Centenary Year 2018
The clock is ticking...
days to go!
Until our 100th Birthday
Our first 100 years at a glance .......
In 1918 Birstall & Wanlip WI was one of 13 institutes formed in Leicestershire and 40 ladies enrolled at the first meeting held at Birstall Reading room - a talk entitled 'Women as Nation Builders' reflected the growing position of women in society. By 1922 membership was up to 89, reaching 120 in 1920; we had our own cricket team - playing against teams such as Cossington and Bardon Hill, and practicing on a field lent by Mr Fielding Johnson. Mrs Richardson captained our team but Nurse Gilbert led the bowling. By 1930's members were active in singing and drama, which remained a feature of the institute until the 90's. Throughout WW2 our members were involved in knitting for the forces, the preservation of fruit and vegetables, raising money for Mrs Churchill's 'Aid to Russia' fund, the Red Cross and Birstall & Wanlip Nursing Association. Membership in 1940 was at 123 and in 1948 we celebrated our 30th birthday in the garden at Holly Hayes. Minutes and other documents from WW2 emphasise the value of the WI as it provided local women with an important opportunity for women to meet and engage in social activities - a role it continues to fulfill.
During the 1950's meetings took place in the Church Hall and in the latter half of the 20th century the 'Singing for Pleasure' group was still regularly performing concerts, getting together to visit new places, make new friends and try new activities. As the new millennium dawned membership was dwindling to single figures 'we may be small in number but we are large in heart' Dorothy Gregory 2004 but a number of appeals resulted in a gradual increase to our current total of over 40.
Birstall & Wanlip WI is part of a nationwide organisation which has always used the power of its membership to campaign on a range of issues from the environment to health, animal welfare to pensions; our current campaigns include Alleviating Loneliness - 'End Plastic Soup' raising awareness to tackle the release of micro plastic fibers from clothing when they are washed and 'Food Matters' - tackling food waste and food poverty.
Over the 100 years members have been involved in raising monies for local charities and organisations, attended science lectures, theatre productions, taken part in ghost walks, skittles tournaments, crafting from knitting to millinery. We have recently moved from Highcliffe Primary School to the British Legion, where we welcome new members who would like to join this historic yet forward -looking organisation. We also have our own Facebook Page which provides more details of our activities.
Thanks to Bethan.
Birstall and Wanlip WI Events Calendar 2018
Centenary Celebration Coffee and Cake Event February 2018
On Saturday February 24th Birstall and Wanlip WI held the first of their Centenary celebrations by inviting members of local community groups to a coffee and cake morning at Birstall Methodist Church. The Mayor of Charnwood and Edward Argar MP gave short speeches and a celebration cake in the suffragette colours of violet and green was cut by our president Beverly Blackburn.
Bethan Cooper had compiled a fascinating and comprehensive display of memorabilia charting the 100 years of the WI in Birstall. We displayed examples of our craftwork and there was an amazing array of homemade cakes produced by our members.
Although we probably confirmed a lot of preconceived ideas about the WI it is hoped that some visitors might have been surprised about the breadth of our activities apart from the jam, the socialising and crafting. We leave behind us a well documented century of involvement in Birstall and we hope that the next 100 years will be just as successful.
6th March
Matilda at the Curve Leicester
10th March
Annual Council Meeting for the Leicester and Rutland Federation
Hanger 42 Bruntingthorpe
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27th March
Bradgate Group Circus and Juggling Tudor Centre Mowmacre Hill
19th May 2018
Birstall and Wanlip Hosting the Methodist Church Coffee Shop
Including cakes crafts and plant stalls
4Th June
Curve – Crazy for You
9th June
Garden Party with a VIP Guest Speaker - Edwina Currie - At the home of Cath Jones WI member
11th October
Radio Leicester’s “Down to Earth” Gardening Programme at Belgrave Rugby Club
6th December
The Curve - Irving Berlins "White Christmas"