NWR's Area Organisers

To contact an area organiser click on the envelope next to their name.

Janet Tuffs - AO EA02 I joined the Melton Mowbray group of NWR in 1978 and then my present group, Grantham on my move here in 1986. I became an Area Organiser in 1993 after attending my first National Conference. I currently look after 14 groups: Boston, Brant & Witham, Deepings, Farnsfield, Grantham, Grimsby & Cleethorpes, Horncastle, Lincoln South, Newark, Oakham, Stamford, Sudbrooke, Waltham, and Welton. I feel over this time I have built up strong relationships with many of these members. I hold an annual Spring Area Meeting with a speaker and buffet lunch which groups take turns to host. Also I try to visit 3 or 4 of my groups each year. I help them plan their programmes and co-ordinate events. I have just finished chairing "A Good Read - the Sequel" with a very enthusiastic committee. One of my proudest achievements was findng memorable speakers for the 2001 Nottingham National Conference. I also work hard to follow up enquirers and try to set up new groups. I see an Area Organiser's role is to strengthen the profile of NWR and the links between members whilst having fun and gaining a circle of good friends.
Hilary Prior - AO EA03 I am a relative newcomer to NWR having only joined the Beccles group in early 2006. I had taken early retirement from nursing due to illness and found myself at a loose end during the day as my friends were all still working. Beccles NWR is held weekly in the mornings so was perfect for me. I now have many more friends, thanks to NWR. I am also back working part-time. I became an LO in 2007. I felt that NWR had done a lot for me and I could return the favour. I attended the Keele Conference in 2007 and enjoyed it and then last year in Bath it didn't take much persuasion from Kathryn for me to fill the vacant post of AO for EA03. My area has 5 groups, Beccles, Dereham, Diss, Norwich and Wymondham/Attleborough. I am gradually visiting and getting to know them and hoping to arrange an area event later this year. I'm looking forward to the AO Workshop in May and to making more new friends.
Jill Cook - AO EA05 About 3 years ago I was feeling rather lonely. I felt I did not fit into any other women's group so I went online to trying find something for me. I came across NWR and found much to my disappointment there was not a group near to me. So I contacted the main office and asked if they had a waiting list for new groups, they suggested i start my own. I was not keen at first, Burnham is not a large place and i did not want to see pushy. After speaking to a couple of people I thought I would "give it a go" and that is how Burnham-on-crouch group came into life. Now nearly four years on, I felt I wanted and could give some help but to NWR and tell others how much is changed life for me. I contacted the office and asked if there was an Area organiser in Essex and the answer was No! So here I am and I do hope I can help NWR and the members in my area, and they in turn feel able to contact me for advice or help.
Yvette Llewellyn - AO EA06 When I moved back to Peterborough after 12 years of being away with my husband in the forces, I had lost touch with most of my old friends so needed to make new ones. My children were still quite young but not quite at the "needing to be taken to school "stage so there was no real contact with other playground mums. I spotted an article in our local newspaper about NWR and decided to give it a go. That was in 1985 and I have been a member ever since. I have taken on the role of Local Organiser, Programme Organiser, helped on the Nottingham Conference Committee and, in the last few years, been Area Organiser of North Cambridgeshire groups. We hold an Area meeting each year and every 2 years, take part in an Area Quiz. I love the variety of topics we discuss, the differing views of the members and try not to miss any of our meetings. There are lots of areas without an Area Organiser so if you would like to broaden your circle of friends I would recommend giving it a try.
Jill Smith - AO EA07 I was rather a late convert to NWR. In my working life I commuted to London each day and by the time I got home it was too late to get involved in any kind of village activity. When I retired I looked around for something to occupy me and thought NWR might keep my mind, such as it is, a little active. In the year 2000 I attended my first Conference in Durham and my conversion was complete. I have been to every conference since and really appreciate, enjoy, and feel they are excellent value for money. It was in March 2003 that, with a little 'gentle' persuasion from Eilis, I became AO for area EA07. My task is to look after 7 groups Cambridge, Elsworth, Hemingfords, Somersham, St. Ives, St. Neots and my own group Bar Hill. It was with some trepidation that I embarked on this course but I can honestly say it has been a joy. I try to attend at least one meeting with each group every year which is a great pleasure for me, it also brings to attention, to the individual groups, that we are part of a larger organisation. There was a little apprehension, from some of the groups, at first but now I am greeted like an old friend which is wonderful.
Patricia Barrett - AO SE04 I joined NWR in 1985 when I moved to Tadley, near Basingstoke. I didn't say much but felt accepted. I took my turn at being LO and attended my first Day Conference in Birmingham and represented my group in the annual Hants/Berks Quiz Nights. In 1993 I married and moved to Sutton. I tried various groups but never re-joined. When we moved to Redhill I immediately joined the group. I was so impressed by the feedback from members who attended the Edinburgh conference I decided to go to Chester the following year. As a chartered management accountant I attended the 2000 prospective trustee weekend but decided against standing for election. Instead I tried organising a local event: a walk along the North Downs. Then I volunteered to be an Area Organiser. Following a suggestion at my first AO weekend I started visiting each group for a typical meeting. After a discussion lunch at Andover I decided to plan an Area Lunch and I also started an Area Newsletter. Last year I invited all the LO's from Surrey to a lunch in Guildford to promote a day Event organised by the Bookham group. The benefits of being an AO are I feel I can influence and have greater access to the staff and trustee. I am made aware earlier of future events and used as a sounding board at annual AO weekends. I can assist and encourage LO's if asked and provide a link among nearby groups. My other leisure interests include being a Horticultural exhibitor of roses, fruit and vegetables at local shows and Yoga.
Barbara Lang - AO SE05 I joined N.H.R in 1985, I saw a poster while I was out walking the dog. My first child was then 14 months old. The Local Organiser of that group was later to become my daughter's middle school teacher. The Totton group had 37 members then. The first meeting a attending was at my G.P's home as his wife was a member of N.H.R. We had a speaker and the place was packed. I never actually stopped working; I was a midwife and went on to the Bank and did occasional hours also at family planning clinics. My second child was born in 1986.When he was 2 years old I returned to work for 16 hours a week in charge of a laser treatment clinic plus some midwifery bank work. Over the years Totton group numbers fell. For a long time we only had 10 members now we have 13.We meet fortnightly and we also have some pub nights out. In April 2006 I did a transatlantic voyage on a tall ship Stavros S Niarchos for which I received the Mary Scott Award. I returned as a volunteer crew member and now have completed 5 voyages as a first aid purser with my 6th due in Feb 2009.For a long time I had thought about becoming an Area Organiser but family commitments prevented me as I looked after grandchildren and was still working part time. Now I am looking forward to a new chapter in my life.
Pauline Reymond - AO SE06 In my mid teens I made a decision - it was that because I'm an only child if I wanted to do anything with my life I had to be prepared to do it alone. I have followed this belief ever since! Following an article and picture about NHR in Worthing in the Worthing Herald in 1963, I contacted Broadwater Group and became a member in January 1964. This is still my group. Family and sailing commitments prevented me from attending National Conference. My first National Conference was Brighton (1989) when I joined the Committee. I haven't missed one since! Talk of introducing area work seemed a logical way forward, and I supported the idea from the start, so when the opportunity to become AO for SE06 in 1992 came along I went for it. Since late 2007 the groups in my area are now: SE06 Bognor Regis, Chichester, Pulborough/West Chiltington, Shoreham by Sea, Steyning, Worthing Broadwater, SE07 Battle & District, Seaford, Lewes, Hastings, Hassocks & Area, Hailsham, Eastbourne, and Brighton. I like to have an Area Meeting in say October for Local Organisers to get together and discuss future area events (encouraging groups to organise events), group problems and NWR generally. By using a computer, and overcoming my fear of the internet (I did a free 1 hr course on the internet at a local college sponsored by the BBC) the job of AO has become easier. Fewer people phone in the middle of my evening meal, and my digestion has improved!
Helen Watson - AO SE09 I joined NWR in 1987 shortly after moving to Canterbury. Membership has been everything I hoped it would be, and more.. I didn’t manage to attend Conference until 2006 in Manchester, but am now ‘hooked’ and like the sense attendance gives of being part of a wider organization. I became joint AO with Lindy for SE02 in 2007 after a certain amount of ’gentle arm twisting’. The groups are Canterbury, Folkestone, Herne Bay, Sheppey and Whitstable., So far the arrangement seems to be working well. We have now visited all the groups to introduce ourselves. We have been welcomed and hopefully have dispelled any apprehension there might have been about our reasons for visiting. It has been an enjoyable experience meeting other members and seeing how other groups run their programmes. The next stage is to invite some members from each of our groups to Canterbury with a view to holding an Area event in the near future.
Lindy McDonnell - AO SE09 I joined NWR in 1993 when we came to live in Canterbury. I felt I needed something to stretch my mind after giving up my career to look after my children. I've really enjoyed being a member as I have found not only the stimulation I craved but also many good friends. I attended my first conference in 2002 and have only missed one since then. It was through conference that I felt a greater attachment to NWR as a national organisation and as a consequence decided I could perhaps offer a little more. Last year Helen and I agreed to job share the role of AO to SE Kent. It's a small area encompassing only 5 groups. We have visited all the groups and hope to arrange a joint activity with their combined help next year.
Jenny Smith - AO CE02 I joined NHR, as it was then, in 1981 when I had two small children. The Camberley group had day time and evening meetings at that time and a crčche (in another house) for some of the day time meetings. I was encouraged by some of the older members of the group to consider the time when my children would be at school, so studied for an HNC in computer studies. I am still in the IT industry, as a technical author writing documentation for computer systems, and still a member of NWR, now of one of the Wokingham groups. So NWR opened a door to employment for me and also other doors. I went to my first conference at Sheffield in 1984 – the first time I had left my children over a weekend. I met members of the Brighton conference committee at York and they seemed to have enjoyed themselves so I joined the Reading 1996 conference committee and found myself chairing the committee (I had originally wanted a more back room role as treasurer). So when I met the previous area organizer for CE02 in the supermarket, I agreed to replace her when she moved out of the area. I enjoy the contact with other groups. Currently the Wokingham group has main meetings in the evenings, a book group and a dining group: I am a member of all these groups. I will go to the recently introduced day time meetings (we call this group NWR Plus) once I have retired.
Jill Lucas - AO MD01 I moved to Crewe at the tender age of 18 - but not to go to college or uni - but to start work. I needed a junior version of NWR then as I worked with 30 men and 3 girls! However I met my husband, Bruce, (no, he wasn't one of the 30) and we've been here ever since. I joined NHR in 1979 and have enjoyed the companionship and stimulation over the years. When my boys were small and I had no paid work it was lovely to get away from the domesticity and talk about anything and everything. When I suffered from ME for 4 years the support I received from my local group, Crewe & District was phenomenal and helped both my husband and me immensely. 1991 saw me at my first National Conference, Lancaster, and I was immediately a 'conference groupie' attending every one since with the exception of Exeter (sorry Exeter!). I served on both the 1992 Keele and the 1998 Chester National Conference committees. I have chaired 2 day conferences in Crewe and been to many more - travelling as far afield as Beverley and Warwick. Crewe's Bag Whist Evenings that I run have proved very popular and we've had to move to bigger venues to accommodate the numbers attending. Judy and I have taken on the role of joint Area Organisers to put something back into the organisation that has given us so much. It's a new role for 2009 so we're still learning but we hope to get out and about to meet as many members in our area and help in any way possible.
Judy Challinor - AO MD01 Originally from Essex (but not known to wear white stilettos, except perhaps to the Rocky Horror Show). My brother still lives there, while my parents moved to Harrogate, and my 'little' sister settled in Edinburgh - all great places to visit. I came to Crewe in 1967 to the Women's Teacher Training College. Then I married a local lad and we moved about Cheshire before settling in a village between Crewe and Nantwich in 1986. We have 2 grown up children who live in the Crewe area. I joined NHR in 1986 and have been in the Crewe and District group since then. I was Local Organiser in 1993/4, took the reins again in 2001, and now seem to be a permanent fixture. Our group is very active in NWR, participating in area activities, helping out at the National Conference; travelling to other day events. I lead a very busy life, which includes working, line dancing, swimming, gardening, and of course NWR. I couldn't imagine a life without NWR; where else could one find lively company, friends to listen to your problems, help you find work, suggest reliable tradesmen, join you on a trip to the opera, and much more. Jill Lucas and I are hoping to support the groups in our area, listening to any problems they may have, and encouraging them to participate in joint activities, to get to know other members.
Marilyn Vigurs - AO MD02 I joined NWR in the early 80s in Wolverhampton and have belonged to the Trentham Group for about 20 years, since moving to Stoke on Trent. I have been LO a couple of times and have helped to organise various day conferences and workshops, including Women Going to Pot in 2001 and Women Aloud in 2007. I was also on the Keele national conference committee in 2007. I have not been a regular annual conference attendee, but have been to lots of day events and enjoyed every single one! I retired from work as an information officer in the NHS in mid 2008, which coincided with the AO for Staffordshire wanting to step down, after 18 successful years in the role. Thinking that I would have time on my hands, and in the absence of any other volunteers, I offered to take over as AO supporting the eleven Staffordshire groups. I hope to get to know the local LOs and visit all the groups during the course of the next year. I would like to foster more networking and the exchange of ideas and activities between the Staffordshire groups. I aim to hold two area events per year. Staffordshire is known as "the creative county", so we will see if we can capitalise on that notion! NWR is lively, informative, enriching and fun, both at group and national level…as a rookie AO, I want to promote those qualities at area level too.
Ann Banks - AO MD04 I have been a member of NWR for about 9 years, after I moved to Solihull and needed to make new friends. This I have certainly done. During my membership I have been LO, and am currently treasurer. I also am a member of the the Warks and West Midlands Group, and have helped with most of their events, acting as first point of contact for members applying for a place at our various events. I recently took part in a radio programme about 'Women's Organisations' (as did Sarah, of course). Being joint AO is an enjoyable position and helps me to get a wider picture of how various groups organise both their group and their meetings. Joining other AO's at our meetings gives an even wider perspective of NWR and its many activities.
Lynn Welsher - AO MD04 I joined NWR when I moved to Solihull from Bristol in 1986. I had young children and was delighted to find a ready made group of ‘lively minded women’ of a similar age group and situation. I knew immediately it was for me and soon got involved, taking on the roles of Local Organiser and Treasurer during the years I have belonged. Many of us are still members 22 years on but now with grown up families ! I started attending the Conference in 1990 and loved it - a chance to be ME, not someone's wife or mother - I have been to nearly every one since. In 2003 I was asked to join the Area Committee set up by Jean Hamilton, a former AO. The Committee comprises representatives from many of the 13 groups in our area. We organised A Medieval Day that year and have followed that with various Area events such as quizzes, coach trips, theatre trips, Literary and Antiques Days. After 13 years in the job Jean decided to step down in 2006 and asked Ann Banks and myself if we would share the job - which we now do. Being an AO is a very rewarding job and certainly makes you feel part of the National Organisation. It is a great way to meet with other members both locally and also around the country at the annual AO meeting and workshop is to be thoroughly recommended !
Ruth Snaith - AO MD11 I was welcomed into the National Housewives Register as it was known then, in 1976 and have never looked back. NWR is a stimulating, friendly and ever evolving organisation that has so much to offer. Each group although autonomous has 'Space to be You' and provides a platform for learning, discussion, fun and friendship.Over the years I have been Local Organiser of my group several times and also treasurer. I was also treasurer for the National Conference at Keele University in1992 and Chairperson at the same venue in 2007. I ran a Sports Conference in 1994 with other members of my group and have attended several day conferences and weekends away. As Area Organiser for Shropshire I hope I can work alongside other groups and with them, organise area meetings and events. NWR has such a wide variety of lively minded and interesting members there is always something to look forward to and so many interesting ideas and themes to follow up. I love it!
Alex Beeson - AO NE05 I joined NWR in the 1980s when I moved to Chesterfield. At that time I had two young children; I had returned to work after each child, although on a part-time basis, but felt I needed an outlet where I could talk about things other than children or work. NWR (or NHR as it was then) was just right and over the years I was Local Organiser on a number of occasions. At one of the area events the then Membership Co-ordinator Eilis Thorn mentioned looking for an Area Organiser and as my work commitments were no longer so tying I thought I'd give it a go. I try to organise one or two whole area events each year, which have included quiz nights, visits to local museums, speakers and barbecues. The links we now have between groups reinforces the national nature of the organisation, and groups within the area now often have joint meetings. I have been to Conference - not as often as I would have liked, but have thoroughly enjoyed those I have attended. I go home invigorated and enthused.
Pat Wallace - AO SC05 I joined NWR in 1985 when it was still known as Housewives Register. At the time I was a health visitor, Newmilnes area of Ayrshire. One of the mothers at the Well Child's Clinic asked me to come along and join the Kilmarnock and Loudon group. I spent a number of very happy years with this group but eventually moved south. I didn't find another group until I moved to Galloway in 1990 and I joined the very lively Newton Stewart group. We meet in each others homes on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, in the morning. The main reason for it being in the morning is because of the wide area we cover. Twelve miles to the north, eight miles to the east and twenty miles to the south so a long dis-tance to travel in a winters evening. During the time I've been in Newton Stewart I have been Local Organiser twice and Treas-urer once. Last year I was invited to be Area Organiser of Dumfries and Galloway. I have only one other group in my area, Castle Douglas which is thirty four miles away. We have now made contact with Castle Douglas and had a joint coffee morning last June. This June we are going to have a joint informal evening in Castle Douglas. Unfortunately so far I have been unable to start another group further to the west but I will keep trying. I have enjoyed many conferences, Edinburgh, Guildford, York, Swansea, Reading, Durham and I hope to be able to go to the one in Bath in September. I'm looking forward to seeing how the NWR develops in this area in the foreseeable future.
Natalie Larner - AO SE01 Since 1993 I have lived in the small North Hants village of Sherfield on Loddon and on moving in, my new neighbour Carole invited me to my first NWR meeting. This caring, talkative group of women has formed the core of my friendship group ever since and they're great! I've been a regular member and sometime Treasurer ever since. I am married, a newly-retired secondary teacher and I enjoy dancing (Strictly fan), theatre, needlework and helping to organise village events like Poppy Collection and fete. Swansea 2004 was my first National Conference. As I dipped my toes in the sea, my 'friends' were volunteering me for the 2005 Reading Committee! I'm so glad they did, as I had the best of times. Attending Conference is thought-provoking and companionable, heightening the sense of belonging to a larger organisation but helping to run one really does keep the mind and body 'lively'. SE1 has never had an AO so area events are very new to me. However, I am hoping I can help to foster strong friendships and encourage the sharing of ideas, expertise and activities between our eleven groups. I am looking forward to working with LOs and meeting as many members as I can and intend that together we can arrange a joint activity next year. Surely 2010 presents a 'Golden Opportunity' to get us all together!
Louise Robinson - AO SE07 I am a very new member of NWR, having joined the Seaford group in October 2007. During my first year I didn't manage to get to that many meetings because of my husband's deteriorating health. Sadly he died towards the end of last year and I have found amongst the members of NWR great support and friendship. Our LO mentioned that there was a vacancy for an AO and I was immediately interested. But I was still in full-time employment so it was not an option. However, major changes at work have resulted in me leaving and I am currently working to establish myself as a freelance/virtual assistant and this will give me the flexibility to take on other interests, including that of AO. I am hoping to arrange a meeting of our LOs early in 2010 so that we can meet each other and see how we would like to develop links within our area.

SC04	Noreen Russell
SW05	Carolyn Hempenstall
NW04	Helen Teige