Llanfairpwll, Anglesey: First WI in Britain
In September 1915 the first ever branch of the Women's Institute was established at Llanfairpwll. It was to be the first in Britain.
In September 1915 a branch of the WI was established at Llanfair PG. It was to be the first in Britain. This followed a public meeting in June of that year, when Mrs Madge Watt from British Columbia addressed a meeting at Bangor about the women’s movement in Canada.
Anglesey landowner Colonel R.S.G.Stapleton-Cotton, together with his wife Jane, invited Mrs Watt to address the women of Llanfairpwll. It was agreed to establish a branch of the WI, and Jane Stapleton-Cotton was elected president.
The emphasis was on improving domestic hygiene, and enhancing food production for the war effort. Members were treated to lectures on such topics as how to kill and prepare a fowl, or how to prepare a salad!
The first WI meeting, a year into World War One, was at the home of one of the members just down the road from the toll house. Meetings were held at the Summer House of Y Graig, a mere stone’s throw from the branch’s present-day headquarters. Later, they would purchase their own premises, a hut, attached to the toll house.
The toll house was later sold to the local council. In 2008 the WI on Anglesey decided it would like to buy the building and signed a 25-year lease with the council.
Image/location: The Toll House, Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, Ll61 5SX
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
Trailblazers—World War One At Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
People who changed the world around them
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Wales—World War One At Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Places in Wales that tell a story of World War One
Women—World War One At Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
How war transformed the status and role of women
More clips from World War One At Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
-
The loss of HMY Iolaire
Duration: 18:52
-
Scotland, Slamannan and the Argylls
Duration: 07:55
-
Scotland Museum of Edinburgh mourning dress
Duration: 06:17
-
Scotland Montrose 'GI Brides'
Duration: 06:41