Yummy mummies rejuvenate WI

FRESH start . . . back row (from the left) Lauren Bartlett, Michelle Nield, Jennifer Whitworth and Fiona Halliwell. Front Vanessa Procter (left) and Suzanne Thorp

SADDLEWORTH women say that you can’t keep a good group down — even if its old image was all “Jam and Jerusalem.”

In March last year, Saddleworth Women’s Institute closed. But now a group of mothers in their thirties, all from professional backgrounds, have re-established the association.

And the first meeting, held at the Saddleworth Hotel, Delph, drew a turn-out of 80 women from across the district.

Spokeswoman Jennifer Whitworth said: “The fresh new image portrayed by these yummy mummies has rejuvenated the interest of women from the Saddleworth area.

“These are like-minded women with ambitious young blood, or more experienced women who are young at heart.

“Some people perceive that the WI is all Jam and Jerusalem, twin sets and pearls.

“But the new group want to make a modernised step change to the image while retaining the core values.

“The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities.

“It also gives the chance to build new skills to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them.

“The first meeting was very successful and Vanessa Proctor from Greenfield was elected president.

“Meetings will be held at the Saddleworth Hotel on the first Wednesday of the month with the first being on September 3 at 7.30pm.

“The group hope to plan speakers and events which will appeal to all.”

For more information phone 07970-732444 or Jennifer Whitworth on 07967-006362.