The WI hut was installed and the Oakington Women’s Institute relaunched in 1931. RW recalled that the hut was one of the government surplus buildings sold after the 1914–1918 war and was erected in Water Lane at about the entrance to what is now Arcadia Gardens. The president was Mrs D. Nichols. A newspaper article from 31 March 1931 reported that the reopening was marked by a dance and social, a cake competition (won by Miss Francis) and the “mysterious competition for gentlemen” by Mr W Elmore. The newspaper commented that “Oakington ladies should be proud that their menfolk took a great interest in the movement.”
Oakington and Westwick WI was relaunched again in 2009. It initially met in the Methodist Chapel, but now meets in St Andrew’s Church Hall.
An article on the WI and the hut, featuring the photograph at the top of this page, appeared in the October 2020 edition of the Village Journal.
If you have any information or photos of the WI Hut, please leave a comment below.
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