Our WI Memories
In 2019 we celebrated our 85th birthday - what a milestone.
Sadly, our earlier records have been lost and we can only piece together our history via the personal memories from members and our more recent archives.
In 2009 we celebrated our 75th birthday and to celebrate this we made a booklet of members memories.
In 2019 we celebrated our 85th birthday - what a milestone.
Sadly, our earlier records have been lost and we can only piece together our history via the personal memories from members and our more recent archives.
In 2009 we celebrated our 75th birthday and to celebrate this we made a booklet of members memories.
What a spread! This group of Sibsey WI ladies are obviously prepared for a special tea.
This brilliant photograph was sent to us by Barry Speed.
This brilliant photograph was sent to us by Barry Speed.
reminisces
During our Members evening of January 2009 we listened to a tape that was made in the 1960's called 'Mrs Burgess Reminisces', a Lincolnshire lady telling us her early memories of the WI and giving us a wonderful insight to her life.
Our eldest member began to tell us of some of her memories of Sibsey WI. She remembered the 'Old tin hut' where meetings took place and how her Mother would light the boiler before meetings to warm the room and that the outside toilets were awful. Members had to walk and cycle to meetings from a distance and that during the War they weren't allowed to have lights. She also remembered the 1st Sibsey WI Outing to the Wedgwood Potteries.
Our eldest member began to tell us of some of her memories of Sibsey WI. She remembered the 'Old tin hut' where meetings took place and how her Mother would light the boiler before meetings to warm the room and that the outside toilets were awful. Members had to walk and cycle to meetings from a distance and that during the War they weren't allowed to have lights. She also remembered the 1st Sibsey WI Outing to the Wedgwood Potteries.
Party time
It may be 1938 but everyone was in party mood. With a family get together at the war time hut. PV
Paper round
These three ladies are members of Sibsey WI and this is 1940. The are going around the village collecting waste paper for the war effort. PV
First Sibsey wi outing
Our first WI outing took place in 1956 when we went by coach to the Wedgwood Pottery at Stoke on Trent. PV
entertainment 1938
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Members of the Sibsey WI entertained two dramas. PV
21st birthday party
This was 1955 and Sibsey WI were celebrating their 21st birthday, with a party in the old war time hut. PV
say it with flowers
I have been in the Sibsey WI for 16 years and I cannot remember how many flower arrangements I have made for the Presidents table. I just enjoy doing them! MB
albert Hall
I remember going to the AGM at the Albert Hall as a delegate in the 1970's. The coach picked us up early in the morning and we travelled down to London. It was a lovely experience, as everyone agrees who has been. Especially when Jerusalem is sung. MW
Blast from the Past -Stoke Potteries trip 1989
The rainbow singers
The Rainbow Singers began life in 1985 after a lot of nagging on my part at our then President June Sissons and our Sibsey WI Committee, of which I was a member. I was finally given permission to form a music and drama sub-committee which was named ' The Sibsey WI Choir & Drama Group' ( not too original) and we began our journey with the princely sum of £20.00 to purchase music, plays etc.The drama section was not as popular as the singing section and after a while this ceased and we just became the 'The Sibsey WI Choir'. We started singing in the school canteen at Sibsey Free School to see if anyone would be interested in just the singing section singing 'Early one morning', I knew a lady who could play the piano , we had worked on the school PTA pantomimes in previous years, the lady was of course our own Ann 'Fingers' Thompson. We graduated to the Sibsey Village Hall 'cupboard' where the old piano was kept and where we first heard and sang 'Curly Headed Babby' one that Ann had in her wonderful collection of music. She had the knack of finding pieces that really suited us and this is still one of my favourites today. It was a work of art getting there but great fun. We were approached by our county chairman to take part in a choir competition and with much encouragement and support from our own WI members and many executive members we entered quite a number over the years and had a few nice comments. One that remains with me is and I quote 'Small is beautiful'.
Over the twenty four years since it has, until the last two or three years, been our privilege, our pleasure and our challenge every year to have represented Lincolnshire South Federation of WI's in many different churches around the county, each one bringing its own challenges for our annual Carol Service.
Although we have hung our county carol books up we are still going strong, meeting weekly, doing concerts (not as many now) but most importantly still singing. People have asked me why we The Rainbow Singers and my answer is this - 'Each colour is individual and only when they come together do they make a Rainbow.' My girls mean just the same, 'each is an individual but together they make a wonderful Rainbow of sound.' I have been very proud of all my girls past and present and I thank them for letting me have the privilege to be their leader. Long may we continue sharing fun, laughter, friendship and singing. GO
Over the twenty four years since it has, until the last two or three years, been our privilege, our pleasure and our challenge every year to have represented Lincolnshire South Federation of WI's in many different churches around the county, each one bringing its own challenges for our annual Carol Service.
Although we have hung our county carol books up we are still going strong, meeting weekly, doing concerts (not as many now) but most importantly still singing. People have asked me why we The Rainbow Singers and my answer is this - 'Each colour is individual and only when they come together do they make a Rainbow.' My girls mean just the same, 'each is an individual but together they make a wonderful Rainbow of sound.' I have been very proud of all my girls past and present and I thank them for letting me have the privilege to be their leader. Long may we continue sharing fun, laughter, friendship and singing. GO
happy 40th birthday sibsey wi
Sibsey WI celebrated its 40th birthday in 1974 at the old Sibsey Methodist Chapel on the corner of Millers Gate.
Jubilee TEA
I remember the Jubilee Tea we hosted in 2003 to celebrate the first 50 years of our Queens reign. We invited friends, neighbours, and families to a fifties style tea. Over a hundred people came and we served tea, sandwiches and little cakes laid out on wooden trestle tables. The hall looked festive with colourful bunting. Sing-along entertainment was provided by our Rainbow Singers, and a Lincolnshire accordionist, collector and performer of local songs. i read out a poem I'd written of my memories of being a four years old on a rainy Coronation Day. A really special day. YM
LINCOLNSHIRE SAUSAGE AND MASH
My first memory of Sibsey WI was Autumn 2004. After the business part of the meeting was over, we all sat down to my first Lincolnshire Harvest Supper - local sausages, mashed potatoes, peas and onion gravy- it was wonderful! The people I sat with were so welcoming and friendly. I thought 'Sibsey WI - here I come'. AC
our jubilee party november 1984
Jubilee Party 1984
It was a very proud moment to stand with 4 past Presidents of Sibsey WI, Margaret Allison, our local Voluntary County Organiser VCO and Mrs Bell, one of the earliest members who cycled from Frithville whatever the weather to attend WI meetings. June Sissons made the beautiful cake and the entertainment that night was dancing to Ron Diggins 'Diggola'. Ron was the 1st DJ in the country and designed his own rig. It was a night to remember. ( Left to right - Mrs Cutts, Mrs Allinson, Mrs Needham, Mrs Bell, Jean Bailey, Marilyn Taffinder and June Sissons). MT
Garden organic
While the bulk of the party spent their day in Coventry. Sue M, Sue H, myself, President Yvonne and Dot had a wonderful time browsing around Garden Organic. The weather was lovely and we had a splendid picnic (WI Healthy Lifestyle Picnic competition entry 'Eat a Rainbow') in the Elysia Biodynamic Garden. AB
MY wi memories
I have only been a member of Sibsey WI for about a couple of years but I was struck by the warm welcome I received and soon made new friends. Looking round the garden every month for something to take for Bloom of the Month is always a pleasure and I wish more people would enter. I have been involved in the Quiz team and although my general knowledge is somewhat lacking it's a fun night out. The has been the opportunity to join in with other WI's in the area on occasions and taking part in the Make, Bake and Show made me realise what talented people there are in this area and that old crafts are still relevant today alongside newer skils ie Digital Photography. SG
what the wi means to me
When I joined in 1975, Sibsey WI used to meet at the Chapel. The houses at Millers Gate are now built on this site. I remember walking down a long dark passage to a small meeting room at the back, with a tiny kitchen. I remember making the teas there, with my Mum, and I'm still doing the same job now. I have a photo of the WI 40th birthday celebration, with some well loved faces, now departed.
In 1978 June Sisson organised a coach outing to Chelsea Flower Show. We were all presented with a red carnation mounted on a cardboard heart. As it was the last date, they were selling off plants and June ordered a rose which bore her name. Weather, company, interest, journey - a happy day out with the WI family.
Melton Mowbray was the venue for one food-based August day outing. We visited a Cheese factory in the morning and in the afternoon had a chance to make our own hand raised Pork pie. Lots of laughter and Marilyn went back the following day to collect our finished pies, some interesting shapes but delicious.
I nearly agreed to become President, by accident. I'm happiest in the kitchen, been there all my life. SH
In 1978 June Sisson organised a coach outing to Chelsea Flower Show. We were all presented with a red carnation mounted on a cardboard heart. As it was the last date, they were selling off plants and June ordered a rose which bore her name. Weather, company, interest, journey - a happy day out with the WI family.
Melton Mowbray was the venue for one food-based August day outing. We visited a Cheese factory in the morning and in the afternoon had a chance to make our own hand raised Pork pie. Lots of laughter and Marilyn went back the following day to collect our finished pies, some interesting shapes but delicious.
I nearly agreed to become President, by accident. I'm happiest in the kitchen, been there all my life. SH
