Thatcham WI president says farewell after 15 years

Pauline Gresswell (pictured in middle of group) was president from 1986 to 1988 and then took the role on again in 2000.
She said that she felt now was the right time to take a step back, as the group had enough newer and young members that she felt confident the club was in safe hands.
Talking about her 13-year stint, she said: “You should only do it for about three years at a time, but the years just continued. The years just go by so quickly – you don’t realise just how long it has been.
“In the past, we have not had anybody who had come into the committee who wanted to or felt they could take on the position.
“Now we have some new members who I think will be good.”
Fellow member and club secretary Christine Chivers said: “[Pauline’s] dedication and hard work to the role over those years has always been much appreciated by the many Thatcham members.
“We are not losing Pauline as she will continue to attend as a regular member.”
Mrs Gresswell stepped down at the group's annual meeting last Thursday.
She said: “It’s going to be difficult because you feel it’s your baby. You build it up and see all the new members."
Thatcham WI meets at the Memorial Hall, Brownsfield Road, at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month.