miffy Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I've been asked to go to a meeting tonight, which is being run to gauge interest in setting up a W.I group in the local village. I really like the idea...I think I wondered if anyone here is a member or has had past experience of W.I, I think its moved away from Jam & Jerusalem..(although its one of my favorite hymns ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 I am not a member of the WI (never been invited, I'm obviously not the right "type"!), but have given talks at several WI's over the years. They have honestly been extremely variable in the type and age of people attending, and the way in which they go about their business. Some of them have been very much Country Ladies of Leisure but others have been a wider range of ages. They have generally had some kind of competition for the guest speaker to judge, which were usually craft projects that members had to make, but not jam! The meeting generally involved tea, and I gave a talk and/or demonstration then was asked questions. There was generally a programme of outings to be discussed, and these were usually to local attractions such as Stately Homes and/or Gardens, but sometimes further afield. The quality and enjoyability of the meeting seemed very much in the hands of the members and chairman, so I guess if yours is a new group it is up to the members to make it what you want it to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 22, 2010 Share Posted January 22, 2010 we had a thread earlier about a new style WI in York for younger members. I live near Denman College which is the WI college and which is very well used by members Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted January 22, 2010 Author Share Posted January 22, 2010 just got back from the meeting, I was very impressed. 2 ladies came from other groups to explain and answer questions. They are WI advisors who help set groups up. Very informative and a jolly good laugh!!! Subs are just under £30 for the year (11 meetings a year) Groups book their own speakers either from within the group or outside speakers and they have LOADS of social events. There were about 20 people there and a couple who were interested but couldn't attend. We are going to have a meetingnext month and try to garner more interest before then. Interestingly there ued to be a group there but it folded in the 1980's someone found the old wall plaque (carved by and donated by the deceased husband of one of the ladies there) and the old banner (it was in the mens toilets ) tthe age range was from young women up to those who had been members before it folded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 One of my friends has (somehow she's not quite sure) ended up the chair of her branch! she loves it! I'm thinking of going to a meeting try see if I can find out what all the fuss is about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 ooh.. if you do go along please let me know how you get on and what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 I shall! So far she's had them doing wine making and belly dancing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 We met some of the ladies from Omletina's WI at the last craft weekend, they were lovely! I checked out my local WI but haven't had time to join yet. Maybe one day - one of the days out they had recently was a tank driving and shooting day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyjulian Posted January 23, 2010 Share Posted January 23, 2010 It's Girl Guides for grown-ups, isn't it? All the good stuff without the woggles. I don't think I've got a local one but I'd be tempted to join if I did... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted January 23, 2010 Author Share Posted January 23, 2010 thats it I shall have to join now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Webmuppet Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 The tank driving sounds fun........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 It's Girl Guides for grown-ups, isn't it? All the good stuff without the woggles. that is a brilliant description cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted January 24, 2010 Author Share Posted January 24, 2010 At RAF Portreath, formerly RAF Nancekuke , they have a ladies driving day once a year as a fund raising event, you can drive buses, fire engines, JCB, all sorts not sure about a tank though to be honest http://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/download.asp?PageId=100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 I'm a W.I member & it's great fun! Our president is only 29! There are a real mixture of ages & it's not just jam & Jerusalem these days. They do allsorts. Enjoy! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
