Ann and Minty Day talking to Sybil Graham
Ann joined the WI in 1958, as a newly married women who had moved to a new area. Knowing no one her cousin was a member of Ringway and Hale Barns and suggested Ann join too. She was a member there until 1988 when she joined Over Peover WI where she is still a member.
Always enjoying taking part in the Drama productions the WI members produced, in 1967 Ann went on a Drama Producers Course tutored by Peter Dornford May. Together with her training in ‘Speaking in Public’, Ann was invited to join the Federation Combined Arts subcommittee which she served on for many years becoming the chairman of the sub-committee.
Ann has held many positions within the Federation as well as serving as secretary at Ringway and Hale Barns and President of Over Peover twice and joint secretary with Minty Day.
Ann has served at Federation Vice-Chairman as well as chairman of the combined arts, sport and leisure and the International sub-committees. She was editor of Cheshire News and Secretary of the WI marquee at Cheshire Show.
Ann was a Trustee of the Federation from 1970 through to the late 80’s
She says that being a WI member has taught her to be a Team Player as ‘There is no I in Team’. The WI taught her everything, broadened her knowledge in many interests and gave her confidence.
If she met her younger self Ann says she would tell her to ‘Go For It’ as you never know where the WI will take you or lead you. Impulse led her to enter the ‘Cook of the Year’ staged at Cheshire Show in 1987. She won the competition which gave her the confidence to go onto take her Home Economics Certificates in Preserves, Cookery and Baking and her Demonstrators Certificates.
Cheshire WI Cook of the Year
Ann’s interests in Drama saw her taking part in the CFWI 50th anniversary panto, scene 80 and various pantomimes in the 1990’s which she co-wrote, stage managed and took part in.
Ann says she has learnt almost everything through being a member of the WI. There was so much to learn. She enjoyed gardening lessons at Tatton from Sam Youdd, then became a volunteer at Tatton Park for 20 years and was invited to attend a Royal Garden Party at Bucking Palace for helping at Tatton.
She has enjoyed a great deal of friendship and fun being a member of the WI memorably doing a ‘Reverse’ Strip in the CFWI Jubilee Show with Minty. They had a lot of fun and got a lot of laughs but she says her husband was horrified.
Ann’s Photo Album
Ann enjoyed some very memorable visits to Denman to do courses in drama, antiques, genealogy, Cheshire News, writing for pleasure and cookery and thinks it should be compulsory for every member to visit Denman and enjoy the unique experience of being there amongst other members.
On the editorial course at Denman with Helen Carey, Ann says the other editors were amazed that the editorial team had fun on ‘Cheshire News’ editorial days – which they did as they had a great team who worked hard and enjoyed it and many laughs.
Ann hopes that the young members of her own WI will give all the time and energy needed for them to gain much from their membership and not treat it just as a social club.
She also served as a committee member for Cheshire Show for 20 years and is a Friend and Secretary of the Duchess of York Hospital for babies. She is a supporter of the Children’s Society.
Ann’s best piece of advice is ‘Never let the sun go down on your wrath’ and ‘If you don’t communicate it won’t get done’.
Ann describes herself as being Loyal, Impulsive and Dependable.
She relaxes by taking part in Yoga, Cooking, Gardening, Travel, Reading, Music, Pilates, Golf and Crosswords.