

The WI in Southminster has closed, following the unacceptable decision taken by the National Federation of WIs without consulting the members, to close and subsequently sell Denman College.
The estate in Marcham, Oxfordshire was purchased in 1947 for £16,000 and members raised and donated £66,000 to buy, equip and endow the College for the use of members from all over the Country. It was named Denman College, in recognition of the work of the former National Chairman, Lady Denman.
The members decided to start an independent group called The Dengie 100 ladies Group. As the name suggests, it is open to all ladies from Southminster and the surrounding villages. Meetings will be held in Southminster Memorial Hall on the fourth Tuesday of each month except August, which will be a Garden Party to raise money for charity.
The Group’s first meeting will be on Tuesday July 27th 2021 at 7.30pm. This will be an opportunity for old and new members to meet up, enjoy buffet food and drinks, and put forward ideas and suggestions for future meetings, outings, and events.
If you would like more information about our club, please contact Paula Neall.
Tuesday 27th July 2021 – the doors of Southminster Memorial Hall were wide open to welcome the “birth” of The Dengie 100 Ladies Group, and what better way to celebrate, we had a party! It was lovely to meet and greet so many familiar faces and also some not so known faces to us but we sincerely hope that before long they will be.
Chairlady, Paula Neall made a short welcome speech to all followed by Sylvia Paine who made a small presentation to Paula on behalf of all the ladies. Paula has worked so hard to realise this dream – to bring to the ladies of the Dengie their very own group where they are being asked to let us know exactly what they want in the way of speakers, demonstrations, shows and visits .
Unfortunately, we have been unable to book any trips into outer space as they are rather expensive and as yet funds are not quite able to meet the cost – but watch this space!
We had a wonderful spread of dishes and plenty of them so everybody was very well catered for all followed by some excellent deserts.
All the ladies were asked to fill in slips with their suggestions for future events that they would like to have next year. This really is a group where we hope there will be something for all, so ladies do not be shy come and join us, it is going to be fun. We are still looking to adopt a signature song so any ideas will be very welcome.
August 24th will be our Garden Party at 10 Kings Road, Southminster all are welcome. Funds raised will be donated to Charity.
Meetings will be on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall Southminster. Annual subscriptions are £25.00, payable in September, our Annual Meeting will be held in September 2022.
We hope to be able to give you friendship, fun and interesting speakers or demonstrators, plus of course, tea and cakes.