A mixed bag at the WI

Jun 5 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

The National Federation of Women's Institute AGM at the Echo Arena _320

THOUSANDS of women visited Liverpool yesterday for a Women's Institute conference that was far more than jam and Jerusalem.

In their first visit to the city, more than 5,000 delegates from across the country converged on Liverpool’s Echo Arena for the National Federation of Women’s Institute AGM.

This year’s principal speakers were broadcaster and writer Sandi Toksvig, neuroscientist Baroness Susan Greenfield and award-winning scientist Professor Averil MacDonald.

A huge drive to recruit 250,000 new members by the WI centenary in 2015, and the world’s first giant knitted billboard were also unveiled yesterday.

The billboard, which took 250 hours to knit by four members, circled the Arena. It was advertising a competition to find a WI member to present a “how to” television show and become Sky’s W-Icon.

Members also tried their skills on a Nintendo Wii-fit console and board.

Retiree Jeanette Archbold, from Northumberland Federation, said the Wii was fantastic.

She added: “It’s my first time in the city and I imagined it to have lots of run-down buildings, but it’s wonderful and the location of the Arena is stunning.

“I’ve visited the Klimt exhibition, the cathedrals and the Albert Dock and I’d definitely come back.”

During the morning debate, 97% of members voted in favour of a resolution calling on government to change the way the mentally ill are treated.

Addressing the conference, Juliet Lyon, director of the Prison Reform Trust, said mentally ill offenders should not be placed in unsuitable overcrowded desolate prisons.

She said: “One of our member’s sons ended his life in prison after suffering mental health problems.

“He didn’t cope well with prison and it was unsuitable for him . . . it is difficult to think of anywhere more likely to make an ill person worse.

“There are gaps in mental health care and we need to put pressure on government to change things.”

The second resolution was met with much more gusto when members debated whether to ban sea bottom trawling in the EU.

Phillip McMullin, head of environment at the Seafish Industry Authority, sponsored by the government, was jeered when he said the WI’s reputation would be damaged if they passed the resolution.

Delegates spoke of their support for UK fishermen and, in a closely run debate, the resolution to support a ban on bottom trawling, which damages marine life, was overturned with 3,335 against and 3,051 votes for.

Chairwoman Fay Mansell also announced WI members had reduced their carbon footprint by 190 tonnes over the last year.

laurasharpe