Nov 1965 Oct 1967 Jan 1985 May 1991 It was decided to send Christmas parcels to over 65s this year. Decided to support the Isle of Ely Society for the Blind again. Several members offered to knit vests for the children of Losotho. Decision to have a Knit In for Cheshire Homes. Childbirth, Childhood, Marriage, Death Jan 1924 Jan 1926 Aug 1933 Sep 1934 Oct 1935 Oct 1936 Feb 1952 Feb 1954 Mrs Smith proposed that Mrs Shippey should order 8 dozen toys – rattles, trumpets etc The Secretary was asked to send a letter of sympathy to Mrs Brown from the members of the WI. Mrs Shippey presented our late secretary with a bookcase, from the members on the occasion of her wedding. The President the members to stand for 1 minute in silence to the memory of Mrs Cook . . . who died recently. A short reference was made to the passing of Mrs Gee, who had been a member for many years. The Vice President promised to send a letter of condolence to the family. . . . an appeal to members to impress on children the need for care on the road. The members & visitors stood in silence in memory of the late King George VI . . . proposed . . . that floral tributes for deceased members do For a party for the children of the village Death of Mr Brown, Rector
May 1976 not cost more than 25/-. Members observed a minute’s silence in memory of Mrs Sharp, a founder member of the Institute. Clothes, Fashion Sep 1927 May 1928 Oct 1934 Oct 1937 Jun 1938 Nov 1979 Nov 1976 Nov 1983 Miss Smith gave a very nice and interesting demonstration on home dressmaking. Miss Smith (Fleetway House) gave a demonstration on making a coat with Kut Eezi patterns. Mrs Vincent gave a talk and demonstration on The Care of the Hair. Dressmaking classes commence on Nov 4th, a good number of members promised to attend, the fee being 3/- for 10 lessons. Miss Butler, of Wisbech, demonstrated on the cutting out of underwear. We enjoyed a fashion display by Dorothy Perkins. This meeting was held at the Isle College, Wisbech. 15 members enjoyed a demonstration on hairdressing. After refreshments we had a fashion show.
May 1936 Nov 1952 Sep 1972 28 certificates were awarded out of 28 entries at the Chatteris Handicraft Exhibition. Mrs Bowcock gave a most interesting demonstration on making flowers from crepe paper. 5 members are to attend a One Day School on collage and fabric pictures. Diet/Food Oct 1926 Mar 1931 Mar 1935 May 1939 Sep 1941 Apr 1942 Apr 1945 Jan 1973 Miss Petty gave a very interesting talk on Invalid Cookery, dwelling very much on cabbage water . . . Birthday supper was served which consisted of sausages and bread, some mince pies and coffee. Members sat down to an excellent supper of sausages and mashed potato with gravy, followed by cakes, tea and coffee. Miss Dickin, from the Milk Marketing Board, gave a talk on food values. Talk on wartime cookery by Mrs Hartley of Upwell. Miss Allen gave an interesting talk on meatless dishes. Miss McCowan gave an excellent talk on ‘What to eat for health’. Planned menu for forthcoming 50th birthday: golden vegetable soup, gammon & pineapple, roasted & creamed potatoes, fresh cream gateaux, cheese & Miss Petty was also known as ‘The Pudding Lady’. Birthday meal again. Produced in premises with no or electricity. Caterers: Parish of March
Mar 1970 by the manufacturers of Crown Wallpaper. The President welcomed . . . the Walsoken Skiffle who entertained us very successfully all evening. Events : Local, National, International Jul 1929 Sep 1929 Jun 1932 Aug 1934 Apr 1937 Nov 1952 Mar 1952 August Garden Party: Mr & Mrs Hoyles have kindly lent us their grounds. County Fete at Chatteris. There were 80 entries from Newton & we obtained 12 first prizes & 32 certificates. Garden Party on Aug 4th at 6.30pm, to be held at The Orchards. There would be a cricket match, WI members versus the schoolboys. This meeting took the form of an exhibition of produce & flowers. Members were invited to give their names for tickets to view the Coronation procession. The President gave notice of a meeting to discuss Coronation celebrations. . . . some of the members enjoyed a happy day in London visiting the Handicraft Exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Farming Jul 1967 We do not have a meeting during the strawberry season. Finance Mar 1923 Jan 1924 Feb 1931 Feb 1936 Oct 1936 Jul 1954 Sep 1956 Nov 1956 It was agreed that, as the rules of exemption from entertainment tax were rather difficult to keep, the Secretary should be asked to provide a receipt book & entertainment tax stamps . . . to be brought to each taxable meeting. The Treasurer presented her account for 1923 showing a balance of £6. The Treasurer reminded members that such a good balance not be expected each year. Balance from the whist drive for the Wisbech Building Fund £5..5/-. This has been sent. Correspondence: from Mrs Newling, warning us that gramophone records should not be played at meetings unless a fee is paid. The Secretary was to get in touch with Miss Shepperson re grant from County Council. £10 received for hire of Hall for school meals service. Charges for the hire of the Hall are to be increased . . . an extra charge of 5/- for the use of piano at parties to be made. The caretaker is to receive £6 a year in Fund to build a WI Hall in Wisbech, would provide a rest room for all WI members on market days.
Apr 1946 Sep 1991 Miss Vincent gave a talk on the care of the feet. Mrs demonstrated emergency treatment to be given when people collapse. Household Management Oct 1932 Nov 1945 Mrs Pryor gave a demonstration on poultry dressed for the table, also for market. Mrs Kitchen gave hints on Household Jobbery, and showed how locks can be repaired, taps be put in order & fuses for electric light etc be mended. Immigrants/new people moving to village Sep 1939 The President welcomed quite a number of visitors, who came from the evacuated areas, & expressed a hope that they were happy in their new homes. Living Conditions Sep 1929 Jan 1930 Mar 1939 Oct 1945 Owing to the shortness of water we were unable to have the refreshments. Resolution re the Marham water – the village paper had been signed by all residents. Our petition re the Marham water . . . is to be put to a special meeting of the Waterworks Company. There were 512 signatures on it. Mr Brown gave a talk on rural housing, after explaining the layout of the Swedish wooden houses, some of which are being erected in this district.
Nov 1941 Oct 1942 May 1943 Oct 1944 spoke of the Fruit Preserving Scheme & urged everyone to help, as it was work of national importance. Mrs Blackwell appealed for offers of beds & bedding, towels, hot water bottles, old linen etc for use in the Parish Room in the event of an invasion by the enemy. Institutes are asked to send rabbit skins for lining garments for Russians, and gifts of rug wool & hessian for our soldier prisoners of war. Mrs Green of Gorefield told of her experiences in France during the last war. A talk was given by Mrs Blackwell, a former President, on her work in the ATS. Schoolmaster’s wife. Other Dec 1923 Mar 1924 Mar 1932 Sep 1932 The Secretary was asked to order: 4lb lump sugar 1lb tea 1 large bottle coffee 1 gallon of oil Mrs Shippey announced that only 2 entries had been received for the jumper competition. This was disappointing, and all members were reminded that the Institute was not formed for pleasure only. We had a debate ‘Married or Single, is the happier lot?’ Miss Shippey has very kindly undertaken to lend For a social evening. Oil for lamps? Single won. For folk-dancing class.