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Greenbank WI (WIG)

Erica Rooney, a founding member of Greenbank WI (WIG), introduces us to her group…

“My mum and grandmother were founding members of Amersham WI and used to take my sister Fee (our treasurer) and I to meetings when we were small which we really loved.”

“When our mum died of cancer earlier in the year we thought it would be a fitting memorial to her to join a WI too, maybe it was because we always found the WI to be comforting and traditional and something that was worth preserving. We were talking about it at the Art group that we attend, and Amanda (our president) said that she had been to some local WIs but they weren't really what she was looking for – and, being an hour’s walk away, not very local!”Greenbank WI member with child

“At this point we thought about starting-up our own but weren't sure what the interest would be locally. However, I also belong to a group that meets every Monday evening and have been doing so for years. When I mentioned the idea of starting a WI, all the women who came to Monday group were really keen so we went ahead, and so on 7 July 2008 Greenbank WI (WIG) was formed.

“The original members were really Monday group and Art group, though there is a jewellery group that have since joined, along with a felt making group and a local choir. Our members belong to lots of other local groups and we have mainly recruited from these and via posters in our front windows and in local shops.”

“Our youngest member is in her mid 20's and came originally to learn to knit. Our oldest member is approaching 60, though we have had older women attend as visitors.”

Greenbank WI members sewing
“When people attend for the first time, we ask them to fill out a form about themselves. We ask them what they are interested in and any skills that they have that may be of interest. We used these as a basis of the plans for our first meetings. Interests have included; alternative therapy, crafts such as knitting, felt making, sewing, jewellery making, gardening, and cookery - all the usual WI stuff.”

“For women who already belonged to Monday group, the support and friendship that we get from WI may be something that we take for granted. Other women have cited this as one of the chief benefits; the chance to meet old and new friends in a women only environment, away from family commitments for an evening. Many members have said that they like the traditional 'Englishness' of the WI.”

“Our meetings so far have been: a talk from a local, independent celebrant about death and planning alternative funerals; a cookery demonstration about healthy snacks; a stitch and bitch session and a Christmas crafts session; and a Christmas party with quizzes. Next year we have planned: a talk about the Credit Union; sonnet writing for Valentine's Day; and Spring wardrobe, clothes swap and demonstration from a woman about how to alter and adapt clothes.”

“In the future, we want to look into getting a WIG allotment and would ideally like to keep bees on it. We are starting to have a sales table at each meeting where women can bring stuff they have made, to swap or sell to each other, and further to this we are planning to have stalls at local events and fairs in the community. We would also like to have an 'orchestra' and choir so that at the end of each meeting when we all sing 'Village Green Preservation Society', we could do it without the CD!”