WI in a jam over their crumbling Jerusalem
IT is the hallowed hall where ladies of the Women’s Institute have studied the fine arts of cake-making and flower-arranging for generations.
But now the Georgian stately home that houses the Institute’s college may have to close after almost 70 years, unless £2million can be raised for a rescue fund.
Denman College, a grade II listed Georgian house set in 17 acres near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was opened in 1948 and is the WI’s jewel in the crown.
Sadly it has fallen into disrepair and unless the fund target is met by March 2018, the Institute’s national board will review its future.
The warning has sent shockwaves through the body’s 220,000 members, who include the Queen, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Princess Royal.
WI members and supporters have vowed to take action, following in the footsteps of the Yorkshire ladies who posed nude to raise funds to fight leukaemia and put a modern spin on the ‘jam and Jerusalem’ ethos.
One WI member in her 70s plans to cycle from Southampton to Abingdon on a sponsored ride, according to college head Jane Dixon.
Each year almost 10,000 students – mainly WI members, though the college is open to all, including men – attend day-long and residential classes.
The popularity of TV shows such as The Great British Bake Off and The Great British Sewing Bee has fed the popularity of courses. The college has been licensed for weddings since 2012 but only five have so far been held.
Sam Taylor, editor of The Lady, suggested the WI should make better use of Denman to raise funds.
She said: ‘It’s time for the WI to be brave again. Last time they took off their tops for Calendar Girls and this time they should open their doors to non-members