Old Buckenham Women's Institute

Centenary celebrations start soon

At their March meeting Old Buckenham WI had an interesting talk on the work of a magistrate. The talk was cleverly presented, each member first being asked to try to answer 16 questions about magistrates. The answers to this quiz revealed some interesting facts. The use of magistrates in this country dates back to 1316 and the age limit is 18 to 70. Members also learnt that there are about 25,000 magistrates in England and Wales and that a magistrate does not have to have any formal qualifications. They undergo continuous training and they are not paid a salary, only travel expenses. There are three magistrates at each court sitting and there is always a legal adviser present at each hearing. The gender of magistrates is 50/50 so that at each hearing there is always at least one of each gender on the bench. Magistrates have to commit to do a minimum of 26 sittings each year and that you become a magistrate by applying yourself, not being put forward by another person or by answering an advertisement.
Old Buckenham WI is looking forward to the many events that are planned in the WI Centenary Year. Firstly there will be a special Open Evening at the Village Hall on Saturday 25 April at 7.30pm and all are welcome.
June is a busy month with a Garden Party, by kind permission of Barbara and John Frost, on Saturday 20 June. Two Old Buckenham members are attending the Buckingham Palace Garden Party on Tuesday 2 June – this to be hosted by the Duchess of Cornwall and the Countess of Wessex. Two days later, on Thursday 4 June, the village hall management committee have kindly arranged for the national WI Annual General Meeting at the Albert Hall to be beamed directly to the big screen in the village hall. It is hoped that Old Buckenham members will be joined during the day by other WI members from the local area.