On Wednesday the 21st April at 1.15pm we were delighted to welcome Sue Kendall for our first lunch time session.
Seventy six members ate their lunch and chattered prior to the start whilst waiting to be entertained.
Sue responded to a Hat Trick Productions advert via the NFWI advertising for contestants for Mastermind! She revealed what it was like to be a contestant and even the title music gives her the chills. She told us about the application process and how she had to choose three specialist subjects – The WI, Harlen Corben the author and the last twenty years of the Archers. During her flight to Belfast from Birmingham her luggage was lost and the production team had to provide her with clothing and toiletries. Apparently the hall where the filming took place was very cold – so much so that John Humphrys has a heater under his desk!
She certainly gave a plug for the WI organisation – fabulous publicity. Did you know the breed of dog which belonged to Betty Christmas the first warden at Denman College was a Labrador? Sadly Sue didn’t know either but her specialist knowledge and general knowledge was superb. Sue narrowly missed going on to the semi finals as she drew with another contestant with 16 points and only missed out on going forward by the number of passes. She said “it was an unbelievable experience and everyone at Hat Trick Productions and the BBC were very kind”.
Sue’s fascination with all things WI runs to her collection of over 200 WI badges and a WI history books. Sue narrowly missed going on to the semi finals due to the number of passes.
She is currently an Adviser, is an ex-Chair of Northamptonshire Federation and a WI camper.
If you missed the episode click on the link