WI in a jam over their crumbling Jerusalem
IT IS the hallowed hall where the ladies of Middle England have studied the fine arts of cake-making and flower-arranging for generations.
But now the Georgian stately home that houses the Women’s Institute college may have to close down after almost 70 years, unless £2million can be raised for a rescue fund.
Opened in 1948, Denman – a grade II listed Georgian house set in 17 acres near Abingdon, Oxfordshire – 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 organisation’s 220,000 members, who include the Queen, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Countess of Wessex 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 has vowed to cycle from Southampton to Abingdon on a sponsored ride, according to college head Jane Dixon.
Annually almost 10,000 students – mainly WI members, though it is open to all, including men – attend classes that last from a day to residential courses over four nights. The popularity of TV shows such as The Great British Bake Off and The Great Sewing Bee has fed the popularity of courses. The college has been licensed for weddings since 2012 but only five so far have been held.
Editor of The Lady, Sam Taylor, suggested the WI should make better use of Denman to raise funds. Ms Taylor 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 more enthusiastically.
‘There is nothing to fear. If the Queen opens her house to the public it’s about time the WI did so more freely at Denman. They need to do more advertising and spread the jam a bit more.
‘A lot of people would like to go there. After all you can get a long way in life if you know how to make a good Victoria sponge.’
Christine Hounslow, from Swindon, is heading the Denman appeal. She said: ‘I know outdoor summer picnic concerts are being considered in the gardens and it’s a great place for parties.
‘We really want it to be fully used. WI members are fundraising.
‘We’ve got £275,000 and it’s rapidly rising. I’m not sure we’ll reach the £2million target unless we attract funds from people outside the organisation.
‘I think we’ve been a bit shy telling people about the appeal.’