Pulverbatch WI
The National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) is the largest organisation for women in the UK with 215,000 members in England, Wales and the Islands. The Women's Institute celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.
The ideals of the Women's Institute of truth, justice, tolerance and fellowship are as strong and important now in the 21st century as they were at the birth of the WI in 1915.
The WI exists to educate women to enable them to provide an effective role in the community, to expand their horizons and to develop and pass on important skills.
Pulverbatch WI
www - the world wide web - websites could have been made for us as at Pulverbatch WI, we're proud of our past but look forward to our future.
The Women's Institute movement started in Canada in the 1940s and it is still providing a friendly meeting place for local women of all ages. In fact it is the place to meet friends and chat over a cup of coffee, listen to speakers on a wide range of subjects - often with a Shropshire slant - and discuss important issues, such as global warming, the environment, affordable housing and the shortage of women's public loos! At our London headquarters our views are collated with those of members throughout the British Isles to be presented to Government bodies.
We join with other Institutes, from time to time, for social events or to hear a speaker we could not afford and we are able to attend County Federation events or excursions, join a course at the WI's own college in Oxfordshire, or a holiday arranged by another Federation.
We welcome new members to our monthly meetings at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, held on the second Thursday of each month except August, though we sometimes have an informal garden meeting then. We open our meetings to everyone from time to time as we know the subject matter will appeal to many local folk.
We want Pulverbatch Women's institute to go on well into the 21st century at least - if you are female, interested in making friends, and want to join a lively bunch, make sure you join us!
Pulverbatch WI celebrates its 80th Birthday
Early January 2005 saw the 80th Birthday of Pulverbatch W.I. The inaugural meeting was held on 14th January 1925 at the Village Hall as it had been decided by a number of ladies in Pulverbatch and the surrounding area to set up a local branch of what was then a fairly new Institution. It was agreed that meetings would take place at the Village Hall once a month and these have continued ever since, even during the war years.
Those original members have come and gone but we are very proud that our two longest serving members (both over 60 years) – Nancy Hill and Elsie Morris were able to join us at our 80th Celebration. This took place at the Village Hall on the evening of 13th January 2005 when members enjoyed a delicious 3-course meal, entertainment and the opportunity for a good chat. We were very pleased that the Chairman of Shropshire Federation of W.Is, Hilary Cuffley, was able to join us, as was Anne Harris our Local Group Convenor.
We sincerely hope that the branch will continue to thrive for the next 80 years, as it is very much part of local village life and tradition – something that we all hope will continue. But this will only happen if, over next few years, we get some new members.
Pulverbatch Branch currently has 25 members and meets on the second Thursday of the month usually at the Village Hall. We have an interesting programme of speakers and demonstrators with such varied themes as Feng Shui, Garden Design and being a Pantomime Dame! We also have garden meetings, social events and trips out in the Summer with the opportunity to join other branches on visits further afield such as the Christmas Evening at Shugborough and courses at Denman (the W.I.’s own college in Oxfordshire).
Contrary to popular belief, there is plenty to interest younger members who will be the future of the branch in our village and will carry on the tradition. Our members are not ’cookery obsessed jam makers’ but are a friendly group of locals who enjoy a monthly get-together, a cup of coffee and a chat. We would welcome some new faces and I would urge anyone out there to come along and see what we do – you won’t be asked to do anything other than enjoy yourself – honest! Please don’t let this important part of village life fade away.
For further information please contact Pearl Mottram on 718241 or treasurer Pat Wilkinson on 718210.