Wome’s Institute

The Women’s Institute (WI), which was formed in 1915 and is now the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK, plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities. Here we take a look at what's been going on at local WI’s and see that they are “not just jam and Jerusalem.” Is your WI group in the Newcastle and surrounding villages area? Would you like your group to be featured in our WI pages? Email Belinda at news@timesandecho.co.uk

North Staffordshire Women’s Institute group ‘Let’s Make Jam’ are once again leading the pack with their hard work and support for the local community.

Members of their subsidiary craft group ‘Jammie Hookers’ regularly support local causes, and were looking for a big and meaningful project that they could all get involved in. After careful consideration of many suggested projects, it was finally agreed at the end of August 2021 that the suggestion of a large Poppy display for the local church would be their next challenge.

Mags Johnston who suggested the Poppy Installation, said of the project: “I remember as a child, going to Sunday School and then attending the service at the Cenotaph outside Hanley Town Hall. “To be involved with the Poppy Display designed and made by members of Let’s Make Jam WI, has been an honour and privilege, the camaraderie, fun, humour, hospitality and well just being the best. It works like a well-oiled machine, working together we have achieved the most amazing display, incorporating thousands of poppies, all made by members, in all shapes, sizes, colours and mediums. It will be one display not to be missed.”

Mirroring the camaraderie displayed in the early days of the Suffragette movement, the ladies assembled, recruiting others from outside of the Jammy Hookers group, each with their own powerful reasons for wanting to support such a cause. The crochet, knitting and craft group who meets on the first Thursday of every month, outside of their usual meetings, started work at the start of September 2021, successfully making over 1,000 poppies in a little over one month, before beginning the mammoth task of assembling the display nets.

New WI member Pauline Forrester said: “This year I’ve crocheted 237 poppies which have been split between Let’s Make Jam’s poppy display and Meir Matters. I have made them in memory of my husband who was in the 237 squadron of the Royal Logistics Corps. Until he died in 2020, he was the Poppy Appeal Organiser for MHF01 North Staffordshire and the Secretary of the Meir Longton Royal British Legion Branch.”

The team are continuing to make poppies now to ensure the maximum impact from the rivers of poppies featured on the display. They hope that it will have a big impact stopping people in their tracks and making them think about all those who have given their lives so that we can be free of war. Many felt this was especially fitting with the current circumstances in Afghanistan, and the fact that as a region we are now welcoming large numbers of refugees from these areas. The ladies are hopeful that their display will be a reminder of the importance of peace, acceptance and support within the world we now live in.

The display itself was assembled on site on Sunday, October 31, and will remain in place throughout November, as we remember those who have lost their lives in any conflict.

WI member Rosie Howe said: “Remembrance Sunday has always been important to our family. We always observe the two minutes silence. My dad who was a submariner and a commander in the Sea Cadet Corps for many years, always went out on parade. It’s been a pleasure for me to make a small contribution to this wonderful display. I have kept a poppy back to take to my dad on that day.”

If you wish to visit the display, you can find it at St Margaret’s Church, Church Lane in Wolstanton, Newcastleunder-Lyme. The display, authorised by resident Vicar Patrick Griffin, will be adorning the external walls and fencing by their cenotaph.

Report by Carly Twigg