Our diary of events for April 2026 to March 2027
Our Next Event:
7th October 2026: Annual Meeting
and Social Evening
We look at the past year and then have elections for the Committee and President for the next year.
After this we enjoy refreshments and a chance for us to socialise with members.
Coming up...
4th November 2026: The Roses of No Man's Land – The Nurses of the Great War
Speaker: Paul Wilkin
Image: From the Wellcome Collection. Link to page for further details
Nurses in the Great War (1914–1918) played a vital, dangerous role, caring for millions of wounded soldiers across field hospitals, casualty clearing stations, and hospital ships. Professional nurses (QAIMNS) and volunteers (VADs) operated under high stress, often close to the front lines, treating severe gangrenous wounds, shrapnel injuries, and contagious diseases while enduring air raids and intense conditions. (Source: British Red Cross)
26th November 2026:
Christmas Dinner
Each year we join with partners and guests to enjoy an early Christmas dinner together - this year it will be held at the Riverbank.
A Celebration of the Circus
Speaker: Jack Dent
Image: (c) Ursula1111222 CC BY-SA 4.0
Magician Jack Dent spent some time perfoming with Billy Smart's Circus and will be astounding us with an unforgettable show featuring circus skills.
6th January 2027: Beetle Drive
Our beetle drive meetings are always fast and furious. Shake and throw that dice as fast as possible or someone else will beat you to "Beetle!"
There will be a prize for the best-drawn beetle, too!
29th January 2027: New Year Bring-and-Share Party
Guests are welcome to join us at our New Year Party. Members - who are reinbursed for their costs - are invited to contribute salads and desserts and the committee will provide a selection of cold meats and hot food.
Bicton Village Hall bar will be open for you to purchase beer, wine and other liquid refreshments.
After the meal, local choir Of One Accord will entertain us.
3rd February 2027: Chutney and Cheer from Holly Cottage Preserves
Demonstrator: Melanie Latham
Melanie will give us a demonstration of chutney and preserve cookery, with tasting and preserves for sale.
3rd March 2027: Pictures in Harmony
Speakers: Ian and Hilary Templeton
The retirement hobby of Hilary and Ian is to produce audio visual shows designed to entertain, inform and amuse. The money they raise is donated to Air Ambulance.
Previously this 2026-27 season
1st April 2026: The Funeral Custom of Maidens' Garlands
Speaker: Rosie Morris
Image: (c) by Annette Randle
Maidens' garlands, also known as virgin’s crowns or "crants" (from German kranz), are 17th–19th century funeral mementos made of paper flowers, ribbons, and wooden frames, used to honour young unmarried women. Carried at the funeral and hung in churches, they symbolise purity and virtue.
Event Comments
A very interesting evening - Ursula
6th May 2026: Snowing Butterflies
Speaker: Shaun Higgins
Image: Statue of Charles Darwin (c) Philip Halling
This is a talk on the life of Charles Darwin by a speaker who enthralled us with his dramatised version of part of the life of Wilfred Owen.
Event Comments
Shaun's alternative talk 'Heroes of the skies' was just amazing, interesting and moving. You could have heard a pin drop - Cathy
3rd June 2026: Plane Talking
Speaker: Jacquie White
Image: Manchester Airport Tower (c) Richard Cooke
Jacquie brings us anecdotes from a 40-year military and civil air traffic control career. Open to guests: husbands and partners welcome.
Event Comments
One of the most interesting and absorbing talks I've listened to in a long time - Sue
Thoroughly enjoyed the meeting, what an interesting talk delivered so articulately - Pauline
1st July 2026: Outing to Llandudno
Guests welcome subject to coach seat availability
Image: Llandudno Pier (c) Steve Daniels
Our annual summer outing this year for members and guests will take us to the north Wales seaside town of Llandudno.
Event Comments
A lovely day out. The museum was very interesting and an invigorating sea swim. Well done those of you who walked up the Orme - Janis
So much lovely chat and laughter, the day flew by - Linda
Another perfect day out for us all - Tanya
5th August 2026: Garden Meeting
At the village hall
Our annual garden meeting will take place either in the Bicton Village Hall grounds or in the Hall, if wet. There will be plenty of bring-and-share food and chat to enjoy!
Event Comments
23rd August 2026: Members' Afternoon Tea and Hats
Dress in your finest hat!
Image: (c) Godber Collection, Alexander Turnbull Library
A delicious afternoon tea at Refresh – a members-only event funded by our WI. Why not wear your best hat? There will be a prize!
Event Comments
2nd September 2026: Out of this World - Unknown Shropshire
Speaker: Keith Whiddon
Image by Keith Whiddon
Keith does not profess to be a ‘proper’ photographer. For him a photograph serves as a portal through which the viewer is drawn in to experience the unfamiliar, or discover the hidden context of the subject. He is an enthusiastic explorer, capturing wild and forgotten places on camera, both over and underground. Keith is also a musician and this work combines his photographs with his music and words all inspired by the beauty and mystery of the world around him.
https://keithwhiddon.uk/Home.html
Event Comments
© 2026 Bicton and Oxon WI
View our privacy policy