WI CELEBRATES CENTENARY
Ipstones WI celebrates its 100th birthday this month. Post & Times chief reporter LESLIE JACKSON spoke to the institute’s press secretary Joan Mitchell, who gave an insight into the history of the long running organisation...
THE first Women’s Institute meeting in the UK took place on September 16, 1915, at Llanfairpwll on Anglesey.
The small Moorlands village of Ipstones followed very soon after – meeting to organise the new WI on October 8, 1920.
The first members’ meeting at Ipstones was held on October 20, and it was decided that monthly meetings should be held on the second Wednesday of each month.
The aim of such organisations in the rural areas was originally to revitalise communities and to encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War.
Joan said: “There is a song that says “What a difference a day makes”. What difference does a century make?
“Much has stayed the same and much has altered in those intervening decades. In the early years, the WI played a unique role in enabling women to gain new skills, take part in wide ranging activities and campaign on issues that mattered to the members and their communities.
“The aim remains. However, we no longer learn how to skin an animal, cure the skin and make a pair of gloves, or to mend our shoes.
“We have over the years painted, planted bulbs, grown vegetables and made many craft items. We have learned new skills and joined in many village activities. We continue, as in those early years, to learn about our country and countries around the world.
“We collect each year for projects abroad, and we have made donations to organisations such as Wireless for the Bedridden, Douglas Macmillan, the Poppy
Fund and many others.
“Drama, games and music continue to play a large part in our meetings, and our latest venture was a ukulele class which resulted in our playing for our own members and other people.
“Our choir, with the help of a couple of willing gentlemen, was a great success. We entertained our Group Meeting, which was formed early on in our history.
“We sing Jerusalem at every meeting, although we no longer close with the National Anthem. We still join with our sisters from other Institutes at the Annual General Meeting, which is not now always held at the Royal Albert Hall but goes around other major cities.
“There are, of course, many differences. Our membership is smaller; indicating that either there are so many other attractions for ladies, and especially for girls, or that we are still thought of as the stereotypical ‘Jam and Jerusalem’. “I hasten to add that I have never been to a jam making class at our Institute, and this term is very far from the truth, but we have iced some amazing cakes and learned flower arranging.”
Joan added: “The annual subscription, which was two shillings in 1920, has fallen foul of price increases as in every other area of life, but is mostly considered to be worth every penny, and especially since the Institute itself retains a large proportion of the money.
“In those early years a planned day out to Chester was cancelled due to the cost being prohibitive for most members, and the rearranged outing was to Buxton via charabanc.
“Regular outings were made to the home of Mrs Boucher – Sharpcliffe Hall – with refreshments provided for 6d.
“We travel further afield now and have made several trips abroad to places such as Paris and Brussels. All such outings being enjoyable and memorable just as, I am sure, were those visits to less distant places.
“Of course, the one most notable feature of this our Centenary year is that, unlike the years of the Second World War, when not a meeting was cancelled, the silent enemy, Covid-19, has caused four regular meetings to be cancelled and also our celebration dinner, which was to involve former members; and our afternoon tea at the beautiful Weston Hall followed by a visit to Stafford Play House.
“Sad as this is, I am 100 per cent confident that everything will be rearranged and our celebrations next year will be even more enjoyable for having to wait.
“As I have read through 100 years of WI minutes, I have been surprised by how quickly the Institute from this small village became involved with other Institutes from outside our immediate neighbourhood. Again, this is one of the activities that we too have continued.
“Is our Women’s Institute successful? Is it interesting for every age? Will we welcome all comers? My undisputed answer is, to each of these questions ‘Yes’.
“If someone finds this not to be true, then it is important that they discuss such things and not just give up on the Institute or any other meeting. Our philosophy is that if we don’t complain kindly, then no one will know and nothing will change.
“One underlying factor of a good Women’s Institute is that we should have a dedicated and hard working committee.
“As I look back and read about that first meeting, and learn about that first committee, I am overwhelmed by the tenacity and hard work of Mrs Boucher, left – the first President.
“Not only was she influential in getting the Institute started, but she opened her home and gardens on numerous occasions and provided refreshments.
“This indefatigable lady was dedicated to getting Ipstones Memorial Hall built, where we have met since 1929.
“She encouraged the ladies of the Institute to share in this vision with other members of the village, and her contribution to village life is well known and appreciated all these years on.
“This enthusiasm and dedication of the President and committee have, obviously, been features over the intervening years as the programmes and activities prove. We are pleased that this continues with our present committee.
“Our President, Joy Critchlow, and her committee reflect that commitment, enthusiasm and encouragement that must always have been evident over the years.
“We are hopeful that next year, as we celebrate, they will know our appreciation of all the hard work they have put in.
“To those who enjoy our Ipstones Women’s Institute, and all those from other institutes who have the same pleasure, I hope that we can continue to progress and adapt to the times in the coming decades.
“To the girls and ladies who view the WI with scepticism, I would say come and join us and help us to keep up with your likes and dislikes. Let us forge ahead together!”
Last week, the institute held a small event in Ipstones Memorial Hall with everyone in masks and at a social distance.
President Joy Critchlow said: “We would have had a big party if we did not have to contend with the virus, but we have done the best we can.
“It is a big occasion for a village WI to reach its 100th anniversary. To celebrate the occasion, every member is being presented with an engraved vase.”
Secretary Jane Fleet added: “It is a big event to reach the 100th year of the village WI. Hopefully next year we can all get together for a party.”