Helpston Women's Institute 1934-2020

Mrs Ford and Mrs Eileen Cumberpatch cutting the Golden Anniversary cake

Programme covers from the annual socials organised by Helpston WI and friends

Embroidered by Mrs Pauline Jackson for the 25th Anniversary of Helpston WI

Christine Jackson

Unveiling the village sign 2001

Courtesy Nancy Dudley

Helpston WI recruiting new members at the Gala in 2019. Treasurer, Jackie Sugden, President Janel Pike and Secretary Connie Yarwood with knicker bunting

Village Tribune

Helpston Women’s Institute was founded in April 1934

The old minute book records that “a committee meeting was held at Mrs. Scott’s house to set up a Women’s Institute”. ¹ Mrs. Constance Scott was the first president and Mrs. Hayward the first secretary. She remained secretary for 20 years! Mrs. Ford, the last surviving founder member, helped cut a Golden Anniversary cake made by Eileen Cumberpatch in 1984.

During WW11 members joined the WI Markets and Produce Guild, picking fruit at Woodcroft and taking in evacuees.

Programme covers from the annual socials organised by Helpston WI and friends. WI members were energetic and creative. Their drama group won county prizes and, along with their families, provided entertainment for the annual village social from 1957. This meal for Seniors was a highlight of the village calendar for almost 40 years.

In 1959 the 25th anniversary was celebrated with a sausage and mash supper. Mrs. Pauline Jackson presented the Institute with an embroidered tablecloth that was restored by her daughter, Christine, for the 85th Anniversary exhibition in 2019.

In the years leading up to the Millennium, members Janet Harris and Peggy Pateman worked with the community to raise money for a Helpston Village sign to mark the new century. This was created by local master woodcarver Glyn Mould and erected in 2001. A time capsule was buried at the base of the sign by children from John Clare School.

Monthly Meetings

Speakers and demonstrations have always been a pivotal part of WI activities. Over the years these covered the crafts, cookery, local history and environmental issues associated with rural life, but also included:

Nazi Rule and Democracy
Civilians and Their Duty in Time of War
Witchcraft
The changing role of the village police officer
Mythology in the stars
‘Everything I always wanted to know about Sex’
Umpiring Wimbledon
The dangerous life of a customs officer
How to support our gut microbiome
and talks about everywhere from Easter Island to Peterborough Prison.

WI Campaigns

Members have thrown themselves into National Campaigns for equal pay, improvements in rural housing and bus services, community midwives and, most recently, cervical screening awareness, recycling and eliminating micro-plastics from the environment. They raised money for Hammersmith in the Blitz, Women’s Aid, a new gate for the Almshouses, Cancer Research, restoration of the church tower, local food banks and many international emergencies.

During the Covid lockdown, with meetings cancelled, the WI committee kept in contact with members, checking that everyone was OK and delivering surprise packages each month. However, it proved impossible to form a new committee. Over many years most members had served in the various offices and felt unable to offer to do so again. Therefore, with great sadness and following much discussion and a feedback questionnaire returned by 92% of members, the decision was made to close the WI at the end of 2020. It has been replaced by Helpston Belles, an informal social group providing monthly meetings in the Village Hall.

During its 86 year history, the Helpston Women’s Institute was a vital part of village life, providing women with a range of opportunities for friendship, education, a chance at leadership, entertainment and fun!

1. WI minute books