This month Reepham WI hosted Susan Dawson, who hails from Great Yarmouth and before her retirement was known as “Miss Whiplash”. She has featured in the national press on numerous occasions.

Susan Dawson “Miss Whiplash” (second from right) pictured with Reepham WI members (from left): Gill Long, Merilyn Meads and Helen Bailey. Photo: Reepham WI

Susan moved to Norfolk in the 1980s with her husband, having decided to open up a bed and breakfast establishment. This was a successful business with the summer tourist trade but struggled during the winter months.

To make ends meet, Susan, by accident, started to provide a discreet, safe haven for transvestites, where they could dress up in private.

As well as helping with styling, make-up, wigs and so forth, Susan scoured charity shops for plus-size dresses, larger-size shoes and other accessories.

Some clients brought their own garments. One, a rather scary skinhead, turned up with a stupendous Edwardian wedding dress.

The portfolio of her clients’ “transformations“ was impressive, and it was not long before one or two of her clients requested “extra services”.

Obviously reluctant at first, she consulted her husband who said: “You are excellent at being bossy and telling people what to do, so go for it.” She did and never looked back.

Susan had many highly humorous anecdotes to share, a few about her “slaves” which left us wondering how we might be able to “punish” our men folk by getting them to do our housework and getting them to pay us for the privilege.

However, I suspect my husband might draw the line at being whipped into submission while wearing a maid’s outfit.

In all an eye-opening evening, full of laughter. Susan’s parting shot that “tying up men was money for old rope” left us all pondering the possibilities.

Reepham WI meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30 pm in St Michael’s, Reepham.

Dee Taylor