History
At a general meeting in the Chapel Schoolroom on 7th March 1918 the workings of the Women's Institute were fully explained and it was unanimously decided to form a "Women's Institute for Theddingworth". A committee of ten was elected and Lady Agnes de Trafford, of Hothorpe Hall, was elected President.
At the first committee meeting of Theddingworth WI it was decided that non-parishioners might be members of the "Institute" and visitors might be admitted on payment of 2d and 1d for tea!
Wartime found the Institute in general largely concerned with food production and preservation in order to combat shortages, the results being so spectacular that strength and respect encouraged women to make full use of their talents.
In its early years, Theddingworth WI held its meetings in the Chapel Schoolroom until October 1922 when a hire charge was introduced and it was decided that future meetings should be held in Theddingworth Institute. This appears to have continued until February 1934 when meetings took place once again the Chapel Schoolroom. In 1977, Theddingworth Institute was converted into a Village Hall and our meetings have been held there ever since.
At a meeting on 3rd October 1935 with only 14 members present, the suspension of the Institute, due to 'bad attendance', was discussed. Theddingworth Women's Institute was formally suspended on 5th December 1935. However, this suspension did not last long and WI meetings were resumed in January 1937, the second Wednesday in the month being chosen as meeting night.
Theddingworth WI continued throughout the Second World War albeit to a limited extent initially but, as before, members were soon busy with wartime cookery classes, vegetable growing, help with evacuees and general make-do-and-mend activities. In response to information from the National Federation about the availability of sugar, permission was granted for a Fruit Preservation Centre to be set up in Dr Bessie Symington's kitchen at The Beeches.
The handing down and practice of traditional skills is perhaps the most widely known aspect of the WI and their markets have also grown and are appreciated for the high standard of their produce. Run on business-like lines the produce they sell is subject to the normal statutory regulations. A local Market can be found on Tuesday each week at the Market Hall in Market Harborough and for over forty years until 2016, homemade cakes and preserves made in Theddingworth were on sale.
Monthly meetings have been held on a regular basis with speakers and demonstrations covering a wide range of subjects and membership has fluctuated between 15 and 30 members.
Members have attended the Women's Institute's own college - Denman College near Oxford, where it is possible to study almost any subject for a week or weekend.
2015 saw the 100th Anniversary of the Women's Institute in England and Wales. There were a host of celebrations including a Centenary Baton which travelled around the county and Theddingworth WI helped it on its way by displaying bunting when it passed through Foxton Locks. One of our members also attended a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace which was held exclusively for the Women's Institute.
Theddingworth WI has a current membership of approx. 20 and meets on the second Wednesday each month at the Village Hall with a variety of speakers and demonstrations throughout the year. New members and visitors are always welcome to participate in meetings and/or outings, which are arranged on a regular basis.