Elijay
Posts: 292
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Posted At: 11/09/2008 07:33:21
I belong to an evening group in Hampshire and would love to find out what others feel about theirs?
I've been a member for three years and am appalled that the membership cost for 2009 will be going up to £29!!
Liz
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ukquilter
Posts: 3738
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Posted At: 13/09/2008 18:06:35
A branch was set up about 20 years ago here in our town centre, and at the inaugural meeting, a large group of women stood up to protest as they said it would threaten the local Townswomen's Guild (and then walked out). Nevertheless, we started an evening one, but it always struggled and closed after a couple of years. The most enthusiastic members joined one a few miles away (I wasn't mobile in those days so didn't bother) and were told they would only be welcome if they were 'useful' to the group. If we ever move, which we hope to do at some point, I will certainly look out for one.
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Roda
Posts: 33
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Posted At: 14/09/2008 21:36:15
We have one in a village where I live, most members are 20/30 years older than me! I did NOT join to be a 'calendar girl'! Mostly they seem to have fun, but i dont like the hymn line 'England's dark satanic mills' they all sing! Too many anouncements, seems to go on, and on, . Nice people, friendly.
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pauline peters
Posts: 1258
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Posted At: 14/09/2008 21:45:35
I wish we had a WI in Cardiff. The nearest one is just outside Cardiff is the one my mil goes to so I passed on that one 
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Zanna
Posts: 301
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Posted At: 14/09/2008 21:58:33
I've belonged to my WI for about 24 years and I have done so many things and heard so many interesting speakers in that time. We go on theatre trips, outings and monthly walks and really have fun. I have never made jam and we do not sing Jerusalem except at larger group meetings. To hear 700 women sing Jerusalem at the Royal Albert Hall makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. The WI is the only voice for women in the country and we are taken seriously by the government on many issues. I am fortunate to belong to a very friendly and light hearted WI. Why don't you try your local WI. You have nothing to lose and you might enjoy it.£29 works out at less than £3 a meeting usually with a speaker and there is a free magazine included.
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Elijay
Posts: 292
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Posted At: 15/09/2008 09:53:59
If only I could find a livelier WI. The women who make up the majority of mine appear to be very set in their ways. I enquired to HO about becoming an associate member but the price is more, it's £40.
A friend attends an afternoon one. When she joined she was advised to keep quiet about being divorced. Not the done thing!! I ask you, in this day and age.
What I want to know is how do I find a feistier group of women?
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pauline peters
Posts: 1258
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Posted At: 15/09/2008 20:27:47
Have you searched online Elijay? If you ask me you had a narrow escape from that WI. 
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Fi1
Posts: 685
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Posted At: 15/09/2008 20:33:01
May I suggest that you purchase the Dvd 'Jam and Jerusalem'.
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me332
Posts: 512
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Posted At: 01/10/2008 16:34:56
I belong to one in the village. I only moved here 10 m0nths ago and they have been fantastic. When my husband was killed they all rallied round to support me and are still supporting me .
They are kind, witty and caring. We do a range of exciting activities and my image of "jam and Jerusalem has been well and truly smashed.
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Issy
Posts: 8242
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Posted At: 18/10/2008 21:52:32
Just retired after 7 1/2 years as president of our village WI. Before that was secretary for 3 years. Still on the committee but taking a back seat for a while. Joined within a couple of months of moving here and have made some wonderful friends. We enjoy outings, pub lunches and have some wonderful speakers.
I would certainly recommend it, especially for anyone (like me) moving to a new area.
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gillary
Posts: 21
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Posted At: 02/01/2009 16:13:32
Anyone know if there is a WI group in or near Blackpool?
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Jade
Posts: 336
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Posted At: 03/01/2009 19:31:16
W.I I dont know if we have one in portsmouth or not i belong to the civil service club its great
i did go to the towsnwomens guild a couple of times also i joined the u3a last year but i am not impressed so wont join again
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super trouper
Posts: 306
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Posted At: 10/01/2009 19:55:21
I live in a small town and we not only have a WI but have our own hall - one of the few round here - a Playgroup use it during the day now which is how we have managed to keep it going - I'm 61 and one of the youngest members but it is a joy to spend time with some older members of the community and to make new friends - we have interesting talks and there are opportunities to do other things especially at the WI college. For some of our members it is one of their few opportunities to meet together or even get out so I enjoy the fact that i can help them have a good time. I recently organised a trip out to the local theatre and we had a lovely evening enjoyed by all who came.
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mellowmarchhare
Posts: 604
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Posted At: 14/02/2009 08:05:36
It seems easier to find a WI in small towns than London!
A few years ago, I decided to look into joining a WI and found and easy-to-get-to group on the outskirts of London. But they only met on a weekday afternoon - bit of a problem when I work full-time!
Then decided to try the Townswomen's Guild - again miles away, but evening meetings. After several attempts to get info (plus 'phone calls telling me they were sending me a pack), I gave up.
Am thinking of trying again, as new groups may have started up - but still working full-time!
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mazzee
Posts: 287
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Posted At: 14/02/2009 08:10:18
If only I could find a livelier WI. The women who make up the majority of mine appear to be very set in their ways. I enquired to HO about becoming an associate member but the price is more, it's £40.
A friend attends an afternoon one. When she joined she was advised to keep quiet about being divorced. Not the done thing!! I ask you, in this day and age.
What I want to know is how do I find a feistier group of women?
Yes its a bit of a problem. When I joined all the members seemed to want to do was have a natter and a cake and biscuit. No one was interested in anything other than coach trips and strawberry teas. I only went for a year and gave up, just not for me. |
Pottyjen
Posts: 2289
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Posted At: 10/03/2009 17:21:32
I joined in January. I go to the afternoon WI in Calcot near Reading. There is an evening WI as well, at the same venue. I prefer to go in the day time as I am retired now and going out on a winters night is not to be recommended, I feel.
So far so good. The ladies have a specified charity, and there are raffles and a competition each time. Tomorrow we are going to be making Easter Bonnets. It is all very civilised and gentle and I look forward to getting to know the ladies as I go along.
Two hours once a month is about right for me.
Jenny
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Chris1
Posts: 4508
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Posted At: 06/05/2009 21:25:09
When I first married and moved to Northamptonshire, I ventured to join the local WI which was OK to start with, but after a few years a new housing estate was built onto my own estate. A lot of the wives joined the WI and from that time on it seemed to get very cliquey. The original President who had done the job since it had started decided to step down and that is when things started to go wrong - that was the view of me and a few other younger members. When it came round to deciding where to go for the Christmas Meal we would all normally go to the local restaurant who would open up their function room for us and the price would be reasonable. When these newer and younger members came to the meeting and eventually got onto the Committee and one of them became the President, they would chose venues away from our market town, and one year they gave a list of about 3/4 places and we had to tick which one we preferred. I was one of the last to see the list and when they announced where we would be going, it certainly was not the most popular venue but the dearest. A handful of us complained and we never went to the Christmas Meal which ended up with only a very few actually going. Most of these people had moved from the outskirts of London when Milton Keynes had sprung up with firms moving out of London and so they had husbands with better paid jobs than a lot of us and so could afford to pay about £8 a head, which was a lot of money for a meal in the early 1970's.
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whirley4me
Posts: 4555
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Posted At: 05/08/2009 22:29:58
Before moving down here to East Sussex I was a member of Attleborough WI in Norfolk. I joined them as I had moved away from my home with my now ex and they took me under their wing. We had a superb social life going out and about nigh on every month. We had a superb craft group which met twice a month which was great fun. Ok so some of the ladies in Norfolk were of the slightly older generation but by gum they were lively and I had a great time. We were and evening group and I think that does make a difference.
I am not keen on the afternoon WI down here they are not so active and really I am not too keen to be paying out £29 for next year. In Norfolk yes it certainly was value for money. They do have a craft group here but they meet the same day as the U3A craft group and they do a lot of embroidery and I have been taught some stitches that I had not tried before. May be I will swop over and get more involved with the WI - not sure.
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daisygirl
Posts: 10
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Posted At: 17/01/2010 21:03:11
I would love to be in a W.I.but as I live in a city ( Glasgow) it does not seem to exist.
I don't know if it just an English organisation. Did you see them when they stood up to Tony Blair? Also, read the words of the hymn Jerusalem. It is a wonderful song, inspiring and beautiful.
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Issy
Posts: 8242
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Posted At: 17/01/2010 21:42:59
The episode with Tony was at the Oxfordshire Federation AGM in the Town Hall, Oxford - a VERY memorable occasion!!!!!!!
Is there a Townswomen's Guild in your area ?????- similar organisation to W.I.
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