Causing a stir

It was shown whilst I was still away on holiday but I realise that the first BBC documentary about the WI has provoked a fair bit of opinion both within the organisation and beyond. Liz kindly put a news clipping on my desk from (I think) the Daily Mail which features the same group of ladies and I have to say, reading it left me with a better understanding of why so many people have wanted to talk about the programme.

I felt uncomfortable reading some of the statements expressed in the article, particularly those which suggest that no-one else in the WI has fun, that everyone wears polyester and has grey hair. (Hmm. We'll skim over that last one!) Sorry, before I accept criticism on behalf of this bunch of WI members, the facts have to be correct. And anyway, who cares whether we wear thongs or directoire knickers?

The great strength of the WI is that it can cater for everyone, regardless of age or interests. Each WI is free to put together their own programme, to formulate their meetings in a way to suit themselves and the constitution is flexible enough to accommodate women of all types. Here in Gloucestershire, we have WIs of all shapes and sizes, old ones, young ones, traditionalists and non-confomists. There is room for all.

So, when I read about a WI in an article such as this, I wonder why the challenges are being laid down? How can someone who has "appointed" herself set out to show such a deeply democratic organisation how it should be done?

What do you think?