Burleydam Women's Institute

Guest Speaker- Judy Hunt, 3.03.26

The March meeting of Burleydam W I was treated to the life story of a Lancashire lass who started her working life as a Vet and ended it as a Vicar.

Judy Hunt’s interest in vetnary medicine was sparked by a local rescue centre for horses near her home, and as a schoolgirl, she volunteered at the centre and developed an interest in helping those that were sick. Also at this time, she, unlike the rest of her family went regularly to her local church, singing in the choir and taking part in church activities.

After school she tried for a place to study veterinary medicine at Liverpool, which was the nearest university that did animal medicine, but was turned down, however she was offered a place at Bristol, so that was where she went. She did very well at the Bristol vetinary school, but after 5 years she decided it was time to move on and obtained a post in London teaching a different sphere of her work, in which a woman had not been employed before. This was followed by a spell at a regular vet practice on the Wirral, Lrge animal practice.

During all these years she maintained her faith in God and decided that the time had come to seek ordination and after several years she was offered the living at Tilston and shocklach, 2 small villages near Malpas, where she led a very successful ministry and was a very popular priest. She also filled various teaching roles in the diocese and at the cathedral in Chester. Judy must have felt a wanderlust, because she told members that having obtained an interview for a job with the Archdeacon of Suffolk, a doubt was raised that she would be able to navigate the winding lanes that she would encounter in Suffolk, but one of the panel quipped ‘if she has had her arm up the backside of a cow, she’ll manage Suffolk lanes’. Judy latterly has been rector of St Alkmunds Church in Whitchurch and has now retired to Malpas.

The vote of thanks was given by the President, Rosemary. The competition was ‘An amusing Grace’ and the winners were Liz, Jean and Caroline. In the business, members were reminded about the Malbank Spring meeting on April 21st, our duty is to host the speaker.

The Birthday meeting in July will now be a Guided tour of Nantwich, followed by a supper at the Red Cow.

The next meeting is on April 7 th at 7.30pm in the Community. Matt Hudson will give a talk on Shrubs and Perennials.

New members and visitors always welcome.
Visit us on http://www.burleydamwi.org