The committee is voted for by the members at the Annual Meeting which is held in March each year.
In June 2016 the following by-law was passed for Wantage WI by the Board of Trustees.
“The President, Secretary and the Treasurer may only serve as that Officer for a maximum of 3 (three) consecutive years. Any member holding the position of President, Secretary or Treasurer for three consecutive years shall not be eligible to accept nomination or co-option on to the committee for the following year. In exceptional circumstances, one or more officers may be allowed to extend their term of office for one more year.”
President ~ Barbara Harker
I moved to Grove in 1981 thinking we would only be here for a couple of years but happily we are still here 38 years later. We have three sons and now four grandchildren, two boys and two girls who are a delight. We have travelled a little with the children and spent nearly three years living in Ethiopia in the late 1980s. I have been a teacher all my working life and retired in 2011 after working in both Mainstream and latterly in Special Education. The last 11 years I worked at our wonderful local special school first as deputy head and then as headteacher. I joined the WI shortly after retiring and am very pleased to have made that move. I love travelling, I am still involved with Special Education but I also enjoy being with the grandchildren, art, walking, reading and trying to keep fit.
Secretary ~ Jayne Snewin
Sandra White ~ Treasurer
Eileen Webster ~ Committee Member
My husband and I moved to Grove after marrying in 1964. We have three children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, they are our pride and joy. I have been a member of Wantage W. I. since 2010 and have loved every minute. I am enjoying my second time on the committee I have got to meet so many lovely people and experienced many new things since being part of this amazing group. I am an active member of the church and enjoy visiting National Trust properties, going to the theatre, knitting, reading and making cards.
Membership Secretary ~ Diane Monnery
I moved to Grove in 1986, my son was 2 and my daughter 6 weeks old. I was keen to become an active member of the community and over the years I have been on many committees ranging from boys football to friends of guiding. I retired in 2013 having worked as a psychiatric nurse for 35 years. With the children being grown and more time available for me, it has been a pleasure to make a commitment to Wantage WI. I have always felt that to get the best out of a community you need to put something in.
Vice President, Events Secretary ~ Liz Dickins
After living abroad for 14 years in Germany and America I finally came to Wantage in 1995 to set up home with Keith. We got married in 2005 at Lains Barn (what a fabulous fun Wedding that went on for 3 days!) and went to Chicago and New Orleans (two months before Katrina struck) for our honeymoon. I am an Interior Designer and Upholsterer and have had my own business for over 30 years, which has taken me all over the country and to different parts of the world. I absolutely love my job and have had the most satisfying career, meeting interesting people and seeing fabulous homes. I have 2 step Children and 4 step Grandchildren, my stepdaughter and family live locally, so we are very involved in their lives which is such a joy. I am your archetypal cat lady, having had 22 stray cats in my life, all of which found me. I currently have two, rescued from being sent to a shelter, called Bumble and Charlie who I absolutely adore. The WI has given me so much more that I could have ever imagined and I have made so many good friends. I loved every minute of being President for 3 years and also serving in various capacities on the Committee.
Programme Secretary MCR rep ~ Rita Hetherington
I have lived in the Wantage area with my husband Jim for over 40 years. We have two sons and one lovely granddaughter. During the time I have been here I have made many friends and become involved in several local groups within the community. I joined Wantage WI at the end of 2011 and within a few months found myself on the committee. After a variety of roles I was proud to be elected President of this friendly inspirational group. My career started with 3 years in Kent teaching Home Economics and Textiles. I then moved to Oxfordshire. After being made redundant from Fitzharry’s school I moved into “special education” and set up a Behavioural Support Unit at St Birinus school in Didcot. I finally retired after 35 years of teaching. I am secretary/chair of Grove Table Tennis club and Welfare Officer for the Didcot and district league. My interests include: walking, table tennis, tai chi, needlecrafts and cookery.
Linda Rees ~ Rotas and Committee Member
My husband and I moved to Wantage in 1971, and we have two children and 13 grandchildren (lots of twins). I joined WI in 2001 and have been a member of Wantage Ladies Circle and Tangent amongst others. I enjoy gardening, sewing and reading. My Mother was in her local WI and I can remember her always making things, so I had to try it out. What a wonderfully social club.
Wantage WI 