WI (womens institute)

hardpressed

WI have a monthly meeting but often have other things going on during the month. We have a Scrabble group and a craft group where we do knitting for the local neonatal intensive care unit. Other WI's have walking groups and one even has it's own beehives.

Cheapskate

I'm a WI member - our group is fairly new and we do all sorts of stuff. Ages in our group range from late teens to 50+ - we're quite modern, trendy women, but with all the values of traditional WI members. One of recent meetings was like Come dine with me - went down very well! We do craft stalls, etc as well as more radical things. Do find out where your nearest group is & join, or if it's not to your taste there's nothing stopping you & some friends starting your own group.

SoniaJM

I looked into joining my local WI (I'm 38). Unfortunatley most of their meetings / trainings / events are in the day and I work full time so I didn't. When I win the lottery and can give up working, I'll definitely join!

MrsRogers

My friend and I have finally plucked up the courage to attend our first WI meeting tonight. Feel very nervous and excited. Hope it is young!! Will report back

Opaque_Balloon

MrsRogers wrote: »

My friend and I have finally plucked up the courage to attend our first WI meeting tonight. Feel very nervous and excited. Hope it is young!! Will report back

Been thinking about the WI for a while - looking forward to hearing how you get on tonight

oldtractor

me and DH had "Jerusalem" as a hymn at our wedding. Just thought I'd mention it.

picnic

have sent a message to the WI for info on a group local to me....

Winchelsea

MrsRogers - hope you enjoyed the meeting last night!

This is just to say that every WI is different. I belong to two - and was in another where I used to live. All three very different.

My local one is very traditional, almost exclusively older women, and meets in the afternoon. Very nice, very welcoming.

My other one (where I am a "dual member") is very different, meets in the evening, and most women are of working age, from very young upwards, and I am the oldest! The meetings here are so much livelier and fun - equally welcoming, but much less formal.

So it might be worth visiting more than one, to see which suits you best.

One thing that I think is good about the WI is its campaigning side - there are always ongoing campaigns which do achieve things. Examples are saving honey bees, saving local libraries, helping preventing deaths in childbirth worldwide, etc. These are voted on by membership, and those that reach the AGM, and are passed, are always acted on. I love going to the AGMs - alternate years at the Royal Albert Hall, the others in the regions (this year's was in Liverpool).

Go W.I. !!

MrsRogers

Well I am back to report on my experiance after joining my first ever WI. My friend and I went along very nervous and excited and I can honestly say I do not remember having that much fun in ages we laughed and laughed for pretty much 2 hours!!!

It was a great mix of ages my friend and I are 30.. everyone was so lovely and very welcoming. Ours is at a golf club so there is even a bar if some of the ladies fancied a glass of wine :beer:

Last night i have to say was brilliant.. they had Matt Baker who is a musical director who appeared took a local choir onto BBC's Last Choir standing... Now for someone who hasnt sung since school we immediately thought the worst when we arrived and was told its singing!!! But was so much fun we were all singing and dancing and doing harmonies you name it :rotfl:

We had a hoot.. .if thats a sign of things to come i am hooked already.

Not to mention the stunning tea and cakes :T

If you are like I was and thinking about it my advice is GO you have no idea how fab the WI is

Winchelsea - that is a great point campaigns & charity is something close to my heart having actively got involved with Hugh FW fish fight Bring it on

Winchelsea wrote: »

MrsRogers - hope you enjoyed the meeting last night!

This is just to say that every WI is different. I belong to two - and was in another where I used to live. All three very different.


One thing that I think is good about the WI is its campaigning side - there are always ongoing campaigns which do achieve things. Examples are saving honey bees, saving local libraries, helping preventing deaths in childbirth worldwide, etc. These are voted on by membership, and those that reach the AGM, and are passed, are always acted on. I love going to the AGMs - alternate years at the Royal Albert Hall, the others in the regions (this year's was in Liverpool).

Go W.I. !!

threemuttleys

I am seriously considering joining the local one...and was wondering if anyone here goes...Im only 28, so a bit worried I will get laughed out of the hall...:eek: