Jill Lucas
AREA ORGANISER FOR MD01
I moved to Crewe at the tender age of 18, not to go to college or uni, but to start work. I needed a junior version of NWR then as I worked with 30 men and three girls! However I met my husband, Bruce, (no, he wasn’t one of the 30) and we’ve been here ever since.
I joined NHR in 1979 and have enjoyed the companionship and stimulation over the years. When my boys were small and I had no paid work it was lovely to get away from the domesticity and talk about anything and everything.
When I suffered from ME for 4 years the support I received from my local group, Crewe & District was phenomenal and helped both my husband and me immensely.
1991 saw me at my first National Conference, Lancaster, and I was immediately a ‘conference groupie’ attending every one since with the exception of Exeter (sorry Exeter!). I served on both the 1992 Keele and the 1998 Chester National Conference committees. I have chaired 2 day conferences in Crewe and been to many more – travelling as far afield as Beverley and Warwick. Crewe’s Bag Whist Evenings that I run have proved very popular and we’ve had to move to bigger venues to accommodate the numbers attending.
Judy and I have taken on the role of joint Area Organisers to put something back into the organisation that has given us so much. It’s a new role for 2009 so we’re still learning but we hope to get out and about to meet as many members in our area and help in any way possible.
Member of:
Crewe NWR
NWR member since:
1979
Judy Challinor
AREA ORGANISER FOR MD01
Originally from Essex (but not known to wear white stilettos, except perhaps to the Rocky Horror Show). I came to Crewe in 1967 to the Women’s Teacher Training College. Then I married a local lad and we moved about Cheshire before settling in a village between Crewe and Nantwich in 1986. We have 2 grown up children who live in the Crewe area.
I joined NHR in 1986 and have been in the Crewe and District group since then. I was Local Organiser in 1993/4, took the reins again in 2001, and now seem to be a permanent fixture. Our group is very active in NWR, participating in area activities, helping out at the National Conference; travelling to other day events.
I lead a very busy life, which includes working, line dancing, swimming, gardening, and of course NWR. I couldn’t imagine a life without NWR; where else could one find lively company, friends to listen to your problems, help you find work, suggest reliable tradesmen, join you on a trip to the opera, and much more.
Jill Lucas and I are hoping to support the groups in our area, listening to any problems they may have, and encouraging them to participate in joint activities, to get to know other members.
Member of:
Crewe NWR
NWR member since:
1986
Marilyn Vigurs
AREA ORGANISER FOR MD02
I joined NWR in the early 80s in Wolverhampton and have belonged to the Trentham Group for about 20 years, since moving to Stoke on Trent.
I have been LO a couple of times and have helped to organise various day conferences and workshops, including Women Going to Pot in 2001 and Women Aloud in 2007. I was also on the Keele national conference committee in 2007. I have not been a regular annual conference attendee, but have been to lots of day events and enjoyed every single one!
I retired from work as an information officer in the NHS in mid 2008, which coincided with the AO for Staffordshire wanting to step down, after 18 successful years in the role. Thinking that I would have time on my hands, and in the absence of any other volunteers, I offered to take over as AO supporting the eleven Staffordshire groups.
I hope to get to know the local LOs and visit all the groups during the course of the next year. I would like to foster more networking and the exchange of ideas and activities between the Staffordshire groups. I aim to hold two area events per year. Staffordshire is known as “the creative county”, so we will see if we can capitalise on that notion!
NWR is lively, informative, enriching and fun, both at group and national level…as a rookie AO, I want to promote those qualities at area level too.
Member of:
Trentham NWR
NWR member since:
1980s
Ann Banks
AREA ORGANISER FOR MD04
I have been a member of NWR for about 9 years, after I moved to Solihull and needed to make new friends. This I have certainly done.
During my membership I have been LO, and am currently treasurer. I also am a member of the the Warks and West Midlands Group, and have helped with most of their events, acting as first point of contact for members applying for a place at our various events.
I recently took part in a radio programme about ‘Women’s Organisations’ (as did Sarah, of course). Being joint AO is an enjoyable position and helps me to get a wider picture of how various groups organise both their group and their meetings. Joining other AO’s at our meetings gives an even wider perspective of NWR and its many activities.
Member of:
Solihull NWR
NWR member since:
2001
Lynn Welsher
AREA ORGANISER FOR MD04
I joined NWR when I moved to Solihull from Bristol in 1986. I had young children and was delighted to find a ready made group of ‘lively minded women’ of a similar age group and situation.
I knew immediately it was for me and soon got involved, taking on the roles of Local Organiser and Treasurer during the years I have belonged. Many of us are still members 22 years on but now with grown up families! I started attending the Conference in 1990 and loved it – a chance to be ME, not someone’s wife or mother – I have been to nearly every one since.
In 2003 I was asked to join the Area Committee set up by Jean Hamilton, a former AO. The Committee comprises representatives from many of the 13 groups in our area. We organised A Medieval Day that year and have followed that with various Area events such as quizzes, coach trips, theatre trips, Literary and Antiques Days. After 13 years in the job Jean decided to step down in 2006 and asked Ann Banks and myself if we would share the job – which we now do.
Being an AO is a very rewarding job and certainly makes you feel part of the National Organisation. It is a great way to meet with other members both locally and also around the country at the annual AO meeting and workshop is to be thoroughly recommended!
Member of:
Solihull NWR
NWR member since:
1986