6 members of Freshwater Bay Women’s Institute have received the rare honour of attending a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in recognition of their long-standing voluntary work for NHS patients on the Isle of Wight.
The group – nicknamed ‘The Baguettes’ – were invited due to their years of crafting handmade comfort items for hospital patients, including specially adapted cushions known as ‘anti-ouch pouches’ for breast and lymph node surgery, drainage bag covers, twiddlemuffs for dementia care, and emergency toilet bags.
Founded by WI members Sandra Thearle and Peri Ryan, the group has now produced nearly 1,000 of the specialist cushions for use at St Mary’s Hospital. Their efforts have been so valued that hospital staff at the Applegate Centre now contact them directly to request new items.
The work of The Baguettes has even reached Royal circles – it is understood that the Duchess of York used one of the mastectomy cushions following her own surgery.
The invited members – Sandra Thearle, Peri Ryan, Janice Young, Eileen Way, Gay Grieve and Sue Morris – travelled to London in style, after being upgraded to first class at Portsmouth Station when fellow travellers saw their enthusiasm and Union Flags.
During the event, which took place under sunshine in the rarely seen 40-acre grounds of the Palace, guests were treated to live music, marching Beefeaters, and a traditional afternoon tea. The King and Queen, the Princess Royal, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and the Duchess of Gloucester were all in attendance.
Janice Young, a committee member of Freshwater Bay WI and one of those invited, said the group were proud to represent the Isle of Wight and share in a celebration of national voluntary service.
Well done ladies.