Thatcham WI 75 years young

Chris Jackson, who has been a member for three years and president since March, said that although membership had declined from the original 90, down to about 75, this was to be expected.
She said: “WIs were aimed at people who stayed at home – this was their relief from family life. But now women work so they have their relief.
“Across the board, the clientele is getting a little older, but we are getting younger members as well and we are encouraging younger members to join.
“We are trying to show that we are human and it’s not just ‘jam and Jerusalem’.
“We are trying to show the diversity of the things we do and that we don’t just sit and listen to people talk about cauliflowers. It’s more interesting than that.
“I’m proud that there has been a need for the WI for 75 years.
“The past presidents and committee members have put us on the map and have attracted people to come along – they have done a brilliant job; we just need to keep that going.”
Anyone wishing to join or find out more, can go along to one of the regular meetings on the second Thursday of each month, 7.30pm, at Thatcham Memorial Hall, Brownsfield Road.