LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLL - The First in Britain - 1915
Mrs Alfred Watt
The Movement was started in Canada in 1897 and in 1913 Mrs Alfred Watt, who had worked at the WI headquarters in Canada came over to work in London and tried, without success, to start WI's in the south of England.
She then joined the Agricultural Organisation Society, which was set up to advise the Government on food production during the First World War. She was invited by Bangor University College to address the North Wales branch of the society.
There she met Colonel Stapleton Cotton, its Chairman, a man who lived in Llanfairpwll and worked tirelessly to benefit the local community. He invited a group of ladies from the village to meet Mrs. Watt and consider starting a WI in the village.
She then joined the Agricultural Organisation Society, which was set up to advise the Government on food production during the First World War. She was invited by Bangor University College to address the North Wales branch of the society.
There she met Colonel Stapleton Cotton, its Chairman, a man who lived in Llanfairpwll and worked tirelessly to benefit the local community. He invited a group of ladies from the village to meet Mrs. Watt and consider starting a WI in the village.
Colonel Stapleton Cotton
On the 18th June 1915, Mrs. Watt gave an account of the work done by the WI in Canada. From this talk, a meeting September became the first official one and the British WI was founded.
Mrs. Stapleton Cotton was the first President, of Llanfairpwll WI. A committee was then formed and they agreed to have monthly meetings of an educational and social character on the first Tuesday of the month.
Llanfairpwll was a good place to start the WI as the University College at Bangor was just over the Menai Strait and had agricultural studies in its curriculum. There was also a supportive Principal, and an opportunity to invite as speakers from staff. Many were knowledgeable about latest developments in agriculture. Mrs Watt, attended the first meetings and explained the objectives and rules of the WI, and this was adapted to life in Anglesey.
At the first committee meeting it was agreed that food supply was special subject for discussion, and so the programme was planned for the first year. Papers were read, and demonstrations were given. A Professor Robinson was the speaker one week and read a paper on food values and diet. Another saw a Professor Philips from Bangor University giving a short talk on the gathering of wild herbs for medicinal purposes. Also from the university, Mrs Hunter Smith lectured on the easiest and most humane way of killing a fowl, including how to dress and prepare them.
Others speakers came from The Board of Agriculture’s Poultry Scheme and also from the Agricultural Organisation Society. The latter talked about the conservation and bottling of fruit.
Local people were also booked into the programme. Dr Williams talked about a nursing and maternity scheme, Dr Price from Bangor, about the dangers of flies and rubbish heaps, and Colone Stapleton Cotton demonstrated salads and dressings.
The WI members often took action following a talk or demonstration. When they were told about the benefits of buying good seed, they agreed to buy co-operatively. They also listened to a talk on women’s labour on the land and decided to canvas villagers about potential help.
Llanfairpwll WI continue to meet in the Hall in Llanfairpwll afternoon every month. A second evening WI, Gwyngyll, also meets in the Hall. Select Our WIs from the menu for more details.
The Hall is also used as the Federation Office for Anglesey, and as well as the monthly board meetings being held there, the Hall is used for Fundraising and Information events.
Mrs. Stapleton Cotton was the first President, of Llanfairpwll WI. A committee was then formed and they agreed to have monthly meetings of an educational and social character on the first Tuesday of the month.
Llanfairpwll was a good place to start the WI as the University College at Bangor was just over the Menai Strait and had agricultural studies in its curriculum. There was also a supportive Principal, and an opportunity to invite as speakers from staff. Many were knowledgeable about latest developments in agriculture. Mrs Watt, attended the first meetings and explained the objectives and rules of the WI, and this was adapted to life in Anglesey.
At the first committee meeting it was agreed that food supply was special subject for discussion, and so the programme was planned for the first year. Papers were read, and demonstrations were given. A Professor Robinson was the speaker one week and read a paper on food values and diet. Another saw a Professor Philips from Bangor University giving a short talk on the gathering of wild herbs for medicinal purposes. Also from the university, Mrs Hunter Smith lectured on the easiest and most humane way of killing a fowl, including how to dress and prepare them.
Others speakers came from The Board of Agriculture’s Poultry Scheme and also from the Agricultural Organisation Society. The latter talked about the conservation and bottling of fruit.
Local people were also booked into the programme. Dr Williams talked about a nursing and maternity scheme, Dr Price from Bangor, about the dangers of flies and rubbish heaps, and Colone Stapleton Cotton demonstrated salads and dressings.
The WI members often took action following a talk or demonstration. When they were told about the benefits of buying good seed, they agreed to buy co-operatively. They also listened to a talk on women’s labour on the land and decided to canvas villagers about potential help.
Llanfairpwll WI continue to meet in the Hall in Llanfairpwll afternoon every month. A second evening WI, Gwyngyll, also meets in the Hall. Select Our WIs from the menu for more details.
The Hall is also used as the Federation Office for Anglesey, and as well as the monthly board meetings being held there, the Hall is used for Fundraising and Information events.
"Y mae'n debyg i hedyn mwstard; pan heuir ef ar y ddaear, hwn yw'r lleiaf o'r holl hadau sydd ar y ddaear, ond wedi ei hau, y mae'n tyfu ac yn mynd yn fwy na'r holl lysia, ac yn dwyn canghennau mawrion."
Marc4:31 & 32
"It is like a grain of mustard seed, when it is sown in the earth is less than all the seeds that be in the earth. But when it is sown, it groweth up...and shooteth out great branches."
St Mark 4:31 & 32
