Wycombe Wenches Monthly Meeting

8 pm Wednesday April 10th, 2019

Helen welcomed all members and guests Debra Harper, Sara Wiltshire and Jennifer Lucas.

Apologies: Adele, Donna, Fiona, Liz S, Liz H, Gill A, Chris C, Sue R, Lyn, Gill B, Rosemary J,
Wendy, Beryl, Barbara and Janette.

Our Speaker: Simon Michael treated us to a fabulous talk on his life as a Barrister and an
exploration of the novels he has written based on various aspects of his work
and extended family living in London. Members felt he was an extremely
interesting and well-spoken gentleman, who was very entertaining.

Break for some refreshments and the purchase of Easter Raffle tickets.

1. Treasurers Report: -
Many thanks to all 17 members who attended the Sparkling Afternoon Tea. It raised
approximately £180 for our own funds, some of which will be used to purchase
materials for our new WI Banner that we are in the process of creating and the new
Marketing Leaflet that our design team are busy creating too.

2. Monthly Collection Wycombe Women’s Aid – Members again very generously gave a
wide variety of much needed items for the Women’s refuge in HW.

3. Fundraising: Easter Raffle – Heather and Marion Bradley had again excelled in
creating gorgeous Easter Hampers from all the generously donated items from last
months meeting. The Hampers and Planter were won by Jane, Alison, Gill, Jean and
Linda. We raised £67 for our WW’s Funds, many thanks to all who took part.

4. Book group – “The Marrying of Chani Kaufman” by Eve Harris

Woolly Wenches – Twiddle Muffs, baby items and canular covers
Supper Club – Tuesday 4th June – Please note change of date
 Craft Group – Meeting 17th April 2.30pm at Rochelle’s. Please email Tracey at
tevsec@yahoo.co.uk to be added to the general craft group mailing list.
Banner Planning Meeting – Friday May 3rd 2.30pm

Helen thanked the ongoing work of the AA Committee; they met this month and
have lots of great ideas for us to enjoy. Below is a list of new outings planned for the
coming months. Please ensure you pop dates you sign up for in your personal diary.

• Cinema Evening on Thursday May 2nd in the Front Room, Castle Street, High
Wycombe. Film is 'Edie' starring Sheila Hancock - 'After her controlling husband dies,
an elderly woman embarks on a trip to fulfil her long-time dream of climbing a
mountain in the Scottish Highlands. Cost is £5 which includes drink and cake.
• Spring Walk on Friday 10th May, meeting at the 'Queens Head' in Little Marlow at
11am. The walk is about 3 miles over flat ground. Following the walk, we will have
lunch at the pub.
• Bletchley Park on May 16th, leaving at 0915 and returning by 5pm. Cost is £18.50 or
16.25 for concessions + cost of fuel.
• Supper Club on Tuesday 4th June at 7.30pm in TCC. Theme is 'Foods from 60-80s'.
• Tour of walled garden at Hughenden Manor on Wednesday 19th June at 10am. NT
members free, otherwise £11.10
• Denman - cookery demonstration, tour and afternoon tea on Monday July 1st. Cost
£20 + cost of fuel.

If you are interested in any of these events and your name is not already on the list (or if you
can't remember) then please email additionalactivities@hotmail.com and your name will be
added.

We are also finding out if members would be interested in:

• An evening at Marlow Rifle and Pistol Club on a Friday. Cost is £35pp

• Croquet on a Sunday afternoon, cost will be about £12
• Visit to a maize maze, venue tbc.

Again, if you would be interested then let us know as we need minimum of 10 people to
enable these events to go ahead.

Heather then spoke about the trip to the recycling centre. Please do respond
promptly to the email she will be sending regarding health and safety aspects of the
visit.

Simone spoke at the end of the meeting about a great cycling opportunity for
members to take part in…

National Bike Week: South Bucks CTC are holding a Ladies Only Session on Sunday
16th June to be based at Kimble Village Hall.

There will be lead rides for all abilities, including those who want to return to cycling and the
very unfit! This is a free event. It will be between 9am and 2pm and include refreshments and
also Basic Bike maintenance.
This is be delivered by Frank who has the Bike Shop in Great Missenden. He is very nice
and won't mind dozy questions. It is hoped there will be a few electric bikes. Electric bikes
are being encouraged.
Ladies will need to bring their own bikes and of course Frank will be on hand to help if
needed. All the Ride Leaders are registered with the CTC and can cope with mechanical
difficulties out on the road/trail.

This is a first for the Club and it is hoped that if enough women come along more lead rides
and events will follow. At the moment a small group (mainly mature men) meet at the
White Lion, Cryers Hill on Tuesday evenings for a very short flat ride before returning to
the Pub. Over the summer the distances are increased as the evenings lighten, and fitness
improves.

This was started about 18 months ago to encourage people back to cycling as has proved
quite successful in that normally 6 or 7 turn up most Tuesdays.

If you would like to give this event a try but need help getting your bike to Kimble, do speak
to Simone or Helen as we will be able to sort out the logistics between us.

5. Bucks Federation of Women’s Institutes.

The BFWI Financial Statement and Annual Review was available on the table for
members to read ahead of the Annual Meeting on May 1st in Aylesbury.

There is just one single room available on the trip to Blackpool in the Autumn if
anyone is interested. There are several of us going, if anyone would like to join us.
Contact Helen for more details.

6. AOB

The Dancing Black Dog lapel and pin badges had arrived after Gill had ordered some
from Australia. Members bought them all, so 12 sold in total. It was great to see
people supporting this new Mental Health campaign.

Jan Lancaster has kindly coordinated the formation of a WW’s quiz team to attend
the Rennie Groves Quiz on Friday May 3rd. Cost is £15 per person to include
supper. There are still two spaces if anyone else would like to take part. Send an
email to WW’s asap to join the team.

We would also like to congratulate our own WW’s Quiz team, Dawn, Caroline J and
Jan, who came an excellent 6th out of 40 teams at the WI Intercounty Quiz earlier
this month. Very well done indeed girls, as it is a very serious quiz, with no room for
slacking!

The photo below is of a flyer for an event that our member Gill Blair is helping to
organise and she would love to see any WW’s who would be interested in going
along to listen and help raise funds for Rennie Grove.
Wishing you all a very Happy Easter
Helen