History

Radstock WI was formed in 1984 following an approach from a Berkshire WI VCO voluntary county organiser) who saw a growing Lower Earley area as fertile ground for a new Women’s Institute.  Several ladies (living in the “herb and spices” area) were invited to a meeting to discuss the formation of a group and the first meeting in December was held in the Parish Room of Radstock Community Centre.

Original members who registered numbered 28, a few of which had been in the WI movement before.  The roll increased to 37, only to decrease to 22 in 1988, but Earley was a changing community.  As at, September 2025 Radstock has 75 members.

Our constitution was agreed and members joined in Berkshire and National events.  They also sat on county committees for public affairs, science and home economics and two have been WI VCO’s.

We worked within our community preparing refreshments at the model railway exhibition, which was part of the local carnival activities and were also active on the field on carnival day. We provided a plant for the desk in the library and tried to become known in Earley.  We liaised with our group institutes who helped us in many ways.

During the European Year of the tree in 1988, we planted a flowering cherry tree in the grounds of Radstock School and another tree in the “wild” area of Hillside school in 1989 by way of thanking these schools for the use of their premises for our meetings.
Increased membership resulted in re-location to the Salvation Army citadel for our meetings. The Army were extremely helpful in making our move successful.  Radstock has since moved to Trinity Church in Chalfont Close for their meetings.

Research made at Reading museum and University, various libraries and councils showed no connection between Earley and Avon, although it was believed the name was brought to the area from Avon.  The Radstock school emblem of the dragon fly can be seen preserved in the museum of mining and railways in Radstock, Avon.