Jam Making

The Berkshire Federation Agricultural and Horticultural (later Agricultural and Rural Domestic Economy) Sub-Committee minutes refer to procuring canning machines for fruit preservation and holding a conference on jam where members could share recipes and bring along samples.

The preservation of food was very important during wartime as it enabled food to last longer. The BFWI was even consulted by the Ministry of Agriculture as to the average amount of fruit that was canned and made into jam per year.

The minutes of April 1940 shown here possibly sum up the feelings of the WI in how they should support Britain during wartime:

“what mattered most was what the members could do for the good of the country, not what they could get from joining the guild”.

Hospitality for the Troops

The Berkshire Federation of Women's Institutes Organisation Committee Minutes of 1940, discussed whether members could provide hospitality for soldiers who were off duty. The idea was to provide help to those who could not get around without their own transportation.

The Executive Committee minutes of the same year shown here, refer to the fact that it was agreed that Searchlight Units would ask their men if they would appreciate such hospitality. If they did, the local President would then have to take action.

Adopting Ships

The Brightwell-cum-Sotwell WI adopted H.M.S. Hawthorn during the Second World War. Shown here is a photograph of the crew. Below the photograph is the back of another photograph inscribed with a note of thanks to the WI by the crew for their continued support.