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Doynton and Wick Women's Institute

We organise garden visits, theatre trips and fundraising events during the year. 

Click here to see the full year's programme for 2012.

WI news January 2012: At the January meeting, three magistrates from Yate talked about their work. A lot of myths were exploded: magistrates are not paid, they are not trained lawyers, and they can send convicted offenders to prison, although only for a relatively short period. Much of their work takes place in the family court, where young people are dealt with in as informal and unintimidating an atmosphere as possible. The evening finished with a mock trial, in which President Sue Hickmore, playing a suspected shoplifter, was universally declared guilty by her members – there’s loyalty for you. The evening finished with a bring-and-buy sale.

WI news December 2011: "Just off to the WI Christmas party, dear: don't wait up." Perhaps our loved ones wouldn't have waved us off so cheerfully if they had seen us all watching a man taking his trousers off just two hours later. However, before all you ladies rush to join up (welcome as you would be, of course) perhaps you should know that the gentleman in question was not a hunk from the Chippendales, but Tim Mayo, resident pantomime dame with local amateur dramatic group the Warmley Players, and that the removal of the trousers revealed only a pair of voluminous bloomers. Tim talked about the centuries-old tradition of the pantomime, where the Principal Boy is always a girl, the Dame and the Ugly Sisters are men and the ghost is always "Behind you!", and shared a few make-up and style tips and his bra size (36DD, if you're interested). Members enjoyed a delicious meal, with beautiful crackers hand-made by your hard-working committee, and shared out their "Secret Santa" gifts. The table was piled high with socks, gloves and toiletries for donation to Julian House night shelter for the homeless in Bath. Next month's meeting features a talk on "The work of a magistrate". The competition is "Your most valuable key", and there will be a bring-and-buy sale. All welcome at Doynton village hall on Wednesday January 11th at 7.30p.m.

WI News November 2011: Our annual general meeting started with a resumé of the year's busy and varied activities. The President, Sue Hickmore gave her report and gave a special thank-you to the members of her hard-working committee. Sue was re-elected as President for the coming year. HAPitman gave a fascinating insight into the "Life and Times of Eileen Pitman", one of the founders of Doynton and Wick WI in 1924. Mrs Pitman also started the Wick Girl Guides, and retained an interest in all their activities. She had a most interesting life, and among her many talents were playing cricket, writing poetry and singing. She had a wonderful memory, and could recall hearing the news of the sinking of the Titanic. A lively quiz with topical questions from the time of Mrs Pitman followed. We were told she could easily have answered all of them, in which case she put the WI members to shame! Next month's meeting on December 14th (7.30p.m.) is the annual Christmas meal and party. Please bring a wrapped gift (maximum value £2) for the Secret Santa game, plus unwrapped socks/toiletries for Julian House night shelter for the homeless.

WI News October 2011: On October 12th, David and Eunice Elsbury took us, in our imaginations, on a jolly, nostalgic excursion to the seaside. Their multimedia presentation, including singalongs from end-of-the-pier concert parties up to the infamous "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", traced the popularity of seaside holidays.

Images from eighteenth-century engravings, Victorian photographs, "naughty" postcards and clips from a 1950s Butlins promotional film reminded us that sea bathing (initially in the nude) became a fashionable "cure" for the very rich. Soon the growth of steam transport, both on land and on water, enabled the wealthy middle classes to visit the developing resorts. Rising working-class incomers, the 1871 Bank Holidays Act and legislation in the mid-20th century guaranteeing workers one week's paid time off meant that a seaside holiday became possible for most classes and incomes. Piers became "leisure centres", and Punch and Judy, concert parties, funfairs and donkey rides all added to the fun.  

When British coastal defences were dismantled after the Second World War, the "packaged" all-weather holiday arrived with Billy Butlin. Childcare and in-house entertainment provided holidays for over two million people a year. As post-war incomes rose, the package holiday came to mean flying away to find the sun and, for very many of us, the new first stage of our annual seaside holiday took place at the airport.

Enthusiastic singing and lots of nods and "I remembers" assured David and Eunice of the audience's enjoyment - which was rounded off by a fish and chip supper served in newspaper by our indefatigable committee members. 

In November, the WI will hold its annual general meeting and elect its officers and committee for the coming year. Our own HA Swan will talk on the "Life and Times of Eileen Pitman" - HA's late mother-in-law and the founder of Doynton and Wick WI. All welcome at Doynton village hall on Wednesday November 9th, 7.30p.m. 


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