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.
This was an interesting decade for Bicton WI with changes and some worrying times.
Monthly Meetings
As ever, there was a wide variety of interesting talks! There were talks on badgers; the history of domestic clocks; glass engraving; calligraphy; making a will; patchwork quilts; corn dollies; birds on our doorstep; acupuncture; the work of the trading standards office; recorder playing through the ages and Osteoporosis Research.
David Trumper gave a talk with slides on old Shrewsbury and there was a talk on ‘My life on a Patagonian sheep farm’. A talk illustrated with slides by Sue Johnson, the new county secretary, about a cycle ride to Santiago de Compostela was ‘informative and extremely interesting’. Heather Game came to speak on ‘Life on the Wicked Stage’. There was a talk on wines of the world – ‘at the end of the talk 2 bottles of Argentinian wine were consumed’. Another talk was on Herriot Country ‘although the slides were a bit fuzzy the speaker’s love for the Yorkshire Dales was evident in his informative and amusing talk’. Sue Ashton spoke on foot care and foot health – ‘corns, verrucas, athletes foot – all delightful problems were discussed!’.
Cookery demonstrations were as popular as ever. Member Mrs Khan demonstrated Indian dips and snacks. Sue Bradley gave a very good cookery demonstration ‘inducing a large queue of tasters and much scribbling of recipes’. ‘Presents, preserves and presentation’ was a most informative talk by Mrs Hewitt while making a tomato chutney in the microwave. At one meeting Mrs Oakley produced a hot savoury starter, two sweets and a main course.
Mrs Setsuko Watanabe was speaker at a few meetings over the years. On one occasion ‘Setsuko enthralled us with her delightful floral arrangements as well as her wit and charm’ and on another she gave a Japanese evening with traditional food, craft and clothing. Here is President Tricia Jones trying on a kimono.
A speaker wasn’t always needed; often there were social evenings with a beetle drive or quizzes. This was sometimes out of necessity as in 1993, when ‘the booked speaker for November has disappeared...’
In 1996, a candle was lit for the duration of the meeting in memory of Adelaide Hoodless, who founded the WI in Canada 100 years previously. In August 1997, two minutes’ silence was held in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Social half hour and ‘extras’
In 1990, the Garden Party took place with stalls of cakes and produce, books, white elephant, toys and plants, together with sideshows of tombola, treasure hunt, splat the rat and guess teddy’s birthday. It was decided to hold the 1991 garden party at the village hall instead of Merton nurseries as there was cover, and so a July coffee evening was held with stalls, competitions and tombola.
The Horticultural Society/WI show was held in 1990 through to 1994. It seems that entries from WI members dwindled, and to have come to an end at that time.
There were annual rambles around Shropshire, organised by Mary Kilby. In 1995, there was an evening ramble around Attingham Park with a meal afterwards at the Corbett Arms and the following year saw a ramble on the Long Mynd. In 1997, a May ramble around Nesscliffe ‘was a slippery affair. Those who braved the elements of rain and mud enjoyed a nice meal at the Nesscliffe Hotel at the end of the walk’.
There were sometimes evening outings in the summer instead of a meeting such as a visit to Haye House near Bridgnorth to see the gardens, with a flower arranging demonstration and buffet supper. One year saw an evening meeting held at Watson & Thornton for a patchwork demonstration. Mystery trips were popular but in 1996 it was decided ‘the August mystery trip to be left to Boultons so it is a complete surprise’.
Bicton WI provided a teas on occasion for visiting WIs. In 1994, members of Northants WI were each given a round of sandwiches, a scone with fresh cream and jam, a slice of tea bread and a cake at a cost of £1.50 per head, and ‘it was agreed we should have charged more’.
Mrs Fowles collected memories and information from members for a book being produced by County: “Within Living Memory”.
In 1998, Bicton & Oxon WI received a goodies box from Yorkshire Tea containing 550 tea bags, a packet of notelets for each member, a tea caddie and a calendar.
The Committee and Formalities
Subs continued to increase. After the committee’s concern that the subs for 1990 would be £7.50, the comment in the minutes concerning 1992 was ‘Subs £9!’ By 1997, they had crept up to £13.
It was in 1995 that coffee was provided at meetings, by request, and a large vacuum jug was purchased to make this easier. It was agreed to provide a bursary for a member to go to Denman of up to £100 plus a contribution to travel, to be considered annually, at the committee’s discretion. Also ‘a notice of our meetings will be in the parish magazine this month, hopefully leading to new members’.
In 1995, there was a rummage sale with cake stall raising £178 for funds and the following year a fundraising sale in the Square in October. It was a ‘cold and chilly day but raised £166 for our funds as we made a small loss last year and need to replenish funds’.
An increased informality in the minutes was noticeable – using Christian names alone or with surname became common in committee minutes rather than ‘Mrs X’. By 1997, Christian names were being used in monthly minutes – although it depended on the secretary at the time!
In 1993, Tricia Jones stood down as President after four years, and Marie Mackley agreed to serve for one year only.
In September 1994, ‘Mrs Holesworth from Oxon WI joined our meeting to discuss the amalgamation of our two Institutes. If our members agree, it is likely that around 15 members will join us in January 1995. It was decided that we would be known as Bicton and Oxon WI’. Connie Davies agreed to be President so that the union could go ahead. It was agreed by the members, and we became Bicton and Oxon WI in January 1995 – although early in 1996 it was noted that ‘to conform with the Charity Commissioners a proper resolution to adopt the name ‘Bicton & Oxon WI’ must be put to the members at the general meeting’. It was carried unanimously.
Difficult times came in 1998 when Connie Davies retired having served as President for four years, and Diane Harris wished to retire as secretary. ‘We hope there is more interest in post of President and Secretary also new blood for the committee’. In October, there were three new names for committee but none for president so a VCO (Voluntary County Organiser), Mrs Morgan, attended the AGM to ‘help us over a rather difficult evening’. No-one was willing to stand as President in order to keep the Institute going. Mrs Morgan said we should try hard to find someone willing to stand: we had a healthy bank balance and a varied and interesting 12 months’ programme.
At the December committee meeting, Connie Davies opened the meeting by saying that a President and Secretary were required if Bicton and Oxon WI was to continue and that Janis Crake and Margaret Keighley had agreed to take on the positions – both were new to the committee.
On a lighter note, in 1999 they considered planting a millennium tree in the village hall grounds – permission was granted but reports of vandalism of existing trees were rife and it was decided to buy a millennium bell instead. A brass bell was purchased at a Church Stretton antiques shop and inscribed - still being used in 2024.
Outings
Many outings took place over the 1990s. These included the Albert Dock, Cadbury World, Windsor, Worcester and Chatsworth. The Loire and Dordogne was the European destination for 1990, but the 1991 trip to Heidelberg seems to be the last break abroad organised through Bicton WI.
In 1991 there was a mystery trip to the Museum of Childhood and Costumes in Bridgnorth, and in 1997 the mystery trip was to Bridgnorth ‘views were lost in the mists but we found our destination the James Dean Pottery where members decorated mugs or plates’.
There were several visits to Bayleys for Christmas decoration demonstrations.
Christmas dinners and New Year party
For the 1990 New Year party, the committee catered for 65 with 15 bottles of wine. Each committee member made two salads and two sweets. In 1992, it was ‘again an enjoyable occasion though the entertainment from ‘After Eight’ was a little uninspiring’. Washers-up were paid £3 from 8.30 to 10.30pm and Jean Williams was invited to most New Year Parties to provide the end-of-evening entertainment on the piano.
For 1995, there was no free draw ticket and no formal entertainment, with quizzes instead. However, wine was included, and a 70th birthday cake. £53 profit was made despite the extra cost. In 1997, it was suggested that a table be placed in the hall to sort out leftovers, so clearing the kitchen.
Christmas dinners took place at local venues including the Old Three Pigeons; Brass Horse at Lea Cross; Bradford Arms Knockin; Radbrook College; Corbett Arms and the Four Crosses.
People
In 1990, a Brierley Crystal perfume bottle was presented to Mrs Mackley in appreciation of her work as secretary for 8 years and Mrs Pannett was presented with a Brierley Crystal paperweight in recognition of 11 years as President.
From 1992, Rose Neeves (now Shantry) was subscriptions secretary. Tricia Jones resigned from the committee in 1997 ‘she is responsible for our yearly programme of speakers and her knowledge of WI would be missed on committee’. In 1999, Tricia Bowd stood down as Treasurer, and Ann Malpass took on the role.
A minute’s silence was held in 1997 for Mrs Barkley, who had died at the age of 94. ‘A staunch member of Bicton WI, very well known for her lardy cake, jams and pickles’.
In 1999, Janis reported on the 250-mile cycle ride around the perimeter of Shropshire to mark SFWI’s 80th birthday – she cycled with the three riders for a day.
Shrewsbury West Group, SFWI and NFWI
The group meeting continued to be important. In 1990,the speaker was Mr Tressider, the “TV undertaker” and in 1993 the speaker spoke on ‘Jumble sales my addiction’. The 1994, competitions included a pair of hand-sewn knickers and each Institute was required to dress a member in costume of the period 1934-43. Tricia Jones agreed to dress as ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service). Bicton won the cup. The 1997 speaker was Zena Morgan on ‘Talking Proper’ and Bicton commented that that ‘judging comments were not conducive to others to have a go’.
Bicton continued to enter the West Mid Show and in 1990 Mrs Sylvia Fathers won 2nd prize in the Huxley Cup for floral art. The 1991 entries were a tea cosy, green bean chutney, shortbread and a fruit cake. ‘We did well but disappointing that the staging was not judged’. In 1994 it was ‘generally felt that some of the judges’ remarks were not phrased to inspire future entries as they were more destructive than constructive’. It was decided in 1995 not to enter this year, as ‘Mrs Fathers had too many personal commitments to do it justice’. It seems that was an end to our entries for the 1990s.
SFWI provided a wide range of activities for members – a day school on knitting finishes; dabble days; Nutcracker in Birmingham; Scottish and Italian evenings; Denman College visit; poetry evening; outings to Bath and Shugborough Hall; sports taster evening; rambles; golfing day at Mile End and Kevin Gunnell flower arranging. On one occasion our skittles team came 3rd out of 12 teams, and on another our ladies enjoyed the energetic line dancing.
In 1993, members warmly welcomed creating a ‘Shropshire bedroom’ at Denman College and agreed to contribute £25 (5 bricks) to a Denman appeal to convert a stable block to accommodate handicapped members.
In 1999, Janis Crake attended the NFWI AGM at Royal Albert Hall and throughout the decade members spent time discussing the varied and forward-thinking resolutions that were put to the vote at each AGM.
Sometimes they were approved unanimously as were the following topics – protection of rivers, streams and ponds to limit abstraction of water from underground sources; reform of the legal definition of provocation to include prolonged domestic violence; increasing awareness of endometriosis; the increasing lack of NHS dentists; single person supplement on holidays (strong feelings from members on this); the use of car phones when driving (all agreed on a ban) and breast screening for the over 65s.
On other occasions it was not so straightforward, as with this resolution that ‘The EC draft directive authorising the patenting of life forms to be rejected until there is more public debate on legal, social, environmental and ethical implications’. ‘It was felt we didn’t really understand the implications of this resolution and left it to the discretion of our delegate’.
There was a 1995 resolution urging the introduction of identity cards for all UK residents over 18 – the majority were in favour with some dissension. In 1996, the Committee discussed an NFWI resolution about incorporation of Federations ‘We could not pretend to understand this resolution so hope that our proxy voter will make sense of it and vote accordingly’.
Involvement in local & national affairs
Bicton WI was always supportive of events in the village hall and often provided teas for the Bicton fete, one year making £100 to contribute to the roof funds. In 1995, they raised money for the village hall roof and medical treatment for Mrs Trow’s granddaughter – the Shannon Trow Trust – donating £90 each. They donated £100 in 1999 for a new heating system in the village hall and agreed to buy a new heater and time switch for the kitchen for £132.
In 1990, Institutes were asked by NFWI to hold tea parties to celebrate the WI’s 75th anniversary. It was agreed to combine it with the old age pensioners’ party. However, the pensioners’ parties stopped after this. They continued to provide Christmas gifts for Dolywern throughout the 1990s.
The Orthopaedic Hospital at Gobowen appealed in 1992 for funds for an MRI scanner and a radiologist from the hospital came as a speaker. Bicton WI held a bring & buy and draw for the appeal and sent £40.
Members knitted teddies for Romania resulting in 290 being sent. Here it is reported in the Shrewsbury Chronicle.
During the early 1990s, they collected clothes, food and sundries for Aid for Slovenia. The following year they were informed that 50,000 parcels had been sent and biros and crayons were now requested. In 1996, NFWI asked for ‘one woman to another’ parcels to be sent to former Yugoslavia and 35 bags were collected.
In 1999, they had a coffee morning to raise money for the Meningitis Trust – here they are courtesy of the Shrewsbury Chronicle.
The wider WI
NFWI had become a charitable company and the 1990s opened with the celebration of the WI’s 75th anniversary, followed by major collaborations with other charities.
In 1993, NFWI joined forces with CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft and the World Development Movement to become a founding member of the Fairtrade Foundation. As a result, over 1.4 million farmers and workers have been supported in improving their lives and their communities.
NFWI teamed up with World Wildlife Fund and Greenpeace UK in 1990 in a campaign to preserve the natural state of Antarctica. They succeeded in getting the UK government to back a 50-year moratorium on mining in Antarctica.
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