Whilst skimming my reader I came across this post from with eyes wide open about Helen’s mum being in the Women’s Institute. My Mum has been a stalwart of the WI for over 30 years and can make a very fine apple pie!

Mum joined the WI at 32 and this weekend was telling me I really should think about it, that I was the right age, I wasnt getting any younger and oh the WI does such good work in the community (they picked up 30 bags of rubbish in the town centre the other weekend).

But am I really ready for jam making and learning the words to Jerusalem? Making scones and having talks from leering local artists?

But then I thought about it, for such a stuffy organisation, the WI has had a few scandals in the past…

• How about two WI ladies touring the world to find the perfect brothel (a campaign to legalise prostitution) or
• Eco-Activism on the Rainbow Warrior II, or
• that Calendar (and the film Calendar Girls of course) or
• how about sex tips for the over sixties (best position to make sure you man doesnt have a heart attack anyone? yes it is a video!!)

The WI? Seriously.

And then she told me about something called WI Lite, a very new and very un-WI like organisation. WI lite is different, i’m liking the sound of getting the best fitting bra, to naked male model sketching, to sex therapy and learning burlesque, to an outing to see Puppetry of the Penis. Is the WI really moving into the naughties and letting go of local flower and vegetable shows? WI lite sounds much more fun than joining a book club. I guess there may be hope for my 30s yet!

Yikes.

Kx

(Thanks Helen for reminding me of this!)