CHRISTINE Skinner and Pam Griffiths cut to pieces articles from newspapers and begin to take them a

But it was not always the case for the two married mothers from Knutsford.

"It was a bit intimidating at first. People were having intellectual discussions and were waiting for me to speak up," says Christine who came to Knutsford in 1982.

'The first few times are quite nerve-wracking. I used to build up to it and find myself shaking," says Pam who arrived a year later.

But 17 years later both women host and contribute to the many stimulating debates which are organised every other week.

Discussion ranges from prison alternatives to myths and legends.

And the two women have almost identical backgrounds.

Both are married with two children and have come to Knutsford with their husbands.

"The group can be a kind of therapy," says 51-year-old Local Organiser Christine "We have learned to feel confident in front of others and it has increased our self-esteem."

And the cost is certainly cheaper than a session with the analyst - the annual subscription is £10.

The Knutsford group has 25 members and organises speakers, quizzes, wine tastings, games like call my bluff, book readings and desert island disc selections as well as trips to the cinema, theatre and country.

"It is very informal," says 41-year-old Leicester born Pam. "We sit in a group and democratically agree on what should be included on the programme."

But there was a time when talk of the home, housework and husbands was strictly banned.

"It was felt the whole point of meeting with other women was to get away from that side of their lives for a couple of hours," says Pam.

Its popularity spread and groups sprang up in towns and cities where women were feeling equally divorced from society.

"The emphasis was on intellectual discussion and a bettering of the mind not cakes like some other women's groups," says Christine.

But the next thirty years witnessed a revolution in the role of the woman.

More and more were going out to work and equality in the workplace quickly became equality in the household.

By the late 1980s the National Housewives' Register had become not only an incorrect term but an offensive one.

"We felt it was a dirty word and only a few members were housewives anyway," says Christine.

Now teachers, secretaries, nurses, accountants, and physiotherrapists debate topics of interest.

"It is stimulating and can get quite heated sometimes," says Pam. "Some people can be a bit overbearing but we never fall out."

And Christine said religious discussions were especially intense and caused differences of opinion.

Knutsford's former Unitarian minister Paul Travis was a recent speaker at one of the meetings .

"His language was a bit stong like he was trying to shock us but at least his opinions and way stimulated debate," says Pam.

But Christine admits now that times have changed and most members are aged between 35 and 50.

"We are an ageing group and our kids have grown up," says Christine.

Now the only thing outlawed is men.

"Our husbands get a bit jealous and when we get home ask what was said about them tonight," says Pam.

"But it's all in jest we gossip a bit but men have their football and sports and we have this," adds Christine.

"Younger girls don't seem to need the company of other women nowdays," says Pam. "They seem as or even more confident than boys."

And all the women agree the times are-a-changing in the right direction.

"I think the new man is brilliant," says Pam. "In fact it is going so much the other way I'm starting to feel sorry for men."

But the Knutsford group have one thing in common - they all went to all-girls' schools.

"It does seem strange," says Pam. "I suppose we can't live without our own female companionship."

"We are definitely stronger for it," adds Christine.

Anyone wishing to join the National Womens' Register should contact Christine Skinner on Knutsford 632483.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.