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Cliveden and the Women's Institute

Nancy, Lady Astor had a close connection with the Women's Institute, she was president of the Cliveden and Dropmore Institute for many years .

Early in 1922, the Government proposed the disbanding of the Women's Police Force. This proposal was immediate taken up by the Women's Institute and its National Federation campaigned strongly against it, this continued through the 1920's and early 30's when the proposal was dropped. At the first County Rally held at Cliveden in 1933, Nancy declared she had raised the matter in Parliament for many years. At this Rally she was accompanied by Mrs Sara Roosevelt (mother of the U.S. President) and to make a point Nancy seized the umbrella belonging to Mrs Roosevelt during her speech to members saying "that it was women of the world not men who would make England's Green and Pleasant Land". 2,000 member were present at that meeting. Nancy's famous niece, Joyce Grenfell also a WI member and who lived at Parrs Cottage, performed many of her sketches at Cliveden and Dropmore W.I. and at Taplow W.I. meetings before they came to national attention.

Just before World War 2, Nancy hosted the Triennial Conference of the Associated Country Women of the World (A.C.W.W.) at Cliveden. 300 delegates were present. The National Federation of Women's Institutes were founder members of the A.C.W.W A second rally was held at Cliveden in 1965 hosted by Bronwen, Lady Astor, who was so impressed that she followed her mother-in-law and became a member of Taplow and Hitcham WI, the Cliveden Institute having closed, and she remained a member until leaving Cliveden.

The National Federation of Women’s Institutes is still campaigning on issues of local, national and international concern. Discussions are held with members of government, European parliament and United Nations agencies - policing, labelling of food, domestic violence and education are but a few.

Muriel King