Thank you to all our past speakers.
2025 Speakers
May 2025
Sue Ashworth, a former nurse of 30 years, shared the inspiring story behind Hog Manor, the hedgehog sanctuary she founded in 2019. What began in a garden shed has grown into a fully equipped hospital—with plans for a new outdoor enclosure.
With hedgehog numbers plummeting from 30 million to just 1 million over the past 50 years, Sue’s work is more vital than ever. As humans, we’re their biggest threat—but also their best hope.
Sue encouraged us to help by letting parts of our gardens go wild, offering water and kitten biscuits, and taking daytime-straying or injured hedgehogs to a rescue centre. Hog Manor, located on Delph Lane, welcomes visitors and continues to be a sanctuary in every sense of the word.
April 2025
Our member Marie Newell and her colleague Katie Heywood from Crompton House, both Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinators, gave an interesting presentation on Unmasking Autism and Understanding the Female Perspective. They tested our current understanding about autism in women and girls and helped us become aware of the strategies adopted by them to fit in. It was enlightening to see from videos how much happier they can be after deciding to be open about their different perspectives.
March 2025
Our Annual Meeting when the new committee was elected, headed by joint presidents Ella Weatherhead and Alison Blake. Following this our member Hilary Boon gave us a quiz to test our brain cells. Hilary’s Zoom quizzes during lockdown were legendary and this one maintained her reputation.
February 2025
Playwright Martin Roche gave us a fascinating perspective of his work and how he develops his ideas for plays. He also gave a except from his monologue “Ancient and Modern”.
January 2025
Unfortunately our meeting needed to be cancelled due to bad weather and concern for the safety of our members. Speaker Brian Groom has been rescheduled to later in the year.
2024 Speakers
✨ Saddleworth WI Meeting Speakers Roundup: 2024 ✨
🎄 December 2024 – Christmas Social
🎤 November 2024 – SWI Member Ruth Trickett talked about her trip to India “Travelling leaves you speechless and turns you into a storyteller.” Joint Presidents Ella and Alison elected to serve until the Annual Meeting in March 2025.
🎭 October 2024 – Paul Firth, a retired primary school teacher, spoke about “Life on and off the Stage” and led the singing of two songs from musicals.
📅 September 2024 – Nina Gilligan, actor, writer, and comedian, and the daughter of a SWI member, talked about her journey to become a stand-up comedian. Also, 10-year anniversary gifts were given to two members, followed by an anniversary cake.
🩺 August 2024 – Dr. Helena Thornton, a former forensic medical physician, talked about her role in establishing the St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), the first of its kind in the UK, following one in Perth Australia.
🚐 July 2024 – Siobhan Daniels spoke about life after 60 as a pro-age campaigner. Known as the “Caravan lady,” she sold all her possessions and bought “Dora the Explorer,” a van in which she now lives.
🌍 June 2024 – Tony Redmond OBE, the founder of UK-Med, spoke about the work of this humanitarian medical aid charity based in Manchester.
👮 May 2024 – Superintendent Judith Holmes talked about her career in the police and how the force has changed in its treatment of its female workforce over the past 30 years.
🐱 April 2024 – Faye Kennerley, Manager of Oldham Cats Animal Rescue, shared insights about the rescue’s work.
🎤 March 2024 – Annual Meeting followed by Quizmaster Paul Norfolk. The quiz was won by the “Delph Donkeys.”
👗 February 2024 – Jeff Longmore “Life in the Theatre in a Frock” talked about his career and at the same time transformed into Dame Trott.
🚌 January 2024 – Pam Wharton, Groups & Tours Manager for Ellen Smith’s Coach Tours from Rochdale, explained the history of the company and the tours they can offer to groups.
2023 Speakers
✨ Saddleworth WI Meeting Speakers Roundup: 2023 ✨
✈️ November 2023 – Behind the Scenes at Heathrow
Speaker: Brian Topping, a former customs officer at Heathrow, shared riveting stories from his time at the UK’s busiest airport.
🍛 October 2023 – Nipple Innovation Project
Speaker: Lucy Thompson, founder of the UK’s first mastectomy tattoo charity, talked about her journey and the charity’s efforts.
👩🏫 August 2023 – A Member’s Life in Teaching
Speaker: Alison Blake, who shared her unscripted, heartfelt account of her career in Essex schools, including work with young offenders.
🌱 July 2023 – Dovestone Conservation
Speakers: John Bird (RSPB) & Dave Speller (United Utilities) shared their efforts in restoring Dovestone’s habitats.
⚖️ June 2023 – Mock Courtroom Drama
Led by two Manchester JPs, members participated in a courtroom role-play, sparking lively discussions.
🧀 May 2023 – Chutneys & Celebrations
Speaker: Melanie Latham, who demonstrated chutney-making followed by a tasting with cheese and biscuits.
🏛️ April 2023 – Manchester Museum Reimagined
Speaker: Dean Whiteside introduced the newly reopened Manchester Museum with exciting new galleries.
February 2023 – Magistrates in the Community
Hillary Clayton JP and Nick Sheardown JP spoke about their role, duties, eligibility, and training, Including the prominence of female magistrates, particularly in family courts.
🧑⚖️ January 2023 – Francis House Children’s Hospice
Speaker: Reverend David Ireland, CEO of Francis House, shared the hospice’s journey from a converted convent to its current state-of-the-art facility.
2022 Highlights
November – Rebecca O’Donnell & Team (O’Donnell Solicitors)
Spoke on wills, power of attorney, wealth protection, and more. Ended with a fun, informative quiz.
October – Father Sumner
Encouraged embracing cultural and religious diversity, shared interfaith choir experiences and collaborations.
September – Babs Bray
Shared decluttering tips from her book The A–Z of Declutter. Included a fun quiz and a video about her daughter’s charity.
August – Baerbel Grayson
Shared vivid stories from growing up in divided Berlin and teaching German in Oldham, mixing insight with humour.
July – Sarah Kelly (GMP Press Officer)
Shared insider perspectives on the Shipman Investigation.
Sarah Higgins (Pelvic Health Physiotherapist) followed with an expert talk on menopause and pelvic health.
June – Platinum Jubilee Party!
A themed evening of fun, quizzes, games, best-dressed competitions, and singing.
May – Misba Khan (Polar Explorer)
Recounted her inspiring North Pole expedition. A film of her journey is anticipated.
April – Brogan Crowley (Olympian)
Offered an inspiring glimpse into her journey to Team GB and the Beijing 2022 Olympics.
February – Mick Sheehan & Liam Mallinson (Home Instead)
Talked compassionately about understanding and supporting people with dementia.
January – Sarah Slater (Hampton Court Palace)
Zoom talk: “Secrets, Scandal and Salacious Gossip of the Royal Court 1660–1830.” Engaging and fun!
2021 Highlights – many events via Zoom
November – Ann King (Herbal Medicine)
Spoke on the folklore and uses of herbs. Members received samples.
(Stepped in for Penny Dean, who tested positive for Covid.)
October – Phaedra Patrick (Author)
Shared her publishing journey and read from The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper.
September – Debbie Abrahams MP
Discussed the challenges and successes of being a woman MP.
August – Hybrid Format:
Zoom: Jane Barnes gave a virtual farm tour and passionate dairy talk.
In-person: Anne Bromley & Turner (Guide Dogs) shared emotional and informative stories.
July – Hayley Scott (Forensics)
Ex-CSI shared crime case stories and demoed fingerprint activities.
June – Stephen Wells (Butlin’s Story)
From Redcoat to showbiz exec—entertaining and nostalgic.
May – Penny Simmonds (Reflexology)
Taught hand reflexology with practice videos and charts.
April – Liza Jones
Delved into the history of underwear—humorous and nostalgic.
February – Chris Duffin (Prison Governor)
Told gripping stories from her book Jail Tales.
January – Sam Durrani (Stuntman)
Gave an insider’s view of life as a professional stuntman.
2020 – 2019 Snapshots
2020 (via Zoom)
Lynn Barrow: Watercolour card-making.
David Allen: Victorian etiquette.
Frances Carlaw: The science and story of pearls.
Andrew Nelson: Women in Art.
Misba Khan: North Pole expedition (first talk).
Sally Mabey: Quiz show contestant tales.
Alison Marsden: Smart gardening tips.
Beth Butcher: Intro to British Sign Language.
2020 – 2019 In person speakers
Judith Barker (TV Actor), Michelle Nye (Chocolatier), Robert Ellams (Magician), Glenn Clarke (Oldham Foodbank), Transport for Greater Manchester, Blood Bikes, Saddleworth Cookery School, Team Kenya, Nurturing Nature, Edwina Currie (MP), Carol Talbot (Author), Suzanne Thorpe (Cake Artist), PC Lee Cullen (GMP), Sara Rowbotham (NHS Whistleblower).