|
Box Women's Institute:
The Early Years, 1930 - 1945 Compiled from WI information and illustrations loaned by Lauri Hancock, president of Box WI. February 2015 The national Women's Institute is 100 years old in 2015; Box WI is 85; and Boxlea WI is 43 years old. This is dedicated to the people who worked so hard in the early years to make the Institute successful in Box village. |
The first national WI publication in March 1919
|
Origins
The Women's Institute movement began in Stoney Creek, Canada, in February 1897 and came to Britain on 11 September 1915, the first branch being at Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey in Wales. It caught the imagination of British women after the First World War, some of whom had been newly emancipated with the first women's right to vote in 1918. The founders organised a WI Exhibition at the Caxton Hall, London in October 1918, which offered women practical solutions to shortages caused by the Great War with displays, something made out of nothing, made out of waste etc.[1] It was a great success, a profit of £330 being made plus an amazing £1,000 sold of members' work.
The Institute was established in conjunction with the Women's Branch of Agriculture and Fisheries and its aims were to revitalise rural communities and to encourage women's food production. It concentrated on the processing of foodstuffs and some of the first questions answered were Will you kindly tell me why my tomatoes did not keep? and I wish you could tell me why my jam never jellies? But it was always much more than that and educating women to gain new skills and campaigning against injustice have always been part of its purpose.
From the outset it was supported by the highest women in the land, particularly HM Queen Alexandra and Princess Mary, who personally invited Mrs Alfred Watt, one of the Canadian founders, to address the newly-formed Sandringham Institute in an open meeting in 1919. But throughout it was fiercely proud of its independence of political, religious and institutional control, run by its members for its members.
The Women's Institute movement began in Stoney Creek, Canada, in February 1897 and came to Britain on 11 September 1915, the first branch being at Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, Anglesey in Wales. It caught the imagination of British women after the First World War, some of whom had been newly emancipated with the first women's right to vote in 1918. The founders organised a WI Exhibition at the Caxton Hall, London in October 1918, which offered women practical solutions to shortages caused by the Great War with displays, something made out of nothing, made out of waste etc.[1] It was a great success, a profit of £330 being made plus an amazing £1,000 sold of members' work.
The Institute was established in conjunction with the Women's Branch of Agriculture and Fisheries and its aims were to revitalise rural communities and to encourage women's food production. It concentrated on the processing of foodstuffs and some of the first questions answered were Will you kindly tell me why my tomatoes did not keep? and I wish you could tell me why my jam never jellies? But it was always much more than that and educating women to gain new skills and campaigning against injustice have always been part of its purpose.
From the outset it was supported by the highest women in the land, particularly HM Queen Alexandra and Princess Mary, who personally invited Mrs Alfred Watt, one of the Canadian founders, to address the newly-formed Sandringham Institute in an open meeting in 1919. But throughout it was fiercely proud of its independence of political, religious and institutional control, run by its members for its members.
Left to Right: Mrs Godman, HM Queen Alexandra, Princess Mary, Miss Alice Williams, Mrs Alfred Watt
Box Institute
Following a meeting at the Bingham Hall in July 1930, it was decided to form an Institute in Box. Miss Chappell was appointed president, Mrs Kate Foster and Mrs Betteridge were joint vice presidents, Mrs Elizabeth Lambert treasurer, Mrs Clarissa Strode secretary; and the rest of the committee comprised the Misses Beardwood, Battersby, Fudge, E Vezey and Mrs Kidston, Redwood and Thomas.
Following a meeting at the Bingham Hall in July 1930, it was decided to form an Institute in Box. Miss Chappell was appointed president, Mrs Kate Foster and Mrs Betteridge were joint vice presidents, Mrs Elizabeth Lambert treasurer, Mrs Clarissa Strode secretary; and the rest of the committee comprised the Misses Beardwood, Battersby, Fudge, E Vezey and Mrs Kidston, Redwood and Thomas.
|
Meetings
were to be held at monthly intervals; the first one on 3 September in
the Bingham Hall where membership was confirmed as fifty-nine people and
forty-five of these were able to be present. The first demonstration
was on chair-mending and upholstering in the home.
Miss Chappell suggested a stall be incorporated into the meetings for
the sale of produce brought in by members. Future talks were suggested,
including Home Nursing, Poor Law Reform and sweet-making.
From the outset, the organisation was run in a professional and sustainable manner. Mrs Elizabeth Lambert managed the accounts (first balance sheet left) as honorary treasurer. Sub-committees were formed to provide for entertainment and tea-making at meetings; a press officer for the local newspapers; handicraft committees for working parties; whist drives and produce sales to raise funds; and regular advice and assistance from the National Federation. And a practice of singing Jerusalem was held after the tea starting with the meeting in February 1931. Singing was much enjoyed after tea. |
Members
The organisation in Box was led for years by three of the most formidable ladies you could meet: Miss Chappell (rarely known by her Christian names Doris Pepita), who was president 1930 - 1946; the Hon Dora Marion Shaw-Mellor, who served as vice president from 1933 ; and Mrs Dorothy Taylor (serving in various capacities for forty years including two spells as secretary and the WI National Savings organiser).[2]
It was a huge commitment by these ladies, establishing the institute in Box, running monthly committee meetings, as well as the regular members' meeting.
Its members always comprised the leading women in the village and the committee numbers were soon supplemented by, amongst others, Mrs Goulstone, Mrs A Milsom, Mrs Oatley, Mrs Nowell, Mrs J Eyles, Mrs F Eyles, Mrs Pinchin, Mrs Callaway, Miss Lewis and Miss Locock. Membership was always by invitation with proposals from existing members.
Of course, the interests of Box village were paramount. A Jubilee clock was purchased for the Bingham Hall in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of King George V.
Right: Part of the pack to welcome new members
The organisation in Box was led for years by three of the most formidable ladies you could meet: Miss Chappell (rarely known by her Christian names Doris Pepita), who was president 1930 - 1946; the Hon Dora Marion Shaw-Mellor, who served as vice president from 1933 ; and Mrs Dorothy Taylor (serving in various capacities for forty years including two spells as secretary and the WI National Savings organiser).[2]
It was a huge commitment by these ladies, establishing the institute in Box, running monthly committee meetings, as well as the regular members' meeting.
Its members always comprised the leading women in the village and the committee numbers were soon supplemented by, amongst others, Mrs Goulstone, Mrs A Milsom, Mrs Oatley, Mrs Nowell, Mrs J Eyles, Mrs F Eyles, Mrs Pinchin, Mrs Callaway, Miss Lewis and Miss Locock. Membership was always by invitation with proposals from existing members.
Of course, the interests of Box village were paramount. A Jubilee clock was purchased for the Bingham Hall in commemoration of the Silver Jubilee of King George V.
Right: Part of the pack to welcome new members
Work in the Community
The Institute in Box has always tried to be caring and generous. It was soon called upon to put these attitudes into practice.
A party for forty Men and Women 70 years of age and over residing in the parishes of Box and Ditteridge was held at the Bingham Hall annually on the first Wednesday in January starting in 1933.[3] The next year a collection was made of unwanted clothing for distribution to city areas under the national initiative called Personal Service League.
As the economic situation worsened, the priority was the knitting of woollen items for the benefit of the unemployed in Wiltshire, particularly for the children in mining areas where works have been closed down for a long time and the need and distress is very great.
Comradeship for members was a continual factor in the very male-dominated society of the 1930s and 1940s. In 1932 members stood in silence before starting business to show their respects to the first death of a member, Miss Annie Vezey. The Box Institute worked hard to offer small personal tributes, such as for Mrs Nowell on her second bereavement in September 1936 and flowers were given to members who were unable to attend because of serious illness.
Throughout its concern was to encourage horticulture in the village and to sell its produce through bring and buy and market stall schemes.
The Institute in Box has always tried to be caring and generous. It was soon called upon to put these attitudes into practice.
A party for forty Men and Women 70 years of age and over residing in the parishes of Box and Ditteridge was held at the Bingham Hall annually on the first Wednesday in January starting in 1933.[3] The next year a collection was made of unwanted clothing for distribution to city areas under the national initiative called Personal Service League.
As the economic situation worsened, the priority was the knitting of woollen items for the benefit of the unemployed in Wiltshire, particularly for the children in mining areas where works have been closed down for a long time and the need and distress is very great.
Comradeship for members was a continual factor in the very male-dominated society of the 1930s and 1940s. In 1932 members stood in silence before starting business to show their respects to the first death of a member, Miss Annie Vezey. The Box Institute worked hard to offer small personal tributes, such as for Mrs Nowell on her second bereavement in September 1936 and flowers were given to members who were unable to attend because of serious illness.
Throughout its concern was to encourage horticulture in the village and to sell its produce through bring and buy and market stall schemes.
The Institute's Aims and Objectives
|
New Ideas
A Potato Competition was started in November 1932 when twenty-eight members competed to grow the largest quantity of potatoes from seed provided by Miss Chappell. The event was won by Mrs A K Lambert and the sale of produce raised £1.5s.6d for the Royal United Hospital, Bath. In September 1936 the institute went one stage further with the re-launch of the Box Flower, Produce and Needlework show held at the school in the first year and later in the Bingham Hall.[4] The show was very popular; in 1936 250 entries were received from 150 entrants, and the show made a small but welcome profit. There were some amazing entries: Mrs J Browning entered (not for competition) a model of a bride in the fashion of wedding dresses at the time of Queen Mary's wedding. It was a high-prestige project opened by the Hon Mrs Anthony Methuen, and the committee of the Hon Mrs A Shaw-Mellor, Mrs D Taylor and Mrs A K Lambert.[5] The institute went on to even more unusual events, such as in 1939 when the Social Half-hour was spent in examining a collection of ancient treasures.[6] The articles included a 263 year-old snuff-box, 130 year-old walking stick made of cork, and a variety of memorabilia from New Zealand. |
Box WI at War
The advent of war changed many attitudes. The monthly meeting in September was cancelled owing to the outbreak of war but this was just the beginning of a new order. In 1940 the Bingham Hall was still occupied by the Pioneers (Home Guard) and the Old People's Party had to be postponed that year. The meeting in July 1940 was interrupted by an air raid and members had to take cover for 45 minutes.
The war caused a great number of resignations from the committee with Miss Chappell valiantly plugging most of the gaps in the programme of events and in personnel (by persuading people that they were needed more than ever).
The advent of war changed many attitudes. The monthly meeting in September was cancelled owing to the outbreak of war but this was just the beginning of a new order. In 1940 the Bingham Hall was still occupied by the Pioneers (Home Guard) and the Old People's Party had to be postponed that year. The meeting in July 1940 was interrupted by an air raid and members had to take cover for 45 minutes.
The war caused a great number of resignations from the committee with Miss Chappell valiantly plugging most of the gaps in the programme of events and in personnel (by persuading people that they were needed more than ever).
|
The
community's needs were now very different to those when the association started in Box.
By September 1939 the Institute started a club for the Evacuee mothers billeted in the village. There was also a
new attitude to residents, exemplified by the decision in July 1940 that for the duration of the War only persons of
British Nationality should be eligible for membership of the Box WI. Mrs
Lambert interviewed six 16 year-old village girls with a view to the occupation of their leisure time, in other words
to encourage them to register with a Ranger Company.[7]
|
The need for prudent household management and garden horticulture was required more than ever. A Fruit Centre was opened to supplement the restricted diet of villagers and appeals were made for blackberry pickers to harvest the crop and jam-makers to process it. A Rose-hip Working Party was established to provide syrup to children. As the war continued the a list was made of the names of ladies volunteering to undertake milking under a county scheme in case of an emergency (five brave ladies agreed to train) and a Meat Pie Scheme.
These age-old questions are still relevant
Everywhere supplies of basic foodstuffs were severely limited. Mrs (Evelyn) Wilkinson said that she was sure un-rationed milk could be brought down from Ashley to
avoid the cancellation of members teas in 1940. This she did and teas
continued but by 1941 scarcity of other provisions led to the
declaration that in the present circumstances food (cakes) should not be provided till after the war. By 1942 the monthly market stall was abandoned because eggs and jam were both rationed.
Meanwhile the Institute continued its work growing, collecting and drying herbs and it was agreed to help with the issue of new ration books in the village. As the war began to draw to a close, the need for humanitarian assistance grew even stronger and Box supported the Knitting Scheme for Relief in Europe in 1945 with Mrs Merrett helping to contribute to the 10,640 garments contributed by Wiltshire.
At the conclusion of hostilities there was still much work to do: the distribution of over £1,000 collected by Box WI for the Returned Forces Fund to residents of Box and Ditteridge or in the case of the fallen, their next-of-kin.[8]
Meanwhile the Institute continued its work growing, collecting and drying herbs and it was agreed to help with the issue of new ration books in the village. As the war began to draw to a close, the need for humanitarian assistance grew even stronger and Box supported the Knitting Scheme for Relief in Europe in 1945 with Mrs Merrett helping to contribute to the 10,640 garments contributed by Wiltshire.
At the conclusion of hostilities there was still much work to do: the distribution of over £1,000 collected by Box WI for the Returned Forces Fund to residents of Box and Ditteridge or in the case of the fallen, their next-of-kin.[8]
Boxlea WI
The Boxlea Institute was founded in 1972, which is outside the scope of this article. Two of its founder members, Margaret Rousell and Jill Banks, still attend. It meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Pavilion, opposite Selwyn Hall, Box Rec, and offers the chance of membership for those who are not able to get to the afternoon Box WI meetings (held on the second Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm).
Celebrating a Centenary
The birth of the Institute owes much to the suffragettes before the First World War who raised the self-confidence of women as well as demanding political equality. In July 1913 the Suffragist Pilgrimage marched through Wiltshire en route from Landsend, Cornwall, to London. The amazing photo below shows the march on the London Road in Box looking back on The Bear Inn from the bottom of Chapel Lane. The reception of the women in Box and Corsham was very supportive, unlike at many other places, and we hope to tell the story of Box's role in the suffrage movement at a later date.
A number of events, commemorating the original demonstration, are planned by the Wiltshire Institute to recall the role of women Through The Ages and the work of the Institute in particular.
The Boxlea Institute was founded in 1972, which is outside the scope of this article. Two of its founder members, Margaret Rousell and Jill Banks, still attend. It meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm in the Pavilion, opposite Selwyn Hall, Box Rec, and offers the chance of membership for those who are not able to get to the afternoon Box WI meetings (held on the second Tuesday of the month at 2.30pm).
Celebrating a Centenary
The birth of the Institute owes much to the suffragettes before the First World War who raised the self-confidence of women as well as demanding political equality. In July 1913 the Suffragist Pilgrimage marched through Wiltshire en route from Landsend, Cornwall, to London. The amazing photo below shows the march on the London Road in Box looking back on The Bear Inn from the bottom of Chapel Lane. The reception of the women in Box and Corsham was very supportive, unlike at many other places, and we hope to tell the story of Box's role in the suffrage movement at a later date.
A number of events, commemorating the original demonstration, are planned by the Wiltshire Institute to recall the role of women Through The Ages and the work of the Institute in particular.
The Women's Suffrage procession in July 1913 went through the centre of Box (photo courtesy Jane Browning).
A time capsule baton has been touring Wiltshire throughout spring 2015 before it travels by barge on the Kennett & Avon Canal processing to the Albert Hall, London for the national Annual General Meeting on 4th June.
In Box, a parade of members will leave Bargates at 2pm on 8th September 2015 processing to the Selwyn Hall for a choir concert and Strawberry Tea for all Box and Boxlea members. If you are interested in joining the Institute or want more details please contact Lauri Hancock (01225 811950) for Box WI or Di Yeman (01249 713537) for Boxlea WI.
In Box, a parade of members will leave Bargates at 2pm on 8th September 2015 processing to the Selwyn Hall for a choir concert and Strawberry Tea for all Box and Boxlea members. If you are interested in joining the Institute or want more details please contact Lauri Hancock (01225 811950) for Box WI or Di Yeman (01249 713537) for Boxlea WI.
Conclusion
There are aspects of the early days of the WI that now seem rather old-fashioned but this is to forget how much the movement has achieved. Above all, the movement stayed true to its beliefs as an organisation free from politics and religion and truly democratic, which sought to enrich the lives of women.
The Institute in Box provided stability and continuity to those most in need during and after World War Two. And afterwards, it did much to restore a nearly-broken society back to more humane values. This was expressed in 1946 when a return to peacetime meant plans for the annual Flower Show; the jam-making competition; the Music and Drama Committee; a jumble sale; an Arts and Crafts show; the appointment of persons to visit the sick; and writing up old, local customs now died or dying out.
In the words of Box president Mrs Evelyn Wilkinson at the November 1946 meeting The meeting closed peacefully and perhaps that is the real strength of an organisation that has served women so well for over a century.
There are aspects of the early days of the WI that now seem rather old-fashioned but this is to forget how much the movement has achieved. Above all, the movement stayed true to its beliefs as an organisation free from politics and religion and truly democratic, which sought to enrich the lives of women.
The Institute in Box provided stability and continuity to those most in need during and after World War Two. And afterwards, it did much to restore a nearly-broken society back to more humane values. This was expressed in 1946 when a return to peacetime meant plans for the annual Flower Show; the jam-making competition; the Music and Drama Committee; a jumble sale; an Arts and Crafts show; the appointment of persons to visit the sick; and writing up old, local customs now died or dying out.
In the words of Box president Mrs Evelyn Wilkinson at the November 1946 meeting The meeting closed peacefully and perhaps that is the real strength of an organisation that has served women so well for over a century.
References
[1] Home and Country: The Women's Institute Journal, Vol 1, No 1, March 1919
[2] http://www.boxpeopleandplaces.co.uk/daniell-clan.html
[3] Gradually the age reduced until by 1939 it was over 60 years and, after the war, open to convalescent soldiers at Shockerwick and Middlehill.
[4] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 5 September 1936
[5] The number of different classes in the show was continually increased; by 1939 categories included eggs, salads, gloves, ladies' jumpers and boys' handicrafts.
[6] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 13 May 1939
[7] In April 1946 Mrs Lambert was commended by the County Education Committee and the Minister of Education for her efforts.
[8] Later called the Welcome Home Fund
[1] Home and Country: The Women's Institute Journal, Vol 1, No 1, March 1919
[2] http://www.boxpeopleandplaces.co.uk/daniell-clan.html
[3] Gradually the age reduced until by 1939 it was over 60 years and, after the war, open to convalescent soldiers at Shockerwick and Middlehill.
[4] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 5 September 1936
[5] The number of different classes in the show was continually increased; by 1939 categories included eggs, salads, gloves, ladies' jumpers and boys' handicrafts.
[6] Bath Weekly Chronicle and Herald, 13 May 1939
[7] In April 1946 Mrs Lambert was commended by the County Education Committee and the Minister of Education for her efforts.
[8] Later called the Welcome Home Fund