Upchurch Women’s Institute celebrates its 90th birthday this March, but who were the original ladies responsible for forming and organising this popular village group?
When the ladies first met at the old Holywell School on March 20th 1931, a general committee and two sub committees for tea and entertainment were formed. Officers were also elected. A proposal was made to have a monthly meeting opened with the singing of ‘Jerusalem’ and ending with the National Anthem. Meetings were initially held at Holywell School in Holywell Lane and then moved to the more centrally located Infant’s School in The Street.
Mrs Wakeley from Siloam Farm in Rainham became the first president. Connected to a wealthy local farming family, she was married to Richard Wakeley, a partner in the business Wakeley Brothers who owned farmland and property in the area. Mrs Wakeley served as president of the Women’s Institute for the first two years.
Ethel Maltravers, wife of former Holywell headmaster J H Maltravers and a teacher at Holywell School became the treasurer and Ethel Stevens from Holywell secretary.
The general committee included Mrs Hubbard, Mrs Fishlock, Mrs Payne, Mrs Cottrell, Mrs Neame, Mrs Wood, Mrs Cripps, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Hales and Miss Tong.
Some of the committee members were well-known in the village. For example, Margaret Neame first lived and worked with her husband William at the Old Bakery in Forge Lane and then at the grocer’s store known in recent times as Terrys. Mrs Neame played a big part in village affairs forming the Darby and Joan Club in 1952 and she played a leading part in trying to get a village hall for Upchurch. The family moved into the Upchurch Stores in The Street which initially incorporated the post office. They managed the shop during the post war years. Margaret Neame became familiar serving in the shop.
Dora Dawson became another well-known figure in the village as she was married to village boots and shoes repairer George Dawson whose business was located in The Street opposite the church. She also worked at the Infant’s School where she became the longest ever serving teacher with 32 years service. Her work colleague Miss Tong who became established as the headmistress at the Infants School and had a reputation as being a capable and strict teacher also played her part as a committee member at the Women’s Institute and she became president when Mrs Wakeley resigned in March 1933.
Former WI president Ethel Stevens second from the right on the WI float at the first ever Upchurch Carnival in the Paddock in 1952. Photo: Christine Stevens.
Ethel Stevens from Holywell who was married to local farmer Frank Stevens played a major role at the Women's Institute becoming the longest serving president in the organisation with nine years service. Her daughters-in-law Pauline and Christine Stevens later served as presidents. Christine Stevens recently competed nine years as president to equal her mother-in-law's record.
Ethel Stevens became the Upchurch delegate at the Swale Group meeting in Sittingbourne in 1931. She also personally organised many activities and events at the Women's Institute over the years, particularly when she became president during the 1940s.
Rose Wood whose father William Edmonds managed the Three Sisters pub during the 1890s and the early 20th century also married into a farming family as her husband William Wood owned orchards at Ham Green and Poot Lane while Rose owned three of the Black Horse Cottages in Oak Lane which she inherited from her father. She became highly involved in the Women’s Institute activities such as one of the early competitions placing as many objects as possible in a matchbox. She won the competition placing 213 objects in a matchbox. She also gave periodic knitting demonstrations and organised exhibitions of members’ knitting.
Some of the early institute ladies became long serving members such as Win Wraight from The Street who completed 60 years and May Batchelor and Marjorie Butler, both with 57 years up to 1995.
The Holloway family from Ham Green. Kate Holloway is second from the left in the back row. Her husband Horace Holloway is far right in the back row. Kate's mother in law Agnes Holloway is far left in the front row. The photo was probably taken in the 1940s. Photo: David Wood.
Mrs Kate Holloway from Ham Green served as president of the WI for seven years
between 1939 and 1946. The photo was probably taken in the 1940s. Photo: David Wood.
Kate Holloway from Ham Green who was married to fruit farmer Horace Holloway became a significant figure organising a variety of activities, particularly amateur dramatics and poetry recitals. She later became president during the war and held the position for seven years, the second longest term for a president. She gave demonstrations of papier mache during the early years and a bowl made by her was chosen for an exhibition attended by HRH Princess Mary. As president she organised many activities and teas for members on the lawn of her house and orchard at Ham Green.
The ladies demonstrated their creativity with some interesting and sometimes bizarre activities which produced plenty of fun and entertainment. These included tying the greatest number of knots in a length of string, sticking a tail on a pig, peeling a potato blindfolded, knitting while walking, a nut and shoe race, keep fit demonstrations, dancing and treasure hunts. Three courses were also made available for members during the first year which included folk dancing, a choral class and a first aid course.
During its first year the membership of the Women’s Institute increased from 88 to 97 which demonstrated how popular the organisation had become and has continued to be up to the present day, 90 years after being formed.
David Wood
About David
David Wood was born, raised and still lives in Upchurch today. He is able to write from personal experience about village life and the changes that have taken place over the years, making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable and detailed historical study of the village.
David's book is available from David at david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + postage and packing.
