12 Scarlets had a bit of fun on Tuesday night thrashing the odd bowling ball around. I have to say some of us were much better at it than others. It was Team Janet that ran away with a high score, leaving Team Pauline somewhat in the gutter. Nonetheless we had a laugh and a few aching limbs over a gin afterwards.

Southport Scarlets regard our membes as important and comply with the principles of the current and changing Data Protection legislation. This policy provides an overview of what data may be collected, how it is retained, and your rights.

What information do we collect about you?
The personal data we hold about you is your name and address. This is the minimum information required by the NFWI. Southport Scarlets may also have an email address and telephone number for you.

How will this information be used?
This information is used to enable you to be an active member of the WI and Southport Scarlets.
The information will be used by Southport Scarlets to contact you regarding meetings, events and sub-groups.
The information held by NFWI is so they can send you your copy of WI Life.

Sharing your Information
Your information is stored on a secure data base and also by the secretary of Southport Scarlets. This information will not be passed on to any parties outside the WI and will be destroyed once it is no longer required.

How long will we store this information?
This information will be stored for as long as it is needed for legal purposes.

GDPR Consent
You have the right to withdraw your consent for us to use your information at any time, however if you with draw your consent to hold your email address and phone number this will mean you will not be able to be informed of any meetings, events or subgroups, and if you withdraw your consent to hold your name and address this will cancel your membership contract with the WI and your membership will be terminated.

If you have any questions about this policy please contact a member of the committee.

25th May 2018

January kicks off in style with the Southport Central WI changing its name to Southport Scarlets WI. We’re currently looking for a logo that ties it together. All suggestions are welcome.

We are moving venue and from Thursday 11th January will meet in the Almond Room at the Family Life Centre at the junction of Cemetery and Southbank Roads, PR8 6JH. The Centre has  car parking and can offer special assistance, access and facilities for clients with disabilities.

I’ve updated the How to Find Us section of this website but here is the map for ease of reference. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday 11th 7.30 – 9.30.

Happy Birthday to us. Next week marks the third year since the Southport Central WI branch was inaugurated. We’ll be holding our third Annual General Meeting on Thursday 13th October at Waterside Lodge, 7.30 pm. New members are welcome and we’d love to see you there.

When our President Alison Kay asked me to review A Force to be Reckoned With, a History of the Women’s Institute by Jane Robinson I was apprehensive as it was very different from the books I normally read. However, I quickly realised that it was not only interesting and informative but also enjoyable.

The author tells the story of the birth of the W.I in Britain and the reasons for its inception, which were to offer support, friendship and education for rural housewives who often lived isolated lives. Hygiene and child-care were high on the original agenda as well as to empower women to help themselves.

The narrative on how the women of the W.I were essential to the war effort as they worked tirelessly to provide food grown in their gardens or raising livestock such as pigs, chickens and rabbits is fascinating. It was interesting to discover that The WI was also prominent in helping feed members of the Home Front, helping with the Land Army and also assisting with the evacuation of children from the cities. Robinson brings to life the many strong minded members who helped shape Britain as we know it today, not only with the work carried out in the War but also assisting the Government with information about rural conditions. Numerous local branches kept detailed records of home conditions and the work they did during the War enabled many changes to take place to improve the lives of rural families.

After the war the National Federation of W.I’s founded Denman College to offer women, most of whom had left school at about 12, access to further education. The members worked tirelessly to finance the College and to provide education for women.

Robinson humorously navigates the undercurrent of envy and of petty jealousies among the members over the decades to show that overall the ideals of friendship, education, fund raising and campaigning prospered and still do.

A Force to be Reckoned With really highlights the indomitable spirit of the members of the NFWI.

 Elisabeth Cavanagh, Southport WI Book Group leader