Women to stay in touch despite WI branch closure

THE Remenham branch of the Women’s Institute is to close after 73 years.

About 13 members attended its penultimate meeting in the parish hall on Monday where they looked through old archives and shared memories.

President Daphne Austen, who lives in the village, said: “I’ve been president for about eight or nine years. It has been hard work but a lot of fun and I’m very grateful to the committee.”

Ms Austen said that what she will miss the most is seeing her fellow members on a “regular” basis. She added: “We plan to go on meeting but it won’t be on such a regular timescale. I will miss the fun that we’ve had, the occasions we’ve met, the places we have been and the new friends that I’ve made.”

Ms Austen told of her pride of being part of a national group with “thousands” of other women.

She said: “The WI is moving forward, there are new ideas coming in but you have all of the history, or we have a lot of history relating to our particular branch and it’s been fascinating this afternoon. People have spent so long looking at photographs and seeing faces they remember.”

Ms Austen added that Remenham WI has also worked closely with charities, including Camp Mohawk, in Wargrave, and the Chiltern Centre charity, in Henley.

At the meeting, members had the chance to look at memorabilia, including photo albums, minute books from meetings held in the Nineties as well as newsletters and recipes.

A quiz was held and members enjoyed a Seventies themed tea, with cheese and pickle sandwiches, fruitcake and a Black Forest gateau.

Ms Austen and Jen Terry, of Rotherfield Greys, also performed a magic “jam-making demonstration” and handed out small jars of jam.

Ms Terry said: “This being our penultimate meeting, it’s sad. Seeing all of this memorabilia, it’s incredible. You just want to clutch it close.”

The branch used to meet at Remenham Boat Club, in Remenham Lane but it used to flood, so the group moved up the road to the parish hall in 2016.

Judy Palmer, the branch vice-president, said: “I’m very sorry that we’re having to close, but we’re no longer viable. I’m hoping that we’ll keep our friendships going.”