Your local site for information on the Cambridgeshire village of Isleham

WI  (Women's Institute)

Presentation of a cheque for monies raised by the WI for the

Alzheimer's Society

Doreen Rutterford, Molly Woodbridge,

Phyliss Fuller & Joyce Patterson

2011

At our meeting in March we were entertained by Jerry Dodd, who came to talk about “What’s that smell in the kitchen?” Jerry started off in the catering industry where he worked in many top establishments before branching out first as a trainer and later as an examiner. His interests seemed to be endless! He has fitted so much into his life, and could have talked all night.

In total contrast, in May we welcomed Mrs M. Browne to our meeting. Her subject was “Show and Tell of American and Norfolk Quilts”. Mrs Browne brought with her a large collection of quilts, some more than 100 years old, to demonstrate the difference between the two types, and members were amazed by the work involved in the hand-stitched quilts. Recently, several members went on a Federation arranged visit to Oxford. It was a lovely day, with time in the morning to wander freely, then a tour round some of the colleges with a Blue Badge Guide. We finished the afternoon in Exeter College, which was established in 1314, and is opposite the Bodleian Library. We were treated to a lovely cream tea in the dining room, and then spent time looking around the beautiful chapel, where we were able to admire works by William Morris who was a student at Exeter. It was a most enjoyable day.

If you would like to join the WI or simply come to a meeting to see what it is like, please do come along. We meet on the second Thursday (not June) of each month in the Village Hall, 7.30 for 7.45pm, and new members are always welcome. For further information contact: Glenda Preece

01638 780734; gjpreece@aol.com

80th year Celebrations

On Sept 11 1915 the Women's Institute was formed in the UK. Only seven and a half years later, on Feb 15 1923, the Isleham WI was founded and to celebrate the event a special dinner and entertainment was held in the Village Hall in Isleham on Saturday Feb. 15 exactly eighty years since they were formed. An ex-member, Rosie Tat, provided the excellent food. Entertainment was provided by Sophie Turner who demonstrated and gave lessons in Line Dancing and The Band with no Name from Chippenham then played Folk music and led sing-a-longs. Members brought husbands and guests to share in the event.

The oldest serving member of Isleham WI, Peggy Diver, who has been a member since 1948, cut the celebration cake, which had been made by her daughter, Ruth.

The Isleham WI still has a membership of forty-five even though numbers are declining elsewhere.

WI Committee 2009

Hazel Thompson, Glenda Preece, Jenny Flatt, Mary Wightman

Lesley Cockerton, Pauline Wilkes, Gill Aspland, Janice Pope

Joyce Drayton, Jean Bird

Missing members  Eve Graham, Carolyn Bird & Peggy Diver

WI Quilting Group

Quilt Aid 1986-7

Olwyn Doggett, Mary Eagle

Rose Brown, Phyllis Fuller, Doris Thoday, Joyce Patterson,  ????, Doreen Rutterford, Lencie Garner, Margaret Williams

WI Gala Day Float 19??

Anne Heffer, Meg Clarke, Helen Hall, Renee Turner

WI Summer Outing Sat 24th July 2010

Norwich Theatre Royal Calender Girls

Carolyn Bird, Sylvia Slater, Joyce Drayton, Pauline Wilkes

WI Summer Outing 2008?

Ely Boat Trip & meal at the Cutter Inn

Jean Bird, ??????, Carolyn Bird

ISLEHAM boasts a thriving Women’s Institute whose members

meet monthly to follow an interesting annual programme.

NEW MEMBERS

New members are always welcome at our meetings.

If you have thought about joining but have not quite got around

to doing so, let us assure you that you will be made very welcome.

We are a small and friendly group of women gathered together to

pursue a wide range of interests together in friendship.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Isleham WI hopes that you have found the above information interesting. If you would like to know more, come and see us at the Village Hall on the second Thursday of each month except June (annual outing).

Have a couple of taster sessions to see if you like what we do. You will be under no obligation whatsoever to join. Of course, we hope that you will but whatever you decide, your welcome will be very warm indeed.

Contact: Glenda Preece

Tel: 01638 780734

Email: gjpreece@aol.com

Meetings held in the Village Hall on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7.30pm

Visit the National Federation of Women's Institutes' (NFWI) website.