Bishopstone with     Hinton Parva WI  

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About Our WI

About Us

Our Committee

Our Annual Events

Competitions

2010/11 Speakers Programme

Favourite Walks

Our Bursary

Our Lottery Grant & See and Try Events

Our Catering Services

Our Village Halls

Wiltshire Federation Events

Ridgeway Group Events

About The Women's Institute

2010 Dates for Your Diary

About Our WI

The Bishopstone with Hinton Parva WI is a very friendly, active WI that offers its members companionship, as well as a range of leisure and educational activities. We were established in 1954 and currently have 40 members who come not only  from the villages of Bishopstone and Hinton Parva, but also from the surrounding villages of Ashbury, Bourton, Liddington, Shrivenham and Wanborough, as well as from Swindon.   

Our annual programme runs from May until April and we normally meet at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month for about two hours either in Bishopstone Village Hall or Hinton Parva Village Hall (click). Ordinary meetings comprise a short update on current business, a guest speaker, competitions, a raffle and social time over delicious home made refreshments; the annual programme for May 2010 to April 2011 is here. We have two competitions at each meeting: bloom of the month, and a light hearted  competition related to the evening speaker's presentation.  Click here for this year's topics and winners.

Bishopstone and Hinton Parva are charming Wiltshire villages sited very close to the ancient Ridgeway, Britain's oldest road. Click here for a map showing where we are.  We belong to the Wiltshire Federation of WIs and to the Ridgeway Group of WIs, both of which are described in more detail below.

About Us

Forget the stereotype WI lady - our members are modern women who enjoy socialising at our monthly meetings, welcome the chance to make new friends and, as you will see below, are always up for a challenge!   We organise a wide variety of events each year that try to offer something for everyone and we enjoy the company of husbands, partners and guests at many of them. Our whist, scrabble and skittles teams compete regularly against other WIs in the County, and we also have a reading circle, movie club and walking group. Click here to meet us all.

Why not come along to one of our meetings as a guest and see what we are all about.  Come on your own or bring a friend - we won't pressurise you into becoming a member, although we of course hope that you will want to. 

Don't hesitate to call Diane (710759) or Maggie (710801) for more information.

   

 2010-2011

Diane    [President]	Maggie     [Treasurer]	Clare       [Secretary]	Caroline   [Minutes Secretary]	Jean [Vice President & Assistant Treasurer]
Hazel	Doris	Margaret D	Lynda P	June

 

Our Annual Events

 

Annual Meeting:  This takes place in March and is an opportunity to review our year and elect our Committee for the new session; we often have a craft demonstration to complete the evening. In 2010 Lynda and Jackie M told us about an "Antiques and Collectables" course they had studied at Denman College, courtesy of our Awards for All Lottery Grant.  They brought along an array of porcelain pieces dating from the 18th to the 21st century which were passed around the room for everyone to handle and to examine shapes, patterns and identification backstamps. The presentation was supplemented with handouts and a short video. 

 

Spring Events: In mid March 2010 our members and guests paid a visit to the Defence Capability Centre at the Shrivenham-based Defence Academy of the United Kingdom .  We learned about how tank design must be constantly updated to withstand new enemy threats, how weapons are constructed to deliver maximum impact and how rockets can now be fired faster and more accurately using satellite navigation. We heard about the development of new electronic communication systems that will allow key data to be shared more rapidly by troops at the front line and were stunned by the tiny space available to troops inside a tank. We also visited the armoury where we were told about the history, development and use of guns from the Civil War to the present day. This event certainly gave the lay person fascinating new insight into the vital military research and training that is going on in the very midst of our local community.  

 

                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learning about the development and capability of tanks           Examining exhibits in the Armoury

              

     

 

Annual Flower and Handicraft Show:  This takes place each June and the schedule includes flower, cookery and craft classes as well as classes for children and men (click here for more 2010 photos). A dedicated Committee takes responsibility for organising and staging the Show, external judges evaluate the exhibits and there are trophies and other small prizes to be won (click here for details and winners).  We also have a raffle and at the end of the Show we auction off entries donated by members to raise some funds for our other activities.  

 

 

 

                                                                        2010 -  Class for 3 Roses

 

Summer Events:  Summer provides an ideal excuse for a BBQ, Safari Supper, or something similar; partners/friends are invited and we socialise in a relaxed setting, sometimes in the garden of one of our members.  In July 2010 members and guests visited Brightwell Vineyard at Shillingford. We arrived at midday and were warmly welcomed by Carol Carr who, with her husband Bob, owns and manages the estate.  We began with a delicious ploughman's lunch followed by strawberries during which Carol explained the history of the vineyard, its successes at wine festivals and competitions and their future plans for bringing more of the wine making processes in house.  We also tasted a selection of the wines produced at Brightwell with Carol explaining the grapes used in and the special characteristics of each wine. She also highlighted the greater resemblance of British wines to German ones rather than to wines produced in much hotter climates.  Afterwards, we toured the vineyard learning about the establishment, cultivation, pruning and harvesting of the different grape varieties. Then it was time for a leisurely stroll round the rest of the estate which has its own lake and borders the River Thames.  Brightwell is set in delightful surroundings, Carol gave us an excellent discourse on wine production and appreciation and we had a jolly good day out on the hottest day of the year so far.

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Secondly, we went on a really excellent guided tour of Burford, one of England's oldest towns, located in the beautiful Cotswolds.  The tour,which was conductedby Mr John Cotterill from the Friends of the Tolsey Museum in Burford, took in both the town and the church and kept us engrossed for close to two hours. Afterwards we made our way to Burford Garden Centre for afternoon tea, which was unexpectedly accompanied by a very accomplished classical guitarist. We then tried and failed to keep our money in our pockets whilst looking at the wonderful array of plants in the Garden Centre.  

Members' Meeting:   There is always a “Members' Meeting” in October, which gives two of our ladies the opportunity to experience being President and Secretary for the evening with a view to perhaps becoming future Committee Members.  In 2009, Diana L and Jane M served as President and Secretary respectively for the evening and Marie-Noelle, another of our members, gave a talk on What it is like to be French.  

                          

Autumn Events:  Around twenty of our members enjoyed My Fair Lady at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon  in early October 2009. At the end of the month we contributed to NFWI's Bee Aware Action Week by visiting the Stanton Park Apiary near Swindon, headed by Ron Hoskins, and holding a Buzzing Bee Afternoon Tea Party for which both the refreshments and raffle prizes followed the honey theme.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Our

 

 

                                    Buzzing Bee Tea Party (left) and our visit to Stanton Park Apiary (right) 

 

Winter Events: We held a very enjoyable "Race Night with Ploughman's Supper" in early November 09.  This took place at Lynda's house and included a number of husbands, partners and guests gathered around a roaring open fire.  Given the strength of the gale raging outside, the warmth was much appreciated and the embers enabled us to make roast chestnuts too. A dress code of "big hats to be worn by the ladies" was strictly observed and the wearer of the most outrageous hat received a small prize.  As it was Lynda's birthday we were also treated to delicious home made celebration cakes. 

    

      

                        Sue G, Kathy, Jacky A, Doris, Lynda and Diane sporting their race night hats

      

Christmas Celebration:  Our Christmas meeting was an evening party to which we invite partners, husbands, friends, and members of other local WIs. The Committee provides the main course and our members contribute desserts. There is often some form of entertainment, either from our own members or an external group, a raffle, competitions and carols. It is always a good evening as well as a great opportunity to celebrate Christmas together.  At our 2009 Party, the very accomplished ladies of Purton Evening WI entertained us with a fine mix of sketches, poems and songs with which we all very much enjoyed joining in.    

  

 

Favourite Walks

 

1.     A Circular Walk from Ashbury Near Swindon (click here to open)  

 

 

Our Bursary

Our WI provides a bursary of £200 every second year to enable one of our members to attend a course at Denman College, the WI's own adult education centre near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. The lucky recipient's name is drawn out of a hat at our Members' Meeting in March. The 2009 Bursary winner was Frances.  

Our Lottery Grant

In April 2009 we successfully attracted £9,900 in grant funding from the National Lottery's Awards for All Scheme to permit each of our members to attend a Denman College course of her choice up to the value of £250.  To maximise value for money of the grant, our members will produce illustrated reports about the courses they attend and these will be compiled into an end-of-grant-booklet.  As well as this, workshops and seminars will be organised as a means of cascading new found skills and knowledge not only within the WI but also to the local community.  The award provides a fantastic opportunity for members to increase life opportunities, enhance personal skills, experience new things and meet new people. Members celebrated with a classic WI cream tea at Hinton Parva Village Hall.

                                 Diane and Lynda with the Awards for All cheque

Lottery-Funded See and Try Events 

We have organised a series of "See and Try" events to cascade the skills we learned via our Lottery-funded Denman College Courses to other members of our WI, to other WIs and to the public.   Three such events will be held respectively as part of: our 2010 WI Annual Meeting, our 2010 WI Resolutions Meeting and our 2010 WI Members' Meeting. In addition, there will be three events open to the public on 17 April 2010 at Bishoptone Village Hall on 11 June 2010 at Ashbury Parish Church and on 24 June 2010 at Bishopstone Village Hall. 

17^th April Event

A total of thirty eight people attended our first See and Try Cookery and Craft Afternoon, which included demonstrations of watercolour painting, goldwork embroidery, calligraphy, powerpoint presentations, antiques and collectables, the Alexander Technique, candle making, and several different types of cookery (Thai, Mediterranean, Greek, plus stunning starters and cooking for one or two). The visitors tried their hand at the various skills on display, tasted the delicious dishes and took home handouts and/or recipes.  The attendance included members from 3 other WIs, our WI and inhabitants from local villages. 

Gold work                                                                                   Visitors viewing the demonstrations  

 Blueberry Syllabub and other delicious dishes                 Calligraphy

  11^th June Event - Ashbury Flower Festival

A workshop to cascade Church Flower Arranging skills took place in St Mary’s Church, Ashbury on 11 June as part of a three day Flower Festival and display of wedding dresses through the ages. The workshop was run by members of our WI who had attended an Awards for All funded course at Denman College; the grant also part-funded the cost of the flowers.  The workshop attracted 28 participants from many surrounding villages, Faringdon and Swindon, including members of other local WIs.  Novices were paired up with those having some previous experience and all made a pew end, plus either a pedestal or a cascade arrangement (click here to view photos).  The church looked magnificent when all the floral creations had been sited amidst wedding dresses which originated from the 18th century to the present day (click here to view dresses) and family photos of weddings that had taken place in St Mary's Church, Ashbury (click here to see images).  

On 12 June the Church was open to the public for viewing and 196 people attended. In the evening an audience of around 86 people enjoyed a performance by the Wantage Male Voice Choir and they had an opportunity to view the displays in the interval. On 13 June there were a further 163 visitors up until 3.00pm. A renewal of  marriage vows service then took place.  The church bells were rung at the end of the service, and as people stepped out of the church their photos were taken beneath the archway which had also been decorated with flowers.               

24^th June Event 

Our second See and Try Afternoon, held in Bishopstone Village Hall, attracted a total of 41 people. Visitors were able to sample demonstations of:  vegetable container gardening, calligraphy; fun with French, songs for singers, breads, brioche and rolls, around Britain cooking, dowsing, posture and back care, entertaining cooks, pasta and sauces, and church flowers. Recipes and handouts were again made available for each demonstration. The visitors included representatives from 5 other WIs, our WI and inhabitants from local villages. 

The visitors arrive                                                                            Trying calligraphy 

 Finding our about vegetable container gardening              Dishes to make when entertaining guests

  Dowsing attracted a lot of interest                                          Discussing and tasting Pasta and Sauces

 Learning about a course on Songs for Singers                   Having a go at making a corsage of flowers 

 Learning to make bread, brioche and rolls                           Trying watercolour painting

 Sharing recipes about round Britain cooking                        Having a bit of fun with French conversation

  Our Catering Services

As well as making sumptuous dishes for our own special events and refreshments for our monthly meetings, our members help prepare and serve refreshments in our two Village Halls for other WIs and external Societies who pass through our villages on day outings. We sometimes also cater for celebratory events at other venues. This is a good way for our members to meet new people and also makes a little extra money to fund our other activities. Click here for more information on menus and to see photos of some of our recent events. Don't hesitate to give Lynda a ring on 791722 to discuss your event and requirements. The photo on the right shows Hinton Parva Village Hall prepared for a cream tea.  

Our Village Halls

                      Bishopstone Village Hall                                                        Hinton Parva Village Hall

Both Halls are situated in delightful Wiltshire villages close to the ancient Ridgeway - England's oldest road.  They both have a kitchen, disabled access, an audio system and a car park.  Bishopstone Hall also has an elevated stage. 

Wiltshire Federation Events

WIs are geographically linked within 70 County and Island Federations, each with a regional office. Our own WI belongs to the Wiltshire Federation which has its Head Office in Devizes; it deals largely with organisational matters, and offers help and support to any Institute. Within the Federation there are a number of County Committees which together cover all areas of WI activity in the County and also organise many events; for example, the Sport & Leisure Committee, the Home Economics, Arts and Crafts Committee, the Music and Drama Committee, and the Public Affairs Committee. 

14th August - Safari Supper  

23rd September - Our Birthday Celebration Party with American Supper

14th October - Members Meeting and Final Denman College Feedback Event.