Week 8 - West Ealing

Introduce yourself

Hello I’m Lorna Barton-Nicol and I am the President of the West Ealing WI. I work in fundraising for the Children’s Society in the data services team helping the charity engage with its supporters in the best way possible. My job involves a lot of databases, spreadsheets and analysis which is quite dry so it’s great to have a creative outlet in my spare time.

Why did you become a member of the WI?

I first attended a WI meeting when I was living in a small village outside of Huddersfield and their meeting sounded so interesting. When I moved to London to be with my now husband I knew that joining a WI would help me to settle in. The ones near me were all daytime groups and I was able to latch on to 2 women who had already got the ball rolling on setting up an evening group in Ealing. This is how I became the Secretary back in 2011. It was great fun to be part of setting up a WI and I’m so pleased with how well the group is going.

How would you sum up your WI?

I would sum up West Ealing WI as my friends. It’s a great group of women. We meet in the evenings so that working women can attend and we’re often found in the pub and we’re quite an informal group.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

I would encourage women to get involved in the WI because it offers so many different opportunities. It connects you to a network of awesome women and gives you a great way to find out all the different ways that they are so great. It’s incredible who you can get to come and visit a WI when you think that really it’s just a group of friends hanging out. Most of the coolest stuff I’ve done over the past few years I’ve done through being in the WI.

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

There’s no one thing that I’m looking forward to more than anything with the centenary year – I’m just excited that it gives us an reason to make a bit more noise about all the fantastic things that we get up to!

Week 7 - Cambridge Lady Birds

Introduce yourself

I'm Sophie, I'm 24 and I run my own business selling vintage clothing. I am passionate about the environment and history and I love making things and baking cakes! I've been a member of Cambridge Ladybirds WI since it formed and I'm very excited to have just joined the committee.

Why did you become a member of the WI?

I actually first heard that the WI was reforming in Cambridge via twitter back in 2012. I was intrigued to find out what it would be like and went along to the first open meeting. There was such demand in the city that 4 (and counting!) new WIs have been started in Cambridge since. I didn't know what to expect when I joined the WI, but now it is such an important part of my life. It really is a community of inspiring women!

How would you sum up your WI?

Cambridge Ladybirds WI was formed November 2013, so we are still a young group forming our identity. At our December meeting we got everyone to write down words they felt described us as a group and I was rather touched by what they came up with - "inclusive, friendly, fun, creative and forward thinking" were amongst the responses. Our meetings this year have got us belly dancing and a cappella singing, learning about sustainable food and foraging, knitting and needle felting and more! We are a crafty bunch, with an active craft group that meets every month. We ran a swishing event which was a great success and we even had a bat safari adventure on a punt! .

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

There are so many brilliant things about being part of a WI - making new friends, learning new things, and eating lots of cake ;-)  But most of all it is an opportunity to join the largest voluntary women's organisation in the UK and be part of a vibrant community and force for change.

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

We've been hatching plans for a collaborative craft project for the centenary which I'm really looking forward to. Being a small part of the incredible history of the WI and celebrating its achievements in the last 100 years is really exciting.

Week 6 - Wiggington and Haxby

Introduce yourself

My name is Jill Crampton .. I am a member of Wigginton and Haxby WI which are two villages north of York. I am an elected member of our Committee taking the role of Vice President and Web Officer. I have been retired for the last three years, but was Matron of Children's services at York Hospital before that.

Why did you become a member of the WI?

I joined the WI when I retired so that I could get to know my community again and meet new people. Our WI had posters around our village so my friend and I decided to give it a go and we were so welcomed we joined that night.

How would you sum up your WI?

Our WI was an active group offering a diverse array of different activities and programme which suited our taste. I didn't knit or bake but I could join a book group, go for walks, lunch bunch indeed so much was on offer it was hard to choose.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

I would encourage any women of any age to have a look at their local WI see what it has to offer I think like me you would be surprised. The WI is developing itself into the new generation and its a great thing to be part of. their history is amazing but their desire to be relevant today is infectious.    

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

I am so looking forward to seeing how this centenary year develops, the opportunities it brings and being part of something that will last!

Week 5 - Treacle Tarts

Introduce yourself

My name is Corinne Davies, I'm secretary (or secretart) of the Treacle tarts WI in Nuneaton. The name comes from the fact that Nuneaton is often affectionately known as 'Treacle Town'. Some say this is because we used to have a jam factory in the town, others claim it's because people from Nuneaton are a bit 'thick'!  We like to think it's the former and coupled with the fact that WI's are famous for cake baking, we thought it made an excellent name.

I work part time as a community arts worker and part time as a county councillor. I have 4 kids, 2 dogs, a husband and parents! Enough said.

Why did you become a member of the WI?

The Treacle Tarts WI is quite a new group. We started in May 2014 and already have over 45 members and growing. The idea was born from my friend and I getting fed up with various activities we tried (from Morris dancing to yoga etc) and from my mother in law sharing stories of the interesting activities she was involved in at the WI she had joined.

How would you sum up your WI?

The Tarts are young (well youngish!) open minded and willing to try anything. The group has a varied timetable and the emphasis for us has to be fun! The majority of our members are working mums and we want a group that doesn't take itself too seriously.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

I'd encourage any women wishing to expand their social circle and their mind to come along. We run trips as well and are open to suggestions from any members of new activities. We have many and varied skills from our group members and we hope to get a cycle group up and running late spring run by one of our accomplished members as well as a possible camping trip! (Well tea & tents sold out!)

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

There's no one specific event that I'm looking forward to over this centenary year but it will be fun to see how our group evolves even more as the year progresses. Oh the cakes, I'm looking forward to the cakes!

Week 4 - Manchester

Introduce yourself

I'm Amy Newlove, I'm 29 and I'm a member of the Manchester WI. I'm also a committee member and half of the team that look after our social media updates. Sophie is our other updater and she'll be taking over the twitter account from Thursday. My day job is as a Pensions Consultant and when I'm not working I'll most likely be on holiday, working through my long list of countries to visit! The last one was Japan and the next one Italy!

Why did you become a member of the WI?

I joined the WI a year ago. I suppose the main reason was to find something else to get involved with as nights out started to dwindle. It's a great way of meeting new people without having to go out and drink copious amounts of alcohol (although that can sometimes happen!)

How would you sum up your WI?

Our website says 'we're an eclectic mix of sisters jazzing up the WI tradition' and I think that sums us up perfectly. We still retain some of the traditional elements of the WI but also get involved in activities and events affecting modern women. This really works well being a large city centre WI. Cities are often full of new trends so it's nice to retain something traditional.

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

It's a great way to meet other women, especially living in a city. Most of the activities I've had a chance to do I would never have done if I hadn't been in the WI. If you want the chance of an international superstar eating your cakes (true story), join the WI!

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

Our president, Lex, is one of the lucky ones going to the centenary annual meeting at the Royal Albert Hall in June. I think that will be one of her highlights for 2015 and for the rest of us, we're looking forward to getting the WI name out there and letting all women know how great it is. If you're thinking about joining up my advice is do it, you won't regret it.

Week 3 - Hebden Bridge

Introduce yourself

I'm Kirsty Hall, I'm the president of Hebden Bridge WI in West Yorkshire. I'm a contemporary visual artist (I describe myself as an artist & purveyor of mad obsessive projects) and I'm pierced, tattooed and bisexual. I think it's fair to say that I don't fit most people's stereotype of a WI president!

Why did you become a member of the WI?

Before we moved to Hebden Bridge from Bristol three years ago, I was researching the area and so I started following Hebden Bridge WI on Twitter. They seemed like a great bunch of women who were into similar things to me - activism, crafting and eating lots of cake. My first meeting was a chocolate tasting and I thought, 'yep, I've definitely come to the right place'.

How would you sum up your WI?

Friendly, non-traditional, artsy-craftsy and a bit anarchic. If you like a very structured, Jerusalem-singing type WI, then we are probably not for you.  

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

It's a brilliant way to get together with other women of all ages and backgrounds and learn new things. I'd never tried self-defence or belly-dancing before I joined the WI. And if there isn't a WI that suits you, I'd encourage women to start their own. The WI is what you make it and all WI's have a great deal of autonomy under the umbrella of the larger organisation.

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

Breaking down the tired old cliches about the WI. I want people to learn how radical we have always been. I'm really proud of the WI's campaigning history and the way women in the last 100 years have just cracked on and made a real difference.

Week 2 - Cottonopolis

Introduce yourself

I'm Rebecca, I'm 27 and I work as a Costume Designer for film and TV. I live in Manchester with my husband and two dogs and I have just helped to set up Cottonopolis (the historical nickname of the cotton mill district we're in) a newly formed WI in Ancoats Manchester. I run the social media and am currently building our website. And we are one of, if not the first WI to open in 2015 the centenary year (federation are checking!)

Why did you become a member of the WI?

I moved back to Manchester from London and realised I didn't know anyone locally any more. So I joined the WI to meet women with similar interests to me. Plus it genuinely sounded like amazing fun... Didn't disappoint!

How would you sum up your WI?

Cottonopolis WI was started for the local women of Ancoats and Manchester. We only opened last week but are really hoping to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for our members. Somewhere they can learn and have fun, but also importantly get to know each other and hopefully make some long lasting friendships.   

Why would you encourage other women to get involved in the WI?

It is a great way to meet women with similar interests. Moving to a new place and especially living in a city can be lonely and joining a WI can help to overcome this with a lot of tea and cake thrown in for good measure!

What are you most looking forward to as part of the WI centenary in 2015?

Helping to grow Cottonopolis and getting to know our new members. Also Tea & Tents in the summer, it was brilliant last  year and this year I think it will be even bigger and better!