Frodsham WI have sadly said “Goodbye” to three of their long standing members in a very short space of time. Brenda Frodsham, Jill Postlethwaite and Ann Wales were close friends and their deaths have had an impact on our Institute.
All three of these amazing ladies served the membership of Frodsham WI in Officer and Committee roles. Brenda was Secretary in 1991 and 1992, Treasurer 2003 to 2005, President in 1995 and Vice President in 2000 to 2002. Jill was President from 2001 to 2004 and again from 2008 to 2010, and organised sport for many years. Ann was Secretary from 1998 to 1999 and Treasurer 1993 to 1995 and again from 2006 to 2008. All three were regular attendees at CFWI Spring and Autumn meetings, as well as fulfilling other Committee roles.
Jill had moved from Frodsham in 2018 to a retirement apartment near family in Lymm but had kept in touch with Frodsham members. We will remember her for her expert knowledge on all things WI gained during her long membership. She was a stalwart leader of the Bowls team competing in the annual CFWI challenges.
Brenda Frodsham told us that she first attended a WI meeting as a teenager with her mother. She became a member at Frodsham in its early days and joined Jill in the bowls team. She remained independent in her own home until a couple of years ago when her family felt she would be safer with residential care. She continued her membership though as she enjoyed seeing the magazine and Cheshire News. Much of our knowledge of the early days has been gleaned from Brenda’s collection of programme cards dating back to 1948.
Ann Wales was a long standing, participative member of Frodsham WI until her unexpected death in August, a quiet person who was always ready to help out when called upon. She had been a long-term volunteer in the local Cancer Research shop where she will also be missed.
Members of Frodsham WI will remember these three women with love and gratitude for their friendship over many years.
Frodsham WI has recently taken over the upkeep of the Fluin Lane Memorial site, on behalf of Frodsham Town Council. Gardening members recently planted bulbs bought with funds kindly donated by Councillors Mike Garvey and Lucy Sumner. Look out for the glorious display in the spring.
Frodsham Methodist Church regularly hosts a Christmas tree festival. All local groups and schools are asked to donate a tree and decorate it. The display in the church is then open for visiting! There were so many beautiful trees, and local groups singing carols and playing music. Wonderful!
Our craft group made decorations for our tree, which were so lovely. They are so talented!
The trees are taken down after 3 days and our tree was donated to a local family.
Thank you to all those who helped, making decorations, decorating the tree, or suppling extra lights.
Frodsham WI joined others from the Weavervale Group on a Christmas visit to Arley Hall.
We enjoyed a flower demonstration from Jonathan Moseley, some beautiful arrangements which were raffled off afterwards. Some of us looked round the Hall itself which was decorated with many, many flowers, all arranged by local florists and college students. It was stunning!
The Christmas lunch was delicious! And it was lovely to eat surrounded by our friends. Thanks to Cath for arranging the visit. It was amazing.
Frodsham WI were presented with a ‘Local Heroes Award’ at the Frodsham Christmas Festival. We were being recognised by Frodsham Town Council for our work at Manley Copse. Several members of the WI were there and our president went onto the stage to receive the award. A very proud moment for us!
