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April 2021 April 2021

BERE REGIS WI

When it was formed in 1915, the aim of Women's
Institute’s was to revitalise rural communities and
support and give a voice to the woman working in
these communities, largely in the home or in
restrictive agricultural settings. How far we have
come since then. The WI is now the largest women's organisation in the UK and
caters to a huge diversity of membership. Bere Regis WI alone can claim several
current artists, a qualified aerobics instructor, an Alexander Technique teacher
and a firefighter. Amongst our retired members we have a former air stewardess,
book illustrator, constituency secretary for Michael Heseltine, florist, hotel manager,
probation officer, sales assistant at Chanel on Old Bond Street (dressing people
such as Shirley Bassey and Diana Ross), school governor, social worker, textile
designer (in Paris) and several teachers. And this is just scratching the surface!
Women’s Institutes themselves come in all shapes and sizes. As well as the
traditional rural village institutes, there are institutes in towns, workplaces and even
in hospices and prisons. All with the common aim of supporting their fellow
members and allowing them to be involved in the way that suits them – ranging
from simply taking the chance to meet people and catch up with friends, to
getting involved in the wider WI campaigning activities – albeit it remotely for the
time being. Speaking of which, it’s hard to believe that this time last year I was
writing about how we were trying to get to grips with the impact of COVID-19 and
the implications for our members.

And finally (to give me an excuse
to include a picture), I’m happy to
report that the Bere Regis WI
Centenary cherry tree in the
shrubbery outside the surgery
seems not to have suffered as a
result of the recent cold snap and
is blooming magnificently!

For details of future meetings or
further information about the WI,
please contact Di Pitts on 01929
471322 or Moira Mathers on 07900
906278. You can see more about
our past meetings and activities
on our Fac e book page
@BereRegisWI.

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