WI Reports
WI News - April 2012
Our April meeting was the AGM and the business was dealt with efficiently and briskly by our President Julie Hillier, who was unanimously re-elected. Jill Vallis, who had been on the Committee for a long time, stood down and was presented with a plant for her garden in appreciation of her hard work. The presentation is pictured here.
All other Committee members were re-elected with Janice Kinory re-joining following her absence whilst achieving a doctorate.
Our last walk started from the Maytime Inn at Asthall. The morning was cool and misty so we stepped up the pace and were soon warm. The views across the Windrush Valley were beautiful, having an ethereal quality about them. A report on the walk, as well as other information on our WI, can be seen on the Steeple Aston Website. Some of us will be joining members of other WIs on a 'Ramble in the Ironstone Hills' north of Banbury at the beginning of May.
There were several visits planned for April including a day in Worcester, and a day in London to see 'The Dickens Exhibition'. In May some of our members will be visiting the house, gardens and lode mill at Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire.
A 'History at Home' Exhibition is to be held at Benson Parish Hall. WIs and individual members from Oxfordshire will be providing items to reflect domestic life of the past one hundred years, including for example kitchenalia, handicrafts, fashion and childhood objects. The Exhibition, which will be held between 6.00pm to 9.00pm on Friday 20th July and between 10.30am and 4.00pm on Saturday 21 July will be open to the public and admission will be free.
The WI have joined forces with 'Forum for the Future', a non-profit making organisation promoting sustainable development, to allow us in June the opportunity to visit the Westmill Solar Park at Watchfield.
Our next meeting will be held on 8 May when the speaker Gillian White will entertain us with the 'History of the Hugely Huggable Teddy Bear'.
Call me if you'd like any information on the WI in Steeple Aston.
Julie Smith
01869 347257
To see more photos, all by Catherine Crook, please click here.
A Quiet Walk around Asthall - March 2012
The sun did not shine for us the morning we went on our walk, in fact it was quite chilly! Four of us led by Jane Johnston started our circular walk from the Maytime Inn at Asthall, Julie had her camera and Judith her binoculars.
We passed through the pretty Cotswold village of Asthall heading towards Swinbrook along a peaceful road which is also a recognised alternative cycle route for those people who prefer a quieter ride between Witney and Burford.
The violets along the roadside varied from patches of very dark mauve to cream. Grazing in the fields were Cotswold lion sheep introduced to this county by the Romans, favoured for their thick woolly coats.
We crossed over the River Windrush and passed by the small church of St Oswald at Widford, standing all alone. Heading back towards Asthall we were ahead of ourselves, and at this point agreed to extend our walk to five miles.
All the time we were aware of the peacefulness around us. The birds singing, Judith was able to name the birds for us. We spied a kite passing overhead, a muntjac ran across a field in front, all of the time something interesting to look at.
We arrived back at the Maytime Inn, and enjoyed a nice lunch. The sun came out as we started our drive home. We all agreed it was a lovely morning walk. Many thanks to Jane.
Written by Mary Rushworth
Photographs by Julie Smith
For more photos, please click here.
WI News - March 2012
Steeple Aston WI was founded in 1918 and this anniversary was celebrated in style at our monthly meeting in March when S & J Cuisine provided an excellent buffet following welcome drinks.
Our speaker for the evening was Gillian Kane whose talk on 'It's a Girl's Life in the Army' was both highly entertaining and informative, recalling her experiences in the first intake of women at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, and on graduating as the first woman officer in the Royal Green Jackets when she was the only female in this Infantry Regiment. Listening to her brought home how far women have come since her service in the 1980s.
Since the start of our WI we have kept records and photographs of events and activities and these now form a fascinating history of our organisation, and also reflect the village's social history and change throughout that period. These albums and documents need to be properly cared for and two of us attended an Archiving Workshop to learn the correct way and methods to keep this memorabilia.
A workshop on Modern Machine Patchwork for Beginners was held at Tackley. This was so popular that three further workshops have been arranged. Some of those who attended enjoyed it so much that there is now interest in forming a patchwork group to meet regularly.
Members enjoyed the martial art 'Fencing Day' recently held at Southmoor where we were kitted out with the full protective clothing, learned the moves and footwork, and then practised our new skills by fencing with each other. It is an unusual activity for most people and certainly was new for us. The tuition was excellent and everyone managed to return home in one piece! We look forward to seeing the experts in action at the Olympic Games.
Our next walk is planned for the end of May but with the spring approaching we shall undoubtedly feel compelled to put on our walking boots before then.
We look forward to taking a trip this month to the ancient and interesting city of Worcester which has much to offer the visitor.
Our next meeting, at 7.00pm on 10 April, will be our AGM and the speaker will be Erica Smith with a presentation on 'Making Silk Paper'.
Call me if you'd like any information on the WI in Steeple Aston.
Julie Smith
01869 347257
WI News - February 2012
We have the opportunity to attend a WI day event in the ballroom of Waterperry House where, in the morning, we shall have a presentation on the life and work of Norman Rockwell, who was a 20th century American painter most famous for his influential work of illustrating the covers of many US journals, most notably the Saturday Evening post and Life Magazine. In the afternoon we shall hear about the selection and management of world-wide charity projects in which the WI is involved.
WIGS is the Women's Institute Golf Society and will soon be organising a series of six lessons for absolute beginners, to be given by the golf pro David Cook at Oxford Golf Club. This is an annual event and, with all the equipment supplied, is a great opportunity to be introduced to golf. For ladies with golf handicaps there is the WI Three Counties Tournament which 'tees off' in April.
We regularly have 'Music Tasters' and the next one will be in April at Chadlington when we shall have a presentation on the music of one of the most important of the early Romantic Composers, Robert Schumann. Listening to this music should put us in the mood for a planned 'Summer Serenade' Concert!
At our last meeting we enjoyed the Circle Dancing which was a great success, with everyone joining in the fun, laughter and spirit of the evening. It was very cosmopolitan with dances coming from various countries.
The weather on the day of our last walk was sunny and bright. It was decided that the planned woodland walk would be postponed in favour of a walk around Witney Lakes where we could enjoy the sun and the great array of bird-life.
Our next meeting will be on 13 March when the subject of the talk will be 'It's a Girl's Life in the Army'.
'It's a Girls' Life in the WI'. And a great one! For any information, give me a call.
Julie Smith
01869 347257
The Witney Lake Walk - January 2012
Our group convened as usual, outside the post office; however we were but a small band of only four, Jane Johnston our worthy leader and driver, Mary Rushworth, Judith Lane and me. Our mystery walk was more of a mystery than usual, Jane gave us a choice of three different locations, Stoke Woods, Adderbury or a lake. The Stoke Woods was out, as it was a sunny but cold day, we decided we would prefer to be out in the sunshine than hidden in trees, next choice was a walk around Adderbury, some of us had been on this one before, so the Lake at Witney won the vote!
We drove to the Waitrose car park in Witney where we found ample space, donned our boots and set off in the direction of St Mary's Church and on across the park and through a bit of industrial estate, then alongside a remarkably clear little tributary of the Windrush which led us to a gate and there it was, The Lake. Mary was able to enlighten me that the lake was the result of old gravel pits that had been landscaped to form a very pretty spot with a good path all the way around, a bit muddy but fine.
Our first impressions were most favourable, especially on the bird watching theme as Judith proved to be quite an ornithologist, and was armed with a magnificent pair of binoculars. First off she spotted a pair of male greater crested grebes in wonderful plumage in the middle of the lake, and closer to the shore one female. Of course there were mallards galore assuming we would be feeding them and they clustered noisily on the shore to greet us, to no avail.
The clear little river running parallel to the lake proved a source of even more bird life, a gray wagtail as identified by Judith, a bullfinch and she even spotted a tree creeper. There was a continuous flurry of busy little wrens darting about along the banks, and out in the flood meadow beyond we even spotted an egret, and Mary and I are convinced we saw a hare which was out of site before the binoculars could be brought to bear!
The far side of the lake proved just as fruitful with blackbirds in abundance some even reluctant to move much out of our way, clearly very used to walkers. Then out on a little island we saw a cormorant waving its droopy wings around. The discussion that followed this sighting was about the difference between the cormorant and a shag.
Back to the car to change boots and find a suitable venue for luncheon, I popped my head into a couple of pubs but declared them not up to scratch, we eventually plumbed for The Royal Oak which Jane said she had tried before. We were lucky to find a table without having to wait and enjoyed a tasty luncheon.
On the return journey we topped off our sightings with a clutch of plovers/lapwings in a field and flying overhead two Chinook helicopters and one heron (bird) One would add that whilst circling the lake we were 'hounded' by a military plane clearly doing some 'circs & bumps' sort of practicing their landing skills!
Perhaps you would like to join us next time and see what you can spot, or just enjoy a great walk, naturally followed by a spot of luncheon.
For more photos, please click here.
Merrill Bayley
01869 347802
WI News - January 2012
The popular TV series 'Downton Abbey' is the subject of a new book written by the 8th Countess of Carnarvon of Highclere Castle. The Castle was the location of the filming and the book describes the 'behind the scenes' making of the first two series. A literary lunch will be held at the beginning of February at the WI's Denman College where the Countess will speak of her experiences of being present during the filming, will take part in a discussion, and be available for book signing. It promises to be a fascinating event.
In this Olympic year we are able to try our hands at one of the sports featured in every modern Olympic Games - fencing. This combat sport using bladed weapons will be introduced to the adventurous amongst us by an expert tutor at a venue in Southmoor. All the equipment will be provided and we shall doubtless take the experience seriously - but not too seriously! On Guard!
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. In April we shall have tours to celebrate the great man's genius and explore the realities of life in Victorian London with all its contrasting glory and squalor. We shall visit the Museum of London to experience the first major Dickens Exhibition for over 40 years.
We have a four mile walk through woodlands planned for the end of January. The weather at this time of year can be glorious. We hope for the best!
Our next meeting will take place on 14th February when we shall take part in Circle Dancing. Circle Dancing is probably one of the oldest known dance formations, is common to many cultures and used to mark special occasions, strengthen community and encourage togetherness. Today Circle Dancing blends the traditional with a modern approach to dance. It is great fun and an ideal activity for all of us.
For any information on WI, give me a call.
Julie Smith
01869 347257
WI News - December 2011
We were fortunate to have clear and sunny late November weather for our last walk of the year which was from Aynho to Somerton and back, along the Oxford Canal towpath. It ended with a lunch in the very pleasant atmosphere of the Great Western Arms at Aynho.
Our Christmas Celebration took place at the December meeting when we enjoyed an excellent three course dinner catered by S & J Cuisine. Entertainment led by Calderbank Presentations was a fun and light-hearted mix of songs and music.
The aim for the meeting programme for 2012 is to bring a wide range of speakers and activities so there will be something for all our members to enjoy. We look forward to our next meeting on 10 January when we shall hear from Tim Bryce about 'Life on a Canal Boat'. There are many WI activities besides our own meeting programme and these range from the fun and entertaining, to the learning and challenging - including such things as sports, crafts, the arts, science, history and travel.
We have a Rural Affairs Committee who organise events throughout the year including an 'Annual Livestock Day'. This meeting will take place at Aston, near Witney in January, when in the morning we shall have a presentation by Dr Corri Waitt from the Food Animal Initiative of Oxford University about research underway on chicken health and welfare; in the afternoon we shall have a speaker from a battery hen rescue service.
We have several trips being planned at the moment including to Tewkesbury, Ely and Chatsworth with the first one being to Worcester in April. These outings are always well supported and it's a great way to meet up with other WI members from different parts of Oxfordshire.
If you are interested in joining a very friendly group, contact me. It's a great way to make friends!
Julie Smith
Tel: 01869 347257 .
The Great Western Arms Canal Walk - November 2011
The usual meet up outside the shop where Jane Johnson, both leader and driver whisked us off to Great Western Arms at Aynho. We parked the car, donned our boots and set off over the bridge and down to the canal, along the unusually wide towpath, where we could walk two abreast most of the time. We, the intrepid walkers Mary Rushworth, Julie Smith, Jill Vallis and I set off on Jane's latest route.
Jill as ever, was quick off the mark to do some bird spotting; a flock of Fieldfares gave a splendid demonstration fly-past between the trees, accompanied by plenty of chatter as they went about their businesses. We managed to disturb a lone heron on sentry duty beside the canal, it rose and flapped elegantly a little further down the canal and took up station once more, only to discover we were still advancing on him, after the third landing he gave up and flew away across the water meadows. Down beside the canal a wren was spotted darting in and out of cover, whilst high up in the blue sky a lone Kestrel plied its way towards a distant woods.
Julie explained that the canal rates as one of the oldest in the country and also clearly one of the widest, and to cap it all Jane added that it has lock which is also one of the deepest! Julie added that the canal was unusual in as much as it appeared to meander like a river, this was because it was built to follow the contours of the land, unlike later canals which run as straight as possible to achieve the shortest distance to the destination. This Canal was conceived in 1769 but not completed till 1790 a 91 mile stretch from Coventry down to the Thames a highway for bringing coal to Banbury.
At bridge 193 just a farm cattle crossing bridge, but we spent a little time analysing the cantilever effect; reach up pull the rope and the bridge simply glides down - easy but so effective.
Onwards, along an unusually gated towpath, avoiding cow pats and the odd sheep dropping, well could have been rabbits I suppose, noting deer tracks on the soft muddy bits. Although damp and sometimes slippery underfoot it was a lovely bright sunny day, blue sky and a gentle, but cool breeze ensured we kept a good pace. However, we did pause again this time to study and wonder why someone had carved designs on old railway sleepers, most interesting! Again a pause to discuss the terminology to describe the spot where barges need to turn, not a turning place, but a 'winding hole' pronounced like 'wind'.
Jane called out "about turn" and we returned from whence we came, to do the return trip, funny how facing the 'other way' can look so different, as if on a different walk! Finally back to the car, a quick change from our muddy boots and into the pub!
We all had enjoyable fare and vowed to return to the Great Western Arms at Aynho again.
Merrill Bayley.
For more photos please click here
WI News - November 2011
Our visit to the newly opened Anglo-Saxon gallery at the Ashmolean Museum was a comprehensive and enjoyable tour hosted by curator Dr Christopher Ferguson. As a first, all the members attending travelled to Oxford by the local S4 bus service and this proved to be very convenient and easy.
Our November meeting was a 'Hands-on Craft Evening' run by our members Phyllis Crozier and Margaret Russell who brought their experience and expertise and provided a wide variety of different materials for us to design and make our own cards. As well as having a fun 'crafty' evening their help inspired us to create art of which we were proud.
Like everyone, we are making preparations for the festive season and with our membership growing our Christmas celebrations will be all the merrier this year. These will start on 5 December in Oxford's beautiful Town Hall where about 700 members from all over the county will enjoy a 'Christmas Songs Evening'. At our own meeting the following week we will have a three-course Christmas meal and professional entertainment. No Christmas season would be complete without a pantomime and so to round off we are going to Chipping Norton Theatre to see 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves'.
All of us at Steeple Aston WI wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Julie Smith
WI News - September and October 2011
Our trip to the National Trust's Shugborough Hall, home to the famous photographer the late Patrick Litchfield was most enjoyable with much to see. The newly opened private apartments gave a real insight to his life and work. The Home Farm had supplied the estate with most of its needs, from vegetables to dairy products, from fruit to meat, and the flour mill and many different workshops including a forge and carpenter's shop provided a wide range of commodities. These were open and it was fascinating to see them all still working.
At our September meeting we were entertained by Alex Stanbrook who brought along a very wide range of 'Hilarious Hats' which she wore and demonstrated with great humour.
Members and visitors at our October meeting heard from Margaret and Peter Whittle of Tadmarton Crafts about their fund raising activities for Katherine House Hospice, by making and selling their very wide range of craft items. We had the opportunity to buy from their range knowing that all the profits made that evening were to go to the charity. Since starting in 1993 they have raised the staggering amount of Ł92,000 for Katherine House.
One of our members, Janice Kinory, has arranged for us to tour the newly opened Anglo-Saxon gallery at the Ashmolean Museum where we shall be hosted by Dr Christopher Ferguson, one of the curators responsible for choosing the items to be displayed, and who will explain their importance and the reasons for their being selected.
Our next meeting, to be held on 8 November, will be a 'Hands-On' Craft evening, and our next organised walk will be on 25 November.
Julie Smith
WI News - August 2011
Our trip to Eton and Windsor in August was very enjoyable with the tour around Eton College particularly interesting. It was a fine day so we were able to enjoy the sightseeing attractions, boat trips and bus tours.
A trip to Shugborough estate in Staffordshire has been arranged for September and several members from Steeple Aston will be going. This 900 acre estate is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Litchfield and was home to Patrick Litchfield, the noted photographer. His private apartments in the Georgian mansion house are open this year for the first time. There is also much else to see. The visit will give insights into this working historic estate and we shall be able to walk around the walled gardens and parkland.
There will be a 'Harvest Home' evening at Barley Park Farm, Ducklington. John Letts, thatcher and baker of the Oxford Bread Group, will talk about his work, and folk singer Ian Giles will entertain us. A 'Posh Ploughman's Supper' will be served.
Our next organised walk will take place on 23 September and we shall be hearing the details soon.
The speaker at our next meeting on 13 September will be Alex Stanbrook who is very witty and amusing and will be entertaining us with her presentation 'Hilarious Hats'.
Julie Smith
WI News - July 2011
We combined our July monthly meeting with a summer outing to Chastleton where we had the benefit of a private and extensive guided tour of this Jacobean house. Business was conducted over an excellent lunch!
In early July members from Steeple Aston joined colleagues from other parts of the county on a visit to the ancient house of Hellens at Much Marcle, and then on to the town of Ledbury where the local market was being held. This varied day in Herefordshire was very enjoyable.
Although there will be no village meeting in August there are opportunities for us to get involved in a range of WI activities. Amongst these will be a Water Colour Painting Workshop to be held at Harwell and a day trip to Eton and Windsor where we shall be able to choose what we do from the wide range of sightseeing and other attractions.
Twelve WI members from all over the county will be spending three days at the Earthwatch Centre in Wytham Woods as part of the Earthwatch/HSBC Project. They will be taking part in a residential programme to help us understand the science of climate change and also collecting data to help in Oxford University's ongoing research. We look forward to news of their experience.
We wish all in Steeple Aston a happy summer.
Julie Smith
For more photos, please click here.
The Adderbury Circular Walk - June 2011
We were collected by Jane at the Post Office Shop at 10.00am sharp and proceeded in her car to Adderbury, to the Red Lion actually where we parked the car and donned our walking boots. Jane Johnston, the leader, and Jill Vallis, Julie Smith and I set off across the village green upwards and onwards.
It was a lovely morning starting cool and then warming up - perfect.
Yet again cattle came into the equation, the cow pats near the stile appeared quite firm and old, however further on along the field they looked extremely fresh, and as we came up the side of the field we spotted them, this time they were far away on the other side and were not interested in us at all this time, thankfully.
We passed a lovely old house with sheds/garages, and along the gutter of the main house we spotted five fledgling swallows screaming out for the parents, who were diving past us with ample fodder for them, back and forth, back and forth. With the aid of Jill's binoculars one could almost make out the insects in their parents beaks!
Onwards we walked, through fields of barley, flax, oh and cows, meadows of grasses and wild flowers, views of Church spires in the distance and even a wooden Windmill. Pausing on the bridge over the little brook, aptly named; Sawbrook we hung over the bridge to throw poo-sticks, just for fun! Walked past a fisherman beside a little lake, nice and quietly in case we should disturb his fish!
These pathways around Addebury seemed quite busy, as we often met small clusters of people criss-crossing our path.
Finally back into Addebury pausing to admire the wonderful roses trained up the lamp and sign post, pausing again to wonder at the blue plaque for a Morris dancer!
Then back to the Red Lion for a hearty lunch, and very good it was too, certainly somewhere I would go back to again.
Report and photos by Merrill Bayley.
For more photos, please click here.
WI News - June 2011
At our June meeting archaeologist Mr Colin Oakes gave a talk entitled 'Tales of Old London'. This certainly was not 'dry as dust' history; he brought to life what it must have been like to live in the times between the Great Fire of London in 1661 and the Great Exhibition in 1851. We much enjoyed this entertaining and informative presentation.
We regularly have organised walks in the area, generally of about three to four miles, followed by a pub lunch. Our walk leader Jane carefully plans and walks these prior to the event and is now thinking about our next one, to follow the June outing.
On 6 July several of us are going to Little Milton for a 'Caribbean Evening' with cookery ideas to reflect the experiences of those who regularly holiday and cruise in that beautiful part of the world. These 'themed evenings' are always good fun and are very popular.
Our summer outing will be on 13 July when we shall have a conducted tour of Chastleton House, a Jacobean country house which has remained essentially unchanged for 400 years. We shall finish with lunch at a nearby pub.
Looking ahead, in September our 2011 Science Lecture will take place at Abingdon when Mr Tim Child, a Senior Fellow in Reproductive Medicine at the University of Oxford and Director of the Oxford Fertility Clinic will present on 'Designer Babies and Other IVF Advances'. Mr Child is world renowned as leader of the team which undertook the world's first intro vitro maturation cycle resulting in the birth of twins in 2007. We look forward to hearing this eminent speaker.
Our next meeting will be on 13 September (there is no meeting in August) when our speaker will make a presentation entitled 'Hilarious Hats'.
Julie Smith
WI News - May 2011
Twenty-five Members were present on 10th May and Julie Hillier opened the Meeting by welcoming everyone, especially our new committee members who were filling their new roles for the first time tonight.
Members were encouraged to browse the Book and Magazine sales tables, as all sales help our funds.
The new resolutions for this year were discussed and the vote taken: the majority of members are against Mega Farms, and against the closing of local libraries. Our vote will go on to the National AGM.
The rest of the evening was handed over to Liz Colyer the Denman College craft instructor who showed us in brief, some of the techniques involved with quilling and parchment work, samples were passed around for us to see what can be achieved.
The next members’ walk will be on June 24th.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday 14th June and the speaker will be Colin Oakes who will regale us with “Tales of Old London” this will be an open meeting.
Merrill Bayley
The Bluebell Walk - Wednesday 14th May
At the Post Office at 10.30am sharp I met up with Jane Johnston the leader, Isabella Cleaver, Dorothy Clifton, Judith Lane, Mary Rushworth, Jill Vallis, plus Morse and Ringo the two dogs. We set off at a brisk pace along South Side, past the Red Lion and onward on 60 foot to the main road.
Now to the walk proper, across the main road, down the middle of the huge rape field into Barton Bushes to view the carpets of bluebells. Of bluebells there were plenty, however their condition was, shall we say, spent! Out of the woods and around the edges of the fields with plenty of interesting smells to occupy the dogs!
We paused on a ridge overlooking Duns Tew, and with the aid of Jill’s binoculars we could see the grain silo of Enstone and the radio mast near Great Tew. The hedgerows were a bountiful mass of flowers and grasses and we were identifying many and in full agreement, until, we came to the white Cow Parsley, some called them Queen Ann’s Lace and Mary assured us that the local name was Keck. We were tempted to pull out the dreaded ragwort, but it seems the new school of thought is not to pull it out unless one can remove it from the field.
Jane paused and pointed to the stile announcing it was an “awkward one” and this turned out to be a pivotal moment as, on the awkward stile was an awkward sign “Bull in field”. The bull was indeed in the field; granted he was at the far side however, he was accompanied by a full harem of cows, approximately 20 in number. Crunch time; Dorothy and Morse led the way followed by Jill and myself through the field with the cattle. The second platoon sheepishly took the adjacent field and we agreed to meet up at the end of our respective fields.
We were about halfway up the field when we began to notice cows that had been lying down were now rising and looking our way. We increased our strides, the cattle clustered and broke into a trot appearing to head our way! Morse streaked ahead and Dorothy attached to his lead showed us a clean pair of heels, Jill and I broke into a meaningful trot behind them, and then I noticed the cattle were not in fact coming our way, the danger was averted, and we reached the safety of the gate noticing that the bull had not moved! However a trampling by a herd of cattle would have been much the same a goring and trampling by one bull.
When we met up again with the second platoon there was a fair bit of banter about running techniques, though fortunately no one asked me why I failed to take a photo of the cantering cattle.
The rest of the walk was mercifully uneventful and we emerged on the main road beside Brasenose Farm from whence we headed down Fenway, deciding we were a little early for lunch, we deviated up along Conegar field then down the Beeches, and out on Fir Lane beside the school before finally arriving at the White Lion. The dogs were duly despatched home, and various members partook of the Hookie beer as we made our selections for lunch. We all enjoyed hearty meals and various topics of conversation were aired, before finally taking our farewells, till the next time.
* Correction, on close examination of the photos those cows were in fact heifers!
Lots more photos are available in the Media Gallery, please click here.
The canal and Heyfords walk
This gentle walk was arranged by Jane and expertly led in her absence by Jill meeting up at Lower Heyford station car park. Pictured here are (left to right) Janet Coley, Trish Vickers, Julie Smith, Jenny Burton & Jill Vallis
A lovely day, but naturally rather cold the six of us set off along the canal towpath towards Upper Heyford. In a meadow alongside the canal we spotted; a family of swans with their four large gangly cygnets, a large flock of Canadian geese and with the aid of Jill’s excellent binoculars we all had an opportunity to see them ‘close-up’. Again with the binoculars we were able to watch a goldcrest working hard to extricate the seeds from a teasel and also espied a robin as it sang one of its beautiful recitals!
We crossed the canal over the hump bridge into Upper Heyford and onward to St Mary’s Church where we stopped for a look-see; the new gates are worth seeing alongside the very, very old iron stile.
Then onwards past the ‘water treatment works’ passing the other St Mary’s Church emerging just below the bowls green of Lower Heyford ending up at Kizzie's Waterside Bar & Bistro where we enjoyed a rather excellent lunch. The soups were a resounding success as were the various fry-ups and brochettes with bacon and mushrooms etc all freshly cooked and very tasty too! Here endeth the walk thoroughly enjoyed by us all!
Report and photos by Merrill Bayley
For more photos, please click here.
The WI walk to Lovell Hall
We convened for the walk, led and organised by Jane Johnston, at 10.00am. outside the shop on Friday 29th October. Six members of the party were ferried in two cars to The Lamb Inn, Crawley, near Witney, the starting point of our walk. Although a lovely breezy, mild and dry day, the path was delightfully muddy and squelched underfoot.
On the journey, hawkeyed Jill Vallis spotted one pheasant and a generous clutch of partridges bustling along a ploughed field. Another spotter, Dorothy Clifton, spied the gruesome remains of a rabbit on a fence post waiting to be finished off by any passing scavenging buzzard. We certainly heard plenty of birds but they were not visible through the leaves, most of which had turned into the most wonderful russets, yellows and all the autumn hues you could wish for – simply glorious!
The walk took us to Lovell Hall, well the remains of it!
“The ruins of the 15th century Lovell Hall, are situated close to the River Windrush and beside the 15 century church in the Cotswold village of Minster Lovell just off the A40 near Witney. Visitors will find this site a very peaceful and tranquil setting, on a fine day bring a picnic and enjoy it beside the river”. (www.Cotswolds360.com)
Fortunately we were unaware of the following story when we wandered through the ruins:-
“Lord Lovell returned to England to take part in the War of the Roses battle at Stoke, near Newark, a final if unsuccesful attempt to de-throne the new Tudor King, Henry V11. It is said that Lord Lovell died during that rebellious battle, but did he? Legend has it that a skeleton discovered in 1708 in a vaulted room underground, still sitting at a table, was that of Francis Lovell who spent the remaining years of his life hiding in this underground prison cell.”
The circuit brought us back to the car park and we de-booted for lunch at The Lamb where our booked table beckoned. We wolfed down our delicious sandwiches and whilst most enjoyed a coffe or a soft drink there was one who quaffed a spritza!
It was a thoroughly enjoyable walk with entertaining conversation, particularly at lunchtime where many varied topics were given a thorough airing.
Despite our pleas for another walk before the year end, Jane advised that this was not possible but we are promised another outing in January.
MB
Apples for All Seasons
The talk on Tuesday 12th October, “Apples for All Seasons” by Andy Howard of the Mid-Shires Orchard Group, was fascinating; with full participation in the heritage apple tasting and plenty of questions from the group.
Andy spoke of the many hundreds of different varieties of apples and identified which ones could be stored well into March and some beyond (lots of note taking here!). There is no need to wrap the apples in paper for storage, just keep them separated in a dark, north facing garage or shed and keep an eye on them each week to check for spoilage. He also provided heaps of other tips!
Andy explained that part of his work was to assist in identifying old heritage fruit varieties and train traditional heritage orchard management, grafting and pruning etc and help conserve historic heritage orchards.
Andy had brought lots of apples for us to identify and sample! There were even apple trees for sale and there were plenty of eager purchasers. Also for sale were books, posters and cards all about apples.
For more information here is the web site:www.brogdale.org/nfc_home.php
Also being offering for sale was a vast array of Christmas, birthday and all occasion cards and wrapping paper by Isabella Cleaver, a regular favourite event at our meetings.
Report by Merrill Bayley, photos by Trish Vickers.