Week 43 - Market Harbrough

Introduce yourself

My name is Claire Salisbury, 34 and I am a member of Market Harborough WI, this is my second year and I am on the committee.

I work for company that sells pharmacy robotics in the UK and worldwide and I get to travel a lot and I also set up as a wedding planner for Lefkada, Greece three years ago which I do in my spare time!

Why did you become a member of the WI?

My mum joined first to meet new people as she worked from home. She told me about the meetings and undertook to build their website. I was giving lots of promotional ideas and finally she said, why don't you come and join us! I had a lovely email from the first president and founder Hazel Stacey and I went along to see what it was all about.

I had tried a couple of other WIs previously. The first was a nice evening but everyone was at least twice my age or older and exactly what my perception of the WI had been. Having read articles of young, modern WIs in London I was disappointed. The second group was more modern and average younger but there was a long waiting list so I forgot about it completely until about 18 months later when I was persuaded to try MHWI.

How would you sum up your WI?

Our phrase is old and new and I think we encompass that perfectly. We try to keep the ethos of the WI and the focus is on the local area and promoting women but with a modern, forward thinking outlook. We have members from ages 20s to 70s which is really great. We featured in an article about the new WI in The Sun newspaper Dec 2013

https://marketharboroughwi.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/the-sun-9-dec-14-mhwi.pdf

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

Meet new people, try new things you might never have considered before. As well as the meetings you can also access the monthly social events which are only open to members. The meeting attendance is not compulsory so you can get as much out of the membership as suits your lifestyle or availability!

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

We are trying to do a number of events and theme things at our meetings all with a '100 theme' where ever we can.

Week 41 - Heath Charnock

Introduce yourself

Caroline Pharaoh Hesketh. Heath Charnock WI. I am President, media secretary, and also help booking our speakers.

Why did you become a member of the WI?

I joined because a friend of mine had been a member for a long time and encouraged me to go along.

How would you sum up your WI?

Friendly ladies of mixed age range. Was established in 1937, so has been going a long time.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

Would encourage other to join because of the social aspect, getting to know other women and learning about all sorts of stuff as well.

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

We have organised a Live Broadcast in a local theatre. All 236 have been reserved all ready. We are also hosting the Group meeting for 2015, the theme is 'The Mad Hatters Tea party' and this should be a really fun event.

Week 39 - Derby Federation

This week the account is being managed by Linda Singleton (Trustee), Diane McHarg (vice chair) Chrisse Booth (chairman), Bernadette Davies (Vice Chair) and Joan Rowland (Trustee).

Introduce yourself

Alfreton WI - I have been president, but don't currently hold office. First joined WI in 1984. As a Federation Trustee, I am editor of our inhouse monthly newsletter. I chair our Media Hub sub-committee which covers PR, our newsletter, website, a monthly page in Derbyshire Life, and Social Media. I am also personally responsible for our Federation Facebook page and Twitter account, and also helping our WI's to do their own Facebook pages, and Twitter when they want that, (most only seem to want FB at the moment, but it's a start!). I'm newishly retired having been an insurance broker for many years.

Why did you become a member of the WI?

I moved to a small village way away from my family and friends (husband's job) with 2 children and another on the way. At 23 weeks pregnant there were complications and after being hospitalized for a week, I was sent home to take it easy. A knock on the door proved to be the president of our local WI,  home made cake in hand, saying that she'd heard I was in trouble, and could the WI help with my washing! When baby 3 arrived safely, of course I joined!!

How would you sum up your WI?

I have moved around a bit, and experienced  various WIs. Sadly in this one 2/3 of the members are largely unenthusiastic and elderly, although the two don't have to go together. There's work to be done, and things are improving.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

WI is such an important part of my life and has made  a huge difference to me personally, I can't think of any woman that wouldn't benefit in some way.

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

The Royal Garden Party. Having given up my ticket (sob) due to the over-subscription, I was lucky enough to get a cancellation, so I had a second chance. Closely followed up by the AGM screening which I watched with a local group of WI's in an hotel, with lunch etc laid on too. As the only Trustee there, I was asked to cut the cake. I didn't have the same struggle as the Queen!.