Bicton & District WI (Women's Institute) was founded on 10th December, 1924. It included Bicton, Montford Bridge and Oxon. In 1947, Oxon formed its own WI and so we became Bicton WI. In 1995, Oxon WI rejoined Bicton WI and so became Bicton and Oxon WI.
Notes:
SFWI – Shropshire County Federation of Women's Institutes - (t/a Shropshire Federation) –
https://www.wi-shropshire.co.uk/
NFWI – The National Federation of Women's Institutes of England, Wales, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man –
https://www.thewi.org.uk/
Our information has been obtained from various sources, including: the Committee and Monthly Meeting minute books (unfortunately we don’t have them all); the Shrewsbury Chronicle reports held at the Archives Library in Shrewsbury; NFWI and memorabilia collected from members past and present.
Monthly Meetings
As usual, there were a wide variety of speakers, several of whom are familiar still:
There were local talks – Shrewsbury through the centuries; the history of Shrewsbury Flower Show; Nigel Baker on Underground Shrewsbury; Martin Woods our town crier; Stella Mitchell on her ‘Land of Lost Content’ collection and Shrewsbury lace makers.
Then there was travel – a talk with slides on New Zealand; Mrs Sandford on ‘a voyage to Australia’; across the Egyptian desert on horseback; a stimulating and breathtaking talk and slide show of around the world in 333 days and the Amish way of life and their quilts.
Craft was always popular – gold thread embroidery; patchwork and quilting; hand painted pots; cheap and cheerful flowers; Scrappies on craft and recycling and Albrighton Pottery.
Food and cookery included a demonstration of pasta-making and Jeanette Rowlatt of the Chocolate Gourmet ‘we needed no persuasion to try samples of several chocolates’.
Well-being included Feng shui; armchair aerobics; a display of belly dancing and an interesting collection of costumes; ‘Look 10 years younger’ and yoga with several members being put through their paces. History involved collecting antiques for pleasure; an enlightening talk on pre-war kitchen utensils and theatrical entertainment in the first world war.
There were several speakers on serious and charitable issues – the County Air Ambulance; Guide dogs for the Blind together with dog; a trustee of Hope House; Shropshire Fire Service; Jo Pattinson on Trade and Debt Justice Campaign and again on Fair Trade and the Dental Spa on dental treatments with each member receiving a goody bag of toothpaste, toothbrush and vouchers. There was a heart-rending talk on Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline. Instead of a fee the speaker requested paracetamol, multivitamins, dried soup, tea & coffee all of which was collected at a meeting and we also donated our 550 Yorkshire tea bags.
It was good to see the secretary giving comment on the speaker – the history of clocks was ‘extremely interesting, with the speaker timing himself with a charming huge egg-timer!’ Margaret Stainfield demonstrated Christmas floral arrangements ‘with a great deal of expertise, whilst at the same time trying to instil confidence into a few of we lesser mortals.’ Richard Bailey on ‘me and my worms’ – ‘his interesting talk was accompanied by slides of the various stages of soil production and we were introduced to the stars of the evening – the worms!’. There was an ‘illuminating talk by Maynard, a master butcher, on how to cure bacon and make our own sausages!’ A speaker on tax was very good: ‘interesting without being pushy’.
Familiar names were Hilary and Ian Templeton on ‘Pictures in Harmony’ and Dorothy Nicholle, who gave a fascinating talk on the history of English pub signs and another on ‘Shropshire Oddities’.
We also used our home-grown talent. In the absence of a February speaker members spent the evening making origami birds demonstrated by Janis and boxes demonstrated by Ann. There were several poetry evenings and beetle & bunny drives.
There was no meeting in January 2008 due to lack of central heating and the January 2009 meeting was cancelled due to icy road conditions.
A minute’s silence in memory of those who lost their lives in America on September 11th was held in 2011.
Social half hour and ‘extras’
Mary Kilby tried to arrange an evening walk each year, usually ending at a pub for a meal. Destinations included Grinshill finishing at the Elephant & Castle; Pontesford Hill then the Horseshoes Inn and Bedlam Furnace at Ironbridge.
Competitions took place at each meeting, with members to bring an item which was usually connected to the theme of the speaker. At the 2003 AGM, gift vouchers of £5 each were presented for the most competitions won, and the most competitions entered – as still happens now.
From 2007, the July meeting took place in a member’s garden – first Ursula’s then Margaret's followed by Connie’s.
In 2001, as there had been complaints about the lack of flowers on the President’s table ‘it was suggested that a board be sent round for volunteers on a monthly basis!’
In 2000, there was a 75th birthday at the AGM with a cake and party food. ‘We will have proper plates!!’ The press were invited, the Yeoman Singers provided entertainment and past president Carol Buxton attended. There was coffee and tea ‘instead of wine due to our financial situation!’ Here is Janis with Rosemary Boliver and the anniversary cake, and in the second image, from left to right: Carol Buxton, Mary Fowles, Tricia Jones, Janis Crake, Marie Mackley and Connie Davies.
In the third picture, we have Ann Malpass, Margaret Keighley and Ursula Parry at the 75th party in 2000.
For the Queen’s Jubilee in 2002, there was a party at the June meeting, everyone brought something to eat and wine was provided. The evening included poetry reading and ‘six members read a good variety of poems’.
The Committee and formalities
Subscriptions continued to rise. In 2001, they were £16.25 and by 2006 had increased to £22. However, in 2007, subs were to ‘increase to £26!!! but to incorporate a new magazine’. A letter of protest was sent to National irrespective of the ‘free’ inclusive magazine. ‘Worthen WI say they will not increase the subs and there is very strong feelings among members of other WIs’. By 2009 subs were £29.
In 2002, there were 30 paid up members, 33 in 2004 but only 26 in 2005.
In 2005, it was noted that Daphne Feakes would be attending a course at Denman and ‘in order to ascertain whether a bursary could be awarded it was agreed that each member of committee read past minute books to search for this information’. It was found that in 1995 it had been agreed that a bursary of £100 plus travelling expenses could be awarded annually. It was now agreed that with the present low membership this could not be sustained. However, members agreed that an annual bursary calculated at £2 per member could be reviewed annually at the AGM. The following year a bursary cheque of £52 was given to Daphne, and the same to Margaret for her visit in 1999.
It was agreed in 2000 that a maximum of £20 be paid for speakers and in 2006, that speakers asking for a donation to their charity could be given £25.
The Committee in 2000 included Janis as President, vice Presidents Connie and Mary Fowles, secretary Margaret, treasurer Ann, subscriptions Rose and by 2002 Ursula was speakers’ secretary. At the 2004 AGM there was an urgent request for members to stand for committee and Tricia came back to the committee as programme secretary. Jean Brown was welcomed onto the committee in 2007 and when in the November Margaret retired as secretary after 9 years, Jean took her place.
In 2001, Janis stood down as President and Connie was elected. Janis was thanked for ‘rescuing us in our hour of need four years ago’ and she was presented with a basket of plants. In 2005, Tricia was elected President.
From 2003, committee meetings took place at the village hall rather than the home of a committee member.
Funds were low in 2000, with £621 in the current account and £412 on deposit, and a car boot sale was held at the village hall with publicity in the local press. £112 was raised. By 2003, the accounts stood at £929 in current and £464 on deposit.
For a number of years, we received a gift of tea bags and other goodies from Yorkshire Tea. Bicton and Oxon often donated these large packs of 550 or 480 tea bags to the Hospice but in 2006, a second pack arrived and it was donated to the Convent, who served breakfasts to the homeless. However, in 2009 we kept the tea bags ‘which will replace the ones in use at the moment – six months out of date’.
Outings
There were various outings over the years, but after the 2001 outings to Cheshire Oaks and to Eileen Paradise (garden, floral demonstration and supper), they tended to be evening outings instead of the August meeting, within Shropshire. There were outings to Broseley, to National Trust Sunnycroft, Wellington, with a meal at the Red Lion, to Much Wenlock Pottery and to Lakeland. In 2005, there was ‘no enthusiasm for an August outing!’ It was instead combined with the 80th anniversary dinner at the Riverside Inn, Cound. In 2006, there was a guided walk in Shrewsbury with Martin Wood followed by a meal at the Coach & Horses where unfortunately ‘catering and service left much to be desired’. The 2008 outing was to Tong church and Ruckley's silk flowers and the following year they went to Abbey Cwm-hir Hall, with a hired coach.
Christmas dinners and New Year party
70 attended the 2000 party and the Bicton paper girls did the washing up. In 2001, tickets cost £5 & £6, to include a glass of wine. Members and guests provided their own plates and cutlery which was ‘a good idea, it cut down the washing up a little’. For the 2005 party, the raffle proceeds of £101 went to the Sri Lanka Tsunami appeal.
Christmas dinner took place at various locations. The 2000 dinner at Shelton Hall Hotel ‘was successful but sadly the hotel was to be demolished’. On other occasions the meal was at the Four Crosses, Queens Head, Bridge Inn Dorrington, Hare and Hounds Cruckton and the Football Club.
People
A minute’s silence was held in April 2005 in memory of past President Marie Mackley and again in 2006 for Mrs Edith Everall (Parsonage), longstanding member and past President.
Ann Haynes presented a cut-glass water carafe to the WI in 2006.
Shrewsbury West Group, Shows, SFWI and NFWI
The Shrewsbury West Group continued to be important and we were keen to do well in the competitions. We won the group cup in 2000 and came joint first in 2001 when the competitions were a floral arrangement ‘September song’, a fruit pie and a limerick starting ‘a nude calendar we have not done…’. In 2007 we took 2nd place, but there was some controversy with the craft item ‘as it seems not all the schedule is getting back to those who are competing’.
There were interesting speakers at the group meetings. The 2008 speaker was Christina Trevannion of Halls (now of Bargain Hunt) speaking on antique jewellery and giving valuations of members’ pieces. In 2009, the speaker was Julia Bell speaking on the Galapagos Islands – celebrating Darwin’s centenary. There was always a group carol service in December, and for Bicton & Oxon’s turn in 2003, members served tray-bakes in the village hall.
There was much encouragement to enter the WI competition at the West Mid Show. In 2000, Janis entered ‘purple passion – a hat for the millennium’. She was awarded 2nd prize and here she is with the hat.
It was hard to get volunteers, mainly due to the difficulty of picking up exhibits after the show. The 2001 West Mid Show was cancelled due to foot & mouth. The 2004 entry was a class entitled ‘the big parade’. Doreen made a clown, Connie the elephant and ‘the search is on for a knitting pattern for a ringmaster’. However, ‘due to unforeseen circumstances our entry was withdrawn’.
In 2005, ‘only a small sign of enthusiasm was shown when the West Mid Show was mentioned’, however, Janis offered to make a craft item, and it seems that Janis carried the flag for the rest of the decade, entering with a craft fish in 2006 and a bag made out of jeans in 2008 scoring 18 out of 20 for each.
There was a call in 2008 for talented knitters to knit a variety of vegetables to contribute to a ‘knitted country garden’.
There were many outings and events available from SFWI such as an outing to the London Eye; trip to the Trafford Centre; Birmingham Royal Ballet; poetry evenings; Harmer Hill and other rambles; quizzes; basket making class; Spring lunch; darts competition; hat making course; multifaith visit and trip to see ‘Calendar Girls’ in Birmingham. Bicton & Oxon regularly mustered a team for the skittles.
SFWI started a series of ‘dinner with…’ fundraising dinners with celebrities. Ann Widdecombe was the guest speaker in 2006, and Bunny Campion for the 90th birthday dinner.
We were presented with our 75th birthday certificate at the 2000 SFWI council meeting.
2009 was the 90th anniversary of SFWI and the council meeting took place at the new theatre when the speaker was Nick Owen. Janis was congratulated on coming a very creditable 4th in the 90th anniversary fun run.
In 2004, Tricia explained that the name WI Markets was to be replaced by Country Markets but otherwise would remain the same.
A safety regulations list sent from County Office in 2005 ‘raised a smile, most after all was common sense’.
Bicton & Oxon took care to discuss and vote on the proposed resolutions being taken to the NFWI Annual Meeting each year. In 2003, they voted in favour of all three – children's’ diet and health; care of the elderly and vocational training for young people. In 2004, they voted in favour of resolutions concerning trafficking of women and children, and the growing of GM crops in the UK.
Involvement in local & national affairs
Bicton & Oxon had a long tradition of members bringing wrapped Christmas presents to the December meeting to be passed to a local home. For many years they were taken to Dolywern Cheshire home, however, in 2004, this was changed to Coton Hill House and then to Maesbrook Care Home.
In 2001, the secretary wrote to the local MP regarding a petition about the closure of rural post offices and received a reply from Paul Marsden in support.
Bicton & Oxon regularly supported the Severn Hospice and the Meningitis Trust. A coffee morning for the Meningitis Trust in 2001 raised £207 and in 2007 a Meningitis Trust open evening was held with members coming from Great Ness, Yeaton, Fitz & Walford, Yockleton and Westbury. There was a separate raffle for the Trust and a donation box raising £145. In 2001, the Hospice requested we hold a yellow fundraising event and so we held a bring & buy stall with yellow items at the July open meeting.
The wider WI
Nationally, leading up to the millennium, there was something of a crisis in the WI – between 1974 and 2000, the number of Institutes in the UK had dropped by a third. Then in 2000, came the Calendar Girls – an ‘alternative’ WI calendar of nude WI members from Yorkshire, raising funds for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research. They certainly raised awareness of the WI through the calendars, film, stage play and musical.
The WI also hit the headlines in 2000 when Prime Minister Tony Blair addressed the AGM at the Royal Albert Hall. He clearly hadn’t read the brief about what was expected of a speaker and was given a slow handclap by members who criticised the speech as being too long and overtly political.
Following these two events, there was much media interest in the WI, but unfortunately it often portrayed the stereotype member in her twinset and pearls. It reached a head with a very unflattering Little Britain sketch about the WI leading to a formal complaint to the BBC from NFWI.
Membership numbers did steadily rise from 2007, with more institutes opening in urban areas.
As ever, the WI discussed and passed important and far-seeing resolutions during the decade.
In June 2008, the NFWI passed a resolution calling for an end to the inappropriate detention of people with mental health problems, after the son of a Norfolk WI member tragically took his own life while in custody. The Care not Custody campaign aimed to bring an end to the use of prison as a ‘default option’ for people with mental health needs or learning disabilities.
A 2005 resolution on protecting natural resources inspired a nationwide action day that saw WI members return excess packaging to supermarkets, encouraging retailers to reduce waste.
The SOS for Honeybees campaign was launched after a resolution calling for increased funding for research into honeybee health was passed in 2009. Members formed a nationwide network of ‘bee ambassadors’: raising awareness of the plight of the honeybee; transforming patches of derelict land into bee-friendly gardens; training as beekeepers; and calling on local authorities to take into account the need for a wealth and diversity of food for bees when planting.
There were resolutions on human trafficking; care of older people; funding of children’s hospices; the foot and mouth crisis; renewable energy and local abattoirs amongst many others.
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