At their July meeting, members of Shenley's branch of the Women's Institute heard an interesting speech from Melka Baker about the actress Joyce Grenfell.
Mrs Grenfell appeared to be the quintessential Englishwoman, but was actually three-quarters American. She married Reggie Grenfell after a year at RADA, and began writing monologues in the 1930s.
Her big break came in 1938, when, ironically, she gave an impromptu imitation of a Women's Institute speaker, on the topic of "useful and acceptable gifts", at a dinner party attended by Stephen Potter, who worked for the Bbc. Mr Potter introduced her to Herbert Farjeon, the author of a successful revue, who put her on the stage.
After hearing their speaker, members talked about their first ever jobs.
The ladies were surprised at the length of time people spent in each job, compared with the present day.
