When I told my family that I was thinking of joining
the local WI, my sister laughed so much she fell on the floor, my mother exclaimed
“You’re far too young,” whilst my husband gave me one of those ‘You’ve done
what?’ looks. And from what I
understand, that response seems quite normal– from those who have never ventured
across the door of one!
There are many reasons why someone might join a
Women’s Institute. For some, it is a means of escaping the everyday routine of
looking after the house/husband/children, for others it is the opportunity of meeting new friends, for finding
like minded women, learning new skills and trying new activities or just
becoming part of a lively community. For me, having travelled around the UK
with my RAF husband for many years, it was an activity that got me away from
forces life and enabled me to mix with ‘real’ people, people who had settled in
one area and knew it well, and people who could become long term friends. I was
in desperate need of some stability and was hoping that the WI would give me
that opportunity.
It took courage to walk through the doors
for the very first time at my local group. Like my mother and sister, I had
been led to believe that the WI was for older women only - Grandmothers
who liked baking, jam making, flower arranging and knitting – activities I had no interest in
whatsoever, but despite that, I was determined to give it a go. I had no real
expectations, but thought it worth a try.
My first meeting passed in a blur. I was
the youngest by at least twenty years if not more, I didn’t know anybody there
and I felt completely out of my depth. When asked later how it had gone, my
response was, ‘Remember that scene in Calendar Girls when they are talking
about broccoli and tea towels? It was a
bit like that!’ I’d nervously joined in a chorus of Jerusalem, I had listened
to the speaker of the night and observed the ladies as they went about their
official business and I hadn’t been sure it really was for me. But during the
social time a number of ladies came over to chat – they were interested in who
I was and why I was there, they encouraged me to return and they offered me the
thing I craved most – genuine friendship. It gave me the courage to go back the
following month and to make the most of what was available to me – a chance to
meet new people, gain new interests and skills and an opportunity to relax and
grow amongst a fascinating mix of strong, independent and interesting women.
I’ve been a member for well over 2 decades now. I started as a member, was reluctantly persuaded to join
the committee and even ended up as President for 3 years. Sadly, my original
group closed down after Covid so I am on my second group and i have seen many members
come and go over the years. I am no longer the youngest person in the room but it matters not.
Many of my fellow members are in their golden years but they still like a good
night out, they enjoy a laugh and they have far more energy than I do at times! We
have had a multitude of speakers covering subjects ranging from chocolate
making to historic houses, toilets to animal therapy, beer tasting to belly
dancing! We have had countless outings, parties, cream teas, theatre trips,
crafts and competitions. We sing, dress up, eat cake and laugh a lot, enjoying
each other’s company, learning new things and generally having quality time
together.
When the WI began in 1915 it was an
opportunity for women in isolated communities to get together for friendship,
enjoyment and to learn new skills and all these years later, these things are
still available through the WI for women everywhere. There are now more than 6000 WIs across
the British Isles with over 212,000 members and a good mix of traditional and modern
groups attracting women of all ages. But, despite the variety of Institutes, there are certain qualities and values that
remain the same - the friendship and comradeship are as strong as ever, the
strength and resolve, the desire to make changes through the yearly resolutions
and the quality of traditional skills which are even more popular in the younger and
trendier groups. The WI may be renowned for its cake making and preserves but it is
so much more than that if you give it the chance. Take on the WI at your peril as Tony Blair found out at the Annual General Meeting in 2000!!
I still dislike baking and have not made
a pot of jam since I was at school, but the ladies have introduced me to knitting, stitching and various other crafts and although
my skills are basic, I have enjoyed learning these new skills. My ‘golden’ friends
are full of encouragement and support, with an army of advisers available to
help me should I get my knitting in a knot or be stuck with a stitch. I participate more in group activities, have
increased in confidence and made lots of new friends, achieving the stability
and friendship that I had desired for so long.
I have also learned that it doesn’t matter what age you are - friends
come in all shapes, sizes and ages with everyone having something to offer.
Over the years I have dressed up as a WI
committee member from WW1 and sang along to wartime songs, I have sat with a
long haired therapy rabbit on my knee throughout a meeting, eaten freshly made
chocolates, cakes and all manner of delicious treats, attempted belly dancing,
ballet and zumba and tried a bit of Tai Chi.
I have learned about massage, Albania, guide dogs, brick making, historic underwear and prostitution
in Victorian York and I have participated in resolutions such as the plight of
the honeybee, the excessive amount of packaging on our foods and the need for
more midwives. There really is something for everyone.
My sister and mother still feel too young
but they are wrong. The WI is for
everyone who wants it. So don’t make your judgement on what other people say or
what tradition dictates, pop along to your local group and give it a go. The WI
ultimately is for women everywhere and it is they who make it what it is!
(And if you are interested, check out the Rainbow Readers page for details of a series of books outlining the lives and adventures of the fictional Great Paxford Women's Institute during WW2.)
