Meet Graeme Gettings: Celebrating community spirit in Blewbury

Retired auditor and talented botanical artist Graeme Gettings shares what she loves about life in Blewbury, her involvement with the Women’s Institute and her passion for bringing people together.

Hello Graeme, tell us about yourself!

“I’m in my early 70s and I’m a retired lead quality auditor. I’ve been married to my lovely husband, Mike for over 30 years. We both used to work at the Harwell campus. I don’t have any pets; never had any because my father and my first husband were both in the RAF, so it wasn’t practical.

“I have two grandchildren who live in Basingstoke so we see them quite often. At one point Mike and I were seconded to the European Commission Energy Directorate so we lived in Brussels and had a very interesting three years there.

“In my spare time I craft – mostly papercrafts. I also paint botanical art. My own original watercolour painting of bluebells went to the Palace as the condolence card when HM Eliabeth II died, on behalf of the whole National WI (NFWI) – which has about 200,000 members.”

Q. Where do you live?

“I’ve lived in Blewbury for about 40 years, off and on – I’m in my third house in the village. This ‘downsized’ house, on an over-55s estate, has been our home for more than 20 years. At one point we also had a lovely villa in Florida and used to spend six months a year over there. Our weakness is travel and so we have ventured far and wide.”

Q. Did you go to school in these parts and did you enjoy it?

“As an RAF child, I went to school all over the world. In fact I was born in Singapore and I wasn’t a British citizen until I was 25. This was a quirk of fate since Singapore declared independence in 1953 and you were made a Singaporean as a default!”

Q. What are your favourite local pubs or restaurants?

“We love the Boar’s Head in Ardington, The Blueberry in Blewbury and the Plum Pudding at Milton.”

Q. What highlights are you looking forward to?

“This year we’ve been to Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) and next year we hope to go to Portugal and Iceland.”

Q. What do you most love about where you live?

“I love living in Blewbury because the sense of community is tremendous.”

Q. Are you a member of any local groups?

“I’m in the Women’s Institute in Blewbury and another WI in Hawell village. I’m also a member of Abingdon Flower Club which meets once a month in the Northcourt Centre. As well as being active in two WIs, I drive for the local ‘flying squad’ group which drives individuals to local doctors’ and hospital appointment on a volunteer basis.”

Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?

“My wish for the world is to combat loneliness which is the scourge of the 21st-century. With all the computer based meetings (but that’s good for the environment) and entertainment that can be accessed at home, we still need to get out and meet people – do things!”

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