Chair's Letter - September 2026
Dear All
Welcome back after a well-earned break. I just can’t believe how quickly the year is rushing by. Does that mean I am getting older? I remember hearing my grandmother say that time rushes by when you are older but as a child, I thought it dragged! How times change – the wonderful OCC have sent me a bus pass. Must be issuing them earlier these days!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope by now all WIs will have had a chance to discuss the letter sent out on behalf of the Joint Oxfordshire Resilience Team and that your WI is considering, or has already signed up, to support this wonderful initiative. Carol MacKay is a wonderful force of organisation, support and care and a WI member to boot!! Any small thing we can do as an organisation, is gratefully accepted.
Now the OFWI Annual Meeting, which I know you will have already put in your diaries, 30 March! One of our speakers will be Siobhan Daniels, The Lady in the Van – not to be missed. As you know, we have always had a range of stalls and we would like to continue this tradition at our new venue, but I would like to offer the opportunity of WIs taking a stall. I know there are many of you out there with a range of talents galore in crafts and more. The cost of a table is £30 and all profits go to your WI. If you would like a table, please contact Elaine Smith, Federation Secretary. This will be on a first-come, first-served
basis.
16 September sees us celebrating 111 years of the WI - please raise a cup of tea, or something stronger, to our wonderful organisation.
As you will have seen in this month’s magazine, it is election time for the Board of Trustees. As inevitably happens, things change and the make-up of the Board changes, but your
Board needs you (remember that famous poster!) So do put yourself forward – your WI will have all the paperwork. It’s not scary but it is hugely rewarding.
And now this month I would like to introduce a long-standing trustee, Mary Bakewell, to share a few thoughts on life as a trustee.
I am, I won’t say the oldest, just one of the longest serving members of the Board. I have been with lots of members who have made up the Board at different times and all have been a pleasure to work with.
Until you work with the Board you do not realise how hard they work organizing trips, meeting with speakers, craft events and workshops for you to enjoy.
I must tell you about the staff, they are little treasures. It has been a pleasure to work alongside this Board and the staff at Tackley, you should come and try it.
As always, my love and best wishes.
Tracy
Tracy Strain
OFWI Chair
01235 765285
Comments