Why WI?

A room filled with older women singing Jerusalem, eating cake and drinking tea then finishing with jam making. Stereotypes are easy to come up with when you're thinking about The Women's Institute. But in Sheffield that assumption is being challenged as something quite surprising is happening. More and more younger women are signing up as members of the WI. The city centre Seven Hills branch, which started in 2009, is now full to capacity with 101 members. Most of them are in their 20s and 30s. So many women are wanting to join that they're now having to turn away new members. It's not surprising then that a new branch is starting in the Crosspool area of Sheffield, on the West of the city.

In order to do a report for BBC Radio Sheffield on this story I managed to go where very few men have been in the past, a WI meeting. The room was full of about seventy women, packed into a church hall, chattering away to each other, drinking tea and chomping on home made cake. This was March's meeting of the Sheffield Seven Hills branch and tonight the activity was tea tasting.

Looking around the hall, it was striking how many younger faces there were packed into the room, the average age of their membership is 33. As part of my report I asked some of the members why they enjoy WI. One woman in her 30s told me "I moved to Sheffield six years ago and I knew nobody apart from my partner. The WI has been a really good opportunity for me to get to know women in the same situation as me." 

So what attracts women to the WI? "Friendships, activities and tea and cake - what more could I want?" according to another woman.

As it says on the Seven Hills branch WI website: 'forget the stereotypes...this is WI for the 21st century'. The website details some of the activities they've been up to at their meetings including belly dancing and burlesque. Yet they haven't abandoned the essence of the Women's Institute - members have also learnt to make jam and still sing Jerusalem at their AGM!

Undoubtedly the opportunity to make new friends is central to the Seven Hills WI's success but I think there are other factors. Make and do and mend is not only on trend but also necessary in the financial climate with people taking up crafts that have been neglected for a generation. Vintage or shabby chic is definitely in fashion; these designs are visible on every high street and programmes like 'Kirstie's Homemade Home' and 'Handmade Britain' are raising the profile of arts and crafts and the Women's Institute. And ultimately, WI offers women a cheap night out.

If this Sheffield example of how the Women's Institute is working is replicated elsewhere in the country, its future is in safe hands - The WI for a new generation, acknowledging the old but embracing the new.

Here's my report on the meeting...

listen to ‘Women's Institute’ on Audioboo

BBC School Report: Jessica Ennis

In the build up to competing in the heptathlon at the London 2012 Olympics, Sheffield's Jessica Ennis held a press conference at the English Institute of Sport. This was a rare opportunity for journalists to have five or so minutes with her one on one.

As well as interviewing Jess for BBC Radio Sheffield I mentored Maisie and Stefen, a couple of students at Handsworth Grange School in Sheffield, who were interviewing her for the BBC School Report project. I really enjoyed guiding them through the day and gave them a few tips such as suggesting they ask their most important questions first (since you never quite know how long you're going to get with a 'celebrity'), encouraging them to keep eye contact with Jess and most importantly, remembering that it's just a conversation!

You can watch Maisie and Stefen's video on the BBC website by clicking here. And click here to read their thoughts on their day on the school's website. They are also featured on the London 2012 Olympics website!

Jess Ennis told me how far athletes push themselves - some are physically sick in training because of a build up of lactic acid. She revealed she feels sick every week after training but hasn't yet actually thrown up! Ennis also told me that she has anxiety dreams about competing but is yet to have a dream of winning gold at London 2012.

Jessica Ennis came across really well - she was happy to answer all the questions put to her and she was down to earth and genuine. Best of luck to her in the Big Smoke this summer.

Here's my interview:

listen to ‘Jessica Ennis’ on Audioboo

Mark and Emily's Audio Wedding

September 17th 2011 was the happiest day of my life. Emily and I got married in a church in Norfolk and then all 150+ guests hopped over the border to Suffolk for a hog roast in a huge marquee.

Above are the professional photographs taken by our photographer Danielle Benbow.

A big thank to my younger brother Pascal who recorded an audio diary of the wedding which I've now edited. I've hacked it down to 36 minutes. My best man Matt and I first recorded an audio diary for our friends Joel and Issy's wedding which you can hear by clicking here. I've thought of setting up a business making audio recordings of people's weddings and then editing them into an audio diary. It's a lot more intimate than a video camera.

Click play below to hear Mark and Emily's audio wedding...