History
At the end of the 19th century a Canadian woman tragically lost her 14 month old son, due she felt, to him drinking contaminated milk. Her name was Adelaide Hoodless and from this tragic event she felt there was a need for rural women to be educated in domestic science and agricultural matters and at the same time to meet socially in what was a rural and isolated environment. 101 women turned up for the first meeting and the WI was formed.

Arriving in this country in 1915 the WI rapidly spread through England and Wales (Scotland has it's own version) with Wolston, Bretford & Brandon WI opening in 1918. In 1987 we were temporarily suspended but before we were officially closed we were able to reform in 1989. We were renamed as Wolston WI and have gone from strength to strength in the following years with now over 60 members.

Nowadays there are WI's opening in libraries, workplaces, prisons, in villages, towns and city centres, attracting young and old alike eager to learn, have fun and find friendship.

Activities
As well as our monthly meetings, we have a variety of activities that members can participate in including a badminton group, craft group, workshops, a supper club and a gin club to name just a few. We also enjoy theatre and cinema trips as well as outings to historic houses, gardens, literary festivals etc. Various activities, which are now a part of the village, were instigated by the WI, a book club, 'Village Voices' ladies singing group, and the borders by the millennium millstone are jointly maintained by the WI (plus friends) and the Parish Council. A photographic competition was started in 2016, which has resulted in a photography group forming in the village which we hope will grow.

We join other local W.I’s in our group socially, or to fundraise, and enjoy a Christmas Carol Service together. Our Warwickshire Federation put on many activities, talks and outings, so we meet up with other members through the county.

Yearly we debate on a resolution which then goes forward to the National AGM. In the past this process has instigated 'Keep Britain Tidy', support for our dairy farmers and local libraries, or encourage people to register for organ donation, to name but a few.

Projects
We have several ongoing projects, knitting squares to make blankets which we pass onto the Salvation Army, a few members go once a month to teach knitting at Youell Court, and the choir are planning to visit there to have an afternoon of singing, tea cosies are made and given to the Stock Pot at Ryton Organic to be sold for charity.

Village
Within the village we participate in the scouts duck race, the Garden Walkabout, and in the past, Golden and Diamond Jubilee celebrations for the Queen, raft races and Christmas Victorian evenings, so we feel we are an active outgoing WI that has something for all ages.

Personal
On joining the WI little did I realise I would listen to or meet well known names at WFWI meetings - Pru Leith chef, Bill Giles TV weatherman, Simon Weston Falklands War veteran, Ann Widdecombe MP, author Derek Langdon, Adam Henson Countryfile presenter, Lucy Worsley, historian, the list goes on.

That I would attend workshops to learn how to make a teddy bear, or a necklace in beading, come home with a piece of pottery, wickerwork, or a silk scarf personally dyed, and all being fairly presentable was a bonus !

On a more serious note knowing that by donating my costume and broken jewellery, through ACWW (Associated Country Women of the World, to which the WI is affiliated), I would be supporting women in Africa and India set up their own businesses through them being given a cow or a hive of bees.

If you had told me I would one day be going to a garden party at Buckingham Palace representing Wolston WI I would not have believed you, but in 2015 I was there celebrating the centenary of the WI, what an experience.

Jam & Jerusalem
We are often gently ribbed or teased as being 'All Jam & Jerusalem' but where does that come from?

Jam
In this day and age of food a plenty it is difficult to imagine what it was like to have food rationing during (and after) World War Two, with food convoys under attack from U-Boats the supply route was very vulnerable and ships were often lost, but such was the case. So with the WI already known for making and selling their own preserves through markets, they secured extra supplies of sugar from the Ministry of Food to enable them to organise the preservation of fruits and vegetables, with other groups, to help feed the nation, a valuable contribution to the war effort.

So to Jerusalem.
Hubert Parry had previously been asked to write the music to the poem Jerusalem written by William Blake. He was a firm believer in women having the right to vote and also a supporter of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Association, and he gave them his permission to use his music with Jerusalem to sing at their meetings.

After the suffragette movement disbanded Parry was so impressed with the new WI , which had formed with the support and a lot of help from previous suffragette members, that he allowed the WI to continue this tradition.

Parry died in 1918 but in his will he bequeathed the copyright of his music to the WI when ALL women aged 21 and over got the right to vote, this came to realisation in 1928.

Over the last century we have seen many changes in the lives of women and in their role in society, in the workplace and in the home, hopefully all for the better. So as we move forward in this age of digital technology that we all embrace, let us not forget our humble beginnings and be proud of what we have achieved.

So - 'All Jam & Jerusalem' ?

Yes, and much more besides.

Jane Gibbs

Back - to WI Home Page