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1970s

The seventies opened and closed with new buildings being opened at Denman College. Although much of the public affairs work continued to be about supporting rural life there were also resolutions of a more overtly political nature.Miss Sylvia Gray MBE; National Chair 1969-1974


In 1974, the number of WIs reached its highest ever. The Diamond Jubilee in 1975 was celebrated with a large exhibition 'This Green and Pleasant Land?' The question mark reflected the concern that WI members felt about the future of the countryside.

1970
New teaching buildings at Denman College were opened by HM the Queen Mother.

1971 
A resolution was passed at the AGM changing the interpretation of the non-party political and non-sectarian rules. Olive Farquharson was elected World President of ACWW. The total of WIs had reached 9,203.

1972 
The WI exhibition entitled 'This Green and Pleasant Land?' took place at the Ideal Home Exhibition. The Produce and Handicraft Guilds ceased and the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust (CUKT) gave a grant for the Town and Country Project. The AGM passed resolutions calling for a full-free family planning service, and for more nursery education for children.

1973
Meriel Withall retires as General Secretary and Anne Ballard is appointed.

1974
Subscription of the WI was raised to £1 (15p to the National Federation, 35p to the county federation and 50p to the WI). Sylvia Gray resigned as Chairman and was succeeded by Pat Jacob. The number of WIs recorded this year was 9,309, a record so far! The AGM called for a national policy for reclamation, reuse and recycling of waste.

1975
The Diamond Jubilee was celebrated. The NFWI was awarded a coat of arms. It was designed by J P Brooke-Little, MVO, MA, FSA, Richmond Herald of Arms.  He explained the coat of arms :

The Bar Dancetty and the Pallet are ancient heraldic charges which happily form the letters WI. The pierced suns are a pun on Lady Denman's maiden name of Pearson and also they are symbols of education, energy and light.NFWI Coat of Arms
 
The lion in the crest is quartered in the Welsh colours and may be taken to represent England and Wales. It is hardly necessary to state why it holds a distaff. The heron supporters were thought to be elegant symbols of the countryside and are associated with all the elements, as they fish in the water, nest on the land and fly in the air. To distinguish them from other herons, they stand among reeds.

The coat of arms was embroidered on a table cloth which is still used at NFWI meetings. The cloth was made by WI members from West Kent and was first used at the AGM in the Albert Hall in June 1976.

The WI exhibition, 'Tomorrow's Heirlooms', took place at the Commonwealth Institute. The AGM confirmed that NFWI 'believes in the principle of equality of opportunity and of legal status for men and women and pledges itself to work to achieve this'.

1976
A resolution was passed at the AGM that in future the amount and division of the subscription should be decided by the NFWI executive committee in consultation with the Consultative Council representatives. The AGM urged more rented accommodation should be made available to alleviate homelessness.

1977 
Patricia Batty Shaw was elected as NFWI Chairman and
WI Books became registered as a privately owned limited company. The number of WIs was 9,299.

1978 
The foundation stone of the Home Economics Centre at Denman College was laid by the Countess of Albemarle. The AGM showed support for doorstep milk deliveries, and voiced concern about increasing marine pollution.

The AGM also expressed concern about the availability to children of literature of a pornographic and violent nature.Queen Elizabeth II opens the Home Economics Centre at Denman College, 1979

1979
The Home Economics Centre at Denman College was opened by HM the Queen. An AGM resolution was passed urging the provision of single sex wards in hospitals, and voicing concern about the closure of village schools.