WHO’S WHO

Janice Cole

I had a nomadic childhood as my dad was in the army, and have always loved travel and exploring different countries and cultures. Living in Malta and Hong Kong, I am always drawn to the middle east and the orient. This has also coloured my life in other ways my love of textiles, lace and embroidery particularly. My family have always been great DIYers and generally creative and I am no different. My main hobbies are all creative, mainly embroidery now and lace but I love learning new skills. In fact, I just love learning new things, perhaps it stems from being a teacher. Having gained a degree in Zoology at Sheffield University I taught Biology at Cheltenham Ladies College. I met my husband Peter at Cheltenham Motor Club; (I have followed motor sport since my teens). He was a businessman in the town and I settled down to marriage and children, a daughter and two sons, returning to teaching at CLC when they started school. Living in Woodmancote and needing an outlet other than children I joined the WI in 1973 and have been a member ever since. Widowed in 2003 and retired from teaching I eventually moved to Ebley in Stroud and joined Stonehouse WI. In both WIs I have been on the committee, served as secretary and President. I have also recently become a dual member at BATs WI. I was recruited as editor to the Federation Board of Trustees in 2009 and soon joined Homes Crafts and Gardens Committee. I later also took on the role of ACWW representative end then Denman Ambassador. In 2017 I became Vice-Chairman under Jan Turner and was elected to become Chairman as COVID struck in 2020.  (As an aside I was Jan Turner until I married!)  I ‘retired’ as Chairman in 2024 but look forward to many more years of WI involvement.  Alongside my other hobbies I swim regularly, try to learn Italian and read, mostly detective stories. Being on my own I have been able to travel more widely and frequently, all over the world, though recent events and age have curbed my activities somewhat! One constant for the last 50 years has been the WI and I have no wish to change that.