Centenary event

A NUMBER of ladies from Quorn WI and QE WI attended the Centenary Annual Council meeting of the Leics & Rutland Federation of WIs at Bruntingthorpe on March 10.

Despite our misgivings at having the meeting in an aircraft hangar it turned out to be warm and comfortable.

The National Chairman, Lynne Stubbings was in attendance and congratulated the federation on its centenary. Our own chairman, Janet Kirk, remarked that this was a momentous year for us and how life has changed beyond recognition over the last 100 years. Janet said we must continue to move with the times, and we look forward to the next 100 years!

The treasurer reported a successful year, and funds had been available to pay for the venue at Bruntingthorpe and for a Centenary Celebration Day at Beaumanor later in the year.

There were some very good speakers, Lady Gretton, Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, who told us all about the duties she was expected to perform. One of her duties is to organise all the royal visits and make sure they go to plan. After 15 years service, Lady Gretton is due to retire soon.

Mandy Hickson is the first female pilot to fly a Tornado plane and only one of a very few to fly a TR4. She was a very lively speaker and took us on a whirlwind adventure, telling us of her experiences and of being the only female in the squadron. She received a standing ovation for her talk.

There followed all the presentations of all the awards won in the county this year, and we were very proud to see Patricia Baker receive her award for winning the County News cover photograph competition.

Edwina Currie was the main speaker for the day telling of her life as an MP. She was elected as MP for South Derbyshire in 1983 and gave 14 years of service.

She told of working with Margaret Thatcher, and what a strong lady Margaret was, but she had no sense of humour.

Of course, Edwina will be remembered for the egg experience, but she said she did not tell people not to eat eggs, just to make sure they were cooked properly. However, she left the government in 1988 because of the crisis.

Edwina took questions on the NHS, the “Me Too” campaign and Brexit, showing a good deal of common sense in her answers.

After singing the National Anthem and Jerusalem the afternoon came to an end, everyone agreeing it had been an enjoyable event.