CROWDED: The first meeting of the Bookham Belles WI, which led to the decision that a second new branch should be formed.
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By Jennifer Hardwick
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A NEW Women’s Institute group set up in Bookham attracted so many members that a second group is now being formed.
With 55 members signed up before the Great Bookham Belles’ first meeting at St. Nicolas’ Pastoral Centre on October 20, the new committee really was staggered when 100 women attended on the night in the hope of joining the group. Three WI branches already meet in the village, with another three active in Fetcham.
Great Bookham Belles’ president Amanda Edge told the Adveriser: “It was crazy but fabulous at the same time. I don’t know where all those people came from. I was absolutely in awe that night. It’s very exciting though.”
The group was supposed to continue meeting at the pastoral centre but it is now too large, so has moved to Manor House School.
DISCUSS
As a result the pastoral centre, off Church Road, is free to house another WI branch.
A meeting will be held there on Monday at 8pm to discuss it.
Speaking about the success of The Great Bookham Belles, Surrey WI adviser Ann Lilleywhite said: “It was amazing. At the initial meeting we held there were 35 but obviously at the group’s first meeting there were quite a few more. There are still a lot of women who want to join so we are hoping to set up another one.
“It was a lovely first meeting, everyone was very happy. Please come along on Monday if you would like to be involved in the exciting adventure of launching a new branch.”
Any one interested in joing should attend Monday’s meeting or email annwi@seary.org