A CHRISTCHURCH WI group has proved “it’s not just jam and Jerusalem” as they celebrate their thriving organisation.

So popular is the group at St Catherine’s Hill, they have a waiting list for members, as they can’t fit them all in their hall in Marlow Drive.

President Jo Dunn, who set the group up three years ago, said it was popular right from the start.

“I’ve been in a WI group wherever I’ve lived so I set one up here when we moved,” she said.

“I was quite nervous as I didn’t know what the response would be, but it took off right from the word go.

“We now have around 87 members and a few more on the waiting list. People like the fellowship and the friendship side of things here.

“I certainly like to do this because of that and hate the thought of people being by themselves.”

The group meet monthly at St Catherine’s Hall on the first Tuesday with different activities and speakers at each meeting.

“Their December meeting saw members in festive dress with Christmas hats and jumpers for a special lunch.

“It’s not just jam and Jerusalem here; it’s so much more than that,”, Jo added.

“We are a support for people and a chance to socialise.

“We meet for coffee, lunch and have a lot of fun. I’m not like normal presidents.

“We’re not stuffy here at all.

“I think that’s what some people think of the WI as, but it’s changed and modernised while retaining its traditional values.”