‘Newly arrived in Winchester with two small children in the mid 1980’s, we were soon introduced to Lucy Tew. She invited us and some others to a Wives meeting. We met so many welcoming women, who were keen to organise a crèche to encourage women with young children to join. Several of us did, which gave us much appreciated time - a lifeline for me recently bereft of parents. So began an adventure with stints on the committee and meetings with so many kind people generous with their time and homes. That is just Winchester Wives. Many friendships and acquaintances made and continue with some of the children who met in the crèche now godparents to each other’s children.’ Sue Morton

‘There were a good number of our children around in the 1980s. There was a committee post of Children’s Secretary, the holder was also the custodian of a large bag of toys to be taken to each meeting for use in the crèche. It was quite a feat to carry this bag in one hand, clutch a baby in the other as well as shepherding a small child. Two members were required to run the crèche. Sometimes, there was not enough room in the house where the meeting was held so the afternoon became further complicated by leaving the children in another house as near as possible to the meeting. This arrangement had the advantage that any cries of children objecting to being left could not be heard while listening to the speaker! The mothers certainly appreciated having an hour and a half of a talk and chat free from the demands of small people. It was still possible to serve on the committee. I can remember taking my youngest son from a few days old, to committee meetings and lying him down in a corner of the room.’ Lucy Tew
‘I arrived in Winchester in 1988 from Wales with 3 young children. Within a few weeks we had been invited to several dinner parties and one of the wives said to me ‘The best way of making new friends in Winchester is to join Wives.’ This she then arranged and I then had a wonderful support of new friends and shared interests which have lasted throughout my nearly 40 years in Winchester and will continue to do so. Joining the committee deepened the friendships and through attending and participating in Autumn and Branch conferences, Annual and Regional days, lifelong skills were obtained and the values of the extended and welcoming Wives family appreciated.’ Diana Bailey
‘In the 1980’s Sally Martin held lovely bonfire parties with fireworks for Winchester Wives and their families. Our branch has evolved, welcoming women who have just retired, benefitting the branch and them with new friends and interests. Husband and wives evenings continue as has support for members by having a pastoral visitor on the committee, but the Children’s secretary has long gone. Wives has always been an exceptionally friendly and tolerant organisation!’