DISPLAY CASE

Beginnings

The First WI in Berkshire

The minutes shown here indicate that Hurst WI was the first branch in Berkshire. It was set up in April 1916 and there were 45 members present with Mrs Alice Martineau as president. Interestingly Mrs Watts, the Honorary Secretary of the National Council of Women’s Institutes of Canada, was also at the meeting. Mrs Madge Watts had been appointed by the Agricultural Organisation Society to set up WIs in Britain in 1915.

The ladies of the Hurst WI enlisted the help of the local Boy Scouts to distribute leaflets explaining the WI’s objectives and advertising the meetings to every house in Hurst.

The minutes reveal the typical WI set up of monthly meetings with a speaker and a demonstration on various subjects such as handicraft and growing food. Competitions, exhibitions and local or national aspects would also be discussed.

Every WI would have held meetings in this way and it is from the records that we can discover more about their activities.

WI Badges

Reference: D/EX1925/9/5/3

WI Badges

Shown here are WI badges from Boxford WI for the positions of President and Treasurer.

There is also a green badge for the Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) which was set up by Mrs Madge Watts in 1933, the Canadian who was originally tasked with setting up WIs in Britain in 1915.

The WI badge has a rose on the left to represent England and a maple leaf on the right as a reference to the WIs Canadian origins. The WI motto “For Home and Country” was also derived from Canada, but was very appropriate during wartime Britain.

BFWI Minute Book

Reference: D/EX2007/1/1

The Berkshire Federation

The first meeting of the Berkshire County Federation of Women’s Institutes was held on 31st January 1920. Mrs Emily Morrell was Chairman and there were 15 delegates present from WIs across the county as follows: Buckland, Burghfield, Curridge, Finchampstead, Greenham, Hare Hatch, Hermitage, Littlewick, Sandhurst, Shaw & Donnington, Shrivenham, Sonning, Streatley, Woodley and Yattendon & Frilsham. Just 10 years later there were 82 delegates.

The federation aimed to abide by the constitution and rules set out by the National Federation (on display here). The aim was to establish a mutual helpfulness between WIs in the county and co-ordinating their work. Sub-committees were set up to deal with specific aspects of WI functions such as Health and General Education, Finance, Music and Drama. Later, a social half hour followed the business of the meetings which gave the ladies a chance to relax over a nice cup of tea.

From the federation minutes we can discover more about the aspects that affected the whole county. Together with records of local branches, we get a real insight into WI life in Berkshire.