First meeting - 5th March 2015

Thursday evening started in a bustle as we were all aflutter anxiously noting the clock tick closer to 7pm. The nerves quickly faded as ladies headed in to the town centre to join us at Uttoxeter Library, 35 in total came along to find out more. It was brilliant to see so many enthusiastic ladies supporting the reformation of the Uttoxeter WI.

After the cake and refreshments were passed around (things always relax when cake and tea is involved) we settled in to a brief introduction of the ladies who'd greeted everyone and spent a short while learning about the origins of the WI, where it started in the UK, and how it's grown and changed over the last 100 years.

The committee formed from willing volunteers as everyone spent a short while getting to know one another. Future meeting ideas were suggested and as a relative newby I was enlightened with a plethora of local facts and highlights about the town I now call home as we debated a variety of possible group names.

Before all the raffle prizes claimed, the cake tin lids back on and the night was over we had formed 'The Women of Uttoxeter'.

Roll on the 2nd of April 7pm, Uttoxeter Library, where our creative sides can be set loose as the bunting challenge gets underway. In any medium preferred we'll be designing and making a penant to send to the Autumn Council Meeting display and creating our first piece of 'The Women of Uttoxeter' history. So have a craft box sort out, dig out those knitting needles, try your hand at sewing or paper crafting or open up that craft kit that's been langusising at the bottom of the draw and come along for a craft and natter evening. Bring anything you'd like to have a go with and share your skills or learn a new one.

May will see us learning Self Defence with Rocester's Roman Martial Arts Club.

Join us!

Huge thanks to all the local support, WI Federation assistance and group members from across the globe who have sent us well wishes.

When I first met a few WI ladies I was told that it was an inspiring and supportive group, having been immersed in the WI for the past few weeks I can certainly vouch for that. I've been over whelmed by the support from members in person, by email, and via social media. I hoping that The Women of Uttoxeter will the perfect mix between tradition and modern which will appeal to all ages.

If you would like to offer a raffle prize, talk, workshop or activity for 'The Women of Uttoxeter' please drop us a line: uttoxeterwi@gmail.com

Signing off for the first time in my new role,

Victoria

President of The Women of Uttoxeter

(Uttoxeter WI)

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