Toot Hill Women's Institute, 1973–2011

Following its Golden Jubilee celebrations in May 1973, Toot Hill Women's Institute continued to play an important role in the social life of the village for another 38 years.

Established in 1923, the Institute had already become a much-loved part of the community, bringing together generations of local women through friendship, education, handicrafts and charitable activities.

Its first fifty years, including its foundation, contributions during the Second World War and Golden Jubilee celebrations, are recorded in the accompanying article, Toot Hill Women's Institute, 1923–1973.

The years that followed saw the Institute maintain its traditions while continuing to participate in village events, celebrate important occasions and contribute to the wider Women's Institute movement.

Continuing the Traditions

During the latter part of 1973, following the opening of the new Village Hall, the Institute maintained a varied programme of activities, including tapestry classes, yoga lessons and whist drives. Members also organised a party for disabled people from Grange Farm.

These activities reflected the Institute's longstanding commitment to education, recreation and community service.

Throughout the following decades, successive Presidents and committees helped sustain the organisation and its place in village life.

Mrs K. Green remained President until 1974 and was succeeded by Mrs I. Withers, Mrs Lena Martin, Mrs J. Taylor and Mrs Gladys Smiles.

From 1985, Mrs Charlotte Jefferson served as President for eight years, followed by Mrs Margaret Padfield and Mrs Elsie Feakes.

In 1997, Mrs Shirley Millman became President, a position she would hold until the Institute disbanded in 2011.

The Toot Hill Tablecloth, 1997–1999

One of the most interesting records from the Institute's later years concerns the creation of a specially embroidered tablecloth, designed to reflect the history and identity of Toot Hill Women's Institute.

The project began in the summer of 1997, when the Institute entered a competition at the Toot Hill Horticultural Show and won first prize, receiving a Silver Rose Bowl and £25.

Members agreed that the prize money should be used to purchase a new tablecloth for the Institute.

Five members — Mrs Chapman, Mrs Meredew, Mrs Millman, Mrs Taylor and Mrs Twynham — volunteered to plan the design and oversee its decoration.

The chosen design incorporated three distinctive emblems:

• The Toot Hill village sign, representing the Institute's close association with the village.
• The Essex County emblem, reflecting its county identity.
• An adapted Women's Institute badge, incorporating the Canadian maple leaf and the English rose.

The maple leaf acknowledged the Canadian origins of the Women's Institute movement, while the rose represented its English traditions.

Creating the Embroidery

Mrs Shirley Millman contacted Mrs Brenda Scraggs, a Women's Institute Executive member specialising in needlecraft, for advice on transferring the designs to the cloth and selecting suitable materials.

Particular attention was given to reproducing the Toot Hill village sign accurately.

Mrs Millman's husband photographed the sign, using a stepladder to obtain the correct angle and avoid distortion. The photograph was then sent away to be converted into an embroidery chart.

Threads and other materials were purchased from a specialist needlecraft shop in Finchingfield, Essex.

The work was shared among the members. Mrs Chapman embroidered the village sign, while Mrs Twynham completed the Essex emblem.

Mrs Millman adapted the earlier Women's Institute badge, incorporating the Canadian maple leaf and English rose into its design.

Once the individual pieces of embroidery were finished, Mrs Taylor carefully attached them to the tablecloth.

The project was completed during 1998, bringing together the skills and contributions of several members.

The finished tablecloth was ready for use when Toot Hill WI convened the 1999 Cripsey Group Spring Meeting, held at North Weald Village Hall.

The tablecloth was more than a practical item for Institute meetings. Its carefully chosen symbols and intricate needlework celebrated the village, the county and the traditions of the Women's Institute movement.

It remains a particularly interesting example of the craftsmanship and community spirit associated with Toot Hill WI.

A Letter from Buckingham Palace, 2002

In 2002, Toot Hill Women's Institute joined organisations throughout the country in celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Her Majesty's accession to the throne, members sent a card and message of congratulations to Buckingham Palace.

Their gesture received an acknowledgement in the form of a letter from a Lady-in-Waiting, written on behalf of The Queen.

The letter conveyed Her Majesty's thanks for the congratulations and the splendid card sent by the members of Toot Hill WI.

It also expressed The Queen's appreciation for their kindness, loyalty and support, thanking them for remembering her on this special anniversary.

For the members of a small village Institute, the reply from Buckingham Palace was a memorable recognition of their participation in a significant national occasion.

The surviving correspondence provides an interesting reminder of the Institute's connection with events beyond the village and its participation in national celebrations.

The 85th Anniversary, 2008

Another important milestone came in 2008, when Toot Hill Women's Institute celebrated its 85th anniversary.

The occasion was formally recognised by the Federation of Essex Women's Institutes.

On behalf of its Board of Trustees, the Federation sent a message of congratulations and best wishes to Toot Hill WI on reaching its 85th year.

The commemorative message was signed by the Federation Chairman.

Mrs Shirley Millman was President at the time, having held the position since 1997.

The anniversary marked 85 years of friendship, voluntary service and community participation, recognising the contributions of successive generations of members.

It was also one of the final significant milestones in the Institute's long history.

The Final Years, 2008–2011

Following its 85th anniversary, Toot Hill Women's Institute continued for a further three years.

Mrs Shirley Millman remained President throughout this period, completing fourteen years in office.

In 2011, the Institute finally disbanded, bringing to a close 88 years of history since its foundation in March 1923.

Its closure marked the end of a longstanding village organisation that had witnessed enormous changes in rural life, from the years following the First World War to the beginning of the twenty-first century.

Presidents of Toot Hill Women's Institute, 1923–2011

Throughout its 88-year history, Toot Hill Women's Institute was guided by 18 women who served a total of 19 presidential terms. Their dedication and leadership helped sustain the Institute through changing times, from its foundation in 1923 until its closure in 2011.

Among the longest-serving Presidents were Mrs Emeline Millbank, who held office for 21 years from 1932 to 1953, and Mrs Shirley Millman, who served for 14 years from 1997 until the Institute disbanded in 2011.

Mrs Joyce Wallis was the only President recorded as serving two separate terms, first from 1956 to 1959 and again from 1967 to 1969.

Together, these women represent nearly nine decades of leadership, voluntary service and commitment to the social life of Toot Hill.

Remembering Toot Hill Women's Institute

For nearly nine decades, Toot Hill Women's Institute brought women together through shared interests, companionship and a commitment to their local community.

Its later years continued the traditions established by earlier generations, while creating their own memories and achievements.

The embroidered tablecloth, the letter from Buckingham Palace and the congratulations received on its 85th anniversary are valuable reminders of the Institute's activities during its final decades.

Together with the surviving records of its earlier history, they help preserve the story of an organisation that contributed to village life for 88 years.

Although Toot Hill Women's Institute ceased to exist in 2011, its history remains part of the heritage of Toot Hill and the parish of Stanford Rivers.