The

Hilderstone Website

Further Information as to the Women's Institute in Hilderstone

Lady Denman established the Women's Institute in England in 1918. The idea originated in Canada. It was not until 1934 that the movement came to Hilderstone. The  meetings took place in the schoolroom on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The original membership numbered 43 and the first meeting took place on 11th October.

During the Second World War socks and other useful items were knitted and sent to the forces. The Institute took part in numerous competitions both inside and outside the village.

Mrs. Bourne was the first President of the W.I. and the first general meeting took place in 1948. After 1948 there were ladies who took over the reins and  continued to success of the group.

The W.I. now meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month in the village hall and the membership is approximately 52. Members are entertained by a variety of speakers and there is always time for a cup of tea and a chat.

There are ladies in the village who have been in the W.I. for fifty years and this occasion is marked by a presentation of a certificate. There have been attempts  to "modernise" the movement but there is still a place for the traditions of the past. Members are made aware of social issues such as the need to build new housing on green field sites rather than in the  countryside. Resolutions are voted on at Institute level and members' views passed on to the executive. Certainly the idea of Jam and Jerusalem as a realistic picture of the W.I. is an anachronism. Long may the institute continue to make a contribution to the community life of Hilderstone. It is an interesting fact that the Women's Institutes in other parts of the county have had to close but there always seem to be people willing to take on roles in the one in Hilderstone.

Back to Womens Institutepage.