Burleydam WI celebrates Cheshire villages

The topic for Burleydam's 64th birthday celebrations on 7th July was Cheshire Villages, photographed and described by Celia Lea. The pictures were excellent, the commentary interesting and informative but there seemed to be a degree of melancholy about the subject.

Churches were featured, from the outside looking as they had for centuries but we know what changes there have been in the role of the church. Pubs are still a popular feature of villages but what part do gastro-pubs play in village life?

We saw some local ceremonies and celebrations including the gooseberry shows which recall traditional summer fetes. No shops featured though and few village schools.

In 1943, two years before Burleydam and District WI was established, a book in the series Britain in Pictures was published called "Women's Institutes". It is a fascinating account of WI's before and during the war. It ends with a look to the future. "We shall want the wider experience and different outlook of the younger members as well as the maturer wisdom of older women if peace time villages are to be living units not crumbling relics."

Those younger members now see their daughters and grand daughters in the WI. Many of the Cheshire villages though, whilst not actually crumbling, no longer seem to have a heart. There are, though, examples of village shops being saved and run by and for the community, in pubs becoming the hub of village life by offering a meeting place, access to the internet and cash machines.

The original best kept village competition continues, but as part of the wider Community Pride initiative which now also judges community spirit and vibrancy. Perhaps there is hope for the future of Cheshire villages after all.

The competition "A picture of village life" was won by Liz Gentil, second Elaine Walton and third Eva Sadler.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.