Botley WI

What a wonderful afternoon tea we had (instead of our evening meeting); this has become an annual event. With sandwiches, homemade cakes and scones with copious amounts of tea, about 50 members and guests. Thank you ladies for all the hard work.

We had a guest speaker Mike Wells, who is a community ambassador for Sobell House Charity ( based at the Churchill hospital, Oxford) he explained that the Hospice opened in 1976 ,50 years ago!, here they specialise in palliative and end of life care, for people who live in the Oxfordshire area. He mentioned about how much money is needed for the unit to run and the NHS pays so much and the rest is fund raised by volunteers.
All profits from the afternoon were donated to the charity.
We would like to thank local businesses for their generous donations for the raffle.

Our next meeting is Tuesday September 1st at 7:30 at the WI Hall, Hinksey Lane, Botley. Speaker is Liz Woolley talking about the Ultimate Picture Palace. Visitors welcome.
Tel: 01865 245273, email [email protected]

We had a very warm evening and a full house with 2 visitors, well done to everyone who made the effort.
The speakers were Karen and Brett Wyles, who spoke with a passion about children in the Second world war in the UK. This was illustrated with videos and still images of children playing on bomb sites, within school and home. They said how some children were evacuated and some stayed with their families and all the hazards of living in dangerous conditions. We were told how all children, even the very young were taught to sew and knit which gave them useful skills. How various children groups guide, scouts etc helped to raise money for the war effort.How they had to carry gas masks at all time in cardboard boxes with string over their shoulders.
They showed us some of the knitted clothes that had been made and war time pieces from the home.
After the break we had our usual announcements and what the various groups are doing. There is no meeting in August as we are having an afternoon tea for the members and any profits made will be donated to Sobell House Charity.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 1st September 7:30 at WI Hall, Hinksey Lane, Botley with Liz Woolley talking about 'Ultimate Picture Palace ' all welcome.
More information call 01865245273, email [email protected] or take a look at our page.
July 7th 2026

On Tuesday evening Botley had a visit from Launton Handbell Ringers in their 75th year; congratulations!
The team played beautiful and familiar folk and Morris tunes as well as music especially composed by a member of the group. Towards the end of the evening four of our members were able to take part in playing a piece.

Our program for the next 12 months

Big plant (and craft sale) on at the hall, Hinksey Lane. 23rd may 10-30am - 1pm all welcome

We had another busy meeting with 38 members and 3 guests. This week was fun as our speaker was author Peter Tickler, a writer of 'Whodunnit' stories based in and around Oxford. He went on to explain how he gets his ideas for the characters, he encouraged us ( with the help of his wife) to create 2 of them, by asking us lots of questions and as a group we gave some interesting answers and had a lot of fun with it.
Peter explained that he is a descendant of the 'Ticlker's jam ' makers of apple and plum jam and giving out to WW1 soldiers as part of their ration.
The evening continued with our AGM and Liz Manson voted in as return president. Notices read out and noting that all our groups are up and running now the weather has somewhat improved.

Next month's meeting Tuesday 7th April (7:30) we will be welcoming Christina Hardiment talking about Alyce Chaucer who built Almshouses in Ewelme and more.

For our first meeting of 2026 we had a good turnout to hear Richard Budgen tell us about the history of the Bodleian Library and some of the characters he met. Illustrated with this book:

Book now and let us know so we can car-share!

Do check out our upcoming events here. The Decoupage Workshops and Kew Orchid Festival visit are already fully booked so if you would like join us for any of the rest listed please be sure to book your place now either by clicking this link https://www.oxfordshirewi.co.uk/what-s-on or calling the office on 01869 331081.

Don’t put yourself under too much pressure about becoming a new you in 2026. You are amazing as you are.