Fenstanton WI – Suspension

 

Fenstanton WI

Fenstanton WI will pass into suspension as from the end of March 2021.

This process has not been undertaken lightly and has resulted directly from the effect of the ongoing pandemic.

Reinstatement can take place within a three year period, and anyone wishing to receive further details and information, please contact the local WI advisor, Phyllis Brooks on 01480 380240 or at [email protected].

There has been a WI in Fenstanton for over 100 years, and it would continue to be a valued asset to the village if it could be revived in the not too distant future, when social restrictions have become a distant memory

Fenstanton WI

Fenstanton WI – Seasons Greetings!

Seasons Greetings to all our Members and let’s hope we can raise our voices again in 2021.

There’s not been much to sing about this year, but during more “normal” times we start our meetings off with a rousing rendition of “Jerusalem”. But why?

The poem written by William Blake was published in 1808 during another period of uncertainty – the Industrial Revolution when “England’s green & pleasant land” was being destroyed by massive urbanisation. Blake disapproved of this because it led to the creation of over-crowded slums which were the breeding grounds for endemic diseases.

The words were subsequently set to music by Hubert Parry in 1916 and it was adopted by the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies to whom the copyright was assigned. When the NUWSS was wound up, the copyright was reassigned to the Women’s Institute.

Fenstanton WI Choir 1938
Fenstanton WI Choir

The photo above shows the Fenstanton WI Choir who won the Huntingdonshire Federation of Women’s Institutes Music Festival in the 1930s.

 

 

Fenstanton WI – Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow

The proverb – “Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow” puts forward the idea that great enterprises have modest beginnings.

What is now a national federation originates from a small beginning in Ontario in 1897 when the inaugural WI meeting was held. The idea quickly spread across Canada to the UK and the first WI meeting took place in Wales in 1915.

Fenstanton WI has been running for over one hundred years, meeting monthly with a speaker or demonstration.

Unfortunately since March 2020 our physical meetings have been suspended due to Covid-19 and we have used email to provide our Members with a ‘virtual substitute’ to visit recommended websites related to the topic of the month.

Hopefully meetings will resume some time in 2021 and in the meantime we wish our Members all the best.


The WI Oak Tree was planted at the Cemetery entrance as a sapling in 2000 and 20 years later is really well established!

Fenstanton WI - oak tree in 2020

Fenstanton WI - oak sapling 20000

 

Fenstanton WI Programme for 2020

Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of Covid-19,  meetings after March 5th have been suspended until further notice.

MEETINGS PLANNED FOR 2020

Feb 6th  : Chefs Secrets – Cooking Demonstration – Frank Boddy

Mar 5th  : The History of Elgoods Brewery – Alan Pateman

Apr 2nd  : “You cannot be serious” – Tales from Wimbledon – Alan Gray

May 7th  : Resolutions

Jun 4th  : Introduction to British Sign Language – Jane Kennedy

Jul 2nd  : “The Secret Wireless War” – Stephen Barnard

Aug 6th  : Packing for Holiday – Capsule wardrobe – Luanne Hill

Sep 3rd  : “Here Comes the Bride” – Fran Saltmarsh

Oct 1st  : General Meeting

Nov 5th  : A Butterfly’s Eye View of Conservation – Dr Ed Turner