Westergate WI

Westergate WI’S March meeting was on a ‘beautiful, sunny spring afternoon’, a spokesperson said.

“We had a very interesting speaker – a retired barrister Elizabeth Folman who spoke of her experience on Women at the Bar and compared how it was when she started to how it is today.

“The first women came to the bar in America in 1869. The first women came to the bar in England in 1922. In 1941, the first women came to take the silk. However, it has taken a long time for women to be accepted. The rest of her talk was based on some stories – some with humour and some very serious from her time at the bar. Her wig and her gown were also on display; costing £300 when she started practicing.

"Today, they cost £500. Our board games evening at Jill’s house (that she holds each month) probably had more chattering and tea and cakes than playing. I imagine that it’s the same at Kate’s house once a month for, Knit and Knatter. Although, both are lots of fun!

“The trip to Chichester College for lunch was brilliant. The students were so pleasant and professional and the food was amazing! If you closed your eyes you could have been in a very expensive restaurant.

“We also went on a trip to The Dog Trust in Shoreham. The staff work so hard looking after the dogs. When it was time to leave, we just wanted to bring each one of the dogs home with us! Afterwards, we went for lunch near Shoreham airport.

"The trip in April will be to Arundel Flower Festival with lunch. For National Women’s day on March 8, we celebrated with our Federation at Tangmere Hall. There were great women speakers and members who had gone the full mile over the years at our West Sussex Federation.

“The theme this year was, Pants to Ovarian Cancer, making an awareness of it by displaying bunting of panties and making small cup cakes with iced panties on them.”

Meetings run at Westergate Methodist church Hall on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm. Contact Jill Parnell on 01243 544096.