Pembridge Women’s Institute 1919-2019
Women’s Institutes began in 1915. They were encouraged by the Government, who saw the potential for women to aid the war effort. The emphasis, in those early days, was on encouraging women in rural areas to boost the production of food. In the Second World War, WIs played a vital role in preserving food and looking after evacuees dispersed to the countryside.
Based on a Canadian model, the first UK WI started in Anglesey. The movement soon spread with the National Federation of WIs, a democratic, non-party political and voluntary organisation formed in 1917, mainly by women involved in the suffrage movement. It’s motto “ For Home and Country” reflected the role it would play in times of national emergencies.
While the image of the WI may be focussed on domestic and craft skills, as early as 1918, the National Federation were lobbying local authorities to improve housing. Their campaigning activities have included the formation of the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign, equal pay, recycling of waste, tackling homelessness, HIV/ AIDs education, and prison reform. Raising money for charities is also a feature of WI activities, perhaps most famously depicted in the film “Calendar Girls”.
Pembridge WI June 1919
Pembridge WI started in 1919 and continued until 2019. The first president was Mrs Green- Price of the Rectory. Miss Annie Beavan of Court House was secretary, with Mrs Owens of Weston House as Treasurer. Others at the inaugural meeting included Mrs Powell of Marston Barn, Mrs Arthur Evans, Mrs Edwards, Mrs Tinsley of Twyford, and Mrs Millard of Kingsland.
Recalling those early years, Mrs Evans, speaking in 1969 said, “….we had talks and demonstrations, always a game or competitions, and refreshments, including homemade lemonade.” A memorable day for her was attending Hereford Cathedral, for a service of dedication for all the County’s Wis. This was followed by a procession from the Cathedral to the Shire Hall, with each WI branch displaying its banner. In more recent times Pembridge WI has made a new banner, shown in the picture.
To raise money in the depressing post war decade, working parties were organised to make rugs, quilts, and garments which were sold or raffled. Plays and concerts were also a feature of a time when people had to make their own entertainment. The annual concert raised funds which one year provided the district nurse with a bicycle.
Wartime Role
In the 1930s, Mrs Evans was Secretary of the Pembridge WI. She contacted Redwood Town WI in New Zealand and exchanged regular correspondence with them. During the food shortages of WWII food parcels from New Zealand were welcomed in Pembridge. Once more the WI adopted the role of preserving food for the nation. Mrs Florence Smith organised mammoth canning sessions at The Leen, when over 2,000 tins of fruit and tomatoes were preserved. Members also manned the canteen at RAF Shobdon and looked out for the welfare of evacuees.
1950s and 1960s
A highlight of this period was the visit to Pembridge WI of Percy Thrower. For younger readers, he was one of the first garden experts to present on radio and TV, as famous as Monty Don or Alan Titchmarsh today.
By the 1960s, the character of Pembridge was already changing, as one WI member commented at the time, “Villages are no longer the self-contained little units they used to be – young people tend to leave for careers in the towns and cities, and townspeople come to live in the villages. The then President, Mrs Olwen Wood, and Secretary Mrs Scott, were both new to village life into which they ploughed their energies.
In the 1960s to celebrate their 50th anniversary, WIs were set the task of researching local history and creating a record of this. Pembridge WI rose to the task and created a window into our past. Their research formed the catalyst for the recent exhibitions held by “ Portrait of Pembridge” and the commentary on this website about the history of the school and railway station.
In an era when few women had the freedom to pursue an independent career, or to hold office in government or business, the WI provided an avenue for them to harness their talents and contribute beyond their own home. Times change and Pembridge WI closed in 2019. Its members have now joined forces with Staunton on Arrow where it continues to thrive.
Kay Ingram
September 2023
