What do you know about the Women's Institute other than its various nicknames, such as "The Wild Indians"?

The Women's Institute was formed in Stoney Creek, Ontario in 1897 and its aim was to improve standards in cooking and hygiene and health.

In 1915 the first Institute across this side of the Atlantic was formed in Anglesey and by 1916 forty WIs had been formed across Great Britain - more than in Canada!  Whittington was the first WI to be formed in Staffordshire.

The first resolution to be made and passed was to urge local authorities to take advantage of government schemes for state-aided housing.  Early priorities included encouraging women to become active citizens and also to regain the practice of home handicrafts with a view to restore the best traditions of English workmanship; with this in mind they also assisted in bringing the best instruction in handicraft within the reach of villagers.

The membership charge was two shillings (10p) a year.