Charting the WI’S famous journey

ON Thursday, April 8, members gathered on Zoom to hear from Barbara Lawsonreay about The Founders of the WI.

The talk held obvious interest but I think everyone attending would agree we were treated to a very entertaining history lesson.

Through anecdotes, photos and research clippings gathered while writing her book War, Peace and the WI, Barbara led us on a whistlestop tour of the lead characters in the WI’S history; from the first speaker – Adelaide Hoodless, who suffered a family tragedy that drove her to want to educate women in her community about domestic science issues, to the formidable Madge Watt, who introduced the WI to Wales from Canada with farming families at its core.

And from a colonel and his dog (still the only male and canine paid-up members!) who championed the efforts of Anglesey’s World War I “garden girls” that would later swell the WI’S numbers, to the ladies’ maids who attended those early meetings alongside their well-heeled mistresses giving rise to the secret ballot system that endures today (well, you couldn’t openly disagree with Upstairs!)

Barbara was then kind enough to judge the members’ competition of our “first memories of the WI”, a task she thoroughly enjoyed, with tales of mischievous ginger cats and enormous hats!

The next meeting will take place again via Zoom on Thursday, May 13, when there will be a discussion on the annual resolutions and a quiz.

Members wishing to attend and who have not participated as yet in the Zoom meetings, please email to ashbournewi@yahoo.co.uk

Ashbourne WI Committee wishes all the members to stay safe and ensure they have their vaccine.