For a full break down of the committee's full responsibilities, please click the button below.

Joyce Coleman

President

I'm originally from Yorkshire, but have lived in the Ferndown area so long (39yrs) I feel almost local, except for the accent.
I joined Absolutely WI three years ago when I was about to give up work as the HR, Payroll and pensions  Manager of a large local authority. 
I have been on the committee for the past two years and I enjoy meeting all the members and helping to organise and take part in the many events we have in our wonderful and busy WI.

I am an ambassador for Macmilllan, caring locally and volunteer at the Citizens Advice in Bournemouth one day a week.
I go to the gym most days and have even started doing adult ballet classes. I am also kept busy by my gorgeous grandchildren.

Barbara Cousins

Vice President and Treasurer

Born in Yorkshire, married for 50 years, 5 sons, four grandsons and two granddaughters.

Tessa Forgan

Vice President and Speaker Coordinator

I moved to this area three years ago and love being close to the sea and forest. I have had a varied career around raising my family - a T/A, a school administrator and a Lettings Agent. I now run a dog home boarding business and do voluntary work. I have three grownup children - a daughter and identical twin boys, but no grandchildren yet! Plus a lovely Chocolate Labrador called Jasper. I enjoy travelling, reading, walking and cycling. My husband & I have bought a boat and are enjoying exploring the beautiful Dorset coast. I joined the committee last year and organise the speaker programme and the Lunch Club.

Ruth Farthing

Secretary

In 2015 my husband retired from the Probation Service and I retired from my role as manager of a large medical practice and we relocated to West Moors.  We knew we had made the right decision when we quickly made friends and were made so welcome at village activities.  Transferring my membership to our fantastic 'Absolutely WI' has opened up many more wonderful opportunities and I am enjoying my role as Secretary.  I have 2 lovely daughters and 6 grandchildren who frequently come to stay and they love seeing the ponies in the New Forest and of course visits to the seaside.

Wendy Lloyd

Membership Secretary

Having moved around the country for 20 years  with my husband's job ,we finally settled in Wimborne 9 years ago having bought a farm which we started with no previous farming connection or experience rearing sheep and cows ! I also held down a full time job as an occupational therapist in Bournemouth which I continue to work in but only 3 days per week . I joined the WI the same year we moved here and have been at Absolutely and on the committee since the first meeting!  Apart from all this,  I love to travel, am a serial musical theatre goer, and play golf, horse ride, cycle and run when I have time. I also have 3 dogs which I love to bits! .

Margaret Ward

Events Co-ordinator

I moved to Ferndown from Berkshire in December 2010 after having taken redundancy and early retirement from my job in the public sector. I worked with teenagers who had issues of one kind or another which I enjoyed but found frustrating at the same time. In previous lives I have had various jobs, including PA, Events Organiser, Conference Centre Manager, Digital Merchandiser and Buyer for Display Equipment. I enjoy new challenges and am enjoying the Events Role at Absolutely WI. 

I enjoy various hobbies and activities such as volunteering in a charity shop, playing table tennis, gardening, paper crafting, sewing and am happy to try different crafts - if only I had the time. I really don't know how I had time to work!!! 

I have two grown up sons and two beautiful grandchildren, one of each who I, of course, dote on. 

Absolutely WI has been a part of my life for about 5 years now and, since I knew no-one in the area when I moved to Ferndown, helped to give me a social life and make new friends. 

Debbie Cole

Member’s Meeting
Minutes Secretary

I moved to lower Parkstone from Essex when I was 11 having been born and bred in Harlow (I know, nothing to brag about)! However, since moving to this area despite many attempts to move away from the south coast I’ve always managed to migrate back to this adorable place, so, I guess having retired from my teaching career in July 2016 I’m now here to stay.
So, my life from the age of 11, saw me train as a teacher, eventually becoming head of department and head of year. I married and produced 4 lovely children, divorced; oh, dear, another statistic and then trained as a counsellor.  I’m now living happily with my retired partner with periodic visits from our lovely clan alongside working as a part time counsellor.
I enjoy film and theatre, history walking, eating and wining and waiting to explore the potentiality of other hobbies too.

Diane Barry

Refreshment Co-ordinator

I moved from Northamptonshire to Poole in 2011.  I had no contacts here and by chance my daughter came across the website for Absolutely WI and suggested I try it and it has been the best thing I could have done.  I’ve met lovely people and had lots of fun.   
Some things you may not know about me are I am a qualified All England Netball and Olympic Gymnastic Coach.  I started and ran a successful Netball League and developed a very successful Gymnastic Club with Regional and National Champions.  I also taught sport for some years at a reknowned Public School which I thoroughly enjoyed. 
Sadly following a nasty car crash, I could no longer continue with my interest in sport and am delighted to have found the joys of WI.

Nicola Iremonger

Deputy Membership Secretary

I have lived in Dorset almost all my life. After finishing my education I moved to London to work. I then spent about 14 years living and working in France before moving back here with my children. I feel very strongly about a woman's role in society, both the traditional and the more modern, hence one of the reasons I fell into the Woman's Institute a couple of years ago. My loves, apart from my children, are skiing, walking and protecting the environment.

Anna Kleszcz

Publicity and
Communications
Officer

Having been a Dorset resident since I was 8, I took a 4 year break to experience "big city living" and relocated to Glasgow for my degree to study Speech and Language Pathology.  Having realised this wasn't all it was cracked up to be and certainly wasn't for me and following graduation I returned home in 2011. After getting married and buying our own home, my mum and I decided to join the local WI. We've been members since October 2015 and joined the committee in 2017.

When I'm not working in my busy job in the NHS, you'll find me doing some decorating (or trying to- much to the exasperation of my husband) or enjoying a glass of wine in the garden with my book. Absolutely WI has been fantastic as I have met a range of local people, expanded my experiences and shared lots of fun times. I look forward to being a member for years to come.

Maureen Bury

Publicity

I have lived in Ferndown for 33 years and have 2 children, both teachers.  I came from Harrow in Middlesex originally.  
I worked for Social Services for many years and am now retired.  Until recently I volunteered at The Citizens Advice and enjoyed feeling useful.   
I enjoy holidays in the sun, reading anything and everything, meeting up with friends and family.  
This is my first time on a committee for many years and I’m hoping to be able to help.

Jan West

Deputy Mebership Secretary/Speaker Sub-Commitee member

I am a local girl, born and have lived in Ferndown and the surrounding area for 42 years. Prior to that I lived in and around Poole.

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I have enjoyed being a member of Absolutely WI for 4 years.

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In my spare time I am a Volenteer at a local first school.

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I like to practise Yoga serveral times a week and generally keep fit doing various forms of exercise.I enjoy socialising with frineds and being a hands-on Granny to my young Grandchildren

Tisha Buchanan

Meet and Greet Co-Ordinator

My name is Tisha Buchanan. I am a northern girl originating and sprouting in Manchester .
My husband and I decided to leave the north and migrated to South West France on a new adventure ! Our french odyssey lasted 8 years and it was a chapter in our lives that was just amazing!
We then relocated back to the UK and settled in Ferndown near to my brother his family and my mum.  We have lived in Ferndown for 7 years and have made a happy, comfortable home and life with our two Poodles Coco and Ruby ( or little and large)! We love it here in Dorset!
I have had a varied career including Fire Service Control Operator, Face Painter , Beauty Therapist and College Lecturer.
Now retired, I have a very busy and full life . I enjoy the great outdoors. I love thrills! I take lots of walks with my two dogs, keep fit at Ferndown Leisure Centre and  have fun with family and friends! 
I joined the WI over 1 year ago - day following in my sister Maria’s footsteps!  It’s Great!
I am excited about being part of this dynamic WI team!
I am looking forward to trying new things, meeting new people, making more memories with all the WI Lovely Ladies !
Life is one big adventure waiting to unfold - bring it on!

Lin Black

Speakers Sub-Committee

Although originally from Hampshire I moved to the Ferndown area in 1986 with my husband and 2 children. I worked as the office manager of a local brewery for 22 years and now volunteer with the RVS.
I enjoy reading, Yoga and traveling and have recently started playing golf.
I have been a member of WI for about 4 years, belong to the book group and thought it would be good to get more involved.

Maria Hannah

Meet and Greet Co-Ordinator

Born and bred in Manchester I moved to Ferndown over three years ago with my husband, Martin.

A brother and sister of mine already lived in the area so it was not all new to us but joining Absolutely WI and getting to know so many new faces has helped me to settle in to a new life here. I feel lucky to live in such a beautiful place and enjoy every minute spent exploring the coast and countryside.

Before taking early retirement I had a career I loved, working for many years to promote and develop Manchester as a visitor destination. Now my days (when not helping around the house with DIY) are spent discovering new activities and pastimes. I am an active member of Ferndown Leisure, a keen gardener and beginner sewer.

I look forward to my first year as Committee member.