Remembering Past Presidents – What Does It Take to Be One?

REMEMBERING PAST PRESIDENTS – WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE ONE? A Centenary Project created by our Team 1919 - 2019 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Remarkably, one hundred years on, twelve out of the 20 Presidents who have given their services to Dunham Massey WI were still with us at the start of this Project in April 2018. To these ladies we give our thanks for their memories, given to members of our team, in person. Joyce Clare Janice Bushell Margaret Pennington Collette Crosby Margaret Hainsworth Betty Taylor Sheila Taylor Brenda Hicks Jessie Davies Janet Stockley Shirley Wheeler Sue Bullen The fascinating tasks we enjoyed during the organisation of our WI’s physical Archives (which had been water damaged by local floods) gave us insight into the lives of the other eight Past Presidents. Lady Penelope, Countess of Stamford Mrs W D Bullock Mrs Bulmer Mrs Hardy Mrs Pearce Sybil Norcott Mrs Knowles Mrs Sheelagh Boothman Thanks go to the Archive Team – Helen Wilson, Maddy Trenholm, Varzie Clare, Brenda Hicks, Sheila Taylor, Betty Taylor, Janice Bushell, Beryl Davidson, Caroline Hewitt, Anne Priestner & Pat Bradshaw. ’Sybil Norcott’ was written by Lyn Blackburn. Final copy created by Pam Newsom. REMEMBERING PAST PRESIDENTS – WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE ONE? CONTENTS The Countess of Stamford President from 1919 – 1926 Mrs W D Bullock President from Dec 1926 – Feb 1930 Mrs Bulmer President from 1931 – 1934 Mrs Hardy President from 1935 – 1961 Mrs Pearce President from 1962 – 1967 Mrs Norcott President from 1968 – 1969 Mrs Knowles President from 1970 – 1972 Mrs J Clare President from 1973 – 1975 Mrs J Bushell President from 1976 – 1978 Mrs Margaret Pennington 1979 – 1981, 1985 – 1987 & 2007 – 2009 Mrs C Crosbie President from 1982 – 1984 Mrs M Hainsworth President from 1988 – 1990 Mrs B Taylor President from 1991 – 1993 Mrs Sheila Taylor President from 1994 – 1996 Mrs Brenda Hicks President from 2004-2006 & 2010-2012 Mrs Jessie Davies President from 1997 – 2000 Mrs Sheelagh Boothman President from 2001 – 2003 Mrs Janet Stockley President in 2013 Shirley Wheeler President from 2014 –2016 Sue Bullen President from 2017 – 2019 The Presidents’ Names here are exactly as they were portrayed on the Annual Programmes. THE WOMEN’S INSTITUTE Campaigning and raising awareness of issues which impact on our lives. INTRODUCTION 20th Century Britain Elizabeth Louisa Penelope Theobald was the daughter of the Rev C Theobald and the wife of the 9th Earl of Stamford - a devout and philanthropic man. The Earl was vice-president of the Bible Society and at one time, a member of the Metropolitan Asylum Board, so it was no surprise to find Lady Penelope taking an interest in the welfare of her villagers in Dunham Massey. The ‘elite’ women were often the ones who were able to bring the idea of a Women’s Institute to the villages. For example, in 1919, just after the NFWI took on the full responsibility of forming Women’s Institutes from the Board of Agriculture, there was a meeting of the ‘Propaganda Committee’ in Manchester. The Committee’s objective was to form ‘1915 style WIs’ within Cheshire. Lady Penelope was at this meeting and decided that a WI might be just the thing for her village. The village’s War Working Party had been disbanded the previous autumn, leaving a gap in village life. As a result Lady Penelope, the Countess of Stamford, called a meeting, inviting the former Working Party members and others, and they agreed to form a WI, choosing The Countess to be President. Between the years of 1919 - 1927, Lady Penelope actually took the Chair herself at a good many of the WI meetings. 20th Century Britain British society changed greatly during the 20th century. In 1919 only about 20% of the population was ‘middle class’ but by 1939 the figure was 30%. Later in the 20th century the number of manual workers was quickly declining and the number of 'white collar' workers in offices and service industries increased rapidly. In the 1950s many West Indians and Asians came to Britain and society became multi-cultural. Also, in the 50s young people had significant disposable income for the first time. A distinct 'youth culture' emerged, first with Teddy Boys in 1953, then later in the 1960s with Mods and Rockers and in the 70s with Punks. The music revolution was led by Bill Hayley (1950), Elvis Presley (1956), The Beatles (1963) and David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust in 1972. Women in the 20th Century The first policewomen in Britain went on duty in 1914 and in 1918 women over 30 were allowed to vote. In 1919 a new law allowed women to become lawyers, vets and civil servants. The first female solicitor was practising in 1922 and similarly Irene Barclay became the first female chartered surveyor. th Nevertheless in the early 20 century it was unusual for married women to work (except in wartime). Later in the 50s and 60s it became common for them to do so - at least part-time. New technology in the home made it easier for women to take on paid work. Previously housework was so time consuming, married women did not have the time to work. As manufacturing became less important and service industries grew, there were more opportunities for women. In 1970 the law was changed so that women had to be paid the same wages as men. In 1973 women were admitted to the stock exchange. From 1975 it was made illegal to sack women for becoming pregnant and the Sex Discrimination Act made it illegal to discriminate against women in employment. In the late 20th century divorce and single parent families became much more common. In the late 70’s, a rise in both inflation and unemployment meant Britain spent the 1980’s in recession. th Meanwhile in the later 20 century a change had been coming over the British economy, sometimes called de-industrialization. Traditional industries such as coal mining, textiles and shipbuilding declined rapidly. On the other hand service industries such as tourism, education, retail and finance grew rapidly and this sector became the main source of employment. At the same time 25% of the population of Britain were living in poverty. At least 15% were living at subsistence level. They had just enough money for food, rent, fuel and clothes but could not afford 'luxuries' such as newspapers or public transport. About 10% were living below subsistence level and could not afford an adequate diet. The table below summarises matters of importance to British people. The 80s, 90s & 2000s – Onwards and Upwards – Individuals in Society – Important in Britain were 1 The Family Belonging to a Place Belonging Online Political Identity 2 Friendship Belonging to a Class National Identity Religious Identity 3 Outsiders Race and Ethnicity Professional Identity Leisure Activities th (Based on ‘Everyday Life in Britain in the 20 Century’ by Tim Lambert) Belonging to a Place Belonging to a Class REMEMBERING PAST PRESIDENTS – WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE ONE? Lady Penelope, founder of the Dunham Massey Women’s Institute - 1919 Cheshire Federation Chairman - 1922 Dunham Massey Village Hall The Home of Dunham Massey Women’s Institute 1 The Countess of Stamford President from 1919 – 1926 Penelope, Lady Stamford is in the centre holding the hands of her two children, Roger, aged 8 and Jane aged 5. Roger stands closely by his mother's side whilst Jane is pulling away from her mother, clutching a studio cat under her arm. This uncannily reflects their later relationships: Jane married and moved away in 1927, whilst Roger lived with his mother at Dunham Massey until her death in 1959. On Wednesday 17th July 1946 the Earl and Countess had royally entertained King George VII and the Queen to luncheon at Dunham Massey. 2 Roger Lord Grey of Groby and Lady Jane Grey in the Garden with their mother Roger Grey, son of the 9th Countess of Stamford, became the 10th Earl in 1910 Roger (1896-1976) died unmarried and childless whereupon Dunham Massey Estate was bequeathed to the National Trust 3 Voluntary Aid Detachment - April 1917 to January 1919 Illustrations are from the Archives of the National Trust’s Dunham Massey 4 Lady Penelope, the daughter of Rev Charles Theobald, visiting the Stamford Hospital Ward Stamford Hospital Staff and Patients relaxing in the grounds of Dunham Massey Hall 5 Lord and lady Stamford with the patients by the Lake in Dunham Massey Park Elizabeth Louisa Penelope Theobald, Countess of Stamford with her son and their visitors Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen Taffari and his father Emperor Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia 6 7 Mrs W D Bullock President from Dec 1926 – Feb 1930 During 1920/1921, a group of local Dunham Massey residents, keenly interested in the arts, decided to produce a play for the entertainment of the village. The suggestion was so enthusiastically received that an idea was put forward that a village amateur dramatic society should be formed. On the 12th December 1922, a meeting was convened in Little Heath School (later to become Dunham Massey Village Hall) and ‘The Dunham Thespians’ was born. Among those present at that meeting were four ladies, Miss D Pennington, Mrs Boardman, Mrs W D Bullock and Mrs H Clare, all from well known Women’s Institute families. Just seven years later, one Thespian, Mrs W D Bullock, also took office as first member President of Dunham Massey WI. Mrs Bullock’s husband was the Land Agent for the Dunham Massey Estate during Lady Stamford’s presidency of the WI and so the couple were recognised and well respected throughout the Village. According to the earliest Minutes, during many meetings Mrs Bullock (Sylvia) had taken the Chair in the absence of Lady Stamford and she also had the responsibility for providing refreshments during the customary tea break.

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