Bicton & Oxon WI Centenary: 1924-2024

So, we come to the last decade of our one hundred years. Although it only covers four years, it is a momentous time for our WI, and for the world.

Monthly Meetings

We had three meetings in the hall in 2020. In January there was Sarah Hopper on ‘Shocking tales of life in a B&B’ – she had us in fits of laughter. In February Wendy Sturgess demonstrated paper flower making, and we all produced a perfectly respectable rose. Our March meeting was open and we had 26 members together with 12 visitors to hear Thomas Holt talking enthusiastically about his journey as a winemaker. We all enjoyed the tasting – and the volume of chatter got louder as the evening went on.

Then on March 23rd the country went into lockdown as Covid-19 hit us. Everything stopped, including Bicton & Oxon WI – then we discovered Zoom. We only missed a meeting in April 2020 as by May our technical wizard, Gillian, had got us up and running. 

20 attended that first Zoom meeting, a ‘getting to know you’ meeting with committee members and others giving a short talk about themselves.

We used Zoom to our advantage – we could have speakers from all over the country! We had Faith Powell on ‘Behind the scenes of TV quiz shows’ with lots of shouting out quiz answers to screens. Then we had Carole Rose of Alpha Bake Cookery who zoomed from Essex and demonstrated making a raspberry cream tart – several members cooked along with her and had produced tarts by the end of the evening. We continued with Zoom and had just the range of speakers we would expect through the year.

Storyteller Jake Evans – who stepped in at the last minute when we were let down by our booked speaker –enthralled us with stories and we had a talk on the founding of the Orthopaedic Hospital. Malcolm Whittall tried to teach us how to draw cartoon characters – as in this photo. He improvised for Zoom by balancing his drawing board on books on his kitchen table.

We continued with Zoom in 2021 and enjoyed talks from Chris Duffin, a ‘lady’ prison governor; Misba Khan on her part in an all-women expedition to the North Pole; Lindsay Rowlands of Guide Dogs for the Blind with her guide dog, Leyland; and Kathryn Kelly on her family of Trinity House lighthouse keepers.

July was our garden meeting at Gilli’s and the first face-to-face meeting since March 2020. Everyone brought their own plate of food and enjoyed catching up with friends and meeting in person members who had joined recently and had only been seen by Zoom. Here we are!

In September 2021 we at last met back in the village hall, although meetings were hybrid, both in person and by Zoom, until the end of 2022. As ever, there were speakers on a wide range of topics including the history of nursery rhymes; Shropshire folk songs; Royal Yacht Britannia; the history of dance; Cuan wildlife rescue and Tropic skincare. We had cartoonist Malcolm Whittall in person this time and a speaker on the life of Caravaggio. John Campion, West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner, spoke to us as did Justice of the Peace Helen Thompson. 

Most popular were Alf Jenkins with his talk on Waggons to Wheelbiers, Jan from Muckleton Meats and Nanny Nanny’s Ice Cream, and Chris from The Weird and Wonderful Cheese Company – both of whom provided wonderful samples.

When a speaker cancelled in 2022, we held a members’ evening, on ‘my lockdown project’. Several members talked about their projects and showed their needlework, painting and other crafts. 

Chris hosted the 2022 garden meeting with a barbecue while Sara hosted the 2023 meeting in her house and garden with an amazing spread of food.

The June 2022 meeting was in Jubilee week, and was open to husbands or partners. The hall was decorated and we had cream tea refreshments – here Gilli, Tricia and Chris share a joke. The May 2023 meeting was used to celebrate the coronation with a quiz.

Social half hour and ‘extras’

We soon realised that members were missing the human contact of meeting in person. Once Covid regulations allowed, we started regular meetings on the village hall field – in all weathers. There were six ‘Tea on the field’ get-togethers in 2020 – a chance to meet each other outside, face to face without masks and have a good natter. All were limited to groups of 6 sitting a good distance away from each other to comply with regulations. These continued in 2021 and once restrictions ended, turned into a monthly meet-up for coffee at the Refresh café at the Hospice. 

Member Kandis suggested a walk in October 2021 over the seven bridges across the Severn. The walking group was formed, and to date we have had monthly walks of various terrains including Haughmond Hill; Attingham Park; Pontesbury Hill; the Wrekin; Cardingmill Valley and Rodney’s Pillar. Bobble hats were knitted to order by Chris. Here they are on Haughmond Hill.

For Christmas 2020 the committee made up ‘goody bags’ for each member as another way of staying in touch, especially with those not interacting by zoom. We had preserves, handmade boxes with chocolates, sunflower seeds, Bicton word-search, 2021 programmes, County News with Christmas inserts and membership booklets. The committee distributed them to members and added a Christmas card. The following year our sunflowers grew extremely well.

There were two extra Zoom events in 2021 – London tour guide Alex Lacey led us on tours on the 18th century sex and brothel trade and another on travelling the Thames. 

The trading stall resumed, members could bring along items to sell, and 10% of money collected was passed to ACWW, in particular projects concerning Maternal and Reproductive Health which SFWI was supporting.   

There were fundraising events for centenary funds in 2023. A Somerset Patchwork workshop was led by Ann Malpass raising some £200. We had a craft stall at the Bicton Christmas Fair and started a crafting group, raising £300.

The Committee and Formalities

At the beginning of 2020 there were 28 members, and by October that year there were 37 – no mean feat during covid lockdowns. Around 20 to 25 members would attend by Zoom. By October 2023 membership had increased to 43. 

It took a huge amount of work to get to grips with the ever-changing distancing and lockdown rules. In August the village hall sent their risk assessment and conditions of hire. Cathy as secretary prepared our own risk assessment, based on NFWI guidelines, and the committee had lengthy discussions about whether it was feasible to return to the village hall for meetings.

The September 2020 government regulations and guidelines from NFWI were that we could have up to 30 in a meeting, all wearing masks, but social distancing required that we must be 1.5 metres from each other, and 3 metres from any speaker or officers not wearing masks. This would take the whole hall and it would not be feasible to have refreshments. 

For the safety of members we would have to clean all equipment and furniture used. At this time, other than a community meeting like this, people could only meet with one other household indoors. 

The committee agreed that this would not be a positive experience of WI, and while the current regulations were in force we would continue by Zoom. By October rules tightened and NFWI made it clear that WIs could not meet in groups of more than six. 

Zoom was not ideal as there were several members not willing or able use it. From June 2020 Cathy prepared a newsletter which was sent out by email every two weeks to keep members informed as rules and arrangements for meetings were changing so quickly. From August 2021, these have been sent monthly. There were some members who had little or no involvement in any WI activities from March and the committee kept in contact with them by phone. Cathy produced video reviews of 2020 and 2021 and in early 2021 Gillian created a new website (www.bowi.org.uk) and BOWI email address. We had been sending minutes by email rather than read them at meetings and decided to continue. We set up a private members’ Facebook group and a WhatsApp group as other ways to keep in touch.

It was not until September 2021 that we could meet in the hall. Initially, masks were compulsory, but soon became a matter of choice. Committee meetings took place by Zoom until September 2022.

HSBC notified us in 2021 that they would be closing our bank account and transferring to a business account with a £5 monthly fee and charges for using cheques and banking cash. We opened a new bank account with Lloyds and by the end of 2022 we could bank online, making it far easier to pay and keep track of transactions.

The village hall reviewed hire charges in 2021. We were paying £4.40 per hour, and the increase would be to £8 this year and then £10 per hour. We paid nothing for our new year party but would have to pay £100 for an evening function with bar. Whilst current charges were low, the increase would be significant.

Visitor charges had been £3 including a raffle ticket for years. In 2022, this was increased to £4, and a raffle ticket could be purchased separately for 50p.

In 2023 a laptop was purchased specifically for the secretary’s use. This could also be used for presentations and Zoom meeting and would be passed on to a new secretary

In 2021, we started to plan for our centenary [2024] and to search out memorabilia. A planning subcommittee was set up with Ann Malpass as Chair in 2023 and we commissioned a bench for the village green from Rustic Joinery. 

Outings

Despite Covid, we weren’t to be deprived of our summer outing in 2020! 20 members and husbands went for a trip on the Llangollen canal, over the aqueduct, and had an excellent afternoon tea, abiding by the rules at that time.

The 2021 outing was to the Isle Estate in Bicton. Nearly 40 members, partners & friends were led on a two-mile walk around part of the estate followed by a huge array of cakes brought by members. £275 was raised for charity – the Hospice and Walking for Heroes. 

Our 2022 summer outing was to Cotebrook Shire Horse centre. As it would be busy in August, we decided to have this and future outings in July, changing the garden meeting to August. 2023 saw us visit Trentham Gardens, and here are some of the ladies.

Christmas Dinners and New Year Party

The 2020 New Year Party was a success, with Gabriella Foley entertaining us on the ukulele. 

There was hope of having the 2020 Christmas meal at the Croft at Hadnall but it was cancelled due to restrictions. Ever innovative, we had a Christmas social by Zoom instead of the Christmas meal. It was a quiz, using ‘breakout rooms’ so we could have teams including partners. The 2021 and 2022 Christmas meals were at The Croft and in 2023 we went to the Fox and Hounds near Shawbury.

The 2021 New Year party was cancelled and instead, magician Jack Dent entertained us by Zoom. 

For the 2022 New Year party members brought food on a bring-and-share basis for their table to avoid people gathering around the food tables. Back to normal in 2023, Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir provided entertainment.

People

Many new members joined in the 2020s. They soon became involved and made a huge impact on Bicton & Oxon WI. 

In May 2021, past President Mary Fowles died and in 2022 member Sally Gwilliam, a committee member until two months previously, died after a long battle with cancer. A minute’s silence was kept for each.

In 2021, Janis stepped down from the committee after 21 years. She was thanked for her service over the years as committee member, President and regular competition entrant. 

In Oct 2022, Tricia stood down as President after five years in post and Sara Johnson-Davies was elected. After 11 years as secretary, Cathy stood down and Chris Bolingbroke became minutes secretary, whilst Cathy continued as members and publicity secretary. 

Gilli Booton was congratulated on being co-opted onto SFWI Board of Trustees in 2022. Several Bicton & Oxon members sat on SFWI committees.

Shrewsbury West Group, Shows, SFWI and NFWI

Bicton & Oxon took part in the Group activities each year.

Group meetings resumed in 2022. We came second in the competitions with Carol winning 1st place for her marmalade and Chris 3rd place for her quiche. 

In 2023, we did well but there was considerable complaint about the judging of the competition as the judge seemed to have a different schedule to the one we had. 

Some members went on the SFWI trip to the ballet in Birmingham in February 2020, one of the last chances to attend such an event for quite some time. The SFWI annual meeting at Theatre Severn was cancelled, as was a carol service at St Chad’s. WIs were asked to decorate a tree slice to go on the tree – Mary decorated Bicton & Oxon's, used the following year.

In 2021 SFWI discovered Zoom and events took place including a quiz and a talk on country houses by Denman tutor John Vigar. By May 2021 lunches at Origins took place, as did the Annual Meeting. The Flower Show remained cancelled, and Virtual Flower Show competitions took place. Members entered several classes and had success. Jackie gained first in the Coronation Cup with a beautiful flower made from recycled paper from WI Life. 

At the 2022 flower show Carol won the Marjorie Jones Cup for her confectionery, Tanya and Celia won the Lady Harlech Cup for their floral & art entry and Celia won the Margaret Beddoes Rose Bowl for Best in Show Floral Art – pictured here.

In 2023, SFWI no longer had a marquee at the Flower Show, and instead held an event for WI Day in Shrewsbury Abbey. This was a showcase for the WI with competitive classes, and members did well. 

Members were involved in various SFWI events including a skittles evening; paper flower workshop; Wilfred Owen evening; trivia quiz; cricket at Edgbaston; Handbags & Glad Rags event and trip to Liverpool churches. 

Several members attended the SFWI Annual Meetings at Theatre Severn and enjoyed amazing speakers, including Chris Lubbe, a former bodyguard to Nelson Mandela.

There was also support for the climate group including a talk by Queen Bee, a photographer and author. Members decorated trees with green hearts each February to raise awareness of climate change.

NFWI proposed changes to the constitutions of WIs, Federations and NFWI in 2021 to enable virtual attendance at annual and other meetings. Cathy and Gilli acted as delegates at a Zoom NFWI Companies Act meeting to vote on the changes. Over 660 attended, and Shropshire WIs almost unanimously voted for the resolution. 

In 2021 WIs were given flexibility by NFWI as to how to charge subscriptions. Members would still pay the NFWI and SFWI portions but WIs were given discretion to discount all or part of our WI portion. Our committee decided to keep subscriptions at the full amount on the basis that we had all the usual expenses and more, and were providing a full programme. Denman College held craft sessions by Zoom and several members attended. 

We discussed the 2021 resolution ‘A call to increase awareness of the subtle signs of ovarian cancer’ and voted unanimously for this. We also approved the resolution ‘Women and Girls with ASD & ADHD – Under-identified, Under-diagnosed, Misdiagnosed and Under-Supported’. 

Sandra attended the 2023 NFWI Annual Meeting in Cardiff as our delegate.

Involvement in local & national affairs

In December 2020, we decided to collect money for the refuge rather than gifts and £145 was raised.  Our 2022 collection was parcels for the Food Bank. 

Kandis arranged a fundraising walk for the Hospice in June 2022, raising an amazing £1,756.  Many members were involved with walks of different lengths – a day to celebrate.

In 2021, members were knitting for the Shropshire Way challenge – scarves were knitted or crocheted with the aim of reaching the length of the Shropshire Way and being given to the homeless.

Gilli told us about the Ecobrick project, an excellent way to use waste plastic and several members made them over lockdown.

The wider WI

The 2020 membership fees increased to £44. To encourage members, a taster membership of £10.75 for October to March and a new digital newsletter were introduced. In July subscriptions were extended to April 2021 and will then run from April. The 2020 resolutions were adopted by NFWI – ‘A call to increase potential stem cell donor registration’ and ‘End modern slavery’. 

 Denman College struggled and in July 2020 its closure was announced. Online courses were provided as ‘Denman at Home’. Denman College was sold, and the proceeds legally earmarked for education. ‘The Learning Hub’ provides online courses at no charge to members.