I first joined the WI in 2011 when my late husband and I retired to Herefordshire. We lived near a small village which had a thriving WI. I was invited to join when I called in at the village shop. I was warmly welcomed and enjoyed the speakers, the outings and companionship, not to mention coffee and cake!
When I lost my husband unexpectedly just after I’d been voted as president, it was the WI who supported me and gave me something to focus on as I navigated my revised future. There was certainly a lot of navigation during covid lockdowns, online meetings (I thought Zoom was an ice lolly!), linking with speakers, remembering to turn mute on and off, a big learning curve.
I moved to the Saffron Walden area in 2021 to be nearer my son and family who have lived here for years. So I was familiar with the area from grandma visits, but didn’t know anyone else. I mentioned on a WI face book page that I had moved here and had an immediate response from a previous president Sue inviting me to Gibson WI . As their meeting was that week, I nervously walked into the Hall full of chattering ladies. I don’t know what I was worried about as I was warmly welcomed, made to feel at home, enjoyed the speaker and best of all, there was coffee and cake!
There are a wide range of activities outside the monthly meeting, members can do as many or as few as they wish, but they enabled me to make contact with so many like-minded ladies and now I have so many friends that I feel I’ve lived here all my life.
The previous presidents have done a sterling job developing Gibson WI into the thriving WI it is today. I promise to do my very best to continue their work. I thank the members for trusting me to take on this role.
If you feel that you would like to meet people who may share your interests, please join us at your first meeting as our guest.
Maureen S, President, Gibson WI