News
Sidlesham WI have now RESUMED Meeting on the second Wednesday of the month at 2.15pm in the Parish Rooms. ( Next to St. Mary Our Lady Church )

Wednesday 11th September 2024


After a rousing rendition of Jerusalem was sung and the members welcomed to the first meeting after the summer holidays, it was straight down to business.

Sue, the President, asked if Zena and Ann would decorate the table in the Church for Harvest Festival to which they agreed. Four members of the Committee are going to attend the Annual Meeting this year in Horsham. Each W.I. contributes a basket, which is sold to raise funds for the National W.I. The theme of the basket given by Sidlesham this year will be 'Tea for Two' consisting of cups and saucers, napkins and teas.

The Christmas Carol Service will be held at Boxgrove Priory and those wanting to book tickets were invited to sign up on a sheet provided.

A vote was then taken on whether the Raffle should continue in its current form or be changed to two or three special Raffles spaced throughout the year. It was decided to adopt the latter arrangement, and Marilyn was thanked for all the hard work she had contributed over many years, buying prizes and running the Raffle each month.

Next the Speaker, Frances Farrer-Brown gave an amusing talk on 'The Life of a Blue Badge Guide'. Frances, who is a local guide covering Sussex, Surrey, Kent and Hampshire said 'I get paid for talking and that suits me'. She also trains other guides and had many anecdotes about the strange and funny questions the people on her tours ask.

After the talk the Bloom of the Month competition was judged, and First place went to Sue with a Rudbeckia, Second place was a Japanese Anemone from Judy, and Third a Worsfield Salvia from Ann.

Next months' meeting will be held on Wednesday 9th October at 2.15 in the Parish Rooms of St. Mary our Lady Church. The Speaker will be John Barkshire on 'The National Arboretum'.

Members are invited to read a poem during Social Time. New Members are always welcome.

Kim Hopkinson



Sidlesham WI formed in 1928


On Tuesday 5 January 1928 at 2.30pm a meeting was held in the Anchor Hall to discuss the possibility of starting a Womens' Institute in Sidlesham.

Mrs Wingate introduced the Hon. Mrs Colvin (West Sussex WI Chairman and VCO) who explained the objects of the WI.

45 women were present and 42 voted in favour of starting a WI. 14 of those present volunteered to form a Committee and Mrs Wingate was elected President. It was agreed that the meetings would be held on the first Tuesday of the month at 2pm.

On Tuesday 7 February 1928 the first meeting was held in the Anchor Hall at 2pm. The officers were: Mrs Wingate: President, Miss Fry: Vice-President, Mrs Hart: Honorary Treasurer and Miss Donkin: Honorary Secretary. It was agreed that the motto should be 'Unity is Strength'. The meeting closed with God Save the King.






Jerusalem
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon Englands' mountains green ?
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On Englands' pleasant pastures seen ?

And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills ?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark Satanic mills ?

Bring me my bow of burning gold !
Bring me my arrows of desire !
Bring me my spear ! Oh clouds unfold !
Bring me my chariot of fire !

I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In Englands' green and pleasant land.