DISPLAY CASE

Showing Support

Entries from the first Hurst WI Minute Book showing the work they did to support the troops and grow food during the First World War:

(Top) 14^th July 1916: this refers to the collecting of vegetables to be sent to wounded soldiers in Reading.

(Middle) 2^nd August 1916: this refers to the making of bandages for wounded soldiers.

(Bottom) 1^st January 1919: this refers to the total number of items made between August 1916 and December 1918 by the Red Cross Working Party of Women’s Institutes. Operation towels, swabs, bandages, slings – some 12, 494 items!

Berkshire Federation of WIs Minute Book

Reference: D/EX2007/6/1

Jam Making

The Berkshire Federation Agricultural and Horticultural (later Agricultural and Rural Domestic Economy) Sub-Committee minutes refer to procuring canning machines for fruit preservation and holding a conference on jam where members could share recipes and bring along samples.

The preservation of food was very important during wartime as it enabled food to last longer. The BFWI was even consulted by the Ministry of Agriculture as to the average amount of fruit that was canned and made into jam per year.

The minutes of April 1940 shown here possibly sum up the feelings of the WI in how they should support Britain during wartime:

“what mattered most was what the members could do for the good of the country, not what they could get from joining the guild”.

Berkshire Federation or Women's Institutes Organisation Committee Minutes

Reference: D/EX2007/2/6

Hospitality for the Troops

The Berkshire Federation of Women’s Institutes Organisation Committee Minutes of 1940, discussed whether members could provide hospitality for soldiers who were off duty. The idea was to provide help to those who could not get around without their own transportation.

The Executive Committee minutes of the same year shown here, refer to the fact that it was agreed that Searchlight Units would ask their men if they would appreciate such hospitality. If they did, the local President would then have to take action.

Photograph of the Crew of H.M.S. Hawthorn

Reference: D/EX172/4

Adopting Ships

The Brightwell-cum-Sotwell WI adopted H.M.S. Hawthorn during the Second World War. Shown here is a photograph of the crew. Below the photograph is the back of another photograph inscribed with a note of thanks to the WI by the crew for their continued support.