After many votes on whether to have meetings in the evening only, or to continue with five afternoons and seven evenings, a successful vote of 27 to 14 in favour of evenings only took place in 1970. From 1971, meetings took place at 7.30pm, on the first Wednesday of each month, just as continues now.
Monthly Meetings
As ever, Bicton WI had a wide range of talks and demonstrations throughout the 1970s.
Food of course was a popular theme for speakers. There was a butcher from Melverley who gave lots of useful advice on choosing the weekend joint, and ‘brought many tempting joints for us to see’. Then there were talks and demonstrations on deep freezing; pie-making; meals without meat; food mixers; sweet making with sampling; gateaux and fancy cakes. Then on one occasion a demonstration on filleting different kinds of fish, ‘and two appetising fish dishes were raffled off’.
There were the practical and local talks – Weights & Measures on Consumer Protection; the County Records Office; Shropshire Talking Newspaper and a parish councillor on village planning and how it might affect Bicton. PC Ray spoke on ‘the police and the lady motorist’. ‘He showed us a breathalyser kit and his stories made up for any disappointment in not having his film and slides.’
There was plenty of variety from a talk and shoe display by Lotus shoe factory to Miss Lloyd, the County President, speaking about her life as a Lady in Waiting to the Princess Royal. Then a demonstration of hair styling and wigs by ‘two young ladies who modelled many attractive wigs’ to a talk and display of 17th century drinking glasses. Travel films of Ireland and Switzerland courtesy of Luxitours, a local travel agent, to a makeup demonstration. The secretaries started to give a flavour of the speakers during the 1970s. In 1975 Mr Ratcliffe gave a very interesting talk on decorating with some very useful tips. However, when he came back in 1976 it was reported ‘Mr Ratcliffe was with us once more with useful hints on the home and some of us no doubt found something to help one way or another’.
Again in 1975 there was a ‘very interesting talk on care of the feet. After seeing his slides of patient’s feet I’m sure we’ll all take more care of ours’. In 1974 there was a demonstration on winemaking – apparently ‘carrot wine was quick, easy and inexpensive. A bottle was shared between members who really enjoyed it – some came back for more’.
In 1975 there was a demonstration of yoga and four members took part in the exercises – ‘we hope they didn’t suffer too much the following day’. Yoga featured again in 1979 when ‘we were entertained with an excellent demonstration of yoga by Mrs Turner who was successful in getting some of our members to take part. How we admired her skill and suppleness and youthful figure’.
A fashion show by Bernie ‘was very popular with a large number of dresses, coats, trouser suits and evening wear being modelled by five very attractive young ladies and the styles and prices were most pleasing’.
We get a sense of the times when in 1972 ‘in spite of power cuts and general discomfort there is a good attendance at the meeting’. Again in 1977 ‘there was no committee meeting after the AGM due to power cuts’. However, in early 1979 there was a good attendance in spite of very wintry weather and icy weather conditions ‘but the village hall was warm and cosy’.
In May 1971 there was the first reference to decimal currency – the annual outing to North Wales would cost 75p.
Social half hour and ‘extras’
The named Social Half Hour as such seems to have disappeared, but there was always a competition and often an extra item as well as business, a speaker and refreshments.
The competitions showed imagination and variety – a supper dish made with baked potato, the best kept pair of shoes, shopping with decimal coinage, the best dressed clothes peg, honey scones, a limerick – ‘a lout who tore branches off trees…’, ‘the weirdest thing that ever happened to me’ and the slimmest waist!
Extra items at the meetings included an energetic display by Bicton Keep Fit ladies; an entertaining quiz organised by Mrs Pannett using some of her husband’s collection of bygones; members reading short stories or poems and a display of members’ handicrafts.
In 1978 a proposal to add fluoride to Shropshire water was discussed and all agreed that it was not in the long-term interests of most of the community to be forced to accept fluoridation. In 1979 the WI questionnaire was discussed – ‘we were in favour of staying as we are. We liked to be known as Country Women, but did not wish to be joined by our husbands. We realised subscriptions had to rise, and were in favour of holding fund raising events.’
The tradition of the Annual Show at the August meeting continued into the 1970s but clearly paused as in 1977 there was ‘some interest in reviving the annual show possibly in August to replace an outing’. Here they are in 1970 – photo credit to Shrewsbury Chronicle
The trading stall did well and was reported to be very well stocked with produce.
There was regular fundraising through successful Christmas fayres and coffee evenings. In 1979 Bicton hosted a WI qualifying whist drive, with draw prizes of joints of meat. Later the same year a garden party was held at Merton Nurseries which was very successful, raising £135.
There were various groups and classes including lampshade making and upholstery. In 1972 a drama group was formed and mention is made of the Slimming Club – 43½ lbs was lost but we don’t know how many members that involved!
Bicton WI’s Golden Jubilee celebration was held on 24th January 1975 at Ford Village Hall. The anniversaries were celebrated in recognition of the first meetings taking place in 1925 – it was only in the 1990s that celebrations dated to the founding of Bicton & District WI in 1924. There was an excellent article and this photo in the Shrewsbury Chronicle quoting past president Mrs Kathleen Ratcliffe who joined in 1931. She recalled the war years: ‘We canned and jammed the whole time’. The article referred to Bicton members’ culinary skills and the trophies they had won. It also mentioned that they were the first institute to entertain patients from Shelton Hospital, which became an annual event. Photo credit Shrewsbury Chronicle.
The Committee and Formalities
At the 1970 November AGM members voted unanimously to rescind a 1956 byelaw which stated that Bicton WI members must be from within Bicton Ecclesiastical Parish. NFWI ratified the request and new members living outside the parish could now be welcomed.
In 1971 the annual subscription was 10/-, and visitors 1/-. By 1979 subs were £1.75 – a huge increase over the decade. There were 46 members in 1979.
There was discussion most years on refreshments. In 1971 tea and biscuits were voted for by a large majority. In 1976 it was agreed members pay 5p for a cup of tea and there be biscuits only – paid for by the WI not the hostesses. However, in 1978, members were asked to provide scones for refreshments ‘as biscuits had become so expensive’. In the same year it was reported that ‘members decided not to have a monthly competition!’ However, later in the year it was decided the competition would be for the best flower of the month.
In 1978 Mrs Sumnall, retiring County Treasurer, attended the AGM and ‘suggested a visit to the Gas Board as a trip for the forthcoming year as it was cheap and a coach would be sent free of charge. However, she thought the £53 donation to village hall funds very excessive considering our own lack of funds and suggested we put our own accounts to rights next year’.
Annual & other outings
August meetings were taken as outings – to Stiperstones Inn; to the White Horse Inn at Pulverbatch; to Coalport Museum; to Weston Park and to Chirbury with supper at the Herbert Arms – choice of chicken or scampi. In 1974 an evening outing of a tour of Telford was suggested. ‘There was not a great deal of enthusiasm until Mrs Canham enlightened us on a few points and suggested it was something we should see, after which we decided to go’.
The 1970 annual trip was to Denman College – here they are on the steps of the College. Photo xc Another outing to Denman College was planned for 1977 but clearly visits were popular as names had been given for this in 1974 and it was cancelled due to lack of support.
There were plenty of other outings – to Brierley Crystal glassworks; Bulmer's cider factory; the wool mill at Dinas Mawdry then to Aberdovey for tea; the candle showroom in Cheshire and National Trust property Erddig with a stop for a picnic lunch on Horseshoe Pass. In 1978 there was a visit to BBC Pebble Mill which was oversubscribed so tickets were allocated by ballot. In 1975 the outing was to the Royal Doulton factory following which it was agreed in committee ‘that the cost of outings to be ascertained before members were advised, and for all future outings coach seats to be paid for at time of booking’.
Christmas party
The Christmas parties continued to be held in the New Year. In 1971 a buffet was prepared by the committee and cost 7/6d. By 1972 the cost was 50p and ‘each member can bring a partner, and remember to bring a spoon for trifle’.
People
Surprisingly, there were six Presidents over the 1970s. Mrs Fowles retired as President in 1970 and Mrs Galliers was elected. The following year Mrs Phyllis Lewis became President. In 1973 she resigned and Mrs Margaret Harris was elected. Mrs Harris retired as she was leaving the area and Mrs Carol Buxton became President in 1975, again for two years. Mrs Edith Parsonage was elected President in 1977. At the 1978 AGM Mrs Pannett joined the committee and was elected President.
In 1971 Mrs Ratcliffe and her sister Mrs Parsonage made history when Mrs Parsonage was made Mayor of Shrewsbury and Mrs Ratcliffe her Mayoress.
Shrewsbury West Group, SFWI and NFWI
Bicton WI continued to enter competitions, in particular the West Midland Show. They won 4th place in 1972, but early in 1975 they were ‘debating whether to enter the West Mid Show. One or two older members thought we should at least enter the produce shop window, so once again we will try our luck’. However, it is recorded in the May that ‘the Queen has expressed a wish that one member from each exhibiting Institute be by their window as she walked around. So it was decided to draw names from a hat’. Mrs Butters met the Queen who ‘had more praise for our window than the judges had’.
In 1971, 29 members attended the West Shrewsbury Group meeting at Westbury by coach. By 1972, members were sharing cars for transport rather than hiring a bus to the group meeting in Ford.
In 1973, Loton WI suggested discontinuing competitions at the Group Meetings, but ‘our members feel it should be left as it is as many of our older members exhibit rather good material after many years of experience’.
Bicton won the cup at the 1974 Group Meeting. In 1976 the speaker was Lady Isobel Barnett – numbers reached over 200 so the venue had to be changed. The 1978 Group Meeting competitions were a rag doll, savoury flan, jam Swiss roll and arrangement of 5 flowers with foliage (no drapes or aids allowed). The 1979 Group Meeting was at Minsterley, and we held a mini competition in September to decide on entries to produce and craft competitions.
Bicton WI members took part in various SFWI events – a Spanish evening at Radbrook College; a ramble from Yatton to Richards Castle; rounders competition; farm visits; an outing to Bath; The Good Old Days at the Lord Hill; a Japanese evening and a ‘women in the law’ talk with a visit to the Crown Court.
In 1974 Mrs Galliers felt strongly about several subjects and wished them to be put to SFWI as resolution – the sewing of buttons on purchased garments; poor elastic in gentleman’s underwear and unsuitable shoes for children. It was decided to put the suggested resolutions to members – but no further mention is made of them.
In 1974 SFWI needed £6,000 to put right the dry rot and woodworm in County HQ on Claremont Bank. Shropshire members rallied to the appeal for help and raised nearly £4,000. SFWI wrote to each WI in 1976 as they needed £2,000 to balance the books. Each Bicton member was asked to donate 30p to County Funds – it took the Treasurer some months to get all the money in.
At the 1971 Annual Meeting SFWI passed a resolution for the improvement of television reception in rural areas. There were complaints about the inability to receive BBC2, with ‘snow storm’ and ‘ghost shadows’. They sought a reduction in the licence fee for those with poor reception.
In June 1979 SFWI’s Diamond Jubilee celebration was held at Much Wenlock. There were competitions and sports, and up to 6,000 people were due to attend. Mrs Malpass made and modelled a dress in the style of 60 years ago. Bicton came second in ‘a song for the Jubilee’ competition and third in the sports events out of 80 entries.
In 1978 Bicton discussed the national resolutions:
1. Danger to marine life, the effects of over-exploitation and pollution should be more closely monitored and controlled internationally – in favour
2. Harmonising and simplifying taxation and social security systems – unanimously in favour.
3. Display and sale of unsuitable publications to children – in favour
4. Maintaining the doorstep milk delivery service – although members did not feel there was a lot of cause for concern, they voted in favour.
Involvement in local & national affairs
In 1972 a coffee evening was held to raise funds for the new village hall and later members were invited to give comments on the proposed hall plans. The hall was opened on 19th June 1976 and in September the committee met in the new hall for the first time. ‘For the present no charge will be made for our use of the hall, but a donation as before would always be welcome’.
For the village hall 1977 Jubilee celebrations, they held a coffee evening to buy shrubs and bulbs for the two beds outside the village hall entrance. In the same year the Village Hall Committee planned to buy a microwave oven for the kitchen – the WI Committee expressed concern at the cost and felt an ordinary household cooker would be more useful at a fraction of the price.
Social evenings continued to be held for Shelton patients and in 1971 discussions took place with Ford & Oxon WIs about forming a WI for patients at Shelton Hospital. SFWI would lead this and neighbouring WIs would help when possible. However, in 1974 it was decided not to hold a party for the Shelton residents and in 1975 there was ‘A varied discussion at committee about helping Shelton patients enjoy a night out, but we have declined as they have so much entertainment laid on for them.’ In 1978 interest was shown in reviving the party and in 1979 40 Shelton patients were invited to a tea – members made sandwiches and posies for the ladies and buttonholes for men.
Bicton WI regularly had a team for the village hall quiz, but did not have much success. In 1978 the team did not get past the first round, ‘having had the misfortune to be drawn against a team which had repeatedly won through to the final’.
Christmas gifts were regularly collected for the patients at Dolywern Cheshire Home and the Christmas competition was for the most attractive parcel for the Home.
The pensioners’ outing was still an annual fixture, and a cheese & wine evening was often used to raise the funds. They either had a meal as part of the trip, or tea after at the village hall, on one occasion with a Glamorous Gran competition.
There were concerns for pedestrians coming from Villa Lane to the village hall and the WI asked the village hall committee to put in a small barrier to stop cyclists using this path.
The wider WI
In 1975 NFWI celebrated its Diamond Jubilee and Bicton WI had its own souvenir – a first day cover commemorating the founding of the WI in Anglesey.
At the 1973 NFWI Annual Meeting, Chairman Pat Bell was reported in the Evening Telegraph as saying that ‘we have a fuddy duddy image akin to that of the Mothers’ Union, and it’s totally unjustified….country people just get on with things quietly’.
There were a wide range of resolutions during the 1970s, and many of those were far from ‘fuddy duddy’. The constitution was altered in 1971 to allow the discussion of potentially ‘political’ subjects at all levels of the WI ‘provided the Movement is never used for party-political or sectarian propaganda’.
There was a resolution in 1971 calling for mandatory family planning services to be provided and in 1975 the WI took on the issue of the importance of breast screening and lobbied the government to set up screening clinics.
At the 1975 AGM the WI debated a resolution supporting a Bill relating to consent in rape cases. The current law said ‘a rape has not been committed if the man believed, however unreasonably, that the woman consented’.
This resolution on domestic violence was passed: ‘this meeting urges that immediate action be taken to provide alternative accommodation for battered wives and their children in at least every county if not every town’ and 1978 saw a resolution expressing concern at ‘the display and sale to children of pornographic and violent literature which may be considered harmful to young minds’.
Pollution, the natural world and climate change were issues of concern in the 1970s. The WI passed a resolution calling for research into the production of disintegrating plastic packaging materials due to the increasing danger to livestock, other animals and the spoiling of beaches and the countryside. In 1977 they sought ‘greater priority to research into alternative sources of energy such as solar heating, the use of wind generators and wave-power’. Then in 1978 a resolution stated that the WI ‘views with deep concern the dangers to marine life from over-exploitation and pollution’.
It was in the late 1970s that the NFWI adopted a new logo – the Tree rather than For Home and Country. It continued as a much-loved logo until 2010.