year, will be on the 20^th at 5pm at Linnet’s, South Street.

Our major dates for July & August are listed below.

1^ST JULY – Walk organised by Lyn Blackie. Meet at Village Hall at 9.00am 6.5 miles round Coleshill near Faringdon. Lunch at Radnor Arms, Coleshill. Husbands and non W.I. members all welcome.

8^TH JULY – W.I. Coffee Morning at Style Acres, Savages. Meet at 10.30am Maggie is the host.

9^th JULY – Art Dabble at Joyce’s – 2pm to 4pm. Call in for a cuppa, even if you don’t paint.

JULY SCRABBLE – 7.30pm Monday 30^th July at Babeth’s,

4^th AUG – Day trip to the Albert Hall, London. Susan Tillbrook has organised a tour of the Hall. Travel by train and underground/bus.

6^th AUG – W.I. Coffee Morning at Style Acres, Savages – Meet at 10:30am Joan is the host.

13^th AUG – Art Dabble at Joyce’s – 2pm to 4pm. Call in for a cuppa, even if you don’t paint.

20^th AUG – Garden Party at Linnet’s, South Street – 5pm.

AUGUST SCRABBLE – 7.30pm Wednesday 6^th August at Rosemary’s.

For more details of any of our events or to join the Mah Jong or Scrabble Groups, or if you wish to join the W.I., please ring Karen on 850219.

THOUGHT FOR JULY/AUGUST: Age does not diminish the extreme disappointment of having a scoop of ice cream fall off the cone!

Happy WI-ing

Eileen

BLEWBURY W.I. NEWS

Surprise, surprise, you have a new scribe for the WI news and information. Many of you probably know Karen has taken over from Judy White as Secretary, which is a very busy position in the WI, so I have volunteered to keep you up to date with current news and what we are doing during the coming months.

May proved to be a very busy month and included a trip to London Docklands, a walk around the Nettlebed area finishing with lunch at The White Hart, and a croquet evening to give members a taster of how to play the game. Our speaker, Graham Horn, gave a very interesting talk on 100^th, 500^th and 1000^th anniversaries in 2014, giving us details about events and people which really surprised us. A very enjoyable lunch was had at the Red Lion in Blewbury.

Below are events and activities for June.

Wednesday 4^th June – Walk organised by Lyn Blackie. Meet at Village Hall 9am. 6.5 miles round Coleshill near Faringdon, via Tithe Barn at Great Coxwell & Badbury Woods. Lunch will be at Radnor Arms, Coleshill

Wednesday 4^th June – Trip ‘Cosmopolitan London’ – 8 meeting at Nettlebed

Monday 9^th June – Coffee Morning at Styleacres – Karen hosting

Wednesday 11^th June – Food & Flowers – 3 going

Tuesday 17^th & Thursday 19^th June – A Great Day out in Greenwich – no news on tickets yet.

Saturday 21^st June – Summer Dance at Ashbrook House – buy your ticket at the Post Office.

Monday 23^rd June – Garden visit with Joyce to Greys Court near Henley. Meet at Village Hall at 10:30am for garden only visit (will probably have lunch out too!)

Wednesday 25^th June – Monthly Meeting – ‘All About Hats’ with Liz Felix

Advance notice – ‘ART DABBLE’ is about to start again at Joyce’s, Abners, Church Road – First session will be 9^th July. Bring your own paints and paper and have a painting session plus a great chat from 2 – 4pm. Karen will be bringing the wine and cakes and Joyce has the chairs and tea/coffee. Remember you don’t have to be a Picasso or Rembrant – just enjoy splashing a bit of paint around!!

Wednesday 11^th June – Scrabble will be at Bernadine’s at 7.30pm.

For more details of any of our events or to join Mah Jong or Scrabble Group, or if you wish to join us, please ring Karen on 850219.

Happy W-I-ing

Eileen

Spring has sprung, we have all given a sigh of relief that winter is over, and are looking forward to getting out in the garden, and going to new places with our lovely WI ladies, we will have held our AGM by the time you read this, and will have new committee members and hopefully, some new ideas too! We wish everyone a “Happy Easter” too!

 

April Calendar

Tuesday 2^nd ; Lyn’s walk; meet at 10am,Tickers Folly car park, it may be muddy so stout boots and walking poles may be helpful and pennies for coffee, everyone welcome.

Tuesday 8^th 10.30am, coffee with Joan at Style Acre Tearooms

Tuesday 8^th; 42^nd Street, Amey Hall, Abingdon

Friday 18^th; RAL lecture on the “Mary Rose”

Wednesday 23^rd, WI meeting, “Anniversaries of 2014” with Graham Horn

Monday 28^th; Resolutions debate at Horton cum Studley

Tuesday 29^th, lunch at the Packhorse/Eating Inn (whatever it’s called now!)

Wednesday 30^th; tour of London Docklands

 

We send our deepest condolences to the family of Joanna Thompson, who was a member of Blewbury WI for many years.

 

For more detail of any of our events, or to join the Mah Jong or Scrabble group, or if you wish to join us, please ring Judy on 850381.

 

Love from Karen Brooks

I love December! Buying gifts, putting up the tree, planning menu’s, shopping; getting the family all together, parties & all the anticipation is just wonderful! Some of us will have been to Winchester Xmas market and bought lots of lovely things, I was in Edinburgh doing the same! Some of us won’t be doing these things; some of us don’t bake, don’t like the crush in the shops and don’t like the bother of it all! It’s a good job we are all different, which makes our WI such a brilliant & diverse group of ladies, all ages, all backgrounds, lots of skills to share! Thank you to all of you, I have had a great year!

December Calendar

Monday 2^nd ; Christmas songs at Oxford Town Hall

Tuesday 3^rd; Lyn’s walk, meet at Blewbury Village hall, (9.30am) stout boots and pennies for coffee, everyone welcome!

Wednesday 4^th ; Coffee at Style Acre Tearooms, 10.30am, with Joan

Wednesday 11^th ; WI Christmas lunch at The Four Pillars, Abingdon

Tuesday 17^th, RAL lecture, An Astronomers View of Famous Works of Art.

For more details, or to join the Mah Jong or Scrabble group, or if you wish to join us, please ring Judy on 850381.

11th March 2014; If anyone wants to join us for a trip to “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” in Oxford, please let Judy know asap, and we will get more tickets!

Love from Karen Brooks