MFWI News

January 2021’s meeting started with the sad news of the passing of three members: Liz Keen, a committee member, Brenda Doran an ex-president and Marie Horne.

‘I wear one of my beautiful costumes and talk about all the naughty bits of history you would probably not have learnt about at school! I discuss royal mistresses, prostitution, sexual diseases of the time and the methods used to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Warning, this tour is not for the prude, it is fun but rude!’

This was the description our speaker Sarah Slater gave in her talk to our members in January, entitled Sex, Secrets, Scandal and Salacious Gossip of the Royal Court, 1660 to 1830. She spoke with great enthusiasm and showed slides and a vast array of activities at Hampton Court palace where Sarah is a tour guide. We were joined by members of Hayes Town, Southbourne and Stanwell WIs.

At our February meeting our speaker was Anthony Boden MBE. Anthony spoke to our members on his 18 years working as a Prison Officer in the Feltham Young Offenders Institution. The Institution is committed to providing a safe and educational environment where young boy 15–18 years and young men 18–21 years old can learn new skills to help them on release.

He gave us an insight into a day in the life of the residents. They have access to nursing staff, doctors and a library. All of the young people have access to religious services and multi faith rooms. Education is very much encouraged with 150 GCSEs passed, and one resident attending university. They also help each other to read. Anthony has worked in many sections across the Institution, and our members and visitors had many questions.

Our oldest member Kate Elliott celebrated her 106th birthday at the end of January. Kate lives with her daughter Pamela. Her family recorded their greetings so she could watch them at her leisure. Kate has been a WI member since 2004.

New President Linda Lawrence ‘door stepped’ three members with 25 year loyalty certificates. Margaret Band was one of the original start up members of our WI 28 years ago.

Then onto Margaret Ryan, our oldest member at 92, and Win Venner, who both joined within a few months of each other and have held various roles. It was then on to last but not least Doreen Smith, who has clocked up 45yrs in the Middlesex Federation, with both Harlington and Hayes Town WIs.

Well done to all these ladies for being enthusiastic contributors to the WI. Hopefully we will all be meeting up again soon showing. the ropes to several new members.

Pictured from left to right are Linda Lawrence with Margaret Band, Win Venner, Doreen Smith and Margaret Ryan.

Our February 2021 meeting was a bit of a strange anniversary for us, as it signified a year since our last in person meeting. We miss meeting in the community centre and can’t wait to be back there, but we’re so pleased that so many of our members have been able to engage with our meetings online.

We were delighted to welcome Celia from Eel Pie Island Museum in Twickenham to our meeting to tell us about the island’s heritage.

Described as ‘120 drunks clinging to a mudflat’, Eel Pie Island has a remarkable history including as the home of pioneering boatbuilders and as the birthplace of an extraordinary number of famous musical acts.

There was a time, for instance, when the Rolling Stones had a six month residence on the island and played every Wednesday night. The list of famous names that played the island was quite incredible – in addition to the Stones, during the 60s you could Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart, among others, at the beginning of their careers.

The talk also gave some of our members an opportunity to share their own memories of the island and other music venues at the time such as the Ealing Club and the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond.

We were astounded to learn that Eric Clapton still owes our committee member Janet 10 bob, and Mary once came across Marianne Faithful in a fur coat looking for her pussy. Only at the WI!