This is the fifth article in our President’s review of the committee records of Tickenham WI over the decades since our foundation in 1926. It covers the years between 1967 and 1976. The version here is a condensed summary of the principal events and developments during the decade, based on her original research.
1. A Decade of Change
The years 1967–1976 combined continuity with significant change. Tickenham WI remained a thriving village organisation while adapting to national changes including decimalisation, VAT, the oil crisis and the creation of the Avon Federation. Throughout the decade the Institute maintained strong membership, varied programmes and an active social calendar.The years 1967–1976 combined continuity with significant change. Tickenham WI remained a thriving village organisation while adapting to national changes including decimalisation, VAT, the oil crisis and the creation of the Avon Federation. Throughout the decade the Institute maintained strong membership, varied programmes and an active social calendar.The years 1967–1976 combined continuity with significant change. Tickenham WI remained a thriving village organisation while adapting to national changes including decimalisation, VAT, the oil crisis and the creation of the Avon Federation. Throughout the decade the Institute maintained strong membership, varied programmes and an active social calendar.
2. Leadership
Four presidents led the Institute: Mrs Coleman, Mrs H.M. Withers, Mrs Arney and Mrs Mary Jennings. Each had already served the Institute in committee roles before becoming President. Their leadership emphasised friendship, practical organisation and encouraging members to contribute. Secretaries and Treasurer Mrs Senior provided exceptional continuity.Four presidents led the Institute: Mrs Coleman, Mrs H.M. Withers, Mrs Arney and Mrs Mary Jennings. Each had already served the Institute in committee roles before becoming President. Their leadership emphasised friendship, practical organisation and encouraging members to contribute. Secretaries and Treasurer Mrs Senior provided exceptional continuity.Four presidents led the Institute: Mrs Coleman, Mrs H.M. Withers, Mrs Arney and Mrs Mary Jennings. Each had already served the Institute in committee roles before becoming President. Their leadership emphasised friendship, practical organisation and encouraging members to contribute. Secretaries and Treasurer Mrs Senior provided exceptional continuity.
3. Committee and Administration
Committee meetings were held mainly in members’ homes and dealt with programmes, correspondence, competitions, outings and welfare. The minutes also reveal humour and friendship through references to homemade cakes, lively discussions and hospitality. Annual reports increasingly reflected on achievements and future challenges.Committee meetings were held mainly in members’ homes and dealt with programmes, correspondence, competitions, outings and welfare. The minutes also reveal humour and friendship through references to homemade cakes, lively discussions and hospitality. Annual reports increasingly reflected on achievements and future challenges.Committee meetings were held mainly in members’ homes and dealt with programmes, correspondence, competitions, outings and welfare. The minutes also reveal humour and friendship through references to homemade cakes, lively discussions and hospitality. Annual reports increasingly reflected on achievements and future challenges.
4. Membership
Membership remained healthy despite a national decline. Attendance at monthly meetings regularly exceeded forty members and often topped fifty. Recruitment became a concern in the early 1970s, but members continued to welcome newcomers while supporting those who were ill or elderly.Membership remained healthy despite a national decline. Attendance at monthly meetings regularly exceeded forty members and often topped fifty. Recruitment became a concern in the early 1970s, but members continued to welcome newcomers while supporting those who were ill or elderly.Membership remained healthy despite a national decline. Attendance at monthly meetings regularly exceeded forty members and often topped fifty. Recruitment became a concern in the early 1970s, but members continued to welcome newcomers while supporting those who were ill or elderly.
5. Finance
The Institute carefully managed rising costs. Subscription increases, fundraising events, raffles, produce stalls, nearly-new sales and tea money kept finances stable. Decimalisation in 1971 and VAT in 1973 required changes to accounting. A bank account and savings schemes helped modernise financial management.The Institute carefully managed rising costs. Subscription increases, fundraising events, raffles, produce stalls, nearly-new sales and tea money kept finances stable. Decimalisation in 1971 and VAT in 1973 required changes to accounting. A bank account and savings schemes helped modernise financial management.The Institute carefully managed rising costs. Subscription increases, fundraising events, raffles, produce stalls, nearly-new sales and tea money kept finances stable. Decimalisation in 1971 and VAT in 1973 required changes to accounting. A bank account and savings schemes helped modernise financial management.
6. Meetings, Education and Speakers
Monthly meetings remained the heart of the Institute. Speakers covered local history, conservation, wildlife, health, crafts, music, chocolate making, Radio Bristol, yoga, decimal currency and community services. Members valued practical education alongside entertainment.Monthly meetings remained the heart of the Institute. Speakers covered local history, conservation, wildlife, health, crafts, music, chocolate making, Radio Bristol, yoga, decimal currency and community services. Members valued practical education alongside entertainment.Monthly meetings remained the heart of the Institute. Speakers covered local history, conservation, wildlife, health, crafts, music, chocolate making, Radio Bristol, yoga, decimal currency and community services. Members valued practical education alongside entertainment.
7. Social Life
Birthday parties, annual garden parties, theatre visits, coach outings, competitions and Members’ Days strengthened friendships. The drama group flourished, performing locally and competing successfully in county festivals. These activities helped make the Institute an important centre of village life.Birthday parties, annual garden parties, theatre visits, coach outings, competitions and Members’ Days strengthened friendships. The drama group flourished, performing locally and competing successfully in county festivals. These activities helped make the Institute an important centre of village life.Birthday parties, annual garden parties, theatre visits, coach outings, competitions and Members’ Days strengthened friendships. The drama group flourished, performing locally and competing successfully in county festivals. These activities helped make the Institute an important centre of village life.
8. Community and Federation
Tickenham worked closely with neighbouring Institutes through the Yeo Valley Group and supported county events, exhibitions and charity work. One of the most significant developments was the transfer from Somerset Federation to the newly formed Avon Federation in 1975, marking an important administrative milestone.Tickenham worked closely with neighbouring Institutes through the Yeo Valley Group and supported county events, exhibitions and charity work. One of the most significant developments was the transfer from Somerset Federation to the newly formed Avon Federation in 1975, marking an important administrative milestone.Tickenham worked closely with neighbouring Institutes through the Yeo Valley Group and supported county events, exhibitions and charity work. One of the most significant developments was the transfer from Somerset Federation to the newly formed Avon Federation in 1975, marking an important administrative milestone.
9. Personal Stories
The records preserve the human side of the Institute. Members celebrated weddings, anniversaries and achievements while supporting one another through illness and bereavement. These details illustrate the WI’s role as a community as much as an organisation.The records preserve the human side of the Institute. Members celebrated weddings, anniversaries and achievements while supporting one another through illness and bereavement. These details illustrate the WI’s role as a community as much as an organisation.The records preserve the human side of the Institute. Members celebrated weddings, anniversaries and achievements while supporting one another through illness and bereavement. These details illustrate the WI’s role as a community as much as an organisation.
10. Legacy
By 1976 the Institute had successfully balanced tradition with change. Strong leadership, committed volunteers, varied educational programmes and a rich social life ensured that Tickenham WI remained an important part of village life. The decade laid firm foundations for the years that followed and demonstrates how local voluntary organisations adapted to changing social and economic circumstances.By 1976 the Institute had successfully balanced tradition with change. Strong leadership, committed volunteers, varied educational programmes and a rich social life ensured that Tickenham WI remained an important part of village life. The decade laid firm foundations for the years that followed and demonstrates how local voluntary organisations adapted to changing social and economic circumstances.By 1976 the Institute had successfully balanced tradition with change. Strong leadership, committed volunteers, varied educational programmes and a rich social life ensured that Tickenham WI remained an important part of village life. The decade laid firm foundations for the years that followed and demonstrates how local voluntary organisations adapted to changing social and economic circumstances.
Key Themes
• Strong volunteer leadership and continuity.
• High levels of participation despite national changes.
• Adaptation to economic and organisational change.
• Rich educational programme and community involvement.
• Enduring friendships and support between members.