Week 30 - Catford

Introduce yourself
 
I'm Fiona J. and I'm the current President of Catford W I.   I also run the Twitter account.
I used to work in the City but took (early) retirement and now my life is a mixture of voluntary work (mostly for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice), and travel.  I have one daughter and three grandchildren, who live in Northern Ireland (where I visit as often as I can)

Why did you become a member of the WI?
One of my best friends, Sue, invited me along to a social evening. I remember saying, 'Women's Institute ! Me? I don't think so!', to which she simply relied, 'I'm in it?'. So I went along as a one-off. Met lots of terrific women, ate loads of yummy food - and never left. 

 
How would you sum up your WI?
Friendly and welcoming!
We're a diverse group of women who reflect the local area (ages, ethnicity, occupation, etc), and we've always encouraged everyone to make Catford W I exactly what they want it to be. We have events for all our members interests: walking; theatre; ten-pin bowling; Supper Club; Book Group; Darts Team; Cocktail Club...it just goes on and on.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?
If they have as much fun with their local W I, as we do in Catford, it's a must!
Plus, there's companionship, support, learning - and sharing - skills...and cake! Cake at every opportunity: it seems to be a rule? 

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?
Can't quite make up my mind between our Cocktail Club Meeting in September - or our Cruise in December!

Week 29 - Hatton Park

Introduce yourself
My Name is Helen Greenly, I am a member of Hatton Park WI in Warwickshire.  My role in the group is unofficial social media person, posting to the Facebook and Twitter pages for the group.  I am self employed providing social media services to charities, small businesses and 3rd sector organisations.  I have teenagers at home keeping me on my toes.

Why did you become a member of the WI?
I joined WI to meet new people and to be part of an organisation where there were lots of opportunities to try new things and get involved in community issues

How would you sum up your WI?
We’re a friendly group, that enjoys listening to speakers, going on outings and getting involved in our community.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?
Its a great way to broaden horizons, try new things  and find out more about everything while having fun and making good friends.

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?
Being part of a movement that 100 years on is as needed and as relevant (probably more so) than when it was founded.

Week 28 - Tea and Tents

Introduce yourself
Tea and Tents 2015 is a camping get-together exclusively for WI members. The awesome inaugural Tea and Tents event was in June 2014 in the Peak District, and is back by popular demand - Tea and Tents 2015 will be from 17th to 20th July at Walesby Forest campsite in Nottinghamshire and tickets have completely sold out! A key philosophy of Tea & Tents is that the whole programme is organised and delivered by the campers themselves (we are a talented bunch after all!), with the smooth running of the whole weekend supported by more lovely volunteers. The organising team is made up of 5 WI members: India Rabey from Gloucester Road WI in Bristol; Sue Carter from Renaissance WI in Worthing; Clare Barrett from Birchgrove WI in Cardiff ; Meryl Shirtcliffe from Old Dalby WI in Leicestershire; Rebecca Cobb from Tea and Tarts WI in Huddersfield

Why did you become a member of the WI?
We all became members of the WI at different times, but for similar reasons – friendship, fun, shared values, and cake!

How would you sum up your WI?
Tea and Tents is a celebration for what it means to be in the WI, full of sharing skills, love, laughter, and meeting new people.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?
The WI is awesome, a great way to meet like minded women from all backgrounds and all ages, brought together through shared values and wanting to make friends and learn something new.

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?
Some of the T&T Organising team were lucky enough to go to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party or Annual Meeting at Royal Albert hall (or both!) so Tea and Tents is the next event to look forward to!

Week 27 - Buckshaw Village

Introduce yourself
My name is Sue and I am a member of Buckshaw Village WI (we're Young and Dynamic!).  I look after the social media with regular blog entries using photos to illustrate what we do at our meetings and the friendly nature of our WI.  By day, I work as a Careers Officer at a local university.  

Why did you become a member of the WI?
I joined the WI after seeing an announcement in a local paper saying the group had started and texted the secretary with a few questions - which were answered promptly and with great charm.  I have always been crafty (that's in a nice way) and enjoy meeting new people and (being a bit nosy) finding out about different things - so the WI was a natural fit for me with regular meetings about different topics and with different activities mixed in.

How would you sum up your WI?
Young and Dynamic of course!  We meet in the evenings as many of our members are working women.  We're a friendly and supportive group of women aged from 30s to 70s.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?
Why would you not want to be involved?  Each WI is different but what we all share is that we are all women and welcoming to new friends.  And to learning a bit more about a topic at a meeting, chatting and eating cake.  What's not to like?

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?
Welcoming more women into the WI as they learn more about what  a great tour de force we are.