The Goodworth Clatford WI was formed in 1923 and forms part of the Hampshire Federation. We are a friendly active group of up to 65 members. Outside pandemic conditions our monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Goodworth Clatford club. We meet to enjoy talks and demonstrations from visiting speakers and chat over refreshments. As well as the monthly meeting members also enjoy other activities such as the walking group, two book clubs, supper club, craft group, theatre trips and a slimming group.
It has been a long while since our members have met as a large or even as a small gathering. However, with resilience and determination we have maintained our monthly coffee morning, book club, and meeting with speaker via Zoom. This month we welcomed Nick Horne, a travel consultant, who took us to some far-flung places across the world. Nick certainly whetted our appetite for possible travel later this year or within 2022 and inspired us to pick up those travel plans we have had on hold.
We enjoy hearing members stories and during January, on The Archers 70th Anniversary, Jill Garrett and Sandra Hopwood shared their acquaintance with the original Doris and Dan Archer:
The Archers” 70th Anniversary January 1st 2021 by Jill Garrett
Not a lot of people know this!…. When I was a gel… having just come out of the WAAF from four years’ service as a radar operator … and aged 21 and having trained at the Civil Service Secretarial School in Birmingham…my first job was in the Ministry of Supply as secretary to a very nice gentleman HEO named Harry Oakes… who was to become the very first ‘Dan Archer’ with his assistant, a lady called Gwen Berryman from Wolverhamton, also joining the new farming programme as ‘Doris Archer’…his storyline wife. Both Harry and Gwen were previously members of an amateur dramatic group in Birmingham.
I was privileged to attend the Birmingham Broad Street BBC studios to hear and see the very first broadcasts of which has now become a legend in broadcasting…
‘The Archers’ was only intended to run for a few months trial programme to help farmers with all agricultural matters… Who would have known it still runs today and is as popular as ever?
Meeting The Archers 1953 by Sandra Hopwood
I listened to the The Archers from the start. When I heard that Dan and Doris were coming to Portsmouth to open a new department store ‘LDB’ I wanted to meet them. So, my friend Fenella, who lived in the flat below me, and I went and were first in the queue! We were both only 9 years old but were huge fans!
We had a brief chat with both Doris and Dan and they gave us signed photos of themselves and Doris wrote a short message in my Autograph Book.
Fenella and I also had our photo taken by the Portsmouth Evening News but, unfortunately, I have lost the cutting. Fenella now lives in Canada and suffers from dementia so, sadly, she does not remember the incident.
It has been a long while since our members have met as a large or even as a small gathering. However, with resilience and determination we have maintained our monthly coffee morning, book club, and meeting with speaker via Zoom. This month we welcomed Nick Horne, a travel consultant, who took us to some far-flung places across the world. Nick certainly whetted our appetite for possible travel later this year or within 2022 and inspired us to pick up those travel plans we have had on hold.
We enjoy hearing members stories and during January, on The Archers 70th Anniversary, Jill Garrett and Sandra Hopwood shared their acquaintance with the original Doris and Dan Archer:
The Archers” 70th Anniversary January 1st 2021 by Jill Garrett
Not a lot of people know this!…. When I was a gel… having just come out of the WAAF from four years’ service as a radar operator … and aged 21 and having trained at the Civil Service Secretarial School in Birmingham…my first job was in the Ministry of Supply as secretary to a very nice gentleman HEO named Harry Oakes… who was to become the very first ‘Dan Archer’ with his assistant, a lady called Gwen Berryman from Wolverhamton, also joining the new farming programme as ‘Doris Archer’…his storyline wife. Both Harry and Gwen were previously members of an amateur dramatic group in Birmingham.
I was privileged to attend the Birmingham Broad Street BBC studios to hear and see the very first broadcasts of which has now become a legend in broadcasting…
‘The Archers’ was only intended to run for a few months trial programme to help farmers with all agricultural matters… Who would have known it still runs today and is as popular as ever?
Meeting The Archers 1953 by Sandra Hopwood
I listened to the The Archers from the start. When I heard that Dan and Doris were coming to Portsmouth to open a new department store ‘LDB’ I wanted to meet them. So, my friend Fenella, who lived in the flat below me, and I went and were first in the queue! We were both only 9 years old but were huge fans!
We had a brief chat with both Doris and Dan and they gave us signed photos of themselves and Doris wrote a short message in my Autograph Book.
Fenella and I also had our photo taken by the Portsmouth Evening News but, unfortunately, I have lost the cutting. Fenella now lives in Canada and suffers from dementia so, sadly, she does not remember the incident.
Coffee Mornings @ 10.30AM |
Walking Group |
Reading Group |
craft Group |
Lunch Group |
SUPPER CLUB |
THEATRE GROUP

The THEATRE GROUP, in January, had a very successful visit to Salisbury Theatre to watch a production of the musical “Mame”. We will be arranging another theatre visit later.
Goodworth Clatford W.I. Chat Book

Goodworth Clatford WI Chat Book is a unique volume. Over the years nearly every member has written a few lines about themselves which have been gathered together into one volume, often with a photograph. As we have been running for over 90 years, this is a very important piece of our history.
Goodworth Clatford W.I.
Goodworth Clatford WI is a friendly and lively group who would love to welcome new, and especially some younger, members to join us and help us to keep our ideas fresh as we go forward towards our centenary and beyond. Why not come with a friend to one of our Coffee Mornings or our monthly meetings held on the third Tuesday each month at The Village Club or phone Liz Hughes (324753) for more information.