A TEAM OF GIRLS known as Bembridge Windmill WI will be appearing on one of television’s most popular quiz shows in a couple of weeks time.
Anna Hardwick, Pam Kalaher, Tina Currie, Brenda Reynolds, Ginny Newbold and captain Sarah Atkins will be pitting their wits against the experts on Eggheads on BBC2 on Monday September 13 at 6.00pm.
The girls were approached on their Bembridge Windmill WI website by researchers from the Egghead production team to audition for the programme whilst they were on the Island for a day last year.
After playing “Eggheads” with opposing teams which they won, they then had a written general knowledge paper and “screen tests” of sorts to see how they came across on camera.
Team mamer Pam Kalaher said: “We must have been OK at that and the general knowledge tests as we passed with flying colours. Much to our surprise were invited a few weeks later to go up for filming and to actually take part in the programme.
“We needed a team of six although only five took part in the actual filming, so one of us had to draw the short straw unfortunately, in case of any problems arising I think. But all agreed so worthwhile as it was another unusual experience that our WI was taking part in.
“And it did include a hotel stay, an Italian restaurant dinner out for all of us followed by a hair and makeover session amidst the Egghead stars - much enjoyed by us all, a particular highlight alone of the trip as we had no illusions having seen those Eggheads in action.
“We enjoyed a totally amazing experience and with us six girls together on a trip to London and the BBC it was so much fun. Filming was so very interesting, they record several episodes each day over a period of a couple of weeks and we were first on that morning so a very early start indeed. The Eggheads were so lovely and made us all feel so at ease during our filming session.
We had such a fun time and all felt it was an experience, especially with us all living on the Island, albeit quite a scary one to boot, we were very glad we were able to take part in.”
So how did the girls get on? That’s a closely guarded secret until the programme is screened.
