Looks after:

Ingrebourne

Sylvia Pankhurst

Mayflower

Woodland

Sweyne

Thames

JAN

CURTIS

 Jan says, “I’ve been a member of Bulphan WI for 7 years & am currently vice-president, press/media officer & one of our reps on the Thames group committee. From the minute of joining I loved the whole ethos, history & inspiration of the WI which lead on to my joining the Communications & Marketing, and Public Affairs committees and becoming part of the archive team at Federation. Then taking the step to train as an Adviser seemed a natural progression, which I’m thoroughly enjoying especially getting to visit all the fab WIs around Essex.

In my other life I’m a mum of two sons who are 24 & 22, have an allotment with chickens, enjoy travelling around the country in our motorhome sometimes visiting a WI in the area we’re staying in.  I also volunteer at the local foodbank, community café, run my own business & am secretary of the residents association where we live. In amongst all this I fit in loads of opportunities to enjoy time with my family & friends which usually involves drinking prosecco at some point!

Other parts of my WI journey so far have been camping with 500 WI members at Tea & Tents, resulting in my being one of the core group of  TWICE (The WI Campers Essex) which has its second camp this year. Having the picture of our group at NFWI’s Brighton AGM published in the Sunday Telegraph & taking part in the pageant at the County Annual Meeting in March. 

One of our members recently told me “If you were a stick of rock and we cut you in half it would say WI all the way through”,  more than happy to accept that comment and I’m looking forward to many more WI based adventures with the wide circle of friends being a member of the WI brings.”

Looks after:

Mandeville

Castle

Viking

 Colne Valley

Blackwater

Crouch

SHEILA

GUNSON

Sheila is also known as the Bag Lady for her entertaining talk on how to update your bags & revitalise charity shop finds with a few trimmings, applique and easy fixes. She also presents each new adviser before they first go to Denman for training, with a handmade case to keep their adviser toolkit in. Talking of Denman Sheila was a tutor there for 14 years and recalls that time very fondly; she still takes every opportunity to go there to learn a new skill.

Both these roles have given Sheila the chance to meet members from across Essex and the country, making many long term friends along the way. In fact Sheila says this is one of the most enjoyable aspects of being an adviser and a member of the WI. She also likes judging the competitions at the WIs she attends as the interesting and varied take on the topics is always good fun.

You would never believe that she was shy and retiring when she first started her training but it is that training and having to attend meetings that has given her the confidence and opportunity to take the steps to do things she would never of dreamed of getting involved. She has chaired the Essex Membership Advisory Committee, and has been on NFWI Membership Advisory Committee which meant that she had to find her way to London on her own, although she still finds travelling around the Dengie area a bit scary at times! Sheila is now Essex Federation Treasurer, a role she is embracing and hoping to carry on with to see some of the recommendations and systems she has put into place reach fruition.

Sheila is also a member of the needlework team who produce such wonderful work as the latest centenary banner and new tapestry for the Essex room at Denman. Sheila is very proud of being involved in these projects and part of the legacy they leave, as she and the rest of the team should be. She also feels privileged to have met people who have all these wonderful talents and skills. She is also very proud to be a member of the WI wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the WIs who have invited her along to their meetings as that’s what she enjoys the most about being an Adviser.

Looks after:

Parklands

Mildmay

KAY

LODGE

Kay Lodge who has been a member of the WI for 50 years. Kay has been in all the roles on WI committees including carrying on as Treasurer when undergoing her training to become a WI Adviser in 2005.

Having been interested in drama and dance from a young age the WI gave Kay the perfect opportunity to showcase her talent. Starting with joining her WIs drama group as a performer she ended up producing and directing many plays and reviews for them, winning awards at Federation drama festivals. This led to Kay putting on some very successful shows for Essex Federation, including 90 Glorious Years which was recorded on DVD.

Kay has four children, two sons, sadly one has passed away and twin daughters, along with nine grandchildren between the ages of 14 and 24. She is very proud of all of them and enjoys spending time with them especially on family holidays and special occasions.

After being co-opted on to the Board of Trustees in 2006 Kay was elected as Chairman in 2016 until 2019. She is still a member of the Arts & Leisure subcommittee where amongst other things she organises the popular Inter WI Quiz and Christmas Concerts.

Being a member and receiving support from the WI has got her through illness and bereavement, “The WI are always there”. Kay’s role as a WI Adviser has opened the wider world of the WI, enabling her to meet many members during visits to WIs over the years.

Kay has decided to step down as a full time Adviser from next year, but she’s not been let completely off the hook as she’ll be a MAC Helper with responsibility for a group of WIs.

Looks after:

Victoria

Flete

Ray

Rochford Hundred

SHIRLEY

PERKINS

WI Adviser Shirley Perkins who was involved in Guiding as a District Commissioner and Guide Captain along with running a Brownie pack. So joining the WI in Winchester aged 21 seemed a natural progression, it’s often said WI is guiding for grownups.

Shirley has two children, Scott and Kirsty, and five grandchildren. They, along with looking after her grandson’s goldfish, keep her busy, but she has still found time to be President of Leigh Evening WI for nine years, as well as being a dual member at Broadway Belles WI.

Flowers are Shirley’s other great love, she’s been a member of NAFAS for many years and describes it as Fun with Flowers and Friendship. She happily demonstrates her talent for this art at events and WIs, you may have seen some of her lovely work at County meetings over the last few years including the recent County Annual Meeting.

Shirley became a WI adviser 6 years ago – when she asked why they thought she’d be suitable, the part of the reply she recalls is that she likes to talk, something she wholeheartedly agrees with. Shirley enjoys meeting people and is very much a people person who believes you get back double what you give out. She feels very lucky to be a part of the WI and to have benefited greatly from the support she’s received from its members.

Looks after:

 Oak

Mountfitchet

 PAT 

PRATLEY

Pat, is known amongst the other WI Advisers as “Our rock of the north” as she looks after several WIs in the north of the County has been an Adviser for 7 years, although she has been a member for over 40 years. In that time Pat has taken on most of the roles within a WI but never been a Treasurer as “it’s just not her thing”. That said Pat is a fully trained Independent Financial Examiner and is happy to work with WIs in this role, especially leading up to the end of the financial year.

The three loves of her life apart of course from her children, two daughters and a son, now with the added bonus of a lovely grandson are the WI, Flower Club and cycling, although she doesn’t do so much of the cycling now days. Pat also enjoys crafts and will try out any new ones that she comes across, especially those on offer at Federation as that means she gets to meet members as well. Meeting the members has been a major enjoyment both as an Adviser and during her time as Chairman of Essex Federation, a role which she was honoured to accept and she had a wonderful time going to many WIs, where of course she was made really welcome in the way only WIs can. Pat has found her time as an Adviser a really satisfying one, answering queries, supporting WIs and members, helping resolve problems but she admits she doesn’t enjoy the one thing that seems to blight all WI Advisers, getting lost in the depths of Essex especially when it’s dark and usually raining!

Pat’s latest “hat” is as Essex Denman Ambassador and hostess, which she has been for nearly 2 years. It’s a busy role but as we’re sure all those who went on the last Essex Denman weekend will agree, one that Pat does very well. Pat told us about the changes she has seen over her years visiting Denman, in the 1970’s you would have had to make your own bed and the teas, none of the equipment that they use today was about then. That said Pat has enjoyed all her visits and that comes across in the way she talks so fondly about Denman. Being there for the members and doing what is best for them in whatever the role comes across when talking to Pat, what more could be asked of anyone who volunteers as much time as she does for the good of the WI.

Looks after:

Flitch

Spinners

Audley

Roothings

Cripsey

Cobbin

ANGIE

STEPHENSON