Oldham Outpost joins the WI

MODERN members of the Women’s Institute are proving it is not all jam and Jerusalem after undertaking adventurous missions from climbing mountains to going into prisons.

Oldham Outpost is the newest branch to be formed in the UK, with new recruits welcome and able to pursue unusual activities as well as the more traditional crafts, such as flower arranging and cake baking.

Women’s Institute (WI) members have gone down mines and along canals, while they can also learn new skills such as garden design, calligraphy and jewellery making at the WI training centre, Denman College, in Oxfordshire.

Far from being stuck in the past, there has been a steady increase of WIs throughout the country since permission was granted for urban areas to create branches.

There are four urban WIs in Greater Manchester, of which Oldham Outpost is the newest having been created in March.

The WI is the largest national voluntary organisation for women with a current membership around 210,000 members.

It is non-racial, non-sectarian and non-political, although WI members have often lobbied members of parliament of every party regarding women’s and environmental issues.

The Outpost meetings are currently held on the second Wednesday of every month in the Mission Hall, opposite St John’s Church, Church Street, Failsworth.

They begin at 7.30pm and provide a mixed evening of social activities as well as a visiting speaker.

Recent speakers have included the bra doctor, hedgehog rescue, and an interesting presentation about the restoration of Victoria Baths, which coincided with the English Heritage open weekend, when members were able to visit the baths and see for themselves the wonderful renovations which have been done so far.

A spokeswoman said: “The Oldham Outpost WI has a membership of around 35 women of mixed ages. There is a warm and friendly atmosphere and a welcome is extended to any woman in the Oldham area who would like to join.”

Those interested should ring Tracy Cunningham, the current president, on 07806-871 706, or Helen Taylor, secretary on 0161-287 6207.