A MOST interesting talk about “Bluebells” was given to members of Oakley and Deane WI at their February meeting by Jane Gates. Jane is the mother of a nine year-old Berkshire boy, Sebastian, who died from a rare form of cancer and it was his dying dream to have a holiday home for families of children with serious, life limiting or life-threatening medical conditions. The family launched the charity Sebastian’s Action Trust and raised the money for the complex of self-catering apartments. They wanted the home to support principally families in the south east and were fortunate to be offered some land free of charge in North Waltham and so the building went ahead and it was opened in 2011 and called The Bluebells.

Bluebells has two large apartments each accommodating eight people and has an indoor leisure facility including a hydropherapy pool, a sensory room, a games room, a music room, an art centre and home cinema and has spacious grounds for outdoor activities. The Trust recognises that these children need opportunites to enjoy normal pleasures escaping the rigours of hospital life and gruelling treatment and to spend time precious time with their families and loved ones and so holidays are offered free on a self-catering basis with an house manager on hand should an emergency occur. On arrival they are given a welcome basket with a range luxury and essential food items and £75 which they can spend during their stay, perhaps visiting local attractions or activities or even just a meal out together. Day visits can also be arranged.

The trust also provides practical and meaningful assistance whenever needed such as emergency transport for appointments, wellbeing therapy for parents and carers, special days for siblings, help at home and bereavement care.

It costs £2,500 per week to run The Bluebells and as they do not receive any government funding they rely entirely on charitable support.

Forthcoming events include a lunch at BCOT a jumble sale on March 16, and the Spring group meeting, at which a talk will be given on "A Civilian’s Year in Afghanistan". The WI is joining with Oakley Afternoon WI and The Gardening Club to arrange outings and several have been arranged for this year, the first being a visit in May to Cotswold Farm Park which is owned by Adam Henson.

Members were asked to think about ways to celebrate/commemorate two approaching landmarks.

The WI movement will celebrate its centenary in 2015 and just three years later Oakley and Deane will reach theirs, so ideas are required to make these memorable.

There was a photographic competition for the evening which was entitled What in Oakley and there were some most unusual photos, some of which no-one was able to recognise, but as is usual they were recognisable when the answers were given.

At the March meeting, Simon Williams will be giving a talk entitled "Fun Ways to Improve your Memory", and there will be a Traidcraft trading stall.

The meeting is at the usual venue of Andover Road Village Hall on the second Tuesday of the month starting at 7.30pm and visitors will be made most welcome.