Farrington Gurney’s W.I. meeting was well supported when we marked International Women’s Day by members presenting profiles of prominent women who have each done something during the 20th/21st century to make our lives a lot happier, healthier, fun and pleasant place to live.

Amongst those mentioned: The Viscount Lady Astor, first female to take a seat in Parliament serving as a member of the Conservative party. She once told Winston Churchill: “If you were my husband, I’d poison your tea.” He responded, “Madam, if you were my wife, I’d drink it.”

Octavia Hill, co-founder of the National Trust and whose mission it was to improve living standards for the poor and protect the countryside and once quoted: “We all want quiet, we all want beauty, we all need space. Unless we have it, we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us gently.”

Of course, we could not let the evening pass without mentioning Mary Berry C.B.E., who not only influenced our mothers but is still teaching our grandchildren her cooking skills today.

How many W.I. members know that Laura Ashley did development work for the W.I. on Quilting and gained inspiration to start producing printed fabrics from a W.I. display of traditional handy crafts at the V.A. Museum?

The late Dame Anita Rodrick D.B.E. of Bodyshop fame also wrote books of quotes, one being: “The end result of kindness is, that it draws people to you.” On her premature death, she left her entire fortune to charity.

Dame Mary Quant, now 86, who brought us Hot Pants and PVC fashions and boots, in May 2019 was immortalised by fashion iconography as the originator of the Mini Skirt.

Who can’t resist laughing at the quintessentially British humour of Pam Ayers M.B.E. who started her career in the Women’s Royal Airforce. Her poem about “Packing for the Holidays” brought much laughter as items were pulled from a battered suitcase emphasising just how ridiculously much we do actually try to cram in, to take on one’s travels.

Many unusual facts and figures, but with humour too, added to a very entertaining performance from members who were presented with Thank You Posies and an evening rounded off with a delicious supper.

Thank you Ladies.

April’s meeting is cancelled and all W.I. plans and activities are now on hold until further notice. B. Sims