Page 53 - Life in Langham 1914-1919

Women’s Institutes

The Women's Institute (WI), a community-based organisation for

women, was founded in Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada in 1897.

The organisation started in Britain during 1915 and by October 1917,

there were more than 150 active WI’s.

A meeting was held locally to afford to as many people as possible the opportunity of

hearing about the aims and objectives of Women’s Institutes in villages. A lucid and

convincing speech given by Mrs Alfred Watt MA, pointed out the advantages of

Women’s Institutes, and showed how much they could improve the social and

economic conditions of village life. The idea was that women of every position should
Mrs A Watt MA
join together for mutual help and social intercourse, and each member was

encouraged to take part in making the monthly meetings pleasant and helpful… These meetings

should be partly instructive and partly recreational. Cooperative buying and selling could also be

undertaken. In fact, although at the present time the chief object was to encourage the production

and economical use of food, there was really no limit to the interests or activities of the Women’s

Institute. The point was pressed that to be successful, the wish for an Institute must come from the

women themselves, and that the management must be undertaken by a committee of its members...

Grantham Journal 20 October 1917

On its website, Langham & Barleythorpe WI gives its formation date as

June 1950 but the Grantham Journal has numerous reports of Langham WI

meetings taking place by 1918, with meetings continuing well into the 1920’s.

Women’s Institute - Friday evening week, organised an invitation whist drive, which was held

in the Institute. Every member invited a friend and a very enjoyable evening was spent by the large

number who attended. The refreshments, which were kindly provided, were excellent. The following

were the prize givers: The Hon Mrs Lubbock, Mrs Burn, Mrs Davenport, Mrs Ruddle, Mrs Bristow,

Mrs Wallace, and Mrs Arthur Harris. Winners:- Ladies: 1 Mrs GE Steele, 2 Mrs Minnie Steele,

3 Miss Laker, 4 Mrs W Cloxton, booby Miss D Bristow. Gentleman: 1 Mr S Edwards,

2 Mr WP Royce, 3 Pte S Smith 4 Mr E Sewell, booby Master C Shillaker…

Grantham Journal 28 December 1918

Women’s Institute - The members met in the garden at Harewood House, on Friday week, by

the kind invitation of Mrs Ruddle, the President, when a company of over seventy attended, including

some of the Oakham members. Mrs Sills, Oakham, gave a very useful address on jam making, and

this was followed by tea and cakes. Unfortunately, the boisterous wind and cool

atmosphere spoiled the enjoyment of the garden, so a move was made

to the Institute for a small jumble sale, the takings amounted to £12,

which will provide an outing to Fort Henry next month. On

Saturday some of the junior members went to the meeting of

the Oakham Women’s Institute, and gave a very clever and

lively rendering of a small play entitled “Love Germs”.

Grantham Journal 21 June 1919

Harewood House - The Ruddle Family Home