In the spring of 1939 there was quite a stir in the village, and incidentally a little criticism, at the suggested formation of a "Women's Institute".
However that was soon overcome and quite a number met together and decided to call a meeting, also to send notices to all who were not members of another Institute.
The meeting was held in what was at the time the Conservative Hall in Vicarage Road and it gave great satisfaction. A Committee was formed, and we were most fortunate as regards Officers. Our first members meeting was in April - our Birthday Month.
We went on quietly for a time making plans and learning all we could about rules etc, greatly helped by Mrs Santo the V.C.C.
The first to help us financially was the owner of Par Beach Tennis Courts, who kindly let us have the big room in the pavilion for a Whist Drive and provided us with all things necessary, free of charge.
In a very short time the second great war was on us, which though such a horror in itself made us get to work. There were Army Days, Navy & Air Force Days, Aids to Russia, Aids to China, Street Stalls, and Sales of Works and I wonder what else. There were working parties where the poor husband's shirts were turned into dainty little aprons - I forget what the poor husband's said when they discovered this. In addition a War Savings groups was formed, and a secretary appointed. Though there were great demands on our purses, we were expected to save through this most worthy channel. There were also great demands from the U.D.C. such as for help with Ration Books, which are still with us and other things too numerous to mention. In one year we raised £110 for special objects. In spite of all this were were a very happy Institute.
There have been many changes, but we are proud to say that the Institute is still flourishing and has a membership of approximately 80 members, of whom 18 are original members.
It is our hope that it will continue to flourish from age to age.
Written in 1951