DEWI Despatch July 2021 Editor Joy Greasley [email protected]
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DEWI Despatch July 2021 Editor Joy Greasley [email protected] Record of Meeting of Dormans Evening WI held on Thursday 8th July 2021 Our speaker in July was Ginny Halcrow, who entitled her talk “Churchill’s Secret Army.” She told us tales of significant personnel and events that took place in the Second World War and were conducted by members of the SOE (Special Operations Executive). The SOE was founded during the height of the conflict in Europe by the British Minister of Economic Warfare, Hugh Dalton. It was a secret organisation responsible for espionage and reconnaissance during wartime efforts. The organization took everyday citizens from all walks of life and put them through rigorous training to equip them for the skills needed to be a successful secret agent. Although the head office was in London, most of the training of the agents was done in the Highlands of Scotland in extreme conditions and hostile environments to prepare recruits for any type of terrain and conditions they may encounter during their missions. They were trained in physical fitness, armed and unarmed combat, communications, demolition and parachuting among others. People from all classes and occupations served in the SOE and some recognised for their efforts are: Countess Krystyna Skarbek, Noor Khan, Michael Trotobas, Odette Hallowes and Violette Szabo. Women were used often and were trained the same as the men, after which they were commissioned into FANY (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry) or the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Many were used as couriers on the assumption they would be less suspicious than men, and this was the most secure method of communication as radio and telephone were always being tracked by the Gestapo. One of the first successful operations was in Greece, where agents parachuted in and Greek guides helped them get to a viaduct which was allowing supplies to get to Rommel. The railway line was attacked by the agents and disabled for eight weeks. Another success was the eradication of a factory, situated in a hostile environment near Oslo, which was producing ‘heavy water’, a component of the atomic bomb. On the first attempt, agents were sent in by glider planes, but these crashed and all were killed. On the second attempt, by foot, agents had to negotiate a 75’ suspension bridge and climb a snow covered precipice. This they managed and attacked and blew up part of the factory. The Nazi forces managed to have the factory up and running again in only eight weeks and it was then bombed and eradicated totally. Gilly Halcrow’s own father was a member of the SOE and was himself parachuted into Switzerland to organise the distribution of supplies and provisions. We all found Gilly’s talk very moving, especially when she announced that Agent Paterson was her father. There is a link in the email and on the DEWI website if you are interested in buying the book of his memoirs at a specially discounted price. A further book was recommended by a visitor at our Zoom meeting that also sounds interesting. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Woman-No-Importance-Untold- American/dp/073522529X/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 News from NFWI on the 2021 Resolution We are happy to confirm that the resolution ‘A call to increase awareness of the subtle signs of ovarian cancer’ has passed with a majority of 99.48%. This means the resolution is now an NFWI mandate and will form the basis of a national WI campaign which all members are invited to work on. Surrey WI News If you would like a copy of the July edition of Surrey News you may collect one from Anne at Hatch End. It is also available to read on the Surrey Federation website https://surreyfedwi.org.uk/resources/surrey-wi-news / Keeping Busy Twenty baby blankets were delivered to East Surrey hospital where they were really appreciated and warmly accepted. Many thanks to Rob, Sylvia Clare, Enid and Christine Perkins for keeping the knitting needles clicking. Garden Visit On July 1st we had a wonderful afternoon visit to Joy’s Garden. We all so enjoyed meeting up face to face after so long, and what better surroundings to be in! The garden was full of interest and colour at every turn, and it felt so restful to enjoy catching up with our friends over a cup of tea and delicious cakes. Joy and Justin must work so hard to keep the garden looking so immaculate, my only disappointment was when I returned home and compared it to my own garden! Joy and Justin’s garden is part of the National Garden Scheme and has many groups booked for this summer including Caterham Hill WI who heard about our excellent afternoon and have booked a visit for themselves, next month. Christine Thank you Christine, we enjoyed hosting the event which was such a happy occasion. The introduction to the NGS started after a talk at DEWI by Margaret Arnott their Area Organiser. Since being asked to join the scheme we have made so many new friends, either garden owners or through visits, and I’m sure it helped us survive the last year. Just another example of what the WI can offer us all! Joy and The Gardener Birthday Girls Our members with July birthdays are Jackie Whittington, Ann Mackie, Denise, Shirley Hunt, Lesley Robinson and Christine Perkins. Happy Birthday to you all! Hever Open-Air Theatre August 6th 6.30 pm Hever picnic and Musical Theatre Concert- Beyond the Barricade. Tickets are still available for the open-air performance at £24.30. DEWI August Meeting We are delighted to be able to hold our next meeting on August 12th at 8pm in the Parish Room, now that restrictions are lifting. We will put precautions in place to reduce Covid risks. Our speaker is Melanie Gibson-Barton with a talk entitled Three Women, One Man. .