Hyde Heath Evening WI - November 2011

Fiona Turner from the South Bucks Hospice Palliative Care & Lymphoedema Clinic gave a talk and slide show on the work of this charity, which the Group are raising funds for this year and next.   

It provides day care and specialist therapy services in South Bucks for people with advanced progressive life limiting illnesses also helping and supporting their relatives and carers.   This organisation became known to the Group because, sadly, a fondly remembered member for many years required the Lymphoedema Clinic towards the end of her illness earlier this year. 

A new purpose built Hospice has gained approval for construction in Totteridge, High Wycombe which will enable 60% more patients to be treated and will provide local people and their families with the very best care for generations to come.  

It was announced that the Millennium Wall Hanging is in the process of being mounted and it is hoped to have it back in the Village Hall for our Christmas Party. 

The Group Meeting last month was much enjoyed by eight members who were delightfully entertained by harpist Geraldine McMahon. 

An outing for next year has already been booked to the RAF Uxbridge Bunker/Museum on 28^th April. 

The AGM commenced with treasurer, Pam Ruff, presenting the financial statement.  The annual report was read out giving details of all the outings, events and speakers that had been enjoyed during the year.  Avril Sherratt stepped down from the Committee and was thanked for all her sterling work and support.  Mary Rose was nominated and voted onto the Committee.  Linda Drummond was also co-opted onto the team.  The President also thanked Gillian O’Flynn for the monthly reports and Ann Honour for advertising the meetings. 

Barbara Aris was re-elected as president and thanked all members for their support during the year. 

Before a delicious tea, brains were tested with an amusing Quiz and purchases made at the Bring and Buy table. 

Reminders were given for the Christmas Dinner at Hardings Restaurant, Aylesbury College on 30^th November for 6.45pm;  the Coffee Morning Christmas Bring & Buy at Janet Forrest’s house on 2^nd December 10.30am – 12.30pm and the Christmas Party will be on 8^th December, 7.15 for 7.30pm with entertainment called “Verse and Worse”. 

The first meeting for 2012 will be at 8pm in the Village Hall on 12^th January.

Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - October 2011

Barbara Aris, President, welcomed a new member and visitor to the October meeting.   

Pam Epps reported on a coach visit that four members went on to the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, Olympic Site in London and the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.  It was a full day which was fascinating, varied and much enjoyed. 

Information about various forthcoming events was given, in particular a Christmas meal at The Hardings Restaurant, Aylesbury College at 6.45pm on 30^th November.  A menu is available to pre-order from.   

A fund raising Coffee morning and Christmas Bring and Buy will be held by Janet Forrest and Judith Butt at 7 Walnut Way from 10.30–12.30am on 2^nd December.  Friends welcome. Also the Christmas Party will be in the evening of 8^th December in the Village Hall.  Lucky number tickets at £8 each will be available to purchase at or before the November meeting. 

Anne Crook invited members to the Parish Quiz Night at Little Kingshill Village Hall at 7.30pm on 12^th November with tickets at £12. 

The membership subscription will increase to £31.50 next January but a slightly larger percentage will go towards each WI Group.  

A good amount of work on the archives has already been started by Judith Butt and Ruth Groves, but as Judith already devotes a lot of time to her position as Committee Secretary, there is a desperate need for volunteers to set up a small sub-committee to take on the work. 

Sally Botwright, a London Blue Guide, gave a lively, illustrated talk about the “Olympics Ancient, Modern & 2012”.  She now spends most of her time taking tourists around the London site, which is going to be the “greenest” Olympics ever.   

The first Olympics in Greece in 776 BC were very different to the modern sports when no gouging and no biting were the instructions for a sport called pankration!   Sally gave a very comprehensive and fascinating history of the evolution of the modern Olympics.    

Since the Olympics were awarded to London on 6^th July 2005, the contaminated soil on the derelict site has been cleaned of chemicals and Japanese knot weed and the construction has rejuvenated the whole area.   Unlike previous countries Olympics, most of the buildings will continue to be used for sport, commercial or living accommodation in one form or another for generations to come. 

The planted area will be named The Queen Elizabeth Park in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee also next year. 

Please let Barbara Aris know if you wish to go on the next walk of 3½ miles which will be from The Red Lion in Little Missenden followed by lunch there on 3^rd November.  For lifts meet outside Hyde Heath village Hall at 10.40am for 11am start.  The next meeting will be at 8pm on 10^th November for the AGM and quiz.

Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - September 2011

Barbara Aris, President, welcomed all Members and visitors to the September meeting after the summer interlude. 

A big thank you to everyone (husbands and friends included) for all the help and support given in helping to make the summer events so successful.  The Annual Ramble and BBQ raised nearly £500 for our Charity.   

The outing to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens was well supported and, despite the torrential rain, it did not diminish the enjoyment and colours of the beautiful gardens. 

Unfortunately, the Family Treasure Hunt was cancelled due to bad weather but it is hoped to rearrange this for next year. 

A delightful walk was enjoyed by a large group of members, husbands and friends in August which started from Soulbury Three Locks along the Grand Union Canal.   The walk was re-arranged at very short notice as it, again, was raining heavily in the morning.  However, after a good lunch the sun appeared and a warm, dry walk made the scenery even more stunning. 

Judith Butt and Ruth Groves met the WI County Archivist, who was thrilled with the wooden album and other items from the past relating to the Hyde Heath Group.   

The speaker, Bob Harding Jones spoke in verse about Laughter in the Village.  He started his career in farming, eventually having his own farm.  He went from farming to being a paramedic and, although now retired, still does two days duty a week.  His amusing poems and anecdotes came from his experiences of village life. 

There will be a Group Meeting on 18^th October at Ballinger when Geraldine McMahon will talk about “Affairs of the Harp”.  The cost will be £3. 

The next walk will be on 6^th October meeting at the Village Hall at 10.20am to organise lifts to the car park at Court Gardens Leisure Complex, Pound Lane, Marlow for 11am.  The 4 mile walk will be along the Thames Path with lunch afterwards at The George and Dragon.  As usual £1 will be collected from each person for the pleasure of walking, which will go towards our charity. 

The next meeting will be on Thursday, 13^th October at 8pm when Sally Botwright will talk on “Olympics Ancient, Modern and 2012”.  The competition will be a Favourite Poem.

Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - June 2011

Barbara Aris, President, thanked everyone for their tremendous support and help with the teas at the village fete.   Margaret Dunn, who again very successfully organised the team of helpers, declared a best ever profit of £790.   A letter of thanks had been received from the Village Hall Committee who announced that the profit made exceeded all other fetes. 

Thanks were given to Sylvia Childs for a beautiful floral arrangement on behalf of the WI for the St Andrew’s Flower Festival. 

Anne Lloyd Jones reported on the BFWI Annual Council meeting, which had been very interesting with good speakers.    It was also reported that at the National Federation’s AGM the Resolution on the Closure of Local Libraries received 98% of the votes, whereas the Resolution on Large Scale Farming was rejected with the WI calling on the industry and relevant bodies to open up a reasoned debate. 

Reminders were given regarding the visit to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens on 16^th July.  The coach will leave Hyde Heath at 9am and return about 6pm.  National Trust members should bring their cards. 

Also two charity fund raising events will be the Summer Ramble on Wedesday 27^th July, meeting at the Village Hall at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start.  The cost of £7 will include supper after the walk.  Family, friends and neighbours would be most welcome. 

The Summer BBQ will be held on the evening of 11^th August in Margaret Dunn’s garden at a cost of £7. 

A Family Treasure Hunt will be held at 2pm on 4^th September.  £3 for entry and a prize for the winning family!  Bring your own picnic for afterwards. 

Mrs Peggy Verrall gave an informative talk and slide show on “Thomas Coram and the Foundling Hospital”.  It was of particular interest to one member, whose husband’s paternal grandmother had been left at the hospital.   

There is a Foundling Museum in Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London which gives a fascinating insight into the history which Mrs Verrall recommended visiting. 

The next walk of 5 miles will be on 23^rd June meeting outside the Village Hall at 10.15am for transport to arrive at the car park adjacent to Wilstone Reservoir at 10.45am.  Lunch will be at the Farm Shop. 

The next meeting will be at 8pm on 14^th July when Mr J Carter will speak on “Queen Mary, Her Life and Times”.  The competition will be “A Memento or Heirloom”. 

Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - May 2011

Pam Ruff’s first fund raising lunch made an excellent £102 and a reminder was given that her second one will be on 2^nd June at midday.  Barbara Aris’ lunch will follow on 11^th June also at midday. 

An e-mail has been received from Chris Sargeant asking that his appreciation be passed on to all members for their many messages of support and condolence he had received in memory of his Wife, Margaret.  It is being arranged for a tribute to be put in the BFWI Memorial Book. 

Although the coach to visit Sissinghurst Castle Gardens on 16 July was now full, if anyone was interested there will be a reserve list in case anyone had to drop out. 

For something different, a table has been booked at The Harding Restaurant, Aylesbury College at 7pm on 29 June.  Toby Hall, a past pupil of the College, now runs the Restaurant.  He is a multi award winning chef.  The cost will be £12 for 2 courses or £15 for 3 courses.  Friends and Partners are welcome but please reserve a seat with Barbara Aris. 

A reminder was given regarding the Summer Ramble on 27^th July, meeting at the Village Hall at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start followed by “Sumptuous Supper”

to raise funds for our charity, The South Bucks Hospice and Lymphoedema Clinic. Tickets will be £7 each available from a committee member and they would be delighted to welcome relatives, friends and neighbours to join them. 

Two Resolutions were presented to the meeting and discussed.   

The first was The Closure of Local Libraries – “This meeting urges H M Government to maintain support for local libraries, as an essential local educational and information resource” which was passed unanimously. 

The second was Proposed Mega Farms – “This meeting abhors the practice of factory farming particularly large animals such as pigs and cows and urges H M Government to ensure planning permission is not granted for such projects” which was voted for by only two members with the remainder against. 

Following the Consultation Meetings at Great Missenden earlier in the day about the proposed route of the HS2 train, two members requested a discussion because, if it goes ahead, it would adversely affect all members who live in the area, particularly during the extensive time of construction.   

Following a lengthy discussion, there was no time for the Quiz, which will be held on another occasion. 

The next walk of 4 miles will be on 19 May starting at 10.45am from Coombe Hill car park.  Those wishing to shares lifts should meet outside the Village Hall at 10.20am.  Lunch will be at The Firecrest for walkers and non-walkers. 

The next meeting will be at 8pm on 9 June when Mr P Verrall will talk about “Thomas Coram and The Foundling Hospital”.  The competition will be a Photo of a Relative or Ancestor.

 Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - April 2011

The meeting started with a minutes reflection on the sad news of the passing of Margaret Sargeant, member for many years, past President and, until January of this year, Secretary.  She will be fondly remembered. 

It was announced that the re-hanging and framing of the WI Millenium embroidered picture in the Village Hall would cost rather more than expected and, therefore, major fund raising events will be held during the year to cover this. 

Pam Ruff has offered to have two fork lunches at her home at 12 noon on 5^th May and 2^nd June and Barbara Aris will have a buffet lunch at her home in Wingrave at 12 noon on Saturday, 11^th June, all at a cost of £7 each.  Numbers are limited so booking will be essential.  There will also be a raffle. 

A reminder was given to all volunteers that the Group are providing tea and cakes at the Village Fete on 14^th May.  Sheila Childs has volunteered to make an arrangement for the Flower Festival in St Andrew’s Church being held on the same day. 

The Beechwood Group Meeting will be at 7.45pm on 18^th May at the John Colet School, Wendover when Rusty Goff will give a talk on “Lights, Camera, Action…cut!”.  The cost will be £3. 

The following events to raise money for our Charity, The South Bucks Hospice and Lymphoedema Clinic, will be a Summer Ramble on 27^th July meeting at the Village Hall at 6.15pm for a 6.30pm start followed by supper and a Summer BBQ on the evening of 11^th August, to be held in Margaret Dunn’s garden. 

If any members have any Hyde Heath WI archive material, it would be most useful to go towards the interesting collection already started. 

Barbara Askew, a Blue Badge Guide, gave a fascinating talk and slide show on “The History of British Gardens”.  We were led from the first Garden of Eden, to Roman garden topiary, through to the Middle Ages when only Monasteries and Manor Houses could afford gardens, which provided fruit, vegetables and medicinal herbs.   

Hampton Court is a wonderful example of how elaborate gardens became.  Subsequently voyagers such as John Tradescant brought back collections of exotic plans from around the world.  

Eventually, the labour intensive gardens were replaced with natural landscapes of trees and grass sweeping down to lakes.  Then designers like Gertrude Jekyll, who is famous for her planting colour designs, followed.  

The gardens of today are very different with the fashion for outside living and various structures such as decking. 

The next walk will be on 19^th May, details to follow.  The next meeting will be at 8pm on 12^th May when the Resolutions will be presented followed by a Quiz.  Contributions for a Bring and Buy Table were requested.

 Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - March 2011

It was confirmed that our Charity fund raising efforts for this year will go to the South Bucks Hospice and Lymphoedema Clinic. 

A reminder was given about the Country Market which is held at the Amersham Free Church between 8.15 -11.15am on Fridays.  Members of the WI help and contribute. 

Forthcoming events were announced including a trip to Sissinghurst Castle Gardens on 16^th July.  Contact Barbara Aris to book a place.  The Summer BBQ will be held in Margaret Dunn’s garden on the evening of 11^th August.  The Beechwood Group meetng will be held on 18^th May at the John Colett School, Wendover.       

Good luck wishes were given to the team of Christine, Jayne and Avril who are taking part in the BFWI County Quiz on 24^th March.   

Mike Payne gave an enthralling talk and slide show on “The History of Pinewood Studios”.  He also brought some of his collection of signed photographs and mementoes of many actors and actresses that he has collected since he was a boy. 

The building that became the film studios was originally built by Dr Drury Lavia in the early 1890’s and was called Hetherden Hall.  It changed hands several times until a Canadian, Mr Charles Boot, bought it.  He was passionate about the film industry and thought the opulent building and beautiful grounds would be an ideal setting for a studio. 

It was renamed Pinewood from the trees in the area and “wood” from Hollywood!  Joseph Arthur Rank, a Yorkshire man who made a lot of money in flour mills, became a director and the first film was made in 1936.   

The studios have been on a financial roller coaster since but many successful films such as Genevieve, the Doctor, Carry On and James Bond series have boosted their funds.  The first 007 film, Dr No, was made in 1961 and the 22^nd film is being made at the present time in the special 007 studios.  They also survived two severe fires in 1984 and 2006. 

The technicians have a reputation for a very high standard and Television companies now also make films and programmes at Pinewood.  2011 is the 75^th Anniversary of the studios. 

The monthly walks restart on 31^st March, meeting at Hyde Heath Village Hall at 10.30am to share lifts to the start of the 2½ mile walk at 11am from the Church car park at Hughenden Manor.  Lunch will be available at the Manor café.  Please let Barbara Aris know if you wish to participate.  As usual £1 contribution will go towards the Charity fund. 

The next meeting will be on 14^th April at 8pm when Barbara Askey will speak on “A History of British Gardens”.  The competition will be a Photo of a Famous Garden.

 Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI -  February 2011

Barbara Aris, President, welcomed two guests to the February meeting.  One had returned to the village for a few weeks from her present home on the Shetland Isles where she is the WI Vice President. 

The Group had again been asked to organise the teas and cakes in the cricket pavilion for the village fete on 14^th May and a request was made for a good supply of homemade cakes from the Members and for volunteers to help on the day. 

A very appreciative letter had been received from the Endeavour Centre in Chesham thanking everyone for their fund raising efforts last year.  The money will go towards a new people carrier.  

A questionnaire has been given to all Members for suggestions, thoughts, comments and ideas regarding the content of the Group meetings and activities.  This should be returned by the next meeting.  An open meeting was suggested to encourage other villagers to join the Hyde Heath WI Group. 

A visit to Sissinghurst Castle and gardens was suggested for Saturday, 16^th July. 

The speaker was Julie List from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Breast Screening Services.  She explained how and why the service was started in 1986 when it was discovered that Britain had the highest number of breast cancer patients in the whole of Europe.   

Kenneth Clarke commissioned a report and in 1988 a study was started to endeavour to reduce the incidence of breast cancer by 25% by the year 2000.  Well women between the ages of 50 to 64 years were invited for routine screening every 3 years.  It has proved so successful that the age range has been extended to between 47 to 73 years, which should be achieved by 2012.  

Although breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK after lung cancer, more women than ever before are surviving due to better awareness, better treatments and better screening. 

The next meeting will be on 10^th March at 8.30pm when Mike Payne will talk about “A History of Pinewood”.  The competition will be a “Fan letter to a Movie Star”.  It is hoped to start the monthly walks in March, details to be notified.

 Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - January 2011

The New Year meeting commenced with the presentation to Mr Baker of The Chiltern Friends of the Endeavour Group a giant sized cheque for £665 accumulated from a variety of fund raising efforts during 2010.  He was delighted and said that it would be put towards a replacement vehicle for the Group. 

Margaret Sargeant was given a basket of hyacinths as thanks for all her hard work over many years as Secretary.  Judith Butt was welcomed as the new Secretary. 

The walk along the Thames in London last November which Barbara Aris organised was most interesting with glorious weather too.  Grateful thanks were given to everyone who helped make the Christmas party so enjoyable. 

By the end of last year there were 33 full members and one dual member.  Anne Honour was the overall competition winner for 2010. 

Volunteers for a team for the Inter-County Quiz to be held on 24^th March were requested. 

Votes were made by each Member for this year’s Resolutions.  Suggestions of local charities were requested to be made at next month’s meeting for fund raising efforts for this year. 

Mr Mervyn Edwards paid us a visit to talk about Policing Now and Then.  He produced a selection of equipment which was issued when he first joined the Police Force in 1971 when a helmet, truncheon, handcuffs and a whistle were their only protection compared with today’s protective vest which is stab and bullet proof, extendable and virtually unbreakable plastic truncheons, new style handcuffs, protective gloves and radios.  

Apparently Helmets are only worn by Police on foot patrol now. 

He showed an alarming selection of weapons that had been found ranging from a variety of vicious looking knives, knuckle dusters and replica firearms.   

Next month’s meeting will be on 10^th February at 8pm when Julie List will talk about “Breast Screening Services”.   Members are invited to bring items for a Bring & Buy fund raising table.

 Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - November 2010

A resume was given of a very successful trip to The Mill at Sonning when Members enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by the comedy play “Two into One” by Ray Cooney, which was hilarious with superb timing by the actors and the set was a technical work of art.   

It was felt that the Beechwood Group meeting held in Hyde Heath village hall last month was a success with a good speaker and the mixed seating of different group members on each table worked well. 

Members were reminded about the London walk along the River Thames from Westminster to London Bridge via the Millennium Bridge, looking at as many of the sights en route as possible. (This took place on Friday 19th on a lovely sunny day and was greatly enjoyed by all walkers.)  

It was requested that Members read their copy of WI Life Magazine, especially details of the various Resolutions, so that they could be discussed at the January 2011 meeting. 

Christine Richfield Andrews raised the subject of the HS2 proposal and felt Groups should write to the National Federation of Women’s Institutes asking them to highlight this matter as it would affect so many Members. 

The AGM commenced with Treasurer, Pam Ruff, who gave a presentation of the Financial Statement.  Secretary, Margaret Sargeant, read out the Annual Report which included details of all the many and varied outings and speakers that had been enjoyed during the year.  Judith Butt agreed to take over from Margaret Sargeant when she retires for a well earned break.  Barbara Aris was re-elected as President and thanked all Members for their confidence and support during the last year. 

Following the AGM a competition was held for Members to guess which baby’s photograph belonged to which mother or grandmother.  This proved to be extremely difficult as out of 19 the highest score was by Jayne Faversham with 5. 

The next gathering will be on 9^th December for the Christmas Party at 7pm for 7.30pm.  Tickets costing £7.50 each should be purchased from Pam Ruff before the end of November so that numbers for catering can be worked out.  The evening will include supper and entertainment.

 Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - October 2010

Alan Copeland gave a most interesting and enthusiastic talk and slide show, accompanied by music, on Curiosities in the Chilterns.  This fascinating presentation gave details of many objects to look out for when travelling around the Chilterns.  

Locally there is the Liberty ship’s figurehead at The Lee, level crossing gates in Wendover which no longer guard any train tracks and wall murals on a house in Halton.  Old Amersham High Street boasts a criminal Lock Up, Water Pump and also an old Police Constables Notice on the wall of a house.  Mr Copeland spoke about many more historical curiosities that could be found across the whole area of the Chilterns. 

Some of the forthcoming events include the Sonning Theatre trip including lunch on 6^th November and the Christmas Party on Thursday 10^th December with tickets priced at £7.50.  As the trip at the end of the summer to Highgrove House gardens was so enjoyable, members expressed a wish to return if possible to view the gardens during a late Spring. 

All results, including swimming, walking, cycling or riding for the WI Fit Survey should be submitted by the beginning of November.  

Barbara Aris has suggested that the final walk of the year on Friday, 19^th November should be rather different.  The proposal is to travel by train to Central London for a 4 mile walk starting at Westminster Bridge, along the River Thames, across London Bridge and return.   

There are many notable places on route including the Jubilee Gardens, Royal Festival Hall, and Tate Modern, past the Globe Theatre and on to Southwark Cathedral, Fishmonger’s Hall, Somerset House and Victoria Embankment Gardens which is in front of the Savoy Hotel.  As it will be a full day there will be opportunities to stop for lunch and tea on the way round. 

The AGM Meeting will be on 11^th November at 8pm. The subject of the competition will be “Guess whose baby”  photograph.

 Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - September 2010

A guest was welcomed by President, Barbara Aris, who then gave details of a letter that had been written to the County Council in support of retaining Friends of the Endeavour Centre in Chesham.  It is under threat of closure due to the Council’s financial cuts.  It is Hyde Heath WI’s chosen charity for this year. 

Since the last meeting in July a group of members enjoyed a number of events including a coach trip on a very hot day to the beautiful Merriments Gardens and Chartwell House.   

Thanks were given to the two Husbands who very nobly cooked a delicious BBQ in August, to Margaret Dunn for the use of her garden, and to the Members who had provided the sweets.  This event boosted the charity fund by an incredible £254. 

A visit was also made to the delightful Highgrove House gardens in Gloucestershire at the beginning of September.   

Forthcoming events include a MacMillan Coffee morning on 24^th September in the Village Hall.  Contributions of cakes would be appreciated and Di Coombes would be grateful for items suitable for her White Elephant stall. 

The Bucks Federation of Women’s Institutes have arranged a number of events starting with the Autumn Federation Event at the Town Hall, High Wycombe on Monday 18^th October with guest speaker, Lucy Worsley who is Chief Curator of Historic Royal Palaces and a flute and harp duo. 

A reminder was given that Hyde Heath will be hosting the Beechwood Group Meeting on Wednesday evening, 20^th October when contributions of food will be required.  The speaker, Marc Meltonville, will be talking about “Recreating the Kitchens of Henry VIII” at Hampton Court Palace. 

Pam Ruff has knitted dozens of hearts in the last few months which are to be sold in aid of the Children’s Society. 

A welcome was given to Betty Hulbert, who transported us via description and slide show to “The Beautiful Island of Jersey.   

She travels by ferry with her dog to live on the island for half the year so was able to show pictures of the more unusual animals and insects such as red squirrels (there are no grey squirrels on the island), the striking orange, black and white Jersey Tiger moth which flies during the day, the deep pink wild Jersey orchid and, of course, Jersey cows.   

Jersey has so many pretty bays and dramatic cliffs, Gerald Durrell’s Zoo is well known as is the amazing Battle of the Flowers which has been taking place for over 100 years – how are all the flowers kept so fresh! 

The next walk of 3.8 miles will be on Thursday, 16^th September, meeting outside the Village Hall at 10.30am to share lifts to the War Memorial, Berkhamsted Common for 11am.  Non-walkers can join the energetic Members for lunch, which will be at The Rising Sun alongside the Grand Union canal in Berkhamsted.  As usual donations of £1 for the privilege of walking/lunching are given towards the year’s charity. 

The next meeting will be on 14^th October at 8pm when A. Copeland will speak about “Curiosities in the Chilterns”.  The competition will be “Odd Object from the Garden”.

  Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - July 2010

Barbara Aris, President, welcomed everyone to the meeting on a very warm, summer evening and in particular our guest speaker, Richard Smith, who looked dramatic, but must have been very hot, in his traditional green and gold Town Crier outfit. 

Mr Smith gave a most entertaining and amusing talk on his life as Beaconsfield’s Town Crier for 41 years.  He was chosen because he could project his voice further than his competitors.  He is the servant of the Lord of the Manor of Beaconsfield and is not employed by the Council.   

In 1969 at the age of 22 he became the youngest person to win a national town crier competition.  His elaborate uniform cost £4,500 but has real gold in it with ostrich feathers in his hat.  The green colour represents beech leaves. 

He has had terrific fun with reactions to the ringing of his large bell and the loudness of his voice, which he said was about 97 decibels or equivalent to a motorbike without a silencer.  He certainly made the audience jump on demonstrating both! 

Mr Smith felt that of all the variety of people and wonderful events he had attended over the years, the most amazing was at the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations when he was asked to read two proclamations in front of the Queen and the huge parade at Windsor.   

There are at present 196 Town Criers in the country.  Before the advent of newspapers, their job was very important as it was the only way that news could be given to the population. 

Before the talk, a number of announcements were made regarding forthcoming events and a survey was conducted by Margaret Sargeant in relation to food product labelling.   

The next walk will be on 22^nd July meeting at 10.30am outside the Village Hall to travel to St Mary’s Church, Radnage for 11am. The 3 mile walk is not for the faint hearted but there will be amazing views on reaching the top of Bledlow Ridge.  Lunch will be at The Three Horseshoes, Bennett End.  

The Summer BBQ will take place at Margaret Dunn’s house on 5^th August at 6.30pm for 7pm and a reminder was given of the trip to Highgrove Gardens on 6^th September with coach pick up at 8.30am at the Hyde Heath bus stop.  There will be a lunch stop at Tetbury. 

The next meeting in the Village Hall will be on 9^th September when Betty Hulbert will talk about “The Beautiful Island of Jersey.  The competition will be a Holiday Souvenir.  The next walk will be on 19^th August.

 Gillian O'Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - June 2010

This month’s meeting was combined with “The Big Friendly Coffee Session” when members put £1 into the refreshment kitty and extra raffle prizes were donated. 

Doreen White reported on her attendance as the Link Delegate to the NFWI AGM in Cardiff.  She was given a very friendly welcome on her first visit and enjoyed the speakers.  The Resolution for “Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling” was passed by 6,000 with only 55 votes against! 

Avril Sherratt and her team were thanked for their efforts on the 50/50 clothes sale last month, which added £81 to the charity fund. 

Margaret Sargeant gave information on the various trips planned by the BFWI including visits to Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Coventry and the Elizabethan Garden at Kenilworth Castle.  There is also a chance to try your hand at Short Mat Bowls and a Golf Day at Mentmore and the BFWI 90^th Anniversary Garden Party at Stowe in August. 

There are still some places on the coach for the Summer Outing to Merriments Gardens and Chartwell House and Gardens on 10^th July.  Please contact Barbara Aris. 

Members were reminded about the BBQ to be held in Margaret Dunn’s garden on 5^th August.  The theatre trip in November to the Mill at Sonning is now fully booked. 

June and Ken Brazier then spoke about the Mercy Ships which are based around Africa and are operated by volunteer doctors, nurses and other staff who spend a month at a time on board treating the poor people of Africa.  The operations that are performed change the lives of many people. 

The first ship was virtually a wreck and was bought in 1997 at a cost of £1,000,000.  The latest ship cost £6,000,000 to refurbish and has 6 operating theatres and 79 beds.  The Charity now has a fleet of 6 ships. 

Many women suffer bladder damage in childbirth, become incontinent and are made outcasts from their villages. Whilst they are recovering from this most frequently performed repair operation, it takes the bladder 10 days to heal, they do not need to take up bed space, so Mercy Ships have built a two storey clinic for convalescence and at the same time give numeracy and literacy lessons in the morning with craft in the afternoon, thereby equipping them to make a living for themselves on discharge.  The ground floor of the clinic is now a maternity unit and midwives go out to Africa to help train people in midwifery and safe childbirth. 

The next walk will be on 22^nd July, details to follow.  Next month’s meeting will be on 8^th July at 8pm when Richard Smith will talk about “The Tales of a Town Crier”.  The competition will be an “Ornamental Bell”.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - May 2010

This year funds are being raised for Chiltern Friends of the Endeavour Day Care Centre, a charitable trust.  Danny Baker, the Honorary Treasurer, came to explain about the Trust, which he and his Wife have been involved with since its inception in 1998.     

It is based at the Heritage House School in Chesham and helps look after and care for adults after they leave school from the age of 19 years with learning disabilities.  Activities such as swimming, life skills, community based outings, art and craft plus much more are provided.  They also operate a very good garden centre which is open to the public.  

Thanks were given on behalf of the Group to Di Coombes for her arrangement at the Flower Festival in St Andrews Church.  Margaret Dunn thanked everyone for their help and co-operation for the large supply of cakes and serving teas at the Village Fete on 8^th May.  Despite the inclement weather, nearly £550 was raised, which will go towards the Village Hall. 

Good quality second hand books are needed for a stall at the Bucks Federation of the WI’s 90^th Anniversary Garden Party to be held, with kind permission of the National Trust, on 10^th August in the grounds of Stowe. 

The Annual Charity Ramble will be held on 17^th June at 6.30pm.  The cost of £6.50 includes supper after the walk.  The summer BBQ will be in the evening of 5^th August now to be held at Margaret Dunn’s house. 

The Resolution for this year “This Meeting urges HM Government to introduce clear and mandatory country of origin labelling on all meat, poultry and fish products sold in this Country” was put to the meeting, discussed and passed unanimously. 

A 50/50 clothing sale was held while members enjoyed a very good tea.  

The next walk will be on 27^th May meeting at the Village Hall at 10.30am in order to arrive at The Pink and Lily at 11am for a 3 mile walk, which includes amazing views but some steep hills.   

The next meeting will be at 8pm on 10^th June at the Village Hall when Ken and June Brazier will give a talk on “Mercy Ships”.  The competition will be “The Most Items in a Matchbox”. 

Hyde Heath Evening WI - April 2010

Barbara Aris welcomed a larger than normal number of members and guests to the April meeting and gave details and reminders of a number of forthcoming events.

Members have been asked to supply homemade cakes and serve refreshments at the Hyde Heath Village Fete on 8th May.  There are a number of events to look forward to including our monthly walk on 29th April, a trip to Sonning later in the year to see "Two into One", our Group Meeting on the 4th May to hear Kate Bradford talking about interpreting Body Language, a summer coach trip to Merriments Gardens and Chartwell House and also a trip to Highgrove House. 

The evening’s speaker, Mr Edward Dixon, gave an eloquent and enlightening talk and slide show on “Heroines of the First World War” in particular relating to nursing heroines.   

Even the best trained nurses had never seen the large numbers of patients with such horrendous types of injuries before.  The First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) first saw service in the 1907 war in South Africa where their mode of transport was sitting side saddle on horses with horse drawn ambulances.   

In the First World War they soon found that horses were no match for the quagmire in Europe and were given vehicles, which they had to learn to service and repair as well as doing clerical and canteen work in addition to using their nursing skills. 

Another group were the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) who were not paid for their work.  They were mainly from the wealthier classes who were supported by their families.  They performed duties such as providing refreshment and first aid to soldiers returning by train and writing letters for the wounded.  The volunteers who went to France had to pay for their transport, but were paid £30 per year wages! 

Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Services started in 1860.  By 1902 four year training was given and these nurses served abroad right from the start of the war. 

Mr Dixon detailed three women, Mary Bordern, who opened a hospital in Belgium but shockingly was caught and shot by the Germans for smuggling out British soldiers; Elsie Inglis, who became a surgeon in 1899 and took volunteers to France, went on to Serbia, was captured by the Austrians and eventually released but died on her return home; and Elsie Blackhall Shaptor who enjoyed motorcycling.  She and a friend volunteered to join the Scottish Ambulance Group, drove to France and set up a first aid post in a cellar of a ruined house.  They were gassed and were returned home for treament.  Elsie survived and became Head of Women’s Royal Air Force. 

The present generations have no comprehension of the awful conditions which these brave women had to contend with and Mr Dixon’s slides of photographs taken at the time were very graphic. 

Our next meeting will be the Resolutions meeting on 13^th May at 8pm.  Avril Sherratt will be organising a Nearly New Sale at this meeting.  50% of the funds will go towards the WI funds and 50% to the owner.  Clothes should be labelled with name, price and size.  The competition will be “Something beginning with R”.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - March 2010

Barbara Aris, President, welcomed all to the meeting and read out a letter of thanks from the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home following the collection made in memory of Caroline. 

Some very interesting forthcoming events were announced including an outing to Highgrove Gardens on 6^th September.  Numbers are limited to 25 and the cost will be £15 plus £15.50 for the coach.  Names and deposits of £20 will be needed no later than May. 

There will be a 90^th BFWI Anniversary Garden Party to be held in Stowe Gardens at 11am onwards on 10^th August; a Big Friendly WI Coffee morning in the week beginning 7^th June and a Summer Outing on 10^th July to Merriments Gardens in Hurst Green, Sussex followed by a visit to Chartwell House. 

Members were reminded that contributions of cakes and help would be needed to serve teas at the Village Fete on 8^th May.  There will also be a Flower Festival in St Andrews Church that weekend and Di Coombes kindly volunteered to provide an arrangement on behalf of the Hyde Heath WI. 

The Annual Charity Ramble followed by supper in the Village Hall will be held on 17^th June at 6.30pm.  The cost will be £6.50. 

The monthly walks resumed this month and future dates will be 29^th April and 27^th May.  Details to follow. 

Barbara wished the Quiz team of Jayne, Avril and Christine good luck in the WI Inter-County heat to be held on 25^th March. 

The speaker for the evening was Jeremy Mulkern, accompanied by his dog Billy, who spoke about Dogs Helping People.  He socialised puppies before they went on to be given intensive training to discern when people needed medication, as in Diabetes and Addison’s Disease.   Dogs could also smell cancer from urine specimens.   

A video was shown of one of these remarkable dogs working with his owner who had Addison’s Disease.  Jeremy explained that the dog was trained to sense when his owner needed medication and to fetch it. 

The small charity based in Westcott is the only one of its kind and puppy socialisers and support were needed for their invaluable work. 

The next meeting will be at 8pm on 8^th April when Edward Dixon will give a talk on Heroines of the First World War.  The competition will be a War Memento.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - February 2010

Barbara Aris, President, welcomed all to the meeting and then informed everyone of the sad loss of Caroline Delves, who passed away at the end of January.  Donations can be made to Ian Rennie Hospice at Home.  Her name will appear in the BFWI Book of Remembrance. 

Barbara read out a letter received from The South Bucks Branch of The Alzheimer’s Society thanking members for their donation of £1,450. 

The Village Hall Committee had asked if members would be willing to provide refreshments for the Village Fete on 8^th May.  Volunteer cake makers and helpers were requested. 

Margaret Sargeant discussed a visit to Highgrove House which it is hoped will take place at the end of the summer. 

For 2010, members agreed to support Chiltern Friends of the Endeavour.  This is a charity supporting the Endeavour Resource Centre in Chesham where a day care service is offered to adults with varying degrees of learning and physical disabilities. 

The Committee are open to ideas for fund raising both for the charity and the WI.  Suggestions so far include the Ramble and BBQ in the summer and Margaret Dunn has offered to host a coffee morning.    Unwanted gifts were recycled at the February meeting and in May there will be a sale of clothes in good condition on a 50-50 basis. 

The speaker for the evening was Sherry Scott, who spoke about “My Work in Burma”.  At that time Sherry’s Husband was the youngest Colonel working with the Burmese forces.   

On his return from service, he felt the need to help the soldiers who were very poor and had virtually nothing in the way of home, food and medical care.  She and her Husband set up a charity called “Burma Forces Welfare Association” to raise funds to give the soldiers much needed help.  This involved travelling to Burma almost annually and, although she is now widowed, Sherry continues to work and travel for the charity.   

Barbara announced that the monthly walks will resume on Thursday 18^th March meeting at 11.30am at The Pink and Lily, Lacey Green for a 3 mile walk.  For those wishing to share transport please meet at Hyde Heath Village Hall at 11am.  Donations of £1 are made for the privilege of walking/lunching, which goes towards the Group’s charity of the year. 

Next month’s meeting will be on 11^th March at 8.30pm when Pam Jones will speak about “Dogs Helping People”.  The competition will be a “Shaggy Dog Story”.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - January 2010

The January meeting was opened by the new President, Barbara Aris.  She welcomed Mr John Burton of the South Bucks Alzheimer’s Society, who was presented with a mammoth sized cheque for £1,450 being the magnificent result of the fundraising efforts by Members for the Charity during 2009. 

The past President, Jayne Faversham, was thanked for all her efforts during the last three years and presented with an orchid plant.  There are now 32 Members with two new Committee Members who were welcomed.   

Margaret Dunn thanked everyone who had contributed cakes for the Primary School Christmas Fair.  £160 was raised on this stall. 

Volunteers were needed for a team for the County Quiz.  Last year’s team did very well to get through to the finals. 

A number of forthcoming events were announced including the Summer BBQ, Charity coffee morning, Charity Ramble and also the entertainment was already booked for the next Christmas’ Party.  The programme of speaker’s for each month’s meeting sounded most entertaining. 

The coach trip to Anglesey Abbey Gardens is on 20^th February departing from Link Road, Great Missenden at 9.15am.  Contact Barbara Aris for details. 

Each month a competition is held and Margaret Dunn was presented with a bouquet of flowers for being the 2009 overall winner.  All Members were given a voting form for the current year’s Resolutions.  

A warm welcome on a snowy night was given to Mr Mervyn Edwards who talked about his experiences in the Police Force and in particular when he was the Operational Commander during the construction of the Newbury By-Pass.    

His job, during the 3 years it took to build the road, was to allow peaceful environmental protests without disrupting the contractors work.   

There were 35 different camps of Protestors along the 9½ mile by-pass, some with just a few people living in them and others with 50 or more.  They built houses in trees to stop them being cut down and there was a major problem with tunnels on the site.  One was 30 metres long and took 9 months to construct.  They could be very dangerous if they collapsed.  10,000 trees had to be cut down but 200,000 trees were planted to replace them. 

There were inevitably some delays to the building but during those years, Mr Edwards got to know a lot of the protestors personally and even received Christmas cards from them. 

The next meeting will be at 8pm on 11^th February when Sherry Scott will give a talk on “Burma”.  The competition is “A Valentine Card”.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - October 2009

A large number of members were welcomed to our October meeting when Jayne Faversham announced that she was stepping down after completing three years as President.  At least one new person is needed to join the committee.  It gives a real opportunity to be involved in planning the activities, get to know how decisions are made as well as a very good way to meet everyone.  Elections take place at next month’s meeting. 

Thanks were given to Di and Harold Coombes for hosting a coffee morning which raised £121 for our Charity; to Margaret and Chris Sargeant for the summer BBQ in their garden in August raising £220; and to Pam Ruff and the Amersham Players for the highly successful Murder Mystery evening which gave us the most ever raised on any one event - £717.54p and still rising. 

Anne Lloyd Jones gave a plea for any unwanted items of haberdashery, cotton material or baby clothes which she is collecting,  to be sent out to Africa by Work Aid so that local people, who cannot afford to buy these items, can make their own clothes .  

Anne Crook asked if we could help Great Missenden Rotary Club fill Shoe Boxes with items suitable for small children, teenagers or household goods.  Collection boxes will be held in the Hyde Heath Village shop and when full will be sent out to eastern European countries.  

Mr R H Corner gave us a most interesting and informative talk about his “Experiences as a County Coroner” during the past 33 years, the history and the sort of cases he has to deal with.  These could be to decide whether the Crown or finder owns treasure found by metal detectors; people seeking sanctuary in parish churches; and decisions regarding unexpected deaths. 

The most impressive case of treasure that Mr Corner had to deal with was found in Milton Keynes.  It was 3,000 years old and consisted of 2 gold neckbands and 3 gold wristbands.  It was found, remarkably, in an undamaged clay pot, which is extremely rare.   

The next walk will be on 22^nd October meeting at 10am at the Village Hall to arrive at 10.30am at The Grand Junction Arms, Bulbourne for a 4½ mile walk along the Canal and the Ridgeway Path before returning for lunch.  As usual £1 is paid for the pleasure of walking which is collected for our charity.  So far this year £102 has been raised by walkers. 

The AGM will be held at 8pm on 12^th November, when the competition is “A Favourite Dip”.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - July 2009

A representative from the South Bucks Branch of the Altzheimers Society visited us to explain why our fund raising this year was so important.  Their office in Beaconsfield covers a large area including High Wycombe, Chilterns and South Bucks.   

Their aim is to give practical help, advice and training courses to support carers looking after Altzheimer sufferers, some of whom need 24 hour care.  As people live longer there are more sufferers.  “Singalong” group sessions are also held which give confidence to patients who may not be able to recall facts but remember songs very well.  

Last month’s walk around Chalfont Park was enjoyed by a large group, each paying £1 for the privilege to go to our charity.  The Charity walk on 5^th July around Hyde Heath and finishing with a cream tea in the Village Hall was a great success, raising more funds.

 Their will be a Home Grown Produce morning at the Village Shop on 15^th August when surplus fruit and vegetables can be sold.  Di Coombes is holding a Bring & Buy coffee morning on 11 September. 

Our Speaker was Mr Rye who told us all about David Austin’s Roses, particularly the English Rose which is a ”short climber” producing flowers up from the base.  Mr Rye had a wonderfully perfumed tray full of individual examples and colourful photographs of the display of roses and delphiniums in his garden in Wendover.   

David Austin started his nursery in Wolverhampton in 1961and has since produced many different varieties, naming them after well known personalities or Shakespearian characters.  It takes 10 years to grow enough seedlings from one chosen specimen.  Roses have always been popular in this country going back to Tudor times and the War of the Roses. 

Members were busy taking notes of all the useful information that Mr Rye gave regarding growing and pruning roses. 

Our next event will be the Summer BBQ in Chris and Margaret Sargeant’s garden at 7.15pm on 13 August, cost £6.50.  On 18^th August the walk will be around Claydon gardens with a chance to view the house.  This will include lunch and tea. 

The meeting after the summer break will be on 10 September at 8pm in the village Hall when Mrs Dineen will give a talk on “The Fairs of Old England”.  The competition is “A Decorated Balloon”

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - April 2009

Margaret Dunn is holding a fund raising coffee morning with Bring and Buy on 1^st May.  We have again been asked to supply cakes and teas in the Cricket Pavilion for the Hyde Heath Fete on 9^th May. 

The annual Charity Ramble will be on Sunday 5^th July starting at 2pm and returning for afternoon tea in the Village Hall.  A visit to Claydon House and gardens will be included in a walk to Steeple Claydon and back on 16^th July.  We will be able to have a lunch and tea break at Claydon House to make the day.

Mrs B Owen, who was a Domestic Science Teacher, gave an amusing talk on “No time on your Hands”.  She was a born raconteur and gave sensible and useful tips on time management illustrated with anecdotes gleaned over fifty years.  The competition “a Decorated Egg” was won by Barbara.

The next walk will be on Thursday 28^th May, details to follow.

Next month’s meeting will be on 14^th May at 8pm when the Resolutions will be presented to the meeting.  There will also be a quiz entitled “Who am I” and the competition is “What does it do”.

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - March 2009

Acting President, Margaret Dunn, welcomed new members to our March meeting.  Among the forthcoming events will be a coffee morning on 1^st May at Margaret’s house and the next Beechwood Group Meeting is being held at Chartridge Golf Club on 29^th April.   

We have been asked to organise tea and cakes again for the Hyde Heath Fete on 9^th May.  There will be a “Colours of the Rainbow” Flower Festival in St Andrew’s Church at the same time and Di Coombes has volunteered to create an arrangement. 

Members were asked to fill in anonymously a short questionnaire about themselves for a quiz entitled “Who am I?” at a cost of 20p each to be returned during the April meeting.  The Quiz will be held during the meeting on14th May. 

We felt as if we had been on holiday with Mrs Hulbert who gave a talk and slide show on walks in “The Lovely English Lake District”.   She had visited the area in different seasons and seemed to have been very lucky with good weather.  The scenery was stunning.  We saw swathes of wild daffodils as mentioned by Wordsworth in his poem and many other flowers and insects.     

Mrs Hulbert was very knowledgeable about the large variety of birds, many migratory, which she was able to capture at close range in her photographs “by pretending to be a small silver birch tree”! 

Next month’s meeting will be at 8pm on 9^th April when Mrs Owen will give a talk on “No Time on Your Hands”.  The competition is A Decorated Egg. 

The next walk is on 9^th April meeting at Hyde Heath Village Hall at 10.30am to travel to The Woolpack Inn, Stoke Mandeville and start the 4 mile walk at 11am.  Thanks were given to Barbara Aris and her Husband for trying out and organising all our walks.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - February 2009

Members and guests were given a warm welcome by our President on a cold, snowy evening.

This year’s Charity will be The South Bucks branch of the Alzheimer’s Society and some events have already been arranged.  Margaret Dunn will be hosting a Coffee morning on 1^st May from 10.30 – 12.30.  The Charity Summer Ramble takes place on Sunday afternoon, 5^th July and the Summer BBQ will be held during August in the garden of Chris and Margaret Sargeant,    Additional ideas for fund raising were requested.

Good luck wishes were given to Avril Sherratt, Pam Ruff and Christine Richfield Andrews, who have volunteered to form the team for the Three Counties Quiz to be held at Great Missenden on 27^th March has been chosen.

Any specific requests for next year’s talks should be given to Ann Honour and Mary Collins.

Barbara Aris announced that the next walk of 4 miles will be on 26^th February starting at 10.45am from The Greyhound Inn, Wiggington where we will have lunch.   If there is enough interest she will arrange a short walk around Aldbury on a Wednesday afternoon in March finishing at a tea room.

On 28^th February a Fair Trade Products Coffee Morning will take place in the Village Hall from 9.30 – 12 noon. 

Mr Grout gave a lighthearted and entertaining talk and slide show on the “Burial Grounds of London”.  Most of the monuments we saw dated from the 1830’s onwards.  Some were large, elaborately decorated mausoleums and others elegantly simple. Lutyens designed several  monuments.

Grave diggers used to get drunk on rum to overcome smells from the burials! 

It was a history lesson seeing so many well known names on the headstones such as John Bunyan, Daniel Defoe, William Blake (who wrote “Jerusalem”), Anthony Trollope, W.H Smith (who started the Stationers), Blondin who in 1865 walked across Niagara falls on a tightrope, Karl Marx and singer Marie Lloyd for whom 20,000 people attended her funeral.  

Next month’s meeting will be in the Village Hall at 8pm.  Mrs Hulbert will give a talk on “The Lovely English Lake District”.  The competition is “A Silk Purse”.   To assist with the entertainment on 14^th May, can Members submit “a potted history” of themselves in about seven lines for a quiz at the March meeting. 

Hyde Heath Evening WI - January 2009

During the meeting  Mr Larry Benjamin, Consultant Eye Surgeon, very kindly came straight from the operating theatre to receive a cheque from us for £660 in aid of the Eye Unit Appeal Fund at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.  We were particularly proud to have raised so much money as our Group has less than 30 Members. 

We heard about this Appeal because one of our Members needed treatment for an eye injury and has been receiving excellent care in the old unit during the last year.   

 £19million was given by the NHS for the much needed new building which will also house rheumatic, diabetes and ear, nose and throat departments.  Unfortunately, no money was allocated for equipment and £600,000 needs to be raised.   About 1,000 patients from all the surrounding counties are seen in the Eye Clinic each week as it is the only unit in the area. 

At the start of our January meeting, our President wished everyone a Happy New Year and was pleased to announce how much the Christmas Party had been enjoyed by members and guests with good food and excellent entertainment. 

The Hyde Heath Infant School had sent a letter of thanks for the cakes provided by the WI for their Christmas fete. 

Barbara Aris went to the Resolution Selection Meeting and out of five subjects the “SOS for Honeybees” received the most votes. 

Our Secretary’s Husband, Chris Sargeant, gave an informative talk and slide show of stunning photographs of their holiday last February in the Galapagos Islands, or the Enchanted Islands as Charles Darwin called them.  It will be 200 years in February since he was born.  He was only 22 years when in 1831 he joined Captain Fitzroy’s scientific expedition as geologist and naturalist on the ship, HMS Beagle, to help survey round the coast of South America, a trip which took five years.  They arrived at the Galapagos Islands in 1835. 

Chris and Margaret’s trip was rather different!  They went on a plane to Ecuador, where we were surprised to learn that near the coast are many nursery gardens with poly tunnels in which were grown 1½ metre long stemmed roses.  These are flown to Amsterdam and bought mainly by Russians.

They then travelled 60 miles on a boat to tour round the fascinating volcanic Galapagos Islands with the many species of animals and birds that, as Charles Darwin discovered, continue to evolve in different forms due to the varying conditions on each island. 

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - November 2008

Two guests were welcomed to our Annual General Meeting at which there was a Bring and Buy stall in aid of our Charity.  

Judith Butt reported on a most enjoyable visit made by a group of Members to Denman College’s Diamond Anniversary celebrations.  Our Secretary’s Husband, Chris Sargeant, assisted with the accompanying slide show. 

There were a multitude of events with craft displays from the different courses held at the College and wonderful flower arrangements to see.  Maggie Mulberry described the fashion show and Janet Bangay explained about the “Fruits of Autumn” cookery demonstration.  They were given a tour round the newly refurbished accommodation, including a disabled bedroom which Little Missenden Member, Linda Rush, had won the competition to design. 

President, Jayne Faversham, attended the half-year Bucks Federation WI Council meeting in Aylesbury in October together with several Members when the news reporter, Kate Adie, gave a fascinating talk on her life.   

The three very old scrapbooks found in a Members Attic will, after renovation by the County Archivist, be kept in the Family History section of High Wycombe Museum. 

Barbara Aris reported on last months walk along the Grand Union Canal at Berkhamsted, which was particularly enjoyable with the autumn colour reflected in the water. 

Pam Ruff presented the Financial Report and Margaret Sargeant gave a resume of the year’s many varied events.  Jayne Faversham, President, gave thanks to her hard working committee and, although three were standing down, was pleased to announce that three Members had volunteered to replace them. 

Next month’s 4 mile walk will be on Thursday, 4^th December meeting at The Greyhound Inn in Wiggington.  Meet at the Village Hall at 10.30 am to share lifts.  £1 is donated to our Charity, the Eye Clinic at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, for the privilege of walking/lunching. 

In the hope of raising a little more money for our charity, Barbara is proposing to do some 2 mile afternoon walks starting at 2pm (meet at Village Hall at 1.30pm).  The first will be on Wednesday, 26^th November at The Cow Roast Inn, Berkhamsted where refreshments are available.  The second walk commences at Worlds End Garden Centre, Wendover. 

On 11^th December, 7.15pm for 7.30pm, will be our Christmas Party with entertainment in the Village Hall.  Tickets cost £7.50 each for Members and guests.   

Next year’s meeting will be at 8pm on 8^th January 2009 when Chris Sargeant will give a slide show on “the Galapagos Islands” and the competition will be “a Holiday Snapshot”.

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - October 2008

The October meeting opened to a very full house with one visitor being welcomed. 

Ruth Coulton reported on the Group Meeting held at Ballinger on 30^th September when Fiona Castle, Widow of Roy Castle, gave a very entertaining talk on her life before and after Roy’s death.  She and Roy were apparently introduced to each other by Eric Morecombe.  She now does a lot of work travelling around the world for a children’s charity.   Twelve Members from Hyde Heath attended and enjoyed a delicious supper.

In the hopes of raising some more money for our Charity, Barbara Aris, who organises our monthly walks has proposed arranging some shorter 2 mile ones on Wednesday afternoons starting at 2pm on 12^th, 26^th November and 10^th December.  The first of these will start at The Cow Roast Inn near Tring where refreshments will be available afterwards.

On 12^th November Stephanie Whitehead is kindly having a Christmas Shopping morning at her house in Little Missenden.

Our Christmas party will be held on 11^th December in the Village Hall.

Mrs Juliet Grudge, ably assisted by her Husband, gave a fascinating and informative talk and slide show on “Wild Life Around a Chiltern Village”.  The photography was superb of a rich variety of wild flowers, particularly orchids and insects around the Chilterns.  It was made “An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” in the 1960’s  and there are a surprisingly large number of nature reserves in the area open to the public where many of the flowers, moths, butterflies  and other insects can be seen in abundance.

The next Monthly walk will be on Thursday, 6^th November meeting at The Boat, Gravel Path, Berkhamsted at 11am for a 4 mile ramble along the canal and surrounds.  Those wishing to share lifts should meet at Hyde Heath Village Hall at 10.30am.  Donations of £1 each are made for our Charity.  The last walk for 2008 will be on Thursday, 4^th December – details to come.

Next month’s meeting will be the Annual meeting on 13^th November in the Village Hall.  Members are invited to come along with something for the Bring and Buy table.  The competition is “A Spray of Berries”.

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - July 2008

In Jayne’s absence on holiday, Margaret Sargeant took the meeting and thanked everyone who had taken part in the very successful Ramble and Cream Tea on 22^nd June, which made £220 for this year’s Charity.

Barbara Aris announced that more funds were raised from the Monthly Walk on 3^rd July around Great Hundridge Manor and Hyde Heath.  The Walkers have raised £42 so far this year by donating £1 each for the privilege of walking and lunching! 

The Hyde Heath WI Scrapbooks, starting with the Groups inception last century, were on display again giving a fascinating and nostalgic insight into historic events and fashion.  A number of Members recognised villagers from the past.  Margaret asked for assistance in conserving these but would also ask the Federation Archivist  for advice. 

The next walk will be on 24^th July 2008   Meet at Village Hall, Hyde Heath at 10.15 am  to arrive at 10.45am at The Half Moon, Wilstone for a 3½ mile fair level walk followed by lunch.

The Summer BBQ is on 14^th August  7pm for 7.30pm. Chris and Margaret Sargeant have generously agreed to hold it in their garden again. Cost £6.50 and take own cutlery, crockery and drink. 

The August Walk will be on 28^th comprising 3½ miles with some hills.  Start at 11am at Three Crowns, Askett.  Meet Hyde Heath Village Hall at 10.30am

Margaret then welcomed Mrs Valerie Edwards from Chenies Manor, who gave a most interesting talk and slide show on “Unearthing a Tudor Mystery”.  This was mainly based on the visit in 2004 by the BBC Time Team filming exactly three days of digging, during which time they discovered alongside the barn, Tudor brickwork and pieces of tiles and other artefacts. 

We were given a concise history of the Manor, which was originally called a Palace.  Henry VIII visited three times and Elizabeth I on a number of occasions, including a stay of six weeks when she brought an entourage of 1,000, which nearly bankrupted the then owner.

The next meeting will be on 11^th September at 8pm Hyde Heath Village Hall.  The speaker is Dr Maisey “Spare Part Surgery”.  Competition - Corn Dolly.

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - May 2008

Barbara, who attended the Annual Council Meeting of the Bucks Federation of Women's Institutes in Princes Risborough, presented the two Resolutions chosen for 2008.

The first was Ban on Bottom Trawling : to urge H M Government to urge the EU to ban "bottom trawling" which causes catastrophic loss of marine life as opposed to a complete ban on all forms of bottom trawling.

The only marine Reserve in the UK is the Lundy Island No-Take Zone which is just 3.3km square and received full protection in 2003. It represents less than a thousandth of one percent of our total sea area but already scientists have reported on a dramatic increase in marine and wildlife. 12 Members voted for the Resolution while 9 abstained.

The second Resolution was Inappropriate imprisonment of the Severely Mentally Ill : In view of the adverse effect on families of the imprisonment of people with severe mental health problems this meeting urges HM Government to provide treatment and therapy in a more appropriate and secure residential environment.

Since the closure of most large Mental Health Institutions, there are currently out of 108,000 people detained in the UK, 14,600 held under the Mental Health Act 2007. The Members present did not agree with the wording of the Resolution and all abstained from voting.

Some original mid last century Hyde Heath W scrapbooks have been discovered and were on display. Members were taken on a trip down memory lane looking at the old photographs of friends and relatives from the Village. Whilst having refreshments we filled in a fun quiz organised by Jayne Faversham.

The next meeting will be held at 8pm on 12th June in the Village Hall when Mrs Betty Hardy will give a talk on "My Career in Retailing". The competition is "A favourite short poem".

Hyde Heath Evening WI - February 2008

Despite a cold evening, Members and guests were given a warm welcome to the February meeting.   

Barbara Aris, who had a bad eye accident last year, proposed that this year’s charity should be the Eye Unit Appeal Fund for the new Unit at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.   £80,000 is needed to buy a new camera to replace an old one.  This will be used for a large variety of eye problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes and, of course, accidents.  The money will provide another 4 consulting rooms and be used to update equipment.  The proposal was unanimously carried.   

Details of a number of forthcoming events were given commencing with the next Monthly Walk which will be on 28^th February, meeting at The Crown, Ley Hill at 10.45am for a 3½ mile ramble.  Anyone just wishing to lunch at The Crown at approximately 1.15pm is very welcome but please let Barbara Aris know.  We all donate £1 which goes towards our charity of the year. 

Our team has been accepted to take part in the Inter-County Quiz Bucks Round which will be held on the evening of 6^th March at Great Missenden Memorial Hall. 

Di Coombes will be holding a fund raising Coffee Morning at her house at 10.30am on 11^th April.   There will be a trip to Chenies Manor on 24^th April at 2.30pm.  Tickets for a tour round the house and gardens are £5.50 each. 

The Beechwood Group Meeting is being held at Wendover on the evening of 30^th April, tickets cost £3. 

We have again been asked by the David Coulton, Chairman of the Village Society, if we would organise teas and cakes at the Village Fete being held on 10^th May. 

The BFWI has organised a spring day trip to Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury on Thursday, 15^th May costing £24.   

There will be a Charity Ramble and Cream Tea on Sunday 22^nd June, meeting at the Village Hall at 2pm.  For those wishing to take part but unable to walk, tea will be in the Hall at 4pm. 

Barbara Aris reported that “Inappropriate Imprisonment of the Severely Mentally Ill” was selected at the Bucks Resolution Meeting. 

Divia Gudka gave a really interesting talk with a cleansing and makeup demonstration on volunteer, Caroline Delves.  It was informative for everyone whether makeup was worn or not as she showed the procedure and gave invaluable suggestions about rejuvenating the skin.  

Next month’s meeting will be at 8pm on 13^th March when Mr Tony Brown will tell us about “The Magic Lantern – A Touch of Glass”.  The competition is “An Easter Biscuit”. 

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - January 2008

President, Jayne Faversham, welcomed everyone to the New Year meeting, especially Sally, the representative from the Hospice of St Frances, which was our charity for last year. 

Margaret Dunn reported on a most interesting visit made by a group of Members to the WI Headquarters in London last December.  After an early start, standing all the way on a commuter train, they had a very warm welcome of mince pies and coffee before being given a tour to the different departments of the tall building – without lifts!   The visit was concluded with a special photograph printed as if it was the front cover of the WI Life Magazine. 

Gillian O’Flynn gave a resume of the “Gold & Glitter” visit made by some Members to the Millennium Dome to see the amazing Tutankhamen Exhibition followed by a magical two hour coach tour of London’s Christmas lights and decorations. 

A local Charity will be chosen at next month’s meeting so any suggestions should be given then. 

It is Hyde Heath’s turn to send a delegate to the Annual Meeting in Liverpool on 4^th June.  If a Member would like to go, please let Margaret Sargeant know as soon as possible.  Travel, on 3^rd June, is free and the cost of accommodation is share by Institutes.   

Following on from Anne Crook’s complaint about mixed wards in hospitals, Margaret Sargeant proposed that a Resolution be made at the Buckinghamshire W I Council meeting. 

The meeting continued with an informative talk given by Valerie Schuch on “Aloe Vera & Healthy Living”.  Nine years ago she heard about Aloe Vera through Forever Living Products. 

 We did not realise just how useful the plant is as a remedy for both humans and animals.  It is a member of the onion, lily and garlic family.  There are nearly 300 different types of Aloe but only 5 are used for medicinal purposes. 

It seems to be a remarkable plant as it apparently helps the immune system, digestion and skin tissue; is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal and is, therefore, extremely useful for a huge range of problems from nappy rash and cradle cap to wounds, burns and infections.  It is also used to make a variety of products such as tooth gel, deodorants, moisturisers and shampoos. 

The next meeting will be Thursday, 14^th February at 8pm when Divia Gudka will talk on “You” and give a Make Up Demonstration.  The competition will be a Decorated Wellington Boot.
 

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - November 2007

Maggie Mulberry reported on the Autumn Half-Yearly Council Meeting.   Obesity in children and the need to teach families to cook good wholesome meals was discussed.   

The speaker, James White, gave a fascinating insight into his life as the son of James Herriot, Vet and author.  The next meeting will take place at Princes Risborough School. 

An invitation had been received from St Andrew’s Church to attend the Rededication Service which will be taken by the new Bishop of Oxford, John Pritchard at 6pm on 30^th November followed by an Old English Fete and Pig Roast.  

On Saturday, 1^st December cakes were requested for the Hyde Heath Primary School Christmas fete which is from 1.30 – 3.30pm which will precede the St Andrew’s Church Rededication Celebration, following on from the School fete.   

The Annual Meeting commenced with the Treasurer’s Report and thanks were given to the Financial Examiner.  There are now 27 full Members who have enjoyed many good speakers over the past year ranging from a slide show Tour of India, Federation Archives and Reflections on a Career in Diplomacy amongst many.   

A Representative also visited us from this year’s Charity, the St Francis Hospice, for which we have had a number of fund raising events such as the highly successful Pampered Chef evening, Summer Barbeque and Ramble. 

Margaret Sargeant attended a day’s discussion on nuclear power and four Members obtained their Hygiene Certificates.  A number of Members enjoyed the Beechwood Group Meetings, the last one being hosted by the Hyde Heath Members. 

Several Members have enjoyed various WI coach trips to a large variety of venues such as Hampton Court Flower Show, a tour round Coventry, Kenilworth Castle and Stratford upon Avon and by cars to the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf Centre at Saunderton 

Barbara Aris organised monthly walks again this year.  The season finished with a short walk around Wendover Woods to enjoy the autumn leaf colour. 

We have helped with the teas and cakes at the Village Fete and the Biggest Coffee Mornings in the World for MacMillan Nurses. 

Jayne Faversham addressed the meeting at the end of her first year as President.  She thanked all her Committee and other Members for their hard work and help including Pam Ruff, Treasurer, who has prepared the financial statements for the last six years.  The existing Committee have agreed to continue for the next year.

Anne Crook raised the point that while she was a patient at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, she was upset to find that most wards, including the new wing, are mixed which was not conducive to a speedy recovery.  It was proposed that the County Federation and possibly local MP’s be contacted regarding this. 

The evening concluded with a Quiz on Shakespeare devised by Christine Richfield-Andrews.

The next meeting will be the Christmas Party at the Village Hall, to be held from 7pm for 7.30m on 14^th December.  Tickets costing £7.50 will be available from the Treasurer, Pam Ruff before 30^th November. 

Hyde Heath Evening WI - October 2007

Two guests were welcomed to our October meeting which began with our President thanking Members for the wonderful tables of food provided for the Group Meeting held last week in Hyde Heath.  The talk and demonstration given by Alison Jarvis, chocolatier and owner of Toucan Luxury Organic Chocolates, was a great success with the opportunity for everyone to taste different types of chocolate - more info at www.toucanchocolate.co.uk

Gillian O’Flynn reported on a super, full day WI coach trip that she and Judith Butt had made to Coventry Cathedral, Kenilworth Castle, Warwick and Stratford upon Avon. 

Maggie Mulberry and Mary Collins will be attending the Half-Yearly Council meeting on 23^rd October, which will be the last to be held at the Civic Centre in Aylesbury.  The speaker will be James Wight, son of James Herriot, the famous vet and author. 

Our forthcoming Christmas party will be on 13^th December with tickets costing £7.50. 

We were introduced to our speaker for the evening who was Mr Dick Bignell, a retired shopkeeper from Weedon, whose interest in nature started as a young man.   

He gave a slide show and talk about every aspect of The Beauty of Nature ranging from close-up pictures of vine weevil’s, which do so much damage to plants by eating their roots, to flowers throughout the seasons, wonderful sunset cloud formations, fungi, rare wild plants, trees and incredibly detailed hoar frost on apples. 

Amongst his very varied selection of slides was a wonderfully patterned, large wasps nest.  It was most interesting to hear so much detail about the life of the many varieties of insects, plants, animals and nature in general.  

On Thursday, 8^th November at 8pm our Annual Meeting will be held.  This will be followed by a Quiz.  The competition will be a Christmas Card.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - September 2007

Members were welcomed back after the summer break with a resume of events that had taken place.  Chris and Margaret Sargeant were thanked for hosting the summer BBQ on 9^th August. A delicious supper was enjoyed and we were lucky to have a pleasant, dry evening.  A profit of £149.50 was made for our Charity, the St Francis Hospice.

We were grateful to our Treasurer’s Husband, Dennis Ruff, for organising our evening Charity Walk on 3^rd September. Nineteen walkers toured round hidden parts of Old Amersham and the Martyrs Monument.  A very welcome supper, provided by the Committee, awaited us on our return to the Village Hall.  This evening made a profit of £124, also for our Charity. 

On 17^th September two Members will be going with the Bucks Federation coach tour to Coventry Cathedral, Kenilworth Castle and Stratford upon Avon. 

A reminder was given about the next Beechwood Group Meeting on 3^rd October which we are hosting in Hyde Heath.  Tickets cost £2 and the speaker will be from Toucan Organic Luxury Chocolate. 

Our speaker, Mrs Pam Harman, gave a highly entertaining talk about “Odes – a light hearted look at Life”.  She illuminated a number of amusing incidents and observations with appropriate odes.  Her habit of jotting down verses started in childhood, making notes which she slipped into her Bible.  Subjects ranged from childbirth and school knickers to being mistaken for a “Roly-Poly” and dentures and diabetes ! 

As always, we ended the evening with irresistible refreshments provided this month by Avril and Linda. 

Our next meeting will be at 8pm on 11^th October at the Village Hall when Mr Bignell will talk about “The Beauty of Nature”.  The competition will be “A real attractive autumn leaf”.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - July 2007

Our President, Jayne Faversham, announced that flowers and a card signed by all Members present would be sent to Barbara Aris wishing her a speedy recovery after her accident. 

Many thanks were given to Di Coombes and her Husband, Harold, for hosting an excellent summer lunch, which raised £130 for our funds.  Margaret Dunn and Gillian O’Flynn reported on their very enjoyable visit to the Hampton Court Flower Show.  Anne Crook reported on the Literary Lunch at Cheddington when Sandra Howard gave a most interesting talk about her career. 

Details of forthcoming events were given starting with the Summer BBQ which will take place in Chris and Margaret Sargeant’s garden on the evening of 9^th August .  The cost will be £6.50 in advance.  Please provide your own crockery, cutlery and glasses.  There will be a raffle and volunteers were requested to help with preparation in the afternoon. 

The Treasurer’s Husband, Dennis Ruff, has organised our Charity Ramble to meet at 6pm for 6.15pm on 6^th September in the Dovecote Car Park, Old Amersham and then return to Hyde Heath Village Hall for supper.  The cost will be £6.50, and proceeds will go to St Francis Hospice. 

We are hosting the next Beechwood Group Meeting on 3^rd October.  Members should confirm their attendance by 19^th September and whether they will provide a sweet or savoury dish for eight people.  The cost for this event will be £3. 

Pam Ruff had displayed a variety of Christmas items for purchase or available from the Webb Ivory catalogue, profits of which will go towards our charity fund raising.  

Jayne welcomed Sue Norton, who gave a talk about the history of the WI Federation and the Archives, which she looks after and collects.  She was very pleased to see that we used our tablecloth and had our banner protected in a glass fronted frame explaining that so many items had deteriorated or been lost because of lack of care.  

The Federation has organised 100 textiles and 300 other items to go on display at various craft fairs around the country and have produced a photographic brochure, which includes a number of items from Buckinghamshire.  The archives date mainly from the 1930’s as an over efficient secretary binned many earlier items when tidying up!  

Among many interesting facts we learnt that during the Second World War the Women’s Institute in Hyde Heath, along with many others throughout the country, played an important part operating a canning factory for fruit and vegetables which were in danger of going to waste.  They also used rosehips, nettles and hawthorns etc which were collected from the hedgerows.  From 1940–1945 over 5,300 tons of food was preserved.  There are photographs in the Village Hall of the then Queen Elizabeth visiting the village to see the war efforts.  A number of fascinating articles were displayed for us to look at. 

Our next meeting will be at 8pm on 13^th September when Mrs Harman will talk about “Odes – a light hearted look at life” and the competition will be “An Odd Ode”. 

Hyde Heath Evening WI - June 2007

President, Jayne Faversham, welcomed Margaret Dunn’s Auntie to the June meeting, Audrey Wedge from Chesham WI and also our speaker for the evening, Mr Bird.

Mr Carter from Florence Nightingale Hospice thanked us for contributing towards the £319 profit for Lighthouse project by paying for the Quiz Sheets.  Jayne read a letter of thanks from Jane Howlett for our help at the Village Fete where the teas provided by the WI made a profit of £468.3lp contributing to an overall profit of £3,000.  Di Coombes’ beautiful flower arrangement for the Festival in the Church was much appreciated.  The Pampered Chef evening was highly enjoyable and successful raising a total profit of £465.10p. 

Announcements were made regarding forthcoming events including the “Summer Event” which will be our BBQ in the evening of 9^th August (cost £6.50) to be held at Chris and Margaret Sargeant’s house.   Also the Charity Ramble on 6^th September in the evening will be led by our Treasurer’s Husband, Dennis Ruff, who has again volunteered to choose a route.  Two Members will be attending the Literary lunch and another two the Hampton Court Flower Show. 

Barbara Aris reported that six people went on the last walk around Hawridge and the next walk will be on Thursday, 28^th June for a walk starting from the Plant and Harvest Garden Centre at West Wycombe.  This will involve a 4 mile walk starting with a steep climb to the Mausoleum then to Bradenham and return to the Garden Centre for lunch.   The 26^th July walk will be around Dunstable Downs.

Barbara announced that she was taking part in a sponsored walk for Breakthrough Breast Cancer on 11^th/12^th August and would be very grateful for sponsorship.

Audrey Wedge told Members about her visit to the AGM at the Royal Albert Hall in June and also gave an invitation from the Chesham WI to a Strawberry Garden Party on 6^th July.  The WI magazine, which is now available on cassette, is circulated to 200,000 Members so advertising should now be of a higher quality.  From 2008 subscriptions will be raised to £27. Audrey reported that the WI campaigns relating to the Milk Debate, Trafficking of Women and Children, and Reduction of Packaging are going well having been raised in Parliament. 

Mr Bird spoke informatively about “Gardening in the Shade” and suggested a variety of plants for different types of shade.

The next meeting will be held at 8pm on 12^th July when Sue Norton will talk on “Federation Archives”.  The competition will be a “Committee Quiz”.

Gillian O'Flynn

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Dame Cecily Saunders, a trained nurse and subsequently doctor, started the Hospice 40 years ago when she realised after the Second World War that there were inadequate facilities to give palliative care to patients, i.e. the right pain relief at the right time. 

Their new eco-friendly home cost £6½  million and will provide bedrooms for 14 people.  9 Bedrooms are presently occupied but more money is needed as it costs £85,000 per year to open a room and provide all the care, therapists (there are two nurses to each patient) and facilities.   

£3 million per year has to be raised.  We were given details about two of this years fund raisers, one will be a Midnight Walk with the Stars on 7^th July and also the well known rose grower, Robert Harkness of Hitchin, has raised a beautiful pale pink rose which will be sold in aid of the Hospice.  For more information contact www.walkwiththestars.org.uk or phone 01442 869555. 

Seven Members went to the Annual Council meeting on 19^th April in Aylesbury.  103 Institutes were welcomed and listened to an extremely entertaining talk by Ann Widdecombe. 

Eight Members attended the Beechwood Group meeting in Great Missenden when Mr Watts gave a most interesting talk and slide show of National Trust Properties in Bucks. 

Another group of Members visited the Hearing Dogs for the Deaf Centre at Saunderton for a tour, talk, demonstration and tea.   This is a unique charity that carefully trains selected dogs to alert severely, profoundly or totally deaf people to every day sounds which hearing people may take for granted such as doorbell, telephone, smoke alarm, cooker timer etc. 

Today’s walk around the Hughenden Manor Estate was delightful and we were very lucky with the weather.  The next walk of 4½ miles will be on Friday, 8^th June meeting at The Full Moon, Hawridge. 

There was only one Resolution put forward to debate “This resolution urges H M Government to stop the closure of Community Hospitals, which provide essential services to local people”.

This was discussed in detail and carried unanimously. 

After a delicious tea we had a fun quiz devised by Christine to round off the evening. 

The next meeting will be on 14^th June at 8pm when Mr Bird will give a talk on “Gardening in the Shade” and the competition will be a “Favourite cocktail”.

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - April 2007

Jayne Faversham, President, welcomed everyone to the meeting and congratulated Gillian and Margaret on the arrival of their new Grandchildren. 

Barbara gave £11 to our Charity which was raised from the last walk.  The next walk (4 miles) will be on 10^th May departing from Hyde Heath Village Hall at 10am to arrive at the car park of Hughenden Manor at 10.30 am.  Lunch will be at The Manor or take a picnic.  The Manor and the walled garden will be open for those wishing to visit. 

The Beechwood Group Meeting will be held on 24^th April at Great Missenden.  It was agreed to join the Friends Club for £15. 

Volunteers and cakes were requested for serving teas at the Village Fete on 12^th May.  There will also be a Flower Festival in St Andrews Church on the Common and Di Coombes has kindly volunteered to do a floral arrangement for the WI. 

Margaret and Chris Sargeant have very generously offered their garden for the Summer BBQ to be held on 9^th August. 

Chris Sargeant gave an excellent talk and slide show on India and Sri Lanka, which was greatly enjoyed by all Members. 

The next meeting on “Resolutions” will be on 10^th May.  A Representative from this year’s chosen Charity, St Francis Hospice, will also speak.  The competition is “Another Unusual Object”.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - March 2007

After a vote the St Francis Hospice was chosen as our charity for this year.  New suggestions for fund raising activities were asked for. 

The Walking Group enjoyed a very good lunch at The Cross Keys in January.  On a cold but brilliantly sunny day on 1^st March the first walk of the year took place round the College Lake Nature Reserve at Bulbourne near Tring.  We went armed with binoculars to view a large variety of water birds from the many hides.  This is definitely a place to go back to during the different seasons. 

Forthcoming events were announced commencing with the next walk of approximately 4 miles, which will be on Thursday, 29^th March meeting at the Dovecote Car Park in Old Amersham at 11am to walk along the Misbourne Valley followed by lunch at The Eagle. 

The Beechwood Spring meeting will be held at Great Missenden Memorial Hall on 24^th April.  Looking further ahead, Hyde Heath will be hosting the Autumn Group Meeting on 3^rd October.

There will be an outing to the Hearing Dogs Centre at Saunderton on 3^rd May.  Di Coombes summer lunch in her garden will be at 12 o’clock on Saturday, 30^th June.  The Bucks Federation are organising a coach trip to RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show on Thursday, 5^th July. 

The Charity Autumn Ramble which will be held on Thursday, 6^th September meeting at the Village Hall at 6.30pm and returning for supper.

Margaret Dunn has agreed to organise teas for the Village Fete in May.  Cakes and volunteers to help on the day will be much appreciated. 

A large number of Members and visitors attended a fascinating talk and slide show on “The Great Wall of China” given by Alan Jaycock.   

He has been a member of the Alzheimer’s Society for five years and in 2004 accepted an invitation to raise funds for the Charity by joining a Walk on the Great Wall of China.  Mr Jaycock had nine months to train and raised sponsorship of £1,800 which went towards supporting the many dementia types of sufferers and their carers helped by the Charity. 

A large group from all over Britain left Heathrow on 14^th September 2005 for Beijing beginning with a tour round the city and then travelling by coach for 4 hours to start their week long trek of 60 miles. 

The Wall, which is about 3,500 miles long, was originally built by the then different provinces to keep out invaders, particularly Mongolians in the north.  Some areas were in very good condition, although a substantial part of the walk seemed to be along very rough, tumble down parts, but all with magnificent views of the remote areas.  We were able to enjoy the challenging walk through Mr Jaycock’s excellent slides.

The next meeting will be on 12^th April at 8pm when Chris Sargeant will give a Talk and Slide Show on India.  The competition will be a favourite Indian recipe (written).

Hyde Heath Evening WI - February 2007

Hyde Heath Evening WI - November 2006

The Annual meeting in November was held in the Village School hall.  It was a frosty night but well attended.  

Barbara Aris gave a report on the last two walks around Turville and Fingest in October and the Chartridge area in November, where the leaves were at last showing beautiful autumn colours.  They were thoroughly enjoyed by about a dozen members and friends.  It was suggested that the walkers meet for lunch in Hyde Heath towards the end of January.

Margaret Dunn and Margaret Sargeant attended the half-yearly Counsel Meeting in Aylesbury on 24^th October  when a Wildlife photographer gave a  beautifully illustrated talk on Antarctica.

Gillian O’Flynn reported on the Group Meeting held at Cholesbury cum St Leonards.  We were entertained by a very talented flower arranger who, whilst describing an exotic holiday cruise, illustrated the different places she had visited with her arrangements.  These were given as raffle prizes at the end of the meeting.  A very generous supper was also enjoyed. 

A group of 8 members visited the Wycombe Swan on 8^th November for a fascinating evening with Dame Stella Rimington DCB.  She was the first woman to become Head of MI5 and had many stories to tell of her working life dealing with covert operations, counter-espionage and subversion and terrorism. 

The business of the Annual meeting began with Margaret Dunn announcing her retirement after three years in the position of President, together with Jan Newman as Secretary and Jill Ronson as a Member of the Committee.  Grateful thanks were given to the retiring Members for all their hard work. 

Jayne Faversham was elected President and Sue Turner and Christine Richfield-Andrews have joined the other Members of the Committee. 

Pam Ruff presented the Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statement, which was adopted by the Members present.  With his agreement to continue, it was proposed that Bill Hockey be adopted as the independent financial examiner. 

Jan Newman read her annual report of the many events that had taken place during the year.  It was announced that we had in excess of £500 for our charity, the Pepper Foundation who care for sick children and support their families, which we as a very small group should be very proud to have raised so much.  

The Christmas party will be on 14^th December, 7pm for 7.30pm.  Tickets £7.50 including a glass of wine.  The committee will provide the main course and members the sweets.  We will be entertained with an Interlude of Clarinet and Piano. 

The New Year Meeting will be in the Village Hall at 8pm on 11^th January 2007.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - October 2006

Our October meeting commenced with our Speaker, Margaret Deakin, giving us a fascinating talk and slide show about her Images of Morocco. She was a mathematics teacher who in 1996 took early retirement from her post of Head of Sixth Form at a local Girls’ Grammar School.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - September 2006

The first meeting after the summer break was opened by President, Margaret Dunn, who gave a review of a variety of events which took place during that time.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - June 2006

Our President said how much everyone had enjoyed Molly’s Supper on a pleasant early summer evening outside at The Plough, Hyde Heath.  The Publican, Chris, produced delicious meals for the 23 Members who attended and very generously gave us a choice of sweets with his compliments. 

Margaret Dunn thanked everyone for supporting her bring and buy coffee morning when a profit of over £100 was made.  £10 was also contributed to our Charity from last month’s walk. 

A letter had been received from Jayne Howlett on behalf of the Village Hall Committee, thanking all those who had worked so hard and contributed wonderful cakes for the Village Fete teas.  A profit of £545 was made, helping to make the final amount for the day to over £4,000.  

The next walk will be on Thursday, 22^nd June meeting at The Mulberry Bush at 6.15pm for a 2 mile walk around Coleshill and return for dinner.   There will be a walk on 20^th July at Rickmansworth and the walk in September will be on 28^th at Waddesdon Manor Estate, details to follow. 

A number of Members had contributed recipes to be included in a book of “Recipes from a Country Parish”.  It is being launched at a special “Food Sampling” evening, featuring dishes from the book, on 23^rd June at 8 pm in Little Missenden Village Hall as part of the 2006 Patronal Festival of the Parish of St John the Baptist.  A group will be attending to taste some of the prepared recipes with wine, tickets £5, and there will be an opportunity to buy the book at a promotional rate during the evening.

On 20^th July at 6.30pm there will be a visit to a garden at “Homelands” in Ellesborough costing £2. 

The Summer BBQ will be at 6.30 pm for 7pm on 17^th August at Chris and Margaret Sargeant’s house.  Husbands and partners are welcome and tickets will be £6.  Please provide your own crockery, cutlery, glasses and drinks.   

Our speaker this month was Mr Cumming, who regaled us with many amusing stories as an evacuee to The Lee during the Second World War.  He was aged seven when the war started.  His Father was called up for training while he remained living in Hendon with his Mother and baby Sister.  One day a bomb was dropped onto his road, killing many neighbours and demolishing everything in their house except the stairs.   

His Aunt, who worked for the Stewart Liberty Family, took them in until they moved to a condemned cottage in King’s Ash. It was gradually repaired and they were able to retrieve pieces of their own somewhat damaged furniture from storage.    

He had a lovely life getting into escapades and playing games after school with his new friends and wandering about the countryside, helping on the farm and trying, at his Father’s suggestion, to grow vegetables.  His youngest brother was born during the war at Shardeloes Manor, which was converted to a maternity hospital.  It was a fascinating insight into his family’s life and struggles during the war.

 We have a very interesting programme.  Do come and join us.  Next month’s meeting will be at 8 pm on 13^th July in the Village Hall when the speaker will be Lorna Stephen on “Fifty years on the Fiddle”.  The competition will be “Decorated Sunglasses”.

Gillian O'Flynn

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - May 2006

On arrival at this month’s meeting in the School Hall, Members were met with a table display of curious items for the competition “An Unusual Object”.  They varied from the small (horse shoe implement) to much larger (an old fighter aeroplane steering column – with buttons for the release of bombs).   We had to guess the use of each item and also vote with coins for the best one.   More than £5 went into our Charity fund.

Our Charity this year is the Florence Nightingale Hospice Respite for Children at Home and Angie Pestka, who is a Paediatric Respite Nurse and the Co-ordinator, came to tell us about the service that she and her team of eleven trained nurses and carers give. 

They cover a large area between Buckingham, Wendover, Eaton Bray and Wheatley near Oxford.   At the present time, 32 children aged between 0 – 18 years are being cared for.  

If parents wish to care for their sick children at home in preference to hospital, a Respite Nurse can be available for 2 hours, half day, evening or overnight, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week or more infrequently, to look after a child who needs medical attention.   This enables the parents to have a break to go out, for example, to the shops, hairdressers, dentists, theatre or take other siblings out. 

The ailments vary tremendously from problems with premature babies, treating skin disorders, children dependent on ventilators, dialysis and tube feeding.   

At Angie’s suggestion, they also now offer parents bereavement support.  The team are funded by the Friends of Florence Nightingale and do not receive any help from the Government or the Health Authority.  They are much in demand as the NHS do not have any outreach teams.  They have been giving a very valuable service for twelve years. 

Announcements of forthcoming events were made, the first being Molly’s Summer Supper which will be held at The Plough, Hyde Heath at 7pm on Monday, 5^th June.  The Charity Walk on 31^st August is being planned by our Treasurer’s Husband, Dennis Ruff.    

Ten Members went to the Beechwood Group meeting held in Chartridge.  They thoroughly enjoyed Graham Laurie’s talk on Roald Dahl’s War and were treated to a delicious tea. 

Anne Crook and Audrey Begg attended the National Council meeting on 20^th April and Members were given a report on this, including details of the 85^th celebrations of the W I.

£11 was raised by last month’s walk for our Charity.   We meet at 10.30 am on Thursday, 25^th May in Wharf Road, Wendover for the next walk of 5 miles with lunch at The Red Lion in Wendover.

The two National Federation of Women’s Institute Resolutions for 2006 presented by Barbara Aris were “Renewable Energy” and “Sport for a Healthy Population”.  Both Resolutions were carried although a lengthy debate took place on the second one with a number of Members being unhappy about the wording and abstaining.

 The next meeting will take place at 8pm on  8^th June at the Village Hall when Mr Coming will talk on “Bullets in the Beech Trees”.   The competition will be “Letter to a famous person”.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - April 2006

A new Member was welcomed to the April meeting which began with notification of a variety of events and we look forward to a busy summer.  

Jayne Faversham, Christine Richfield Andrews and Avril Sherrat, our team at the recent WI Quiz competiton, did very well coming llth out of 32.  Last month 12 walkers had a delightful tour around Drayton Beachamp, visiting the Church en route. 

Three letters have been signed by Members and sent to MP Cheryl Gillan, the Senior Health Official and the Local Health Authority to emphasise how very disappointed we were about the closure and decline of the Maternity Services locally. 

On 26^th April at 7.45pm the Beechwood Group meeting will be at Chartridge Village Hall when the speaker will be Graham Laurie talking about “Roald Dahl’s War”.  Our President, Margaret Dunn, will be holding a fund raising coffee morning at her house at 10 am on 17^th May.   

Di Coombes has volunteered to arrange a display for the Flower Festival in St Andrew’s Church on the day of the Village Fete on 13^th May.  Very generously Chris and Margaret Sargeant have offered their garden for our summer BBQ on 17^th August.  

The Evening Charity Walk will be on 31^st August and on Sunday, 3^rd September from 3–6pm our Members will entertain a group from Contact the Elderly in the Village Hall for afternoon tea.  

Mrs Lindsey gave a talk and slide show of “Livery, Buttons & Heraldry”.  As a Research Librarian, she was asked to investigate the history of shields by their owners.  It was like a treasure hunt which became an obsession.  Now retired Mrs Lindsey enjoys collecting livery buttons (from uniforms) and investigating the origins by interpreting the symbols, crest and coats of arms on them.

 Although the all Roman legions had eagle standards, shields originated in the 12^th Century when quarrelsome Lords, wanting to protect their lands and castles, had private armies.  To differentiate between the various groups, simple motifs and colours were used.  Early shields were geometric in design.   

As time went on, all servants and soldiers had uniforms showing the chosen symbol.  Eventually more complicated and bold designs were used on the soldiers’ singlets or tabards and on the coats of the horses so that in battle each army was clearly identified. Over the centuries shields became more artistic and ladies were given diamond shaped coats of arms. 

Heralds were originally itinerants who toured the battlefields to identify who was dead or dying by the uniform.  The most senior Herald is the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal of England.   

Buttons had the same design as the shields with a 1” size for coats and 1/2”for waistcoats.  They would be coloured black for mourning.  Mrs Lindsey, who is a member of the British Button Society, showed us a selection of her fascinating and historical buttons she had found at antique fairs and shops.   

This month’s walk was on 20^th April with a pleasant 2 mile circuit of Old Amersham and Amersham on the Hill via the Martyrs Monument.  Future walking dates are 25^th May from Halton at 10.30 am and 22^nd June at 6.15 pm from Coleshill. 

Next month’s meeting to discuss the “Resolutions” will be in the Village School Hall at 8 pm on 11^th May.  The competition will be An Unusual Object (Guess its use). 

Hyde Heath Evening WI - March 2006

Our President was pleased to announce that several new Members had joined.  We are a fairly small and friendly group and anyone wishing to visit us will be made very welcome.

Elaine Coleridge-Smith, a Trustee, spoke about the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home Charity which offers specialist nursing care, support and advice for patients with life threatening illnesses in their homes 24 hours a day.  They also aim to help the relatives and those carers close to the patient during the illness and bereavement period.

A free service is offered to patients and families.  They receive just a small percentage of income from the NHS, raising the balance from a wide variety of fund raising activities, including Sgt Pepper Concerts, donations, legacies and private medical insurance.  Gifts of time, expertise and skills also contribute to the income they have to raise themselves.

Iain Rennie was born in 1944 in Lanarkshire.  He was married in 1970 and had two sons.  But in 1978 he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.  Treatment seemed to work but sadly in 1985 Iain’s condition worsened.

During the latter stages of his illness he wanted to spend as much time as possible at home with his young family.  This was made possible by his GP and a team of five St Francis Hospice trained nurses, who gave their freetime voluntarily.  Later Shell International, who Iain had worked for, agreed to pay for the nursing support he had received.

Iain’s family believed strongly that the quality of the final 10 weeks of his life was greatly enhanced by his being in his home environment.  When a second patient was referred to the group of nurses while they were nursing Iain, they, together with their families and friends, formed a formal committee. 

A charity was established within four or five weeks of Iain dying and in 1987 it was registered with the UK Charities Commission.  The service grew slowly over the next few years, initially using nurses’ homes as offices to start with. 

Now four teams provide Hospice at Home care for adults, including the Pepper Team who look after children, together with 600 volunteers, in Hertfordshire, South Buckinghamshire and across the Chilterns area .   

Approximately 6,500 patients have been cared for in their homes in the twenty years since the Charity was started, which is a huge achievement.

We were very lucky to have bright sun on a cold day for last month’s walk which raised £13 towards our Charity.  The next walk will be on Thursday 30^th March setting off from The Crow’s Nest, Tring Hill at 11 am for a fairly level 3 mile walk around Wendover Canal and Wilstone Reservoir.  Anyone wishing to come from Hyde Heath should meet at the Village Hall at 10.20 am to share transport.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 12^th April when Mrs Lindsey will give a talk on “Livery, Buttons & Heraldry”.  The competition is "An Easter Bonnet”.

Hyde Heath Evening WI - February 2006

On a bitterly cold February evening  Margaret Dunn, our President, gave a warm welcome to a large number of Members and guests. 

The Childrens’ Hospice at Home through Florence Nightingale House was voted as the charity for the year. 

It was decided to support Contact the Elderly by giving an afternoon tea in the village hall one Sunday afternoon in the summer.  It was agreed that we will, again, provide and organise teas for the Village Fete which this year will be on 13^th May.

Our speaker was Mrs Caroline Waterhouse, who came with her portable couch to give a talk and practical demonstration about Reflexology. 

Caroline has been a speech and language therapist for more than 25 years and since 1990 has worked for SCOPE.  For the last 4 or 5 years she has also been working as a complimentary therapist with a practice at her home in the village.  She gives, voluntarily, treatment at the Cancer Unit in High Wycombe Hospital.

We were given a most absorbing and interesting talk, while our President received soothing treatment and can vouch for how relaxing it was!  

Feet are probably the most neglected part of our bodies despite the fact that we are using them all the time. They have, amazingly, over 7,200 nerve endings!   Leonardo da Vinci referred to them as a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.  It is a very ancient therapy with evidence found that it was used in Egypt, China and India from 5,000 BC!   

Modern Reflexology was developed from zone therapy in the early 20^th century by an ENT consultant in the States.  It was refined into working zones of the feet by a physiotherapist and  brought to the UK in the 1960’s, where it is now an accepted form of complementary treatment throughout the country. 

Reflexology works on the principle that all the organs and systems of the body are reflected on the soles and backs of the feet.  Stimulating these reflexes with a massage technique using pressure to the reflex points has been observed to benefit many health problems in a natural way. 

The monthly walks will start this year on Friday, 3^rd March meeting in the Water Meadow Car Park, Chesham at 10.30 am. A 2 hour ticket will be needed. The 3 mile walk will be very steep in places but give wonderful views when the top is reached!  Friends and partners are very welcome.  As usual, each walker is invited to contribute £1 towards our charity.  We will finish with lunch in a pub.   

Advance notice was given of the next walk which will be on Thursday, 30^th March.

Do join us for next month’s meeting in the Village Hall at 8pm on 9^th March when Mrs Asquith will give a talk on the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home.  The competition will be “an unusual button”.  Members vote for the best entry with small coins, which are also put into the charity fund.

Gillian O'Flynn

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Mr Head told us that donations such as ours were essential as it cost £800,000 a year to run the service.  The only government funding provided was from the NHS for medical equipment and two paramedics, who did a month’s duty at a time. 

The helicopter and pilot were hired as this was more economical.   There is always a standby helicopter available where they are based at White Waltham airfield. 

The area covered by the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust is 3,500 square miles with approximately 2½  million people living in the area.  Comfortingly, 90% of the population are within 20 minutes of an air ambulance.

The Christmas Party last December was thoroughly enjoyed with a delicious supper provided by the Committee and sweets by the Members.  We were also entertained by a fascinating talk on the origins of Christmas traditions with a display of very early cards, recipes and stories.

Chris Sargeant, Husband of Member Margaret, gave a most interesting talk and photographic show entitled “Images of South Africa” which featured their tour from Johannesburg, up through the mountains to Lesotho, The Lost City, the theme park at Sun City and then to the Pilansberg Lodge Game Reserve, seeing many places en route including gold mining areas, Zulu dancers and an alligator park.  They also visited the township of Soweto, which was built 11 kilometres outside Johannesburg where Nelson Mandela has a bungalow.  Margaret visited a day care centre and nursery with many well cared for orphans of AIDS. 

They then flew to Durban and visited Cape Town, Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned, and finished a wonderful trip at the southernmost tip of South Africa.

Next month’s meeting will be at 8 pm on 9^th February at the Village Hall .  Caroline Waterhouse will give a talk on Reflexology and the subject of the competition is “Food Faces”.  Maggie Mulberry was the overall winner of last year’s competitions and was presented with a gift.

Margaret Dunn, President, wished everyone a very happy new year and started by welcoming Tim Head of the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust, who was presented with a giant sized cheque for £550. 

Following a talk given in 2004 by a Member of the TV & CAA, the Members chose the Air Ambulance to be the 2005 Charity and as we were only a small WI group, we were very proud to have raised so much money.  We were spurred on when we heard how invaluable the helicopter service was after the terrible bombings on 7^th July 2005 .

Mr Head told us that donations such as ours were essential as it cost £800,000 a year to run the service.  The only government funding provided was from the NHS for medical equipment and two paramedics, who did a month’s duty at a time. 

The helicopter and pilot were hired as this was more economical.   There is always a standby helicopter available where they are based at White Waltham airfield. 

The area covered by the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust is 3,500 square miles with approximately 2½  million people living in the area.  Comfortingly, 90% of the population are within 20 minutes of an air ambulance.

The Christmas Party last December was thoroughly enjoyed with a delicious supper provided by the Committee and sweets by the Members.  We were also entertained by a fascinating talk on the origins of Christmas traditions with a display of very early cards, recipes and stories.

Chris Sargeant, Husband of Member Margaret, gave a most interesting talk and photographic show entitled “Images of South Africa” which featured their tour from Johannesburg, up through the mountains to Lesotho, The Lost City, the theme park at Sun City and then to the Pilansberg Lodge Game Reserve, seeing many places en route including gold mining areas, Zulu dancers and an alligator park.  They also visited the township of Soweto, which was built 11 kilometres outside Johannesburg where Nelson Mandela has a bungalow.  Margaret visited a day care centre and nursery with many well cared for orphans of AIDS. 

They then flew to Durban and visited Cape Town, Robben Island where Mandela was imprisoned, and finished a wonderful trip at the southernmost tip of South Africa.

Next month’s meeting will be at 8 pm on 9^th February at the Village Hall .  Caroline Waterhouse will give a talk on Reflexology and the subject of the competition is “Food Faces”.  Maggie Mulberry was the overall winner of last year’s competitions and was presented with a gift.

Gillian O'Flynn 

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - November 2005

Member Beryl Cope and Husband Michael celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on 5^th November and very generously served everyone with a glass of wine to toast the event.  Margaret Dunn presented them with a card and a cake from all the Members. 

Members were asked if they had any favourite recipes, which could be included in the St John the Baptist Patronal Recipe Book being produced for next Spring.  These should be given to Secretary, Jan Newman.

Jill Ronson and Ann Crook attended an interesting half yearly Council Meeting at the Civic Hall in Aylesbury on 25^th October.  Sadly, as this is the only venue in the area suitable to hold the Council Meetings, it would probably be the last as the Civic Hall is being demolished to make way for a shopping centre.

Barbara Aris sent in a report on the last walk of the year from Chalfont St Giles along the valley to Chalfont St Peter and back, starting with lunch at Merlin’s Cave and returning for a welcome cup of tea. Yet again, we managed to avoid the rain!  The walks have boosted this year’s Charity, the Thames Valley & Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust, with participants contributing £1 each.

Mr Michael Boyden, Deputy Area Fundraiser for the Air Ambulance Trust, will be attending our New Year Meeting at 8pm on 12^th January to be presented with a cheque from our Group. 

The business of the Annual Meeting began with Pam Ruff giving the Treasurers Report, which was endorsed.  President, Margaret Dunn, gave a Report of this year’s events and achievements and said that, as a small group, we were right to be proud of raising over £500 for the Air Ambulance. 

Margaret, after another successful twelve months, was elected as President for her third year, as were all but one of the existing Committee.

After a delicious tea, Pam Ruff’s Husband Dennis, kindly organised a fun 60’s and 70’s music quiz, which certainly tested the memories of our youth! 

The Christmas Party will be at 7pm for 7.30pm on 8^th December at the Village Hall.  The main course will be provided by the Committee and deserts by Members.  A Lucky Dip present costing approximately £2 should be brought to put in the sack. 

Gillian O’Flynn

Hyde Heath Evening WI - October 2005

The October meeting began with reports of past events attended by Members, including the Group Meeting in Wendover where we were entertained by a talk about his early life given by Rusty Gough, a dwarf as he likes to be called, who appeared in the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

 When he was stopped for speeding, the Police were so surprised to see how short he was and intrigued to know how he could drive with extended pedals, they forgot to fine him!

 A very enjoyable evening Charity Walk around Hyde Heath was attended by about 30 people finishing back at the Village Hall as the sun set, for a welcoming supper provided by the Committee.  We were very grateful to Treasurer, Pam Ruff’s Husband, who planned the route.  £126.66p was raised towards this year’s Charity, the Air Ambulance.

 On 13^th October, 12 Members and friends plus four dogs, walked around the beautiful area of Sarratt and the Chess Valley.  The rain stopped just as we were setting off enabling us to see the views and we had an excellent lunch at The Cock pub in the village.  The Publican even catered for the dogs’ lunch of biscuits! 

Forthcoming events include the half-yearly Council meeting in Aylesbury on Tuesday, 25^th October to be attended by two Members.  A trip to The Mill at Sonning will be on 12^th November to see “Intimate Exchanges” by Alan Ayckbourn.

 As our speaker this month had to cancel, the Committee organised a Beetle Drive which gave much amusement – and frustration when the dice did not produce the required number – but it was such fun, the Drive continued after a delicious tea.   Jayne Faversham was the winner after a throw of the dice.     

 The last walk of the year will be on Wednesday, 26^th October meeting at 12 noon for lunch at Merlin’s Cave, Chalfont St Giles.  The walk will be 4 miles long to Chalfont St Peter and back, passing Milton’s Cottage museum.  As usual, a £1 contribution from each walker will go towards our Charity for this year.

The Annual Meeting will be held on 10^th November at 8pm in the Village Hall and the competition will be a Christmas Table Decoration.          

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - September 2005

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - June 2005

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - April 2005

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - March 2005

Hyde Heath Evening WI - February 2005

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - January 2005

Hyde Heath Evening WI - November 2004
 

Hyde Heath Evening WI - October 2004

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - September 2004

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - August 2004

Hyde Heath Evening WI - March 2004

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Hyde Heath Evening WI - February 2004

A letter of thanks was received from the Rushymead Hospice for funds we raised in 2003.

A most interesting and informative talk was given by Mr A Franey who is a Director of Bucks Association of Mental Health.  We were given details of his background experience working in the NHS until he was asked by the Government some years ago to look into the problems at Broadmoor.  He was given six weeks to assess the situation and give recommendations.  He became Chief Executive and stayed there for about seven years.  

He joined the Bucks Association of Mental Health, which is affiliated to MIND. This is a Charity which was established in 1914 with its Head Office in Aylesbury.  It provides counselling services in the High Wycombe and Aylesbury districts and there are a number of drop in day centres in Prestwood, High Wycombe, Chesham and Aylesbury.  Accommodation is also provided for small groups to live together in the areas. There is a voluntary befriending scheme on a one-to-one basis.  There is no charge but they seek a donation if possible. 

He estimated that 1 in 4 people and 95% of people under 21 years, suffer depression problems which is very worrying.  Depression is a major problem, very often due to pressure to achieve in education and fashion and increased pressure on society generally. 

There is a growing trend for large organisations and businesses to provide counselling for their staff.  Last year in the Aylesbury area 6,000 people sought counselling and about 4,000 in the High Wycombe area.  Ten weeks of counselling has been found to be so beneficial that it has very often avoided the need for people to be admitted to hospital or incur medication.  Sadly, funds are being stopped in July so counselling within a week will not be possible and it may now mean a wait of up to seven months!  Mr Franey emphasised that funding for mental health was inadequate and had been for years.

The 1983 Mental Health Act is being superseded by a new Act parts of which he felt very worried about.

The next meeting will be in Hyde Heath Village Hall on 11^th March at 8 pm with a talk on Equador and the Galapagos Islands.

Gillian O'Flynn

The September 2003 meeting of the Hyde Heath WI was well attended.  In the absence of our President, Margaret Sargeant, Margaret Dunn chaired the meeting.

Barbara Aris said the monthly rambles were proving very popular.  The next ramble takes place on Thursday, 2^nd October meeting at The Red Lion, Whiteleaf at 11 am.  Those just wishing to have lunch should arrive at The Red Lion at around 1pm.  The next Craft Group meeting is on 18^th September, 8pm at 15 Harvest Bank.  A group outing to see the film ’Calendar Girls’ is planned for 22^nd September at the UCI complex in Wycombe.

The speaker at the September meeting was Ms Jo Blenkinsop whose topic was, “Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance”.  This organisation is a registered charity which requires £850,000 per annum in order to provide a vital life-saving service, able to respond immediately to 999 calls and to fly directly to medical emergencies, providing the fastest response for the critically ill and seriously injured.  The service operates seven days a week and each call out costs about £500.  The helicopters fly at 160 mph.  They have two engines for safety.  The plane has one pilot and two paramedics.  It takes 2 minutes to get airborne and the patient can be in hospital within 5-10 minutes.

The next WI meeting is on 9^th October in Hyde Heath Village Hall, Brays Lane.  The speaker will be Mr C Oakes talking about “Archaeology – a Career that Lies in Ruins”.

Jan Newman

01494 774234

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The July 2003 meeting of the Hyde Heath WI was well attended.  In the absence of our President, Margaret Sargeant, Margaret Dunn chaired the meeting.

It was announced that the May ramble had raised £125 for our chosen charity the Rushymeade Hospice.  This event proved to be very popular.

The Past President’s lunch, given by Harold and Di Coombes raised approx £120 for the same charity.  Those who attended this happy event enjoyed the convivial company and delicious food.

Barbara Aris has suggested a monthly ramble.  The next ramble takes place on Thursday 24^th July meeting at The Russell Arms, Butlers Cross at 11.30am for a walk round Chequers.  Those just wishing to have lunch should arrive at The Russell Arms at around 1pm.

The next Craft Group meeting is on 17^th July at 15 Harvest Bank.  Also, Pam has arranged a Pewter Workshop on Saturday 4^th October 2003 from 10am to 4pm.  The cost is £25 to include lunch.  A deposit of £10 is required to secure a place.  Hurry; places are limited!

A sub-committee consisting of Ann Crook, Ann Honour and Jill Ronson will compile a programme suitable for a lively, forward-thinking WI like Hyde Heath.  Members will be asked to approve the programme when it is compiled.

Our August meeting is to be on Tuesday 26^th.  We will meet at 6pm at the museum in Old Amersham and will take a guided tour of the town.  At approx 7.30pm we will have supper at ‘Ask’.

The Committee is hoping to arrange a Group outing to see the film Calendar Girls, sometime in September.  It opens on 12^th September at the UCI complex in Wycombe, and stars Helen Mirren and Julie Walters.  The film is about the famous Yorkshire WI ladies who raised money for charity by posing decorously for a calendar.

For a theatre visit we are booking for the matinee performance of ‘A Passionate Woman’ on Saturday, 29^th November. The cost is £33.50, which includes a meal.  Partners are welcome.

The speaker at the July meeting was Mr H Granger whose topic was, “How to Trace your Family Tree”.  His very informative and sometimes amusing talk on Genealogy proved to be fascinating, especially to those members with a particular interest in this subject.  Mr Granger advised that, armed with one surname and a few dates, the public library could prove to be the least expensive and most appropriate place to gather information.  He told us that 95% of people are descended from peasants and that long ago many people were named after their place of birth.  For example Barbara of Windsor, Charlie of Chester.  He advised against using the Internet, as often the information did not tell the whole story.  This will eventually improve and is helped greatly if the user knows where to search.  There are also specialist magazines for those interested in this subject.

Ruth Coulton gave the vote of thanks and the meeting ended with a raffle and refreshments.

The next regular meeting is on 11^th September, when the speaker will be talking about “The Work of the Air Ambulance in Bucks”.  All members and visitors will be welcome.

Jan Newman

01494 774234

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Evelyn Pegley from the British Red Cross gave an interesting talk to the members of Hyde Heath WI.  She spoke about their International work, bringing relief in times of crisis, and about the other work that is carried out in this country.  Buckinghamshire is the only county where the Red Cross provides day care services for older people and their carers.  These units are professionally run by a team of staff providing a safe environment that is physically and mentally stimulating.  There is also a Therapeutic Care Service offering a simple hand care and shoulder massage sequence which assists relaxation and promotes a sense of well-being for individuals who are anxious, tense or ill. The British Red Cross is launching a Queen Mother Memorial Fund with the aim of raising more than £1 million pounds over the next three months.  These funds will develop the Red Cross Tracing and Messaging service.  Her Majesty and her family benefited directly when the Red Cross helped trace her brother and her nephew when they went missing during the First and Second World Wars respectively.

Earlier in the meeting Margaret Sargeant read a letter from David Coulton, the Chairman of the Summer Fete Committee.  David thanked us for our contribution of £257 which was raised by providing tea and cakes at the fete in the cricket pavilion.  Special thanks went to Margaret Dunn who organises this event.  Thanks also went to Di Coombes whose delicious lunch, which was held in her very pretty garden, raised £121 for Scannappeal.  We are looking forward to a  Barbeque, also in aid of Scannappeal, on the 6th July and a ramble on the 18th July.

Janet Newman

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At the February meeting, members of Hyde Heath W I enjoyed a very relaxed and tranquil evening.  Geoff Burnett came along to present an experience of Music, Vision and Verse entitled The Four Seasons.  He showed us beautiful slides of the countryside, starting with Winter in and then passing through the seasons to Winter the following year.  We saw lovely pictures of snow scenes, sunsets, wonderful Spring flowers, Summer cornfields and a poppy field, to name but a few.  The slide show was accompanied by extracts of music such as Greensleeves, Bright Eyes and Nessun Dorma.  With the use of special equipment Mr Burnett was able to merge one picture into the next presenting a continuous show.  Geoff Burnett took all the photographs himself and they were very beautiful, reminding us of the wonderful countryside that we enjoy.

Earlier in the evening we were reminded of the Group Meeting on the 20^th March, a theatre outing on the 28^th March, and a Legal London trip also in March.  An outing to Aylesbury College is planned for the 16^th May, and this will feature a visit to the restaurant at the college for a Commonwealth Evening.  The Village Fete is on the 18^th May where the WI will be providing the refreshments.  A Jubilee lunch is planned, but the date has yet to be decided.

The meeting ended with a raffle and delicious refreshments, including heart shaped sandwiches, to remind us it was Valentines Day!

Janet Newman                                                            Back to top of page

HYDE HEATH EVENING WI - November 2001

April 2001 Meeting

Mrs Margaret Dunn presided over the April meeting of the Hyde Heath (Evening) WI as our President Mrs Margaret Sargeant was unable to attend.

The Amersham Martyrs was the subject of a lively and interesting talk given by our speaker for the evening, Mr Colin Oakes.  The Amersham Martyrs, who lived in the 14^th century, were known as Lollards, and were considered to be heretics.  They followed Wyclif or held opinions like his.  The Lollards were persecuted for their religious beliefs. Their main offence was reading the Bible in English.  If caught they were given one chance to recant; if they refused they were burnt at the stake.  Those who recanted were usually branded on the cheek with an H for heretic or L for Lollard.  Many of the executions took place in the field on the hill behind where Tesco's is now.  The execution site was chosen so that the smoke and glow from the fire could be seen from miles around – a grim warning to others

On a more cheerful note, there are just a few places left on our coach trip to the Hampton Court Flower Show on July 7^th.  The outing is open to non-members and anyone interested in joining us should contact Margaret Dunn on 01494 782017.  The price for what promises to be an enjoyable day out is £26, which includes entrance to the Show.

The next monthly meeting is our Resolutions Meeting and is on May 11^th.

 Janet Newman          01494 774234

HYDE HEATH EVENING WI – FEBRUARY 2001 MEETING