RURAL COMMUNITIES IN LINCOLNSHIRE
North & South Somercotes
Women’s Institute
Initially it all started in 1918 and there are notes of this great event in the social life of North Somercotes at that time. The wife of the local Liberal M.P. Mrs. Wintringham (her husband subsequently choked to death on a fish bone in the Houses of Parliament) was a teacher who realised village ladies needed something more than being stuck at home.
Having looked around she began with North Somercotes because it was one of the biggest villages around. The meeting took place Chaired by a Miss Cuthbert - a senior school teacher - ably assisted by a W.I. expert Mrs Proudfoot - from Manchester.
It was agreed to start up and Miss Cuthbert became the 1st President elect (until 1920 when she left for College) and Miss Langley and Miss Sue Brooks became joint secretary. This was convenient because Miss Sue Brooks was pupil teaching at Grainthorpe and had to pass Miss Longleys house at Conisholme, so they thought this would be ideal for messages and such. It is believed that Miss Langley never wrote a card to invite anyone and left it to the young Miss Brookes. The first meeting way back in 1918 was on Pickling Herrings and a good turnout was recorded. Mrs. Wintringham came down for the meeting which was held at the Liberal Club.
Early members who will be remembered by many local people were Ida Brooks who became Mrs Roberts and Sue Brooks who became Mrs Luty. Miss Cuthbert was an accomplished pianist and organised a choir and taught the ladies Jerusalem.
During the first half of this century the W.I. was remembered as Jam makers
Having looked around she began with North Somercotes because it was one of the biggest villages around. The meeting took place Chaired by a Miss Cuthbert -
It was agreed to start up and Miss Cuthbert became the 1st President elect (until 1920 when she left for College) and Miss Langley and Miss Sue Brooks became joint secretary. This was convenient because Miss Sue Brooks was pupil teaching at Grainthorpe and had to pass Miss Longleys house at Conisholme, so they thought this would be ideal for messages and such. It is believed that Miss Langley never wrote a card to invite anyone and left it to the young Miss Brookes. The first meeting way back in 1918 was on Pickling Herrings and a good turnout was recorded. Mrs. Wintringham came down for the meeting which was held at the Liberal Club.
Early members who will be remembered by many local people were Ida Brooks who became Mrs Roberts and Sue Brooks who became Mrs Luty. Miss Cuthbert was an accomplished pianist and organised a choir and taught the ladies Jerusalem.
During the first half of this century the W.I. was remembered as Jam makers
After the War things began to be a little more normal, and an introductory meeting was held in September 1949 to see if there was an interest in the village for the reforming of a Women's Institute. There were 32 ladies present and Miss Cordeaux presided. It was agreed to arrange a meeting at The Mission Hall (now the Church Hall) on 30th September 1949. Miss Chappell was elected the first President, Mrs Peg Capp the first Secretary and Mrs Lily Evans was the first Treasurer.
The Institute proved very popular and provided many interesting meetings with guest speakers every month, and many social events in between. A drama group and a choir were formed and membership reached almost 90. The first Roll Call was for suggestions to improve the village. Amongst the suggestions were provision of tennis courts, mains drainage (sewage), a clinic and a better bus service( ! ) a brass band and street lights. In 1949 all food was still strictly rationed and no one had petrol except a very few essential drivers and there were few buses. The new Institute was very popular.
Today we still have a membership of almost 50 people and enjoy a wide variety of interests. We support the Playing Fields, Meals on Wheels and other village functions. In October this year it will be the 50th anniversary of the Institute and celebrations will be very different from the first party planned in 1949. Then every member was asked to bring a contribution and to make a cake - one egg or tablespoonful of dried fruit etc.etc. - Long after the War we were still very short of ingredients which were on ration - and we were also asked to bring one teaspoonful of sugar - but it was a great party! The entertainment was all by talented local people who could really entertain.
Last year our October 50th year Anniversary Party was a great celebration and was enjoyed by many old and new "Jam and Jerusalem" members and their partners.
( Taken from Communication’s Millennium Magazine )
The Institute proved very popular and provided many interesting meetings with guest speakers every month, and many social events in between. A drama group and a choir were formed and membership reached almost 90. The first Roll Call was for suggestions to improve the village. Amongst the suggestions were provision of tennis courts, mains drainage (sewage), a clinic and a better bus service( ! ) a brass band and street lights. In 1949 all food was still strictly rationed and no one had petrol except a very few essential drivers and there were few buses. The new Institute was very popular.
Today we still have a membership of almost 50 people and enjoy a wide variety of interests. We support the Playing Fields, Meals on Wheels and other village functions. In October this year it will be the 50th anniversary of the Institute and celebrations will be very different from the first party planned in 1949. Then every member was asked to bring a contribution and to make a cake -
Last year our October 50th year Anniversary Party was a great celebration and was enjoyed by many old and new "Jam and Jerusalem" members and their partners.
( Taken from Communication’s Millennium Magazine )
WELCOME
HISTORY
EVENTS
COMMITTEE
LINKS
