Introduce yourself
I am Teresa Hemms 65 years young and have been married to Robert for 9 years.
I am in my second year as President of Woolavington WI which I am loving. I am a member of Somerset County Federation Events Committee. I am also a Dual member of Walton WI a village nearby.
I lived in Cheltenham until I retired. I trained as a Registered nurse,qualified 1969. I nursed part time on the nurse bank at Sue Ryder Hospice at Leckhampton Court in Cheltenham and a manager of Supported Housing prior to my retiring. I have one daughter Lee who is married to Mike they have two children Oscar 13yrs and Charlotte 11yrs and live close by here in Somerset. I’m Stepmum to Roberts 3 children.Penny twin to Stephen and Julian. Step-grandma to 4 boys children, Julian’s sons Martin 18yrs,he’s at Loughborough Uni.Rob 13yrs Ed 11yrs and live in Brisbane Australia and Stephen’s son Caelum 2 and 3/4.
Robert and I are also volunteers with 40 Commando Royal Marines families,offering low level support.
I am a member of my GP surgery Patient Participation Group.
Why did you become a member of the WI?
When I retired 2011 and finally moved permanently to Woolavington (we had bought our bungalow in 2006 and travelled weekends to Somerset). I gave myself a year to settle in,then looked at what I wanted to do, I joined the gym and lost 4stone in weight and joined the WI to make friends in the village and see what it was all about. I have met some lovely people. Little did I know I would become President in such a short space of time.
How would you sum up your WI?
Our WI is a small but select group of ladies!! Membership fluctuates numbers have decreased over the years we have 30 members at present. Our age range is mid fifties to early nineties,we are a friendly and fun loving group.
Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?
I found the WI a great way of connecting with the village and this has led to Robert my husband making friends as well with the Church lads group. He is a stalwart helping with my WI activities,he’s modelled for a County Fashion show, and taken part in our WI evening in our Day at the Seaside as a Sailor and Ice Cream seller. Were hoping we can attract the younger ladies in the village to join the WI.
WI gives opportunities to learn new things and have fun on the way,share your own talents,join groups within the WI, Knit and Sew,Lunch Club, and Slimming among a few things available outside the meeting times.
What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?
Where shall I start... What an honour. I have been given the wonderful opportunity to go to The Royal Albert Hall as delegate. I am looking forward to it immensely.
Beginning with The Centenary Baton is coming to Wells in March and as part of our celebrations in Somerset County we are staging Alice in WI land. The County WI’s have been divided into 4 and each has produced a short sketch around the Alice in Wonderland story. We will all perform at our AGM later in the year.
As a member of Walton WI I will be donning a black dress adorned with a sunflower and big hat as we do Richard Stilgoe’s Calendar Girls, this has been adapted for Alice in WI land Rehearsals start in February.
I am nurturing over the winter the Centenary Rose Inspiration that I bought from WI Life magazine. I’m eagerly awaiting the blooms.
PS I am also a Cliffette and will also be at the Royal Albert Hall in October for Cliffs 75th Birthday concert more and more excitement.