Well done, those women! `
This old photograph always delights me.
Taken almost a century ago, it shows many of the women from this small village, WI members. They had won the WI County Banner, 1926 and I have no doubt that they had all worked hard to achieve that goal. A real team effort.
Some of their descendants still have a part to play in village life, the wealthier farming families mainly, but then this is a deeply rural area. Old family names which can be seen on the stones in the two local churchyards.
It would be nice to know what they had done to be awarded this honour. Perhaps one day our small group of local historians will be able to find out.
Fingers crossed.
These days it would be difficult to round up even half this number of women to have a photograph taken - for one thing the numbers have diminished, but mostly because people have their own interests and rarely come together as a community.
The village show is one event which does bring about half the village people together, tapping into that well hidden, deeply competitive streak within most of us. It is doubtful whether that will happen this year. Recent events have shown me that I am not physically strong enough to carry it on by myself and it is looking increasingly unlikely that anyone else is going to commit to helping.
My thanks to Mike for 'cleaning up' this copy of the old photograph.
The Suffolk Show still has a WI tent with a competition for all institutes to enter. This year it's a room - a set size- for a dolls house. There are specific requirements such as 1 "hard entries", (small WI have done a mosaic fire surround) and 2 soft entries - like a patchwork or needlework then the rest of the points are for overall impressions of the room.
ReplyDeleteWinning WI win a shield or a cup - can't remember which.
After all that I forgot to say what a lovely find that picture is - look at those hats!
DeleteThanks, Sue. So the WI still hold competitions like that then. Do you visit the Suffolk Show? I'd love to know what the ladies in the photograph had done. I hope that when/if your branch win that shield/cup you will all be there in your best bib and tucker, Sunday hats on, of course!
DeleteYou should not be expected to do it all by yourself, there should be other members there to help you
ReplyDeleteYoung ones don't want to know, old ones fall off the perch or become less active, alas. There have been a few house sales recently, Bill, so perhaps there will be some fresh and enthusiastic people I can rope in. Maybe.
DeleteWonderful old photo!
ReplyDeleteAgree with Bill. No way can you do it by yourself.
Yes it's sad, that so much is lost. But one woman, can not save it.
Your health and quality of life, are more important.
So many things, are or have already been lost.
What you are doing, keeping a written record of 'Miss Read's' memories, is already doing much more than in other communities. This is your task. To compile, for future residents, the History Of Place.
If you had not moved there, and were not wise enough, to see the need to do this, just think of all that would have simply disappeared, with her passing. You are doing a lovely thing. Be content. This is your part.
Gentle hugs...
Isn't it wonderful - previously I have only been able to take small sections of it but Mike has the whole thing and cleaned it up using some programme or other. The clarity is amazing.
DeleteI hope to have one last attempt to drum up some support; I am getting to know my limitations, but I am not giving up without a fight, Luna... a small one, perhaps!
Meanwhile, we have lots of notes from Miss Read now, some photographs will enhance it - plus it will have to be written up in a much more readable form - once done we will be having a booklet printed, to ensure that it is not lost. x
OMG ..How wonderful to have found that picture... and what secrets you will uncover...I’m just sorry that no one else has stepped forward to assist... Hopefully, you will find help on this most worthwhile journey ... Big Hugs
ReplyDeleteHello Zaa, It is a wonderful moment in time. This village is extremely small, they must have worked so hard on their projects and had some very talented women in the group. Thank goodness the photograph was taken otherwise it would have been forgotten forever.
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