New WI aims to spice things up (From Free Press Series)

New WI aims to spice things up

Forget the traditions of Jerusalem and jam-making, a new Women's Institute group near Chepstow is aiming to spice things up.

The success of the film Calendar Girls has led to resurgence in the popularity of the WI. However, the organisation is changing its image and a group in Tutshill is leading the way.

The average age of the group member here is mid to late thirties, compared to the normal image of being mainly pensioners.

And instead of jam-making and flower arranging, this group is into quad biking and abseiling.

Tutshill WI President Lisa Lovering explained: "We thought about just getting together as a group of friends and running some kind of social group where we also worked for our community, but in the end we decided that we should become members of the WI for the political clout and authority that it gave us, and also then because we would be open to new members without people feeling that they would be breaking into a clique."

The group has already held its first two meetings, the first, appropriately, was a wine tasting evening. Social Secretary Isla Arendell said that when the wine merchant from the Beaufort Deli turned up he was surprised to find a 'bunch of dolly birds'.

"He looked really shocked and I don't think he was expecting to get through quite so much wine," she said.

Isla has many more events lined up for the group, ranging from taking part in the Race for Life in July, to ladies day at Chepstow races and theatre trips further afield, and is also investigating more adventurous activities such as abseiling and quad biking for their summer calendar of events.

This is all on top of the monthly evening meetings, which take place on the third Monday of every month, usually at the Rising Sun Pub.

The group has deliberately steered away from the more traditional cake baking and jam making image (unless you count September's meeting on Sloe Gin making), although they do have a 'Celebration of Food' Event planned for June 24 at Tutshill School.

This will involve a cookery demonstration by local 'celebrity chef' Rob Rees from Gloucester Radio and The Country Elephant Pub in Stroud, running alongside a 'Food Fayre' which will involve local WI and Farmers markets, a second hand recipe book stall, a Tutshill WI 'Pudding Stall' and many other 'foodie' attractions.

Tickets cost £6 and can be obtained from any of the committee, with all profits going to the Tutshill Cof E School Building Fund, where many of the members have children.

The group is recruiting fast, and so far has over 20 members and growing weekly. If you would like to join, contact Secretary Ceri Crossland, or better still turn up to one of the group's meetings, where you will be made to feel very welcome. Venues do change, so call Ceri on 01291627157 to check, or look for the posters in Tutshill Post Office.