Hello, my name is Gwyneth Richardson; I am the current President of Park-Appleton WI. I am also a member of our Social Media team, along with 3 other ladies.
For many years, my husband and I, lived in Camp de Mar, in the SW region of the beautiful island of Mallorca but sadly, due to the failing health of my husband’s daughter due to MS, we returned to Warrington, 4 yrs ago.
Besides being involved in all matters of the WI, I enjoy gardening, reading, learning about The Internet and travelling.
I have 2 daughters, my eldest lives in Warrington and amazingly at the ripe old age of 44, gave birth to a baby girl, now 2yrs old and much loved.
My youngest, married to an American, lives in Denver, Colorado and has 3 boys. The boys all play Ice Hockey and it is amazing, how much I have learnt about this sport, over the last 15 years. I think I have visited all the Ice Rinks in the Denver area and even some out of State, so I can cheer the boys on in their game.
Why did you become a member of the WI?
When my husband (Allan) and I returned from living in Mallorca, it was so very difficult. My old friends had new friends, so the dynamics of all my English friends had changed.
So after much discussion with Allan, I decided to start afresh but still keep in contact with ’old’ friends.
I joined 2 WI’s, that both met in the local Village Hall. After 1 year of joint membership, I decided to join only Park-Appleton WI, as the ladies were very welcoming and above all-- friendly. It was a very daunting experience walking into the Hall on my own, wrapped up within an inch of my life, from the English weather and occasionally struggling to speak English words that I had forgotten. I couldn’t even spell my name in English!
Now it all seems so very amusing.
How would you sum up your WI?
Friendly and Welcoming!
We are an ‘old’ WI and have celebrated our 53rd Birthday. We badly needed new younger members with fresh ideas or we would ‘fade away’. So we set to work!
This year the committee have worked exceptionally hard---we started a Newsletter, which is very much appreciated. We have a colourful and informative Notice board. The Social Media Team work on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and StreetLife.
We have popular Walking and Gardening Groups and are now involved in many community activities and events. Ladies even sing in the Community Choir.
Two coach trip, a theatre trip, Book Club are in the planning stage for 2016.
It is very hard work though rewarding and there is still much to do, in attracting new members.
Happily I can write-----our numbers are slowly creeping up.
Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?
It is a wonderful way of meeting ladies of all ages, making new friends, listening to great speakers and taking part in discussions, on serious and sensitive subjects.
The WI is what you want it to be! You can just enjoy coming to a meeting or throw yourself into WI life with gay abandon!
What are you looking forward to as part of the WI Centenary in 2015?
This centenary year has given our Institute a great sense of pride to belong to this wonderful organization.
Last year The Baton came to our Parish Hall, kick starting our celebrations. Throughout 2015, The Cheshire Federation has organized many Centenary Events, which members have thoroughly enjoyed. We have taken great pride in listening to our ladies recount their experiences at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party and the AGM in the Royal Albert Hall.
At our WI, we are continuing the celebrations even into next year, with a trip to Anglesey and of course will be visiting the very first WI.
More importantly we hope to gain new members due to the various TV programmes, which have publicized this great organization of ours.
Finally thinking of the future, from the TV series, ‘Star Trek’, I quote Capt. John Luc Picard, of the Starship, ‘ Enterprise’.... ’Our mission is to boldly go, where no one has gone before.
