| The 1930s and the fight for mobile trained policewomen |
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1930 WIs were formed at Buckland Drayton, Turville, Turweston and Wendover. 1931 WI formed at Ibstone. 1932 A resolution was passed pressing for the appointment of a trained mobile policewoman for Buckinghamshire and was followed up in every way possible. In May a deputation attended a meeting that was held in the House of Commons and a further resolution was passed at a Federation Council Meeting in November.
163 members joined the Guild of Learners, set up by the National Federation in 1920 to regain the practice of home handicrafts with a view to restore the best traditions of English workmanship and to assist in bringing the best instruction in handicrafts within the reach of villages. Mrs. Cassie Janes of Speen WI (photo) gained her Guild of Learners Certificate in embroidery. In the year from April 1931 to April 1932 the Federation office in High Wycombe sent out 4,850 letters and postcards and 8,000 circulars and agendas. WIs were formed at Castlethorpe, Dunsmore, Oving and Twyford. 1933 The resolution passed in 1932, pressing for the appointment of a trained mobile policewoman for Buckinghamshire continued to be worked on. In January the Standing Joint Committee of the Buckinghamshire County Council received a joint deputation of women’s organisations in the County. Although they were not given a very sympathetic hearing, so much support was received in other quarters that there was every hope of ultimate success.
The first Federation monthly newsletter was sent out to members. WIs were formed at Eton Wick & Boveney, Chalfont St. Giles, Walton and Weston Underwood. 1934 WI formed at Barton & Chetword. 1935 Lady Cottesloe opened the County Handicrafts Exhibition held in the Town Hall, High Wycombe, on June 14th. Two thousand items were entered and 80 exhibits were chosen from which to select the entries to be sent to the National Federation’s Exhibition in London. A second Drama Festival was held with 22 WIs taking part. The first Federation calendar was produced and made £25. WIs were formed at Cholesbury cum Bellington & St. Leonards, Newton Longville, Skirmett and Weedon. 1936 Drama Festivals were held in March with the addition of a class for Towns Women’s Guilds. WI formed at Whaddon with Nash
A non-competitive Music Festival was held in Aylesbury on November 25th, followed by an evening concert. More area Drama Festivals were held with the final in Aylesbury. Arrangements were made to produce a new County banner. WIs were formed at Emberton, Lillingstone Dayrell & Lovell, Mursley, Olney, and Thornborough . 1938 Following the steady sales of the County Cookery Book, It was decided to proceed with a second edition. Forty-eight members enrolled in the Home & Garden Guild, and a party went by charabanc to the Herts Farm Institute where they spent a highly instructive afternoon in the gardens, greenhouses, pig and poultry runs. A County Handicraft Exhibition was held in May in High Wycombe, when nearly 2,000 entries were made. A County Rally was held at Hall Barn, Beaconsfield on July 16th. It was opened by Lady Desborough and there was a procession of banners. WIs were formed at Iver Village, Old Wolverton and Wooburn. 1939 In September an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee was held to consider the position caused by the outbreak of war. All County meetings and events were cancelled due to the difficulties of transport and the fact that many halls had already been commandeered. The National Federation was asked by the Ministry of Agriculture to help with the important wartime work of food production and preservation. By distributing 7 tons of sugar, 370 seed collections and 12 tons of seed potatoes the WI in Buckinghamshire had started to play its part. WIs were formed at Ashendon, Beacons Bottom and Holtspur. At the end of the decade there were 121 WIs in Buckinghamshire. |