High flying women celebrate centenary

FOUNDER members of the community heritage organisation Hinckley and District Past and Present (HDPP) were invited to talk to Burbage WI about the origins and development of the group.

HDPP founder Paul Gardner explained how the group, which was formed three years ago on Facebook, has developed into a community fundraising venture which has already generated more than £2,000 for good causes in and around the area.

He used slides to show how some places in Hinckley and Burbage had changed over the years.

Of particular interest were images of Hinckley’s Castle Street Co-op store facade decorated for Christmas in the 1960s and of British ski jumper Michael ‘Eddie the Eagle’ Edwards, starting a Bike Aid race outside The Red Lion in Burbage.

Three visitors were welcomed and a draw for an annual bursary to the WI college was won by member Liz Muston.

The following day, a coachload of members attended a County Federation 100th birthday celebration in Bitteswell.

Guests of honour were the WI’s national chairman Lynn Stubbings and the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire Jennifer, Lady Gretton.

Guest speakers included former MP Edwina Currie and RAF pilot Mandy Hickson, who completed three tours of duty in Iraq as one of the first women to fly a Tornado jet in combat.

Burbage WI will next meet on Friday April 13 at Grove Road Infants School in the village at 7.30pm when guest speaker the Rev Canon Alison Adams will talk about her work at the Glen Parva Young Offenders Centre.

Visitors and new members will be made very welcome. To find out more call the branch secretary on Hinckley 637088.