The committee

President: Lesley Manser

Lesley Manser I have been a member of the WI on and off since 1976 when I joined Shoreham Greenways. When we moved to Leeds in 1983 I became a member of Bardsey WI, until I decided to go to University as mature student when my youngest son was 9 years old. I studied at Leeds Metropolitan University and the Normandy Business School in Caen, France and have a dual degree in European Finance and Accounting.

After my degree I spent several years working with Parliamentarians from Russia, Ukraine and diplomats from all the countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. This involved travelling to the European Parliament and Commission in Strasbourg and Brussels, visiting NATO and SHAPE and the IMF in Paris. I also spent quite a lot of time working with various ministries in the UK and in the Houses of Parliament. I also worked as a ‘Directrice du Chateau’ in France where English children came to learn French, as well as being in charge of various University Summer Schools.

Before I retired I worked for Marks and Spencer’s in Recruitment and Training. I have three children, and 2 grandchildren. I joined Ripon Belles WI at its inauguration and have been Secretary and am now the President.

My hobbies include scrapbooking, needlework and reading and of course the WI.

Vice President: Carol-ann Howe

Carol-ann juggles being Vice President with a hectic family and work life.

I went back to full time work when my children started school and felt I now needed a bit of protected time for me and my friends, somewhere to go regularly where we could keep in touch and learn something new. Being with such a supportive group has also given me the confidence to try things way out of my comfort zone, like Aerial Extreme and entering my cakes in a WI show!I will never climb a tree in a harness again, but I’m so glad I did it, and if the girls hadn’t shouted (and dragged) me on I would never have done it.

We are now looking at local campaigns and are looking forward to seeing how we can give back to the local community.

Secretary: Alyson Dawson

Treasurer: Ellie Wishart

I joined the WI as my mother in law persuaded me to attend a meeting - she knew I would love it and she was right! I wanted to meet more people, as I work in a very small laboratory and only had a small circle of friends in Harrogate after moving there a few years ago. I am a traditionalist at heart and wanted to learn more skills like cooking, baking and flower arranging that I associate with the WI. But we have done so much more than traditional WI activities and I have taken part in all sorts of things.

I also joined the committee to be more involved in helping to organise activities and found that it gave me something to do during my weeknights. I have shared interests with many of the women in our group and have got to know everyone. Everyone was very supportive and interested when I had my first baby and she has attended a couple of meetings already!

I am currently the Treasurer for our group, so I collect subscriptions, pay speakers and meeting costs and keep the accounts. This has also helped to remember everyone's names really quickly!

Other members:

Sharron Cooney

Sharron joined Ripon Belles to spend some time being herself, away from the day to day pressures of a young family and growing business. She was President for the group’s first year.

Where else can you go where you can relax and have a drink with friends? One week you could be armed with a bow and arrow learning archery and another week tasting scrummy steak pies flavoured with chocolate. From conventional flower arranging to un-conventional pole dancing, Ripon Belles offers something for all. For just £29.50 a year it’s a gift!

Jill Chinnery

I was initially attracted to the Ripon Belles because I wanted to belong to an organisation that gives something back to the community. I found a really great, fun, lively and young bunch of women, and found myself being drawn in by their enthusiasm and ideas!

Now I've taken on the responsibility of runnning the book group, created this website, and become a member of the committee, so I guess I'm a bona fide Belle! I want to help to build the membership this year, and also start some campaigning activity.

Ripon Belles are set to go from strength to strength!

Katy Harrison