Issue 39 October 2011
The WI celebrated its 96th anniversary in September – and, funnily enough, that’s how many years my mother and I, between us, have been WI members. But to have been a member for as long as Barbara Wilson, featured on page 20, is surely proof of all the good things to be found within the organisation, not least one’s fellow members. That’s why we’re still here, still relevant and still growing after nearly a Century.
This issue of WI Life is a special themed edition, celebrating the remarkable history of our movement. Our meetings and events are the stuff of social history, of villages and counties across the country. WI drama groups and choirs are legendary everywhere; the dressing up for special dinners, national and local celebrations. The history of thousands of women in England and Wales is documented – because of the assiduous minute- and record-taking of countless WI secretaries.
The Women’s Library is now the home of the NFWI archives and County Record Offices up and down the country are storing many thousands of individual WI archives: real treasure troves at every turn.
Delving into the past by researching your own faimly history is increasingly popular. It’s well documented that I am from a long line of paupers (on my father’s side) but ask a genealogist such as WI member Angharad Holmes, from Anglesey, and you might discover you’re descended from kings. Find out more on page 22.
And speaking of the past, in a major sort-out during the summer I found the well-worn dishcloth I made at primary school – my first-ever piece of knitting, in garter stitch. The second item I made was a knit one, purl one, bobble hat in white and blue. I still love making pompoms. But who is taking this same skill into our primary schools today? Indeed, it’s the WI.
With all good wishes,
Ruth Bond
NFWI Chair
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