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1950s

The 1950s
Once the war was over the WI concentrated on getting back to normal as quickly as possible. The headquarters at 39 Eccleston Street was repaired of its war time damage. Denman College was lovingly furnished and the bedrooms, with their hand-made bedspreads, became a special feature.NFWI Headquarters at 39 Eccleston Street
The National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI) celebrated the beginning of the 1950s with a national music festival.In 1952 a national craft exhibition was staged at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the centrepiece of which was a huge wall hanging depicting the work of women in war.
Festival of Britain Countrywife mural
Finally the decade closed with a national drama festival. NFWI continued its campaigning work and the highlight of this decade was the setting up of the 'Keep Britain Tidy' group.

1950
The first WI singing festival took place.  It was entitled 'Folk Songs for the Four Seasons'. The AGM passed a resolution urging that hospitals allow parents to visit their children.

1951 
Lady Brunner was elected NFWI Chairman and the first Market Place at the Ideal Home Exhibition, Olympia, took place. WI members all took part in designing the WI house which was built at the exhibition. It was designed for a working family, incorporating a porch outside the back door to leave muddy boots!

The total number of WIs had reached 7,710. The Festival of Britain took place and the Countrywife mural was given to the NFWI.

1952
The Crafts Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum took place and the 'Work of Women in War' wall hanging went on tour.

The Malayan Government invited the NFWI to form WIs in Malaya and the WIs pushed for the speedy provision of electricity for agricultural use in rural areas.		Handmade bedspreads for Denman College

1953
The total number of WIs had reached 8,055 and the Home Acres was opened at Denman College by Dame Florence Horsbrugh, Minister of Education.

1954
The AGM passed a resolution this year to start a national anti-litter campaign. NFWI called a conference of 26 interested organisations and Keep Britain Tidy Group was formed in 1955. 

1955
The Britain Tidy Group was formed. At first the new organisation was provided with office space at the NFWI headquarters, though later it found its own premises. Lady Brunner continued to be associated with the Keep Britain Tidy Group and was their first Chairman. In 1964 she was appointed OBE 'for devotion to the group and her continual concern for its success since its inception'. She was president of the Group for 19 years from 1966 and after that remained its senior Vice President. One of the rooms in the headquarters building is named after her.

1956

Choir from Folk Songs for the Four Seasons
 
Lady Dyer was elected NFWI Chairman and the WIs had reached a total of  8,296. There was concern about the withdrawal of bus and rail services.

1957
The drama festival, 'Out of this Wood' took place in this year and a  
dining room was added to Denman College, paid for from the Lady Denman Memorial Fund.

1958 
A flower show was held at Denman College, judged by Constance Spry and the WI had a market place at the Ideal Homes Exhibition.

1959
Dame Frances Farrer resigned from post of General Secretary and was succeeded by Miss Alison King.  The WI contributed to the World Refugee Year.

Keep Britain Tidy Campaign
Ideal Home Exhibition 1951 WI design for house