Sullington Windmills WI

Image Credit: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

At our April 2026 meeting, Sullington Windmills WI was treated to a fascinating and warmly delivered talk by Gill Walby.

Joining the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) at just 18, Gill shared personal memories spanning two decades of service, including the unique period of naval history when the WRNS merged with the Royal Navy.

Gill recalled both the camaraderie and the challenges of a role that was evolving alongside wider social change. Her anecdotes ranged from light-hearted moments of training and friendship to stories of foreign postings and more reflective insights on resilience and the pride of serving.

One part of the talk focused on the transition period when the WRNS formally integrated into the Royal Navy. Gill described the mixture of uncertainty and optimism that accompanied the change, offering a personal perspective on what it meant for women in service at the time. Her reflections highlighted not just institutional change, but the start of a broader shift in attitude toward women in the armed forces.

Engaging and informative, Gill’s talk left us with a deeper appreciation of the WRNS legacy and the individuals who shaped it. It was a reminder of how personal stories can bring history to life in ways that facts alone cannot.

Gill has chosen to donate her speaker’s fee to the Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Clubs, a charity dedicated to supporting former service personnel by helping them to connect, share experiences and combat loneliness in a welcoming environment. Find out more here [click].

The evening ended with refreshments, social time and the raffle.

Maggie O’Farrell’s 'My Lover’s Lover' was generally received as just “OK” by our book group. As fans of Maggie O’Farrell (especially those who had recently enjoyed Hamnet) expectations were high, which perhaps made the novel feel even more disappointing.

Many of us were more engaged in the first half, when the story’s eerie atmosphere and ambiguity, suggesting a ghost story or even a murder mystery, created real intrigue. However, interest waned once the true direction of the plot became clear.

The novel explores themes of obsession, love, deception and particularly how the past lingers in present relationships.

Lily’s growing fixation on Marcus’s former lover, Sinead, shows how absence can take on a powerful, almost haunting presence, with the past described as something that “seemed to breathe in the rooms.” Although Sinead is absent, she becomes a compelling figure, highlighting one of the book’s central ideas: that the past, and the people in it, can exert a strong hold over the present.

Marcus was widely disliked, and many of us struggled to understand why Lily stayed with him, making their relationship hard to invest in. The ending also felt unsatisfactory.

That said, O’Farrell’s talent as a writer is undeniable. Her prose is rich and evocative, particularly in her depiction of Marcus’s unsettling flat.

Finally, whilst 'My Lover’s Lover' may not be one of O’Farrell’s most compelling works, it certainly shouldn’t put you off reading more from her.

The next book to be read will be "The Time Machine" by HG Wells.

This will be discussed on Friday 8th May 2026.

March sees the formal end of the WI year, with the stepping down of the current committee and the voting in of the new committee. It is our chance to thank everyone who has played a part in keeping our WI going over the previous 12 months and welcome and thank those who are taking on the challenge for the next 12 months.

We were lucky that the existing committee agreed to continue for the next 12 months, thereby making the business part of the meeting quite easy. 

We therefore had time for a fun quiz, refreshments and the raffle.

Sullington Windmills WI is luckily well placed for the comming year, with an interesting programme planned, a good level of membership and a healthy bank balance. 

Thank you again to everyone who makes Sullington Windmills WI run as smoothly as it does.