The Wychwood December 2014 Oxfordshire Federation of WIs

We are lucky enough to have two very leaders. He described himself as a active WIs here in the Wychwoods, at member of the ‘Failed Future Prime Milton and Shipton. I wonder if you Minister club’, along with David realise that there is more to the WI than Milliband! the local Institutes and that we are all Then there was just time for a whistle- members of the Oxfordshire Federation? stop tour through his latest career as a TV We have had the opportunity to join in some excellent 'County' events recently.

So Good We Did it Twice Ros Wilson, with help from Bea Bates, both from Shipton WI, led about 40 members from all over the County on a five-mile walk starting and finishing in Churchill. We finished with soup and rolls provided by Churchill, Sarsden and Kingham WI. In fact it was so good that Ros and Bea did it twice, with another presenter. Michael thoroughly enjoys group of 40 walkers just a couple of days working on his series of Great Railway later. Journeys and says there is still enough material for several more journeys around The Portillo Link Britain, not to mention Europe and the Oxford Town Hall was the packed venue wider world. for a most interesting and entertaining talk by Michael Portillo. He started by telling Birthday Cake Lady us a little of his family history, including When the latest copy of WI Life dropped how his parents met whilst helping through my letterbox I was surprised to refugee children fleeing from the Spanish see Alison Townley's smiling face on the Civil War. There is a photograph in the front cover. Inside Alison described her WLHS archives of his father with work as The Birthday Cake Lady children at St. Michael's Home in providing cakes for people who would not Shipton. He then talked through his normally receive one. Parliamentary career, with surprising candour about some of his colleagues and Christine Halliday

Christmas Giving Perhaps when you are struggling around parcels to get people through a difficult the supermarket buying your Christmas few days when they are in desperate need food, you might spare a thought for those of a little help. Just think, if all of us who in need. Food collected in St Simon and can manage it put one item in the St Jude's church in Milton and St Mary's collection what a difference that would in Shipton is regularly taken to the food make! bank in Chipping Norton and packed into Christine Halliday www.thewychwood.co.uk 7