Storm Goretti brought very wet, blustery weather for the first meeting of the new year but Jayne, President for this year, gave a warm welcome to the 17 members, guest Sue and speaker who had braved the elements!

She thanked Elaine, retiring President, for taking the helm for the last three years and previously as Vice President when Jayne had been unwell.

The speaker, Adam Smith, gave a fascinating and informative talk and slide show about “Georgian Food and Dining” – from the fields to the table. This was the start of the agricultural revolution when fields of crops were enclosed to keep grazing animals out.

The first picture by George Stubbs dated 1785 showed women working in the fields gathering in the wheat, which was grown much taller than today’s plants to outgrow weeds when harvested, then the stalks were used for thatching, animal food and bedding. Every part of an animal was cooked including a Cow’s Head “Pye”, which was a very gory recipe to modern tastes!

Later wealthier people had walled gardens and greenhouses which gave protection when growing more exotic fruit and vegetables, although some food were imported to Covent Garden such as sugar cane from Jamaica (which caused rotten teeth) and spices etc from India, east Asia or China, which were unable to be grown in this country.

Kitchens in large houses had very high ceilings to let out the heat from the fires cooking the food. Breakfast was eaten then an enormous dinner consisting of many dishes with two savoury courses followed by fruit, served at 2pm while there was still daylight. Supper was usually the reconstituted leftovers from dinner or given to the servants so as not to waste anything.

The business of the meeting then continued with Jayne saying that everyone had enjoyed the Christmas meeting and meal. She confirmed that Gillian had already booked Ann Tennant, the caterer, for the meal for 10 December 2026!

Jayne presented the five Resolutions to those members present, which were then voted on.

1. No 1 Accessible Public Toilet Facilities to Promote Dignity, Health & Social Inclusion. 7 votes

2. No 2 Action on Women’s Homelessness. 7 votes

3. No 3 Nearer to Nature. 1 vote

The remaining Resolutions had no votes.

Mary Rose read the correspondence with the forthcoming events :

1. 28 January 2pm Learning Hub Talk at BFWI HQ, Aylesbury “London Beneath the City Streets. £5

2. 3 March 10.30-3.30pm BFWI Speakers Spring Auditions, Pitstone Pavilion. £8.95

.

3. 4 March BFWI Mix & Mingle at Chenies Garden Centre.

4. 10 March 10-4pm BFWI Investigation & Discovery Day, Walton Parish Hall, Aylesbury. £25.

5. 20 March 7-10pm BFWI Inter County Quiz South Heats, Great Missenden Memorial Hall.

6. 25 April BFWI Annual Council Meeting, Aylesbury Grammar School.

7. 28 April 7 for 7.30pm Beechwood Group Spring Meeting, Great Missenden. £5.

8. 4 June NFWI Annual Meeting ONLINE.

9. 30 September 7 for 7.30pm Beechwood Autumn Group Meeting, Hyde Heath.

Boards were circulated for both the Hub Talk and Investigation & Discovery Day for those

 interested in attending to sign.

 Elaine gave details of the next Board Games meeting at 2pm on 28 January at Irene’s home

Bledlow Institute no longer belong to a group and as Ballinger Institute had closed, members were asked to consider if Bledlow should be invited to join the Beechwood group. It was discussed but as they were 12 miles away, it was suggested that it was too far for convenient travelling.

Volunteers were asked for to make up a team of three for the Quiz.

The next meeting will be at 7.30pm on 12 February when Willie Reid will give the second part of his talk on “High Wycombe Unmasked”.