Coddington Women's Institute
Compiled by Jane Hedge 2007
The Women's Institute had its origins in Canada in 1897. It was formed to encourage countrywomen to grow and preserve food.
It started in Britain in 1917
Coddington W.I. was founded in 1934. We know that Mrs H Handbury was a founder member, as was Mrs Geeson, both farmers' wives. Unfortunately we do not have records for the first years of our W.I.
We have a photograph of a group of Members from Nottinghamshire visiting the House of Common circa 1936.
The ladies used to meet in the Old School rooms before the Village Hall was built. As you will see from the earliest records we have, those are for 1947, it was a time of great austerity and the speakers came to encourage the ladies to make new from old.
The Newark Advertiser did an "In the News" article dated 20th April 1938.
A roll call taken at Coddington's W.I. meeting last week on "What I dislike in our Village", brought forth comments about the lack of large houses for large families, the need for a District Nurse for Coddington, the inadequate sewage system, the refuse dump and the need for street lighting.
This is the first record we have of the Speakers and competitions that took place at the monthly meetings.
1947 SPEAKER COMPETITION
January Hat Renovation No competition
Miss Johnson
February Birthday Party No competition
March Film Drawing what you see in a mirror
Mr Roberts Notts.R.C.C
April Thrift Rugs Vase of spring flowers
Miss Minkle
May Mrs Davies V.C.O Neatest darn
June General handicrafts Something new from
Mrs Armitage something old
July Surnames Favourite economical cake
Mrs Kirk Recipe and sample
August No Meeting
September Felt jewellery & novelties Harvest collections
Mrs Holmes
October Social Security Best shined shoes
November Christmas Cookery Sandwich fillings
Mrs Bowen Sweet and savoury
December Annual Meeting Home made Christmas presents
When Lady Denman became the first National Chairman she presented to the Institute a house where women could attend many varied courses, learning new skills and meet other members from all over the country.
A bursary is awarded each year to allow a member to chose a course and attend Denman College.
Each year there is a craft competition, judged at the Newark and Notts show. A group of ladies from each of the villages in Nottinghamshire W.I. enter a display on a certain theme that incorporates four or five different skills. The Group have had success over the years with 1st places.
We have a list of Past presidents but some names are missing, we would like to hear from anyone who can fill these in.