The Golden Anniversary Poem
by Lucy Barker.
On our golden anniversary We're glad that you could come for tea. For in that half a century You've all been part of our history. And one or two have played a part In our WI right from the start.
Looking back to fifty years ago It might seem the pace of life was slow But some may think in many ways They really were the Good Old Days. The High Levels area - so to speak As a community was quite unique. There was a school, a chapel and a pub hand Surrounded by agricultural land.
You might think, unless you had a car That people didn't travel far But local buses flourished then, We haven't seen those since I don't no when. They would pick you up at the end of your lane And dropped you off back home again. And to go to town or a special function Trains picked you up at every junction.
The butcher and the grocer delivered to your door There was a mobile hardware store. Fresh fish from Grimsby - that was a treat It made a change from home cured meat. No-one ever stole a car And you could safely leave your door ajar. Every farm cottage was occupied Most cottages to the jobs were tied.
There were lots of children - the school was full. So was the Chapel - and the Black Bull! But mechanisation on the land Meant the farmers needed fewer hands. Many of them went away For factory jobs with better pay. And with tractors and combine harvesters, of course, If meant the end of the shire horse.
So many changes there have been Especially on the farming scene. Today the farmer and his wife Have a very different way of life. The High Levels WI formation Must have caused a real sensation . For the farmers and the far workers wives It must have completely changed their lives.
It must have opened a very wide door After the dark days of the war. Every meeting must have been a treat In the old schoolroom with an old stove for heat. They did bottling, canning and spent many happy hours Re-trimming hats and arranging flowers. Lots of things were scarce -it's true So they had talks on making "do".
Within the group they used to go To the South East Border Group Spring Bulb Show And to Council Meetings, quite a long run To Harrogate and York when Yorkshire was one. And in June each year, they answered the call To be delegates at the Albert Hall. Outings were organised -perhaps to see the sea Or down to London to meet the MP.
They had competitions at every meeting And if it was your birthday, you got a posy for a greeting. The people worked hard, so it was not surprise They were early to bed and early to rise. Not a lot of time for leisure But it was simple things that gave them pleasure. Having friends around for tea The Chapel Anniversary.
Agricultural Shows where they would compete And to Doncaster Market once a week. Lovely old films to see a the Regal With Michael Wilding and Anna Neagle. A weekly Whist Drive in the school, per chance And the Farmers Union Dinner and Dance.
Because of the children the school was the hub Only men in those days went to the pub. But soon the Education Authority in town Decided the old school should be pulled down. The parents objected and put up a fight So a new school was provided, all airy and light.
Tho' the age range was wide, the teaching was sound, In this area you have only to look around At the Brooke's, the Cundalls, the family Dent All did well wherever they went. The Oliver's, the Broadleys and the Barker lot We're grateful for the excellent grounding they got. The children were happy, but they had to work Under teachers like Gwen Craggs and Joan Kirk.
But with falling numbers the school had to close. When the building was sold the WI had no home. So I said you had better come to me Thinking this would be temporary. For seventeen years we met at Sand Hall And some memorable times were had by all. We settled in well and what is more There was no caretaker banging on the door!
Actually for me, it was really great I didn't have to turn out and I was never late! But situations change, as they always do So when I came here, the members came too. I moved in bag and baggage And that's why we're sitting in an old double garage! But some things never ever change. Since the old school days, with the smokey old range.
To the Founder Members we should give three cheers The standard they set has lasted through the years. When you consider all we have done Since 1947 when our WI begun.
How many Minutes have been read and signed? How often have we wined and dined? How many talented women within us? How many lovely Christmas Dinners? How many Group Shows have we entered in? How many times have we managed to win? How much music and drama - we've played many parts? How many quizzes, dominoes and darts? How many outings, whatever the weather, When we all have a wonderful time together? How many thousand cups of tea? How many resolutions in Home and Country?
So much of interest and so much knowledge How lucky we are to have Denman College. To the Founder Members we owe a great debt For what they did for us, we must never forget. Perhaps we ought to think of them Whenever we sing Jerusalem.