Sullington Windmills WI

Members of Sullington Windmills WI enjoyed a delightful afternoon together at this year’s annual Spring Lunch, held at the beautiful West Sussex Golf Club.

A total of 24 ladies attended the event, coming together for a relaxed and sociable afternoon filled with conversation, laughter and excellent food. Guests were treated to a delicious two-course lunch followed by coffee, all enjoyed in the warm and welcoming surroundings of the club.

Seated across four tables, members had the opportunity to spend time catching up with friends and chatting with ladies they may not usually have the chance to speak with during regular monthly meetings. The event provided the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy each other’s company away from the usual routine.

Of course, no WI gathering would be complete without a raffle, and there was plenty of excitement as prizes were drawn during the afternoon.

A huge thank you goes to all of the ladies who helped organise such an enjoyable and successful event.

Our book club had mixed feelings about 'The Time Machine' by H. G. Wells, with most members ultimately not enjoying it, though two readers were keen supporters.

Several people found the language overly verbose and archaic, which made the novel harder to engage with. Others felt the story travelled too far into the future, and wondered why the Time Traveller did not stay closer to his own time. Some members also commented that the plot and characters were not especially inspiring, and there was criticism of the Time Traveller’s rather selfish treatment of Weena’s friendship and devotion.

That said, the book sparked a lot of discussion.

Supporters praised it as thought-provoking, particularly in its exploration of class, evolution, and humanity’s future. The strange future world was appreciated for avoiding the typical high-tech sci-fi vision and instead presented something unsettling and original. Members also enjoyed the influence of Darwinism and social theory running through the novel.

Even those who disliked the reading acknowledged how remarkably ahead of its time it was and appreciated its importance as one of the very first works of its kind.

Many agreed that The Time Machine laid the foundation for countless later stories about time travel and dystopian futures, inspiring generations of science fiction writers and shaping the genre that followed.

Overall it was agreed that it was a worthwhile read.

The next book to be read will be '33 Women' by Isabel Ashdown.

This will be discussed on Friday 12th June 2026.

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.