CFWI Centenary Celebration Concert
On Tuesday 25th February 2020, fourteen hundred members of the Cheshire Federation of Women's Institutes congregeted in Chester Cathedral for a concert of Celebration , to celebrate one hundred years of the federation, which had been founded in 1920. Kelsall WI were represented by thirteen members.
The cathedral was filled to capacity, and we were told that the only man present was the pianist, who was there to accompany the choir, the Weaver Valley WI Group Choir, conducted by Louise Dickinson, and also, of course , to accompany all of us as we sang Jerusalem, and Happy Birthday.
Our Federation Chairman, Jean Harding opened the proceedings by inviting us all to sing a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday .
We were then treated to several songs by the choir,especially chosen for the occasion, introduced and explained to us by their conductor .The choir sang at various intervals throughout the hour long concert, and in addition, the five winners of the short essay competition, "What being a member of the WI means to me", read out their words. These five ladies were Maureen Cliff , of Kingsley WI, Anne Brooks of Over Peover WI, Patricia Weeks of West End Girls Sankey Valley WI, Donna Johnstone of Fulshaw WI and Katherine Macvicker of Norley WI.
There was also a very entertainiog sketch by Ness and Little Neston WI, and a very enjoyable performance by Alsager WI choir.
After a very enjoyable hour, Jean Harding closed the proceedings by thanking us all for coming to share this very special occasion, and then, we sang Jerusalem , with gusto!
Each one of us left the cathedral with a boxed piece of cake , to enjoy later with a welcome cup of coffee, to heat us up after an enjoyable , but rather chilly , hour !
(The following pictures show Margaret and Evelyn , and half of Myra, in place before the concert....we had very good seats.The second picture is also before the concert, and the third was taken after the concert had ended , when the door at the back had been opened . The picture does not do the scene justice! )
APT
