Our beginning
The story by Amy Richardson written around 1990
Mrs Behling our first President |
Early days having fun!
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The Beginnings
Typescript of notes made by Amy Richardson c. 1990
In 1953 the late Mrs E Smith (who on her death left us a piano legacy) approached a few friends and neighbours suggesting a get-together at the Pavilion in Colney Heath with the hope of starting a WI.
We were all very keen on the idea. Mrs Smith offered to get in touch with the National Federation of the W.I. We had a whip-round 18s 5d was collected for stamps and phone calls. Following on March 30th, a meeting was to be held at Mrs Behling’s house Roestock Hall. Some of you will remember the Hall very well, it was demolished and (and) now the Grange stands in the place. I was a child who played (played) on the grounds as I was friendly with the gardener’s daughter.
Mrs Braine, V.C.O., took the chair of this meeting. Mrs Behling was appointed President, a full committee was formed. A letter of welcome from N.F.W.I. was read. We had three copies of the rules, 6 copies of Home and Country. About 50 membership cards were given by Mrs Braine, 49 members had enrolled, and subs were 3/6d.
Colney Heath was then the 7,929th W.I. to be formed. Both Jerusalem and England songs were discussed. We chose Jerusalem to be sung at the beginning of all meetings. Our meetings are to be held in St. Mark’s room which we all called the old iron room. This was great difficulty as the awful coke fire smoked badly, in the end, we decided to go to the Village Hall. Our May meeting was a memorial one. We were asked to attend the Coronation open-air service at the Recreation field and to help with the children’s teas that afternoon in the Village Hall and the old folk's tea the following week and you all know what has happened we have helped with teas ever since. The founder members had to raise money somehow, we had sales and Jumble sales also supplied cakes and funds for the meetings going down in our handbags, but it was done all in good spirit.
Members were given 2/- and asked to increase it by various means. Mystery Tours and outings were organised. We had fashion shows by two well-known firms, the Co-op and Dorothy Perkins. Our committee put on a fashion parade; the outfits were loaned by McCalls Patterns. They were lost on the railway but turned up the morning of the day of the event. Two fancy dress parties caused great fun as every member took part.
The prize given for the monthly competition was a monogrammed W.I. teaspoon. Each member was given a hankie on her birthday.
Mrs Mavis Wallace was chosen to take part in the show The Brilliant and the Dark at the Royal Albert Hall. Mrs Betty Wright one of our Presidents produced two play(s) in the Village Hall.
For many years help has been welcomed at the Old friends Club. This club was organised by the W.I. in 1959. The school sports days saw several members helping to cut hundreds of sandwiches. At the Hertfordshire Show, we have acted as stewards. House to house collections has been done for Cancer Research and other charities. The baby clinic in the village has been pleased with our help.
Two of our members Mrs Tomkins and Mrs Hodgeson won gold stars for their crochet work of a evening bag and and shawl at the handicraft Guild. There were 250 items entered. A resolution was put forward by one member the late Mrs Hayward Smith, who was a bit large, for turnstiles to be abolished . This was passed at the N.F.W.I Mrs Behling, our first President meeting at the Royal Albert Hall.
We have been very lucky with our Presidents – 14 of them; and our committees. We are very happy with our President and committee of 1989. Ladies, carry on with the good work! We hope the W.I. will be in Colney Heath for years to come.
AND YES, WE CONTINUE!
You can see photos and other memorabilia covering the years from then until now . However, it does not stop there either. Colney Heath WI is alive and well. We currently have a membership of about 30 and are growing. We love to welcome new members and are a friendly group. Needless to say, tea is involved. On the website, you will find information about our meetings, our speakers, other activities and any planned outings.
Come and join us!
Typescript of notes made by Amy Richardson c. 1990
In 1953 the late Mrs E Smith (who on her death left us a piano legacy) approached a few friends and neighbours suggesting a get-together at the Pavilion in Colney Heath with the hope of starting a WI.
We were all very keen on the idea. Mrs Smith offered to get in touch with the National Federation of the W.I. We had a whip-round 18s 5d was collected for stamps and phone calls. Following on March 30th, a meeting was to be held at Mrs Behling’s house Roestock Hall. Some of you will remember the Hall very well, it was demolished and (and) now the Grange stands in the place. I was a child who played (played) on the grounds as I was friendly with the gardener’s daughter.
Mrs Braine, V.C.O., took the chair of this meeting. Mrs Behling was appointed President, a full committee was formed. A letter of welcome from N.F.W.I. was read. We had three copies of the rules, 6 copies of Home and Country. About 50 membership cards were given by Mrs Braine, 49 members had enrolled, and subs were 3/6d.
Colney Heath was then the 7,929th W.I. to be formed. Both Jerusalem and England songs were discussed. We chose Jerusalem to be sung at the beginning of all meetings. Our meetings are to be held in St. Mark’s room which we all called the old iron room. This was great difficulty as the awful coke fire smoked badly, in the end, we decided to go to the Village Hall. Our May meeting was a memorial one. We were asked to attend the Coronation open-air service at the Recreation field and to help with the children’s teas that afternoon in the Village Hall and the old folk's tea the following week and you all know what has happened we have helped with teas ever since. The founder members had to raise money somehow, we had sales and Jumble sales also supplied cakes and funds for the meetings going down in our handbags, but it was done all in good spirit.
Members were given 2/- and asked to increase it by various means. Mystery Tours and outings were organised. We had fashion shows by two well-known firms, the Co-op and Dorothy Perkins. Our committee put on a fashion parade; the outfits were loaned by McCalls Patterns. They were lost on the railway but turned up the morning of the day of the event. Two fancy dress parties caused great fun as every member took part.
The prize given for the monthly competition was a monogrammed W.I. teaspoon. Each member was given a hankie on her birthday.
Mrs Mavis Wallace was chosen to take part in the show The Brilliant and the Dark at the Royal Albert Hall. Mrs Betty Wright one of our Presidents produced two play(s) in the Village Hall.
For many years help has been welcomed at the Old friends Club. This club was organised by the W.I. in 1959. The school sports days saw several members helping to cut hundreds of sandwiches. At the Hertfordshire Show, we have acted as stewards. House to house collections has been done for Cancer Research and other charities. The baby clinic in the village has been pleased with our help.
Two of our members Mrs Tomkins and Mrs Hodgeson won gold stars for their crochet work of a evening bag and and shawl at the handicraft Guild. There were 250 items entered. A resolution was put forward by one member the late Mrs Hayward Smith, who was a bit large, for turnstiles to be abolished . This was passed at the N.F.W.I Mrs Behling, our first President meeting at the Royal Albert Hall.
We have been very lucky with our Presidents – 14 of them; and our committees. We are very happy with our President and committee of 1989. Ladies, carry on with the good work! We hope the W.I. will be in Colney Heath for years to come.
AND YES, WE CONTINUE!
You can see photos and other memorabilia covering the years from then until now . However, it does not stop there either. Colney Heath WI is alive and well. We currently have a membership of about 30 and are growing. We love to welcome new members and are a friendly group. Needless to say, tea is involved. On the website, you will find information about our meetings, our speakers, other activities and any planned outings.
Come and join us!
OUR PRESIDENTS |
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1953-56 |
Mrs Madge Behling |
1985-87 |
Mrs Delia Ensor |
1957 |
Mrs E Smith |
1988-90 |
Mrs Nancy Taffs |
1958 |
Mrs Madge Behling |
1991-93 |
Mrs Maureen Butler |
1959 |
Mrs R Smith |
1994-96 |
Mrs Margaret Wilson |
1960-64 |
Mrs B Broadbent |
1997-99 |
Mrs Debbie Fulwell |
1965 |
Mrs P White |
2000-01 |
Mrs Margaret Wilson |
1966-69 |
Mrs E Heading |
2002-06 |
Ms Gerry Savage |
1970-72 |
Mrs Betty Wright |
2006-08 |
Mrs Debbie Fulwell/Mrs Maureen Butler |
1973-76 |
Mrs Mary Collins |
2009-12 |
Mrs Debbie Fulwell |
1977-80 |
Mrs Pat Kahl |
2013-16 |
Mrs Susan Blunt |
1981-82 |
Mrs Sandy Pizzey |
2017-Present |
Mrs Joanna Defries |
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