The Wi

My late highly esteemed grandmother drove a canteen van across Scotland overnight so that the people caught up in the Clydebank blitz could have some much needed refreshment. It was a long dark and dangerous twisty road in those days. We were very proud of her. She was a keen member of 'The Rural' as she always called it. They got a canning machine and tinned everything they could think of. The habit of make do and mend never left her and thrift was her watchword. I wish I'd listened more when she was alive.

Our WI celebrated the centenary with a garden party and fundraiser for our chosen charity as it links with the current campaign to raise awareness about organ donation. The garden party took place at my hose and the cakes were made by members of our WI

This is the charity. The family of the little girl came along to the event.
www.facebook.com/GeorgiaLovesJoshua

GNHQ why not retitle thread to WI. Otherwise it looks like its re a computer game?

Good idea Jane10!

I thought it was about e-games and exercise when I clicked on it!!

So did I!!! - lack of capital "i" in the thread title would seem to be the problem!

Our village WI declared UDI and became the same group, doing all the same things, but not having to pay subs to national WI.

Yes. I almost dared to hope this was about that thing I gave GS2, and he gets so much pleasure out of.

Autocorrect can be very funny. #littlethings

Yes, I remember that thread too!

We are having a vintage afternoon tea to celebrate and we are asking our lovely postmaster if we can take over his shop window for a while to raise the profile of the WI. We have a bunting making session next week to get ready.
I have been a member since my early twenties, having been bought up with WI. It has between a huge part of my life and taught me a great many useful things.

Cari and Shysal

I'll never live that down will I!

WI markets are great. I get a lovely ginger cake regularly from ours. Love WI markets.

And a fantastic apple cake.

Jane10 like you I wished I had asked lots of questions of my granparents + their past. if I had my grandmothers may have told me about the wonderful lady from the Rural who came to help them during the Clydebank Blitz. Perhaps there is a lesson here a written record to pass on to our grandchildren Might be something to consider

You've got me thinking now, Cherrytree. I recently found a beautiful leather bound notebook that I bought cheap in TKMaxx or somewhere similar. I had a vague idea of handwriting my life story (freely edited, natch) but than I forgot all about it. Perhaps I'll give it a go after all, just for the grandchildren's interest in years to come.

Continuing the theme of the WI, I feel it is a shame it does not have a better image as it is still seen in many quarters as rather fuddy-duddy and not for the modern woman. How could they change that?

You've got me thinking now, Cherrytree. I recently found a beautiful leather bound notebook that I bought cheap in TKMaxx or somewhere similar. I had a vague idea of handwriting my life story (freely edited, natch) but than I forgot all about it. Perhaps I'll give it a go after all, just for the grandchildren's interest in years to come.

Continuing the theme of the WI, I feel it is a shame it does not have a better image as it is still seen in many quarters as rather fuddy-duddy and not for the modern woman. How could they change that?

Good idea NotTooOld. My father passed away this year ,he had dementia before it got too bad, we went through all his old photographs and wrote down who was on them, where they were taken etc. It was very enjoyable as the really old ones I didn't really know who was who. I'm going te scan on to the computer this winter + then box up for greatgrand children. On the WI may be it is something we grow in to, when we get more time. I'm not in it a present but am thinking of joining. More publicity might help as watched programm docu called I think 'cake and...' (can't rem the rest) which I found ineresting. I also enjoyed the drama Home Fires.

My recently widowed friend has joined the WI although not the nearest to her. I think you have to choose one to suit you. She plays table tennis, darts?, has joined the choir and they have formed a little " concert party " and they go and entertain in nursing and residential homes. Oh I forgot Zumba and two weeks ago they went to Anglesey which had some connection with the start of the movement , I can't recall what she said, and the local branch gave them a lovely lunch. It certainly has moved with the times.