New business would change the course of the Knutsford Women’s institute for the next 50 years. 
     
     Following consolidation of the rural schools in the 1970s the institute members, after careful 
     
     deliberation, decided to purchase the local school. A discussion took place, and it was moved by 
     
     Mrs. Herman Smallman and seconded by Mrs. Foster Smallman that they would put a bid in for 
     
     the school. The President, Mrs. Joan Smallman, asked the ladies for a standing vote. All 
     
    
   
   
    
     members in favour stood - it was unanimous. 
     
    
   
   
    
     In October the same year, a letter was read at the regular meeting from the superintendent of the 
     
     Unit 1 School Board that the bid for the school had been accepted. It was suggested by Mrs. Ray 
     
     MacDowill that each member donate $2 each to put towards paying for the deed. It was moved 
     
     by Mrs. Foster Smallman and seconded by Mrs. Alvin Yeo. And 15 members paid that night. 
     
     Mrs. Reggie Adams then read her report on Program Planning. It was requested by the Hospital 
     
     Aid that the institute sew a quilt and sell tickets for it at the Fall Fair in November. Members 
     
     were asked to look after the jam and jelly booth. A delicious lunch was served by the hostess 
     
    
   
   
    
     Mrs. Reggie Adams, and the committee in charge. 
     
    
   
   
    
     In January 1976, the deed for the school was received. It was reported the National Convention 
     
    
   
   
    
     would be held in Charlottetown. Meeting was hosted by Mrs. Heath Woodside. 
     
    
   
   
    
     In February, $100 was sent to Music Festival Scholarship fund and $200 was sent to M.S Society 
     
     and a crib quilt was donated to the hospital. The meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Foster 
     
     Harris. In July, the quilt sold for $70 and in August a community shower was held for Brian 
     
    
   
   
    
     Adams at the school. 
     
    
   
   
    
     In September, the first official regular meeting of the Knutsford Women’s Institute was held at 
     
     what would now be their headquarters at the Knutsford School. Photos were taken by Mrs. Elva 
     
     Smallman. The retiring president, Joan Smallman, reported that Therin Smallman had donated 
     
     cupboards for the school and George Meggison would install them. Mr. and Mrs. George 
     
     Meggison donated curtains and an electric kettle. She also gave an address and thanked all 
     
     members for their cooperation during the year with special thanks to the school committee: Orell 
     
     Smallman, Helen Adams, Fairley Yeo and secretary Wanda Adams for the work done in the 
     
     school and its grounds. A Program Planning Competition had been won by the institute and the 
     
     plaque would be on display in the school until the convention. The potato crates were to be 
     
    
   
   
    
     completed by Thursday morning and H.B. Willis would pick them up. 
     
    
   
   
    
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