June meeting of Old Buckenham Women's Institute

 

Remembering policemen

At the June meeting of Old Buckenham WI, members were transported back to the 1960s and 1970s by the speaker Martin Wynne. Martin is a retired policeman and, as a 19 year old in 1966, was determined to become a policeman. Unfortunately he was too short for the Norfolk or Norwich police force at that time and so enlisted with Essex. His first posting after training was Stanstead, a much different place in the 1960s. Martin patrolled the streets on foot or on bicycle with no radio. The police officer cycled from one red telephone box to the next to report in to the station. His duties also included cutting lawns and hedges at the local police station. An altogether slower pace of policing to match the slower pace of life in general. Martin eventually returned to his home county of Norfolk and was stationed at Bethel Street in Norwich where he ended his career as a sergeant.
The local representative at the WI AGM in Leeds this year was Eileen Bowhill of Attleborough WI. Eileen gave a thorough report of the day's proceedings and the guest speakers - the poet Andrew Motion, the ecologist George McGovern and the TV presenter Bill Turnball. This year's national resolution on encouraging organ donation was passed with 97% in favour.
Members were reminded to contribute to the WI stall at the Village Hall Fete on Saturday 19 July, enjoy the Progressive Supper in July and provide food for a supper at their meeting on Thursday 24 July meeting when they will be entertaining members of New Costessey WI. The talk that night will be about Octavia Hill and the National Trust.