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Scaynes Hill - Womens Institute
05 February Posted by Pat Barnett
The Scaynes Hill Womens Institute was founded on 19th April 1917 and was one of the first in England since the WI movement, which originated in Canada 20 years earlier, only came to this country in 1915.
Its object was to provide a meeting place for country women where they would find friendship, entertainment and learn new skills and be given a voice in local affairs. In fact the WI meeting each month was in many cases the only outlet these women had for their surplus energy and the meetings were much looked forward to. Scaynes Hill WI formed a choir, performed amateur theatricals and helped where they were needed in village events.
Times have changed and country women today, happily, are no longer isolated in their villages. However, we like to think that the Women's Institute still has a great deal to offer.
During the First World War WI's around the country were working to produce food - Scaynes Hill WI had a rabbit club. The rabbits were described in the "The Landswomen" as "patriotic rabbits". Members ran a soft - fruit cooperative, buying eight dozen bushes between them, as well as growing a hundred "superlative raspberry canes" donated by Colonel Stapleton - Cotton. The Colonel also made them a gift of fifty blackcurrant cuttings. The fruit would be preserved in bottles (peripatetic demonstrators showed WIs how to do this most efficiently) or in cans, with new fangled canners that could be bought outright or hired at 2s 6d a day. (taken from "A Force to be Reckoned With - A History of the Women's Institute" by Jane Robinson.
Scaynes Hill WI 1917 - members tinkering
The Scaynes Hill WI must have got off to a good start since at the first national WI AGM held in 1917 it was reported that Scaynes Hill WI was winner of Lady Denman's programme competition.
The Women's Institute Hall -Scaynes Hill
A WI hall was built in 1926 on the site in Church Road now occupied by the two houses Crawfords and Chestnuts. It was formed into a charity to protect its interests. In 1976, when the members found the lettings and upkeep had become rather more than they wished to handle, a Village Hall Management Committee was set up for this purpose. The WI charged a peppercorn rent of £5 per annum. The Management Committee also registered as a charity. In 1997 the WI members agreed that the hall should be sold and part of the proceeds of the sale would be put towards the new hall, which became the Millennium Village Centre that we know today.
Scaynes Hill WI 1917 - members cobbling
Scaynes Hill WI 70th Anniversary - 1987
Scaynes Hill WI 90th Anniversary of WI Movement - 1997
The Christmas Bazaar that was held at the end of November is just one example of the work that the Scaynes Hill WI do in order to help charities, and to hold an event that is for the village community.
For the Ladies reading this - come to one of our meetings and see what else we do - we are a friendly group and have a lot to offer. Details of when we meet and what we do can be found on the WI page of Scaynes Hill Village Community Website.
To read a Brief History of the WI in Britain click here.
Off to The Clink Restaurant - Highdown Prison - 2013
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