Well what a day! A roller coaster of emotions with such moving talks from both Dr Mark Williams OBE and Baroness Floella Benjamin OM DBE DL. The Rock Choir had us all joining in and we celebrated 2 new advisers, Amy Taylor and Angela Dowdeswell. As well as 3 new IFEs, Emma Harrison from Davenham, Jo Cridell from Haslington and Sandra Wright from Norley. Congratulations to you all
Congratulations also to the winners of the Website & Social Media Sub Committee photo competition. 3rd place to Cheshire Virtual Wheatsheaves WI. 2nd place to Northwich Wilton WI and Ist to Tytherington Treacles WI who weren’t available to collect their certificate.
There are a lot more photos of members we will be sharing on our website in due course.
Thanks to the over 700 members who attended and sang so beautifully, to our guests from neighbouring federations to the staff and volunteers at the Story House, to our staff, adviser team and trustees for making it, and I quote. “ The best day ever. “
Full write up of the day under the photos.
CHESHIRE FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S INSTITUTES AUTUMN MEETING
MONDAY, 5TH OCTOBER 2026 AT THE STORYHOUSE, CHESTER
Returning, once again, to the fabulous Storyhouse, Chester, the Autumn Meeting took place on Monday,
5th October 2026, with 730 members attending. Ann Beckett, Federation Chair, welcomed everyone to her
first meeting as the new ‘Chair’ and hoped everyone would enjoy the day. Everyone stood to sing
Jerusalem, which, always sounds incredible in a theatre of that size. Former CFWI Chair and Chairmen,
Selina Prescott, Jean Harding, Chris Bailey, and former Treasurer, Diane Coulton, were all welcomed, along
with Executives from nearby Federations, Clwyd Flintshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Staffordshire.
Apologies were given for Trustees, Wendy Morris and Bev Langham, along with former Chairmen, Sylvia
Batty, Helen Carey and Margorie Hall. Trustees, Advisers and CFWI staff, were greatly thanked for their
support and help in organising the event, as well as the Storyhouse staff and stewards, who all do a
wonderful job.
MONDAY, 5TH OCTOBER 2026 AT THE STORYHOUSE, CHESTER
Returning, once again, to the fabulous Storyhouse, Chester, the Autumn Meeting took place on Monday,
5th October 2026, with 730 members attending. Ann Beckett, Federation Chair, welcomed everyone to her
first meeting as the new ‘Chair’ and hoped everyone would enjoy the day. Everyone stood to sing
Jerusalem, which, always sounds incredible in a theatre of that size. Former CFWI Chair and Chairmen,
Selina Prescott, Jean Harding, Chris Bailey, and former Treasurer, Diane Coulton, were all welcomed, along
with Executives from nearby Federations, Clwyd Flintshire, Derbyshire, Lancashire and Staffordshire.
Apologies were given for Trustees, Wendy Morris and Bev Langham, along with former Chairmen, Sylvia
Batty, Helen Carey and Margorie Hall. Trustees, Advisers and CFWI staff, were greatly thanked for their
support and help in organising the event, as well as the Storyhouse staff and stewards, who all do a
wonderful job.
Dr Mark Williams OBE, was warmly welcomed to the stage, where he shared his incredibly inspiring and
life-changing story. He spoke openly about being involved in an accident that, unfortunately, resulted in
the loss of his leg. Rather than allowing this life-changing experience to define him, he turned adversity
into opportunity and used it as motivation to achieve something extraordinary. Through determination,
resilience, and an incredible positive mindset, he went on to become a Paralympic athlete gold medallist.
From designing his own prosthetic leg cover, he received commissions from others, who wanted to
express their individuality through their own prosthetics. This creativity led him to starting his own
business Limb-art, which has since grown into a successful global company. His journey is an amazing
example of how determination, creativity, and a positive mindset, can transform challenges into
opportunities. Trustee, Helen Tyrrell, gave a sincere vote of thanks to Mark, which honoured his courage
and achievements.
life-changing story. He spoke openly about being involved in an accident that, unfortunately, resulted in
the loss of his leg. Rather than allowing this life-changing experience to define him, he turned adversity
into opportunity and used it as motivation to achieve something extraordinary. Through determination,
resilience, and an incredible positive mindset, he went on to become a Paralympic athlete gold medallist.
From designing his own prosthetic leg cover, he received commissions from others, who wanted to
express their individuality through their own prosthetics. This creativity led him to starting his own
business Limb-art, which has since grown into a successful global company. His journey is an amazing
example of how determination, creativity, and a positive mindset, can transform challenges into
opportunities. Trustee, Helen Tyrrell, gave a sincere vote of thanks to Mark, which honoured his courage
and achievements.
After a quick stage transition, forty members of the Chester, Knutsford & Warrington Rock Choir smoothly
took their places, for what can only be described as joyful and harmonious performance. With songs from
Guns & Roses, Oasis and others, Kathryn the Choir Leader very quickly had us joining in for what turned
out to be a mass sing-along! It was very enjoyable and a great finish to the morning session. Trustee,
Helen Ebbitt, a member of her local choir, gave a vote of thanks to them all for a wonderful performance.
At 2pm the meeting resumed with the raffle being announced, prizes included, the top table floral
arrangement, garden vouchers, a gel printing workshop voucher, amongst others. Ann Beckett then
revealed the winners of the recent photography competition ‘Four Seasons of the WI’. In 3rd place – The
Cheshire Virtual Wheatsheaves WI, in 2nd Place – Northwich Witton WI, and 1st place – Tytherington
Treacles WI. Members from those WIs attending on the day, came up on stage to be awarded their
certificates, they were all thrilled. Ann highlighted Christmas workshops and confirmed the exciting news,
for 2027, that the Federation will be, once again, holding the show at The Royal Cheshire Show next June,
giving notice to all those who like to enter, and that any helpers, would be greatly appreciated.
Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE was introduced, her personality larger than life, she instantly had everyone
laughing with her reference to the famous Play School programme and which window was it today, as an
extra, she’d brought the iconic Humpty! She shared her personal story of growing up in Trinidad, being
separated from her parents when they travelled to England as part of the Windrush Generation, later
being reunited with them in the UK, although having to endure discrimination of racial prejudice, for many
years after that. She told of her determination to succeed, studying, being involved in entertainment,
becoming an author, supporting charities and receiving many honours. Members rose to their feet in
applause. Vivien Lee, Vice-Chair gave a vote of thanks to Floella, referencing the wording on her statue,
which sits outside the University’s student guild, to have empathy and respect, contentment and
gratitude, and confidence and self-worth. Floella was overwhelmed by the kindness and stayed behind
afterwards in the foyer, for photographs with members.
took their places, for what can only be described as joyful and harmonious performance. With songs from
Guns & Roses, Oasis and others, Kathryn the Choir Leader very quickly had us joining in for what turned
out to be a mass sing-along! It was very enjoyable and a great finish to the morning session. Trustee,
Helen Ebbitt, a member of her local choir, gave a vote of thanks to them all for a wonderful performance.
At 2pm the meeting resumed with the raffle being announced, prizes included, the top table floral
arrangement, garden vouchers, a gel printing workshop voucher, amongst others. Ann Beckett then
revealed the winners of the recent photography competition ‘Four Seasons of the WI’. In 3rd place – The
Cheshire Virtual Wheatsheaves WI, in 2nd Place – Northwich Witton WI, and 1st place – Tytherington
Treacles WI. Members from those WIs attending on the day, came up on stage to be awarded their
certificates, they were all thrilled. Ann highlighted Christmas workshops and confirmed the exciting news,
for 2027, that the Federation will be, once again, holding the show at The Royal Cheshire Show next June,
giving notice to all those who like to enter, and that any helpers, would be greatly appreciated.
Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE was introduced, her personality larger than life, she instantly had everyone
laughing with her reference to the famous Play School programme and which window was it today, as an
extra, she’d brought the iconic Humpty! She shared her personal story of growing up in Trinidad, being
separated from her parents when they travelled to England as part of the Windrush Generation, later
being reunited with them in the UK, although having to endure discrimination of racial prejudice, for many
years after that. She told of her determination to succeed, studying, being involved in entertainment,
becoming an author, supporting charities and receiving many honours. Members rose to their feet in
applause. Vivien Lee, Vice-Chair gave a vote of thanks to Floella, referencing the wording on her statue,
which sits outside the University’s student guild, to have empathy and respect, contentment and
gratitude, and confidence and self-worth. Floella was overwhelmed by the kindness and stayed behind
afterwards in the foyer, for photographs with members.
The meeting concluded, with Ann, thanking members for such an enjoyable day and she looked forward to
seeing everyone again, at the Spring Annual Meeting on 23rd March 2027. Everyone stood to sing the
National Anthem. Tricia Jones, Trustee, recognised Ann Beckett’s position as Federation Chair and
conveyed sincere appreciation and best wishes to her.
seeing everyone again, at the Spring Annual Meeting on 23rd March 2027. Everyone stood to sing the
National Anthem. Tricia Jones, Trustee, recognised Ann Beckett’s position as Federation Chair and
conveyed sincere appreciation and best wishes to her.
Karen Monks, Federation Secretary – October 2026