Chair's Letter - October 2026
Dear All
Autumn – it’s here already. Another good part of the year has rushed by and here we find ourselves in October. I am rather fond of October – all those autumn colours. As you know I am rather partial to a Garden Centre and one locally to me has velvet pumpkins in a beautiful orange/rust colour! But where to put them!!!!!!!!!!!
Plans continue for the Annual Meeting next March – hopefully, all President’s will have received my letter - WIs can apply for a stall rather than us having commercial stall holders - let’s showcase the talent within our WIs. I hope you are considering entering the competitions - one for the brain and one for the fingers! On that basis I won’t be entering but I know talent is out there in abundance.
Life has been hectic behind the scenes. I felt that drop in my stomach when I opened the email from Lance Media (they kindly produce the OI magazine) to say September would be the last edition for a myriad of reasons. This was a blow, as we have worked closely with the design and printing teams for several years. But in true WI style and looking swan like - calm and serene but paddling for dear life underneath - research took place to find a replacement provider. We have been fortunate to secure a contract with Today Magazines Ltd. This magazine is produced by them. I want to thank Lance for all they have done over the years, but we look forward to our new partnership with Today Magazines Ltd. and all the team! Kept me out of the shops whilst all that was happening! The main change is that we will
have 12 editions of our wonderful magazine rather than 10. It keeps the office team and the trustees focussed as we juggle the new routine so please bear with us and enjoy those two extra magazines.
I would now like to introduce Teresa Allen - Teresa has been on the Board for a year but involved with Combined Arts committee for a while now.
“I still feel new to my role as a Trustee having attended the Board initially as an observer after last year's Annual Meeting and then being co-opted as a Trustee in September. I have always been interested in finding out and understanding how organisations work at different levels, and I wanted to better understand how my local WI in Wendlebury was connected both practically and financially to the teams at both the federation and NFWI. It has been a bit of an eye opener but my first year as a Trustee has been an enjoyable experience. I have been able to see first-hand how dedicated my fellow volunteer Trustees and our wonderful
team at Tackley are.
Everyone works together to deliver the best advice and member experience they can within the constraints of the Budget. I now have a much better understanding of how subscriptions are managed, spent, or invested. I have witnessed a strong work ethic across the different committees but the invisible golden threads that seems to bind everyone together is friendship, co-operation, and fun. We take the opportunity to have a good laugh as well as
deal with the business side of things. I still have much to learn, especially about the role played by NFWI, but I know that I am part of a welcoming and supportive team. I would encourage anyone who is interested to join us as an observer at one of our
meetings.”
As always, my love and best wishes.
Tracy
Tracy Strain
OFWI Chair
01235 765285
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