WI Spotlight
UPDATED 25 October 2017
WI Spotlight
NAME OF WI: ALLENSMORE WI
MEETING TIME: 2nd Thursday, 7.30 pm
VENUE: The Pateshall,Allensmore
Allensmore WI was formed in 1926 so we are 86 years old. This year there are 27 members who meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Each year two of our members agree to arrange a varied programme of events which include different speakers, demonstrations and visits to interesting places. Several of our members have been to Denman college to learn a new skill and we are all looking forward to a visit there this coming December.
We are a friendly group and welcome new members.
NAME OF WI: ALMELEY WI
MEETING TIME: 3RD Thursday, 7.30 pm
VENUE: Almeley Village Hall
Almeley WI was founded in 1923, so in 2013 we will be celebrating 90 years of the WI supporting the women of our village. We currently have 18 members and, whilst this is a relatively small number, we feel that we are a lively active group providing benefits not only for our members but for the wider community.
Like all WIs we aim to have a varied and interesting programme which starts off in the New Year with our annual meal. In August we usually provide cream teas for the Village Fete and this year the monies raised at the Almeley Parish weekend were shared between Almeley Church and Almeley Village Hall. Our outing is usually held in June and in December we have a tea party where the annual award of the Goodwin cup is given to the winner of the monthly competitions.
We aim to have at least two open meetings a year and visitors are always welcome and warmly received at our monthly meetings.
NAME OF WI: ASTON INGHAM WI
MEETING TIME: 2ND Tuesday at 2.00 pm
VENUE: Aston Ingham Village Hall
We celebrated our 90th birthday in 2011 & have continued celebrations with our Diamond Jubilee events (1950's themed tea party & tree planting at Ascot ladies Day lunch) & the Olympics. We have 30 members and have a varied programme for the meetings. We also run a parallel programme of events, many open to all the village:- flower arranging & craft workshops, pamper days, pottery painting, outings, croquet & community lunches. There is an able catering team & we are well known for our good food.
We are a friendly & welcoming group who provide fun, opportunities to learn new skills, friendship & mutual support as well as a service to the community.
NAME OF WI: BARTESTREE & LUGWARDINE
MEETING TIME: 2ND THURSDAY, 7.15 PM
VENUE: BARTESTREE VILLAGE HALL
Our current WI was formed in 1980 and is the second one to be held in the villages of Bartestree and Lugwardine. There was a WI here before and during the Second World War which closed in 1950. Our membership now is 25 and we are an informal and friendly group, pleased to welcome visitors and new members. We include in our programme each year some talks or demonstrations by various members. This has opened up a whole new range of expertise and hobbies within our membership that we weren't aware of before. In between the monthly meetings we go out for lunch, and have fund-raising coffee mornings or afternoon teas at members' homes. We also have a patchwork group which meets during the winter to make quilts for the Linus project. Linus then donate the handmade quilts to children of all ages, within our area, who are in need of comfort and security.
NAME OF WI: Bishopswood
MEETING TIME: 2nd Friday Apr-Sept 18.30; Oct-Mar 14.30
VENUE: Bishopswood Village Hall
Bishopswood WI was formed in April 1919, before the Herefordshire Federation came into being. The 41 members, including the granddaughter and great granddaughter of a founding member, meet in the very well appointed Millennium Hall in the hamlet of Bishopswood on the banks of the River Wye close to the Forest of Dean. The friendly, welcoming and active membership work closely with the two other major village organisations, the Parish Church and the Village Hall Committee. The monthly meetings are addressed by interesting and informative speakers and include one members' evening and one open meeting per annum.
Annual events include a Pimms Evening, a quiz night, the WI Birthday Party and a joint fundraiser with the Village Hall. A Craft Group meets monthly and has produced, among other items, a banner for the Parish Church and knitted articles for St. Michael's Hospice and Water Aid. Members have created an attractive garden on rough ground at the rear of the Village Hall with a grant from NFWI.
Bishopswood WI is proud of its long standing twinning links with Bishops Cleeve WI in Gloucestershire and Murrambeena Country Women's Association on the outskirts of Melbourne, Victoria. Exchange visits are made annually with the former and several members have visited Murrambeena.
NAME OF WI: BOSBURY WI
MEETING TIME: 2ND THURSDAY 7.30 PM
VENUE: BOSBURY PARISH HALL
Bosbury WI was founded in 1924 and we are looking forward to celebrating our 90th anniversary next year.
At the moment we have 24 members, some of whom have been with us over 40 years and some are entirely new to the WI. We consider ourselves to be a lively, informed and friendly institute and offer a varied and interesting programme. Apart from the booked speakers, we shall be visiting an art gallery, going on walks and socialising with teas, suppers and a BBQ this year. Last year we participated in the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in the village and a ely, informed and friendly institute and offer a varied and interesting programme. Apart from the booked speakers, we shall be visiting an art gallery, going on walks and socialising with teas, suppers and a BBQ this year. Last year we participated in the Queen's Jubilee celebrations in the village and a couple of years ago planted a bee friendly flower bed at the Parish Hall. There is also a thriving craft group.We try to do our fund raising in one big event and that is our annual May Fayre, this year being held on 11 May, to which everyone is invited. Please come and visit this lovely part of the county.
NAME OF WI: BRAMPTON BRYAN WI
MEETING TIME: 2ND THURSDAY 7.00 PM
VENUE: BRAMPTON BRYAN PARISH HALL
Brampton Bryan WI is a very lively group, in its 95th year. The current membership is 22, encompassing several surrounding villages in addition to Brampton Bryan. In August, instead of an external speaker, we are having a Magazine Evening, when our very talented members speak on a subject of their choice – varied, entertaining and amusing. Well known throughout the area is our annual Christmas Pudding mix, which this year will be held on the 23rd November. It is a very happy and sociable event, which involves a great deal of hard work! Come along and see for yourselves (you can never plan too early for Christmas!).
Supporting the Community is important to us. Amongst other things we take part in the annual Scarecrow Festival, enjoying the challenge of adapting our Scarecrow "Miss Purity", to fit the appropriate theme.
Our nearest WI is Bucknell in Shropshire and we enjoy exchange visits with them. We are part of the Kingsland Group and always enter the Group Show. Recently, several of our members designed and made a new WI banner, the previous one being well part its sell by date. This year we have held 2 fund raising events to support the ACWW.
Visitors and new members are very welcome.
NAME OF WI: BRIMFIELD
MEETING TIME: 3rd MONDAY 7.30 pm
VENUE: BRIMFIELD VILLAGE HALL
The first Brimfield WI was founded in December 1928 and closed in March 1994. Our present group opened in November 2009 and we have a consistent roll of over thirty members covering a broad range of ages.
We have a varied and interesting programme and evenings where members can actively participate are particularly popular. For example, in past months members contributed to the creation of a large pottery bowl, made small panels of fused glass and embroidered maps of the village. Two of our members designed and created the beautiful tablecloth which we use at every meeting, combining patchwork, appliqué and embroidery. A monthly book group, supported by Shropshire Libraries, is flourishing. We have enjoyed outings to EnviroSort (our recycling centre in Worcester), Monkton Cheese, Kinnersley Castle and a winter visit to Abbey Cwm Hir to marvel at the Christmas decorations in its fifty two rooms. Exchange visits with our paired WIs - Brampton Bryan and currently Staunton on Arrow - have been popular.
Each November we hold a Social/Craft Day which is gaining in popularity each time it is held. Visitors from the village and further afield include other WI's from Herefordshire and Shropshire. Members sell a range of their handmade items which display their varied talents and crafts and many support local and national charities through sales of their work. At last year's event we provided home made soup and rolls, as well as the usual tea, coffee and cake and this proved immensely popular. We offer a warm welcome to visitors and prospective new members.
NAME OF WI: BROMYARD
MEETING TIME: 2nd MONDAY 7.30 PM
VENUE: CONQUEST THEATRE, BROMYARD
Our first WI in Bromyard closed in 1999. Then one of our former members was approached by HFWI to see if it was possible to restart a Bromyard Group. This was reformed in 2006. We are now 39 members and enjoy meeting at The Conquest Theatre.
We started singing Jerusalem in 2010. We always have a very varied programme and try to include local speakers:- crafts, recently a hands on session making felt animals!!! We also have people's personal endeavours, we have been on a bike to Beijing, had a fashion parade, beetle drive, cooking demonstration, had a fascinating talk on Bras and the correct measuring off!! - and always have an open meeting to invite others in our group to join us and usually Alfrick WI which is in the Worcester Federation.
We have visited the National Memorial Arboretum, the Staffordshire hoard in Birmingham and Evesham Country Park. We try to have a monthly lunch out to places like Blue Ginger at Stiffords Bridge and occasionally we have a Saturday lunch for those who work in the week.
We also enjoy a yearly Pig Roast, this year we had an Old Fashioned Tea Party. Enjoyed a dress rehearsal at the Conquest of Beauty and the Beast . We have recently introduced a Monthly Newsletter. We also offered 3 of our members a bursary of £100 towards a course at Denman this year and look forward to them reporting back.
We had great pleasure in preparing and serving the teas for the Queen's Jubilee, for the over 60's and the under 12's. It was a very busy and hectic day, making sandwiches, making and cutting cakes, and pouring and pouring and pouring lots of cups of tea, then of course the clearing up.
NAME OF WI: BURGHILL AND TILLINGTON
MEETING TIME: 3rd Tuesday, 7.30 pm
VENUE: The Simpson Hall, Burghill
Burghill and Tillington WI celebrated its 80th Birthday this year with an evening that tried to recreate something of our earliest years, when wearing suitable (or unsuitable) hats, we tried out some activities from 'NFWI Games' (price 6d). We left out the noisier ones such as Paper-Bag Bursting…
We currently have 28 members, drawn not only from our wide-ranging parish, but also from neighbouring Credenhill. We think that fun and friendship should be key features of the WI at institute level, and aim to provide members and visitors with a warm welcome and a stimulating programme. In September we have for several years now had a special open meeting to which we give out invitations to as many women in our local community as we can. These have been well-attended and have proved to be a really good way of removing some misconceptions about the WI!
We may be only 4 miles from the centre of Hereford but we are a rural institute at heart. We like to keep alive WI traditions such as cookery and crafts and have started a 'Knit One, Pass it On' group that now meets regularly. But we like to feel we are also forward-looking and concerned about the issues facing our changing society. We've already signed up for using the internet for one of our meetings next year. Some years ago we started a Book Group which continues to flourish. Lilke the knitting group it is not exclusively for WI members, as we feel that both activities are an opportunity to engage with the wider community.
NAME OF WI: COLWALL
MEETING TIME: 2nd Monday, 7.00 pm
VENUE: COLWALL VILLAGE HALL
Colwall WI was founded in 1930 with approximately 90 members. Numbers have diminished over the years but the enthusiasm has not. Our members are mostly in the "senior" age group but with this comes lots of experience.
Our members were responsible for establishing the Colwall Railway Station garden which included cleaning and painting the platform shelter until 2008. A memorial garden at the church was also another labour of love by the members of our WI.
Our evening meetings with speakers have taken us to far flung places such as Darjeeling; Kenya and Zimbabwe as well as more local topics from an Auctioneer and the Air Ambulance. Our annual functions include a garden party and cake stalls as well as taking part in the village scarecrow competition. The Friends of Dymock Poets look to us for refreshments during the day at their annual get together. We held a village tea party in 2011 for the Royal Wedding and our tea and cup cakes were a great success as part of our village celebration of the Diamond Jubilee. Our members also provide help at the Malvern Three Counties Show be it making "bacon butties" or serving teas.
In the winter months our members hold a monthly scrabble meeting and our December meetings have provided members with the option of donating items for "help for Heroes" and has been very successful. Visitors and prospective new members will always find a warm welcome.
NAME OF WI: CRADLEY
MEETING TIME: 1st Thursday, 7.30 pm
VENUE: Cradley Village Hall
We are an active group of ladies from Cradley and surrounding villages and currently have 37 members. We were founded in 1938 and are going to celebrate our seventy-sixth birthday in February. We meet in our beautiful sixteenth century Village Hall, and our WI actively joins in activities organised to support the Village Hall committee and Parish Council.
We have an interesting range of speakers on topics of general and local interest. We recently focused on the life story of Elgar, and organised a visit to his birthplace museum. We have a very popular Book Club that meets every other month. This year we organised a guided walk and afternoon tea and invited members and guests to enjoy the beauty of our local Malvern Hills. Many of our members enjoy our Lunch Club. We meet sometimes in members' houses for an informal lunch, which gives us a chance to meet and chat. We also organise meals out, often to local places of interest. After a recent speaker's visit we have organised a coach trip to Bletchley Park.
We are twinned with Woolhope WI who kindly judged our informal flower and produce show last year. We join local WI's in Mathon, Colwall and Bosbury to take turns to host a soup and pancake lunch on Shrove Tuesday. Our annual skittles match with Mathon WI is hotly contested.
NAME OF WI: DILWYN
MEETING TIME: 2nd Thursday 7.30pm
VENUE: The Cedar Hall, Dilwyn
For the more romantically inclined, Dilwyn may well be an Anglo Saxon word meaning "hidden place". It's more likely though that its name is derived from its Celtic origins. Dilwyn's history probably predates the Normans and may well extend back as far as the late 6th century. Dilwyn is a popular tourist area in northwest Herefordshire and is one of the 'must visit' places on the black & white village trail. We are proud that we have the first community owned pub in the county and that our children are being educated at one of the few free schools in the West Midlands.
The Dilwyn WI was first formed in 1933 – we celebrated our 80th birthday with a garden party in June last year. We currently have sixteen members and try to plan our annual programme to suit our mixed tastes and interests. We tend to focus our evenings around the seasons and significant dates in the calendar. For instance, we'll be making / decorating Easter Bonnets in April and enjoying a late evening Strawberry Tea in June. We also like to have two or three speakers during the year to stimulate our interest in various subjects as well as demonstrations to improve or rekindle our practical skills, for example "Finding My Secret Garden" in March and "Very Dior" in July. We enjoy visits to places of interest too, such as the Hereford Costume Museum in August. Our year always culminates with Cheese'n'Wine following our Annual Meeting in November and a scrumptious Christmas Dinner in December.
NAME OF WI: DINEDOR & HOLME LACY
MEETING TIME: 2nd TUESDAY, 7.30 pm
VENUE: DINEDOR VILLAGE HALL
Dinedor and Holme Lacy are situated to the South East of Hereford. Dinedor drapes around Dinedor Camp, an Iron Age hill fort and stretches down to the banks of the Wye with a Holy Well or sacred spring. St Andrew's Church was rebuilt in 1867 onto a 13th Century tower housing a 15th Century font.
Holme Lacy has one of the largest houses in Herefordshire with exceptional plaster ceilings and ornate carvings, belonging to the Laceys and passed on to the Scudamores, it is now a Warners Hotel. The ghost of the grey lady is said to haunt and a mystery tunnel links to St Cuthbert's Church, a fine 14th Century building containing some impressive monuments to the Scudamore-Stanhopes and Lucas Toothe, now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust.
Holme Lacy College Campus, part of Ludlow College, offers a wide range of rural crafts and an equestrian centre. The railway station was closed in1964 by Dr Beeching and the post office fairly recently but the former Primary School still remains.
Dinedor and Holme Lacy Women's Institute were formed in 1953 with a strong membership of local ladies. The present WI comprises of a close-knit group lending support to the church, Parish Council and Help the Aged. Having the use of two village halls, members have joined shortmat bowls and given help with the annual sports day run since 1936.
Dinedor and Holme Lacy WI are part of the City Group and act as host to the Federation quiz preliminarys. We enjoy visiting and entertaining our paired WI and looking forward to our exchange with Bosbury again.
NAME OF WI: DORSTONE
MEETING TIME: 1ST THURSDAY 2.30PM WINTER, 7.30PM SUMMER
VENUE: PETERCHURCH (Winter) DORSTONE VILLAGE HALL (Summer)
Dorstone WI held its first meeting in January, 1923. We are therefore 91 years old and still going strong. We celebrated our 90th birthday by having a 1920`s style lunch party, dressing as near as possible in the clothes of that time. At present we have 30 members and are hoping for more.
As we are a rural WI set in the heart of the beautiful Golden Valley, our members come from the surrounding villages of Peterchurch and Vowchurch as well as Dorstone. Despite covering a large area, we all know each other quite well and make new members feel very welcome. We are delighted that five more have recently joined us.
Each year we try to arrange an interesting mix of speakers to appeal to everyone. Cookery demonstrations, travel talks, life stories or an interesting hobby are just a few. Occasionally we will have a quiz or a social evening. We also have our own lunch group, which any member is welcome to arrange, plus afternoon tea trips, visits to gardens of interest, a craft group (good for a natter) and a book group.
Dorstone WI has connections with Glenavy WI in Northern Ireland. In the spring eight of our members spent a week in Ireland meeting with the Glenavy ladies and members from other federations. They fitted in sightseeing and were made very welcome. We hope they can visit Dorstone sometime.
We were busy during the Jubilee celebration year as we enjoyed a 1953 style Coronation Tea with food and decorations of that era. We also held a very successful charity fashion show - well attended by members of the public, and finished the year by providing gifts to fill the Christmas child shoebox appeal.
Our oldest member is 92 years young and very lively she is too!
NAME OF WI: EARDISLAND
MEETING TIME: 2nd Monday at 7.30pm
VENUE: Eardisland Village Hall.
In 1851 the Lascelles Directory of Herefordshire described Eardisland as "a small, pleasant village, distant 5 miles from Leominster, the River Arrow running through, over which there is a neat stone bridge giving a pleasing effect to the village". The same description can be used today, over 160 years later – in fact Eardisland forms part of the Black and White Village Trail- the heritage trail of half timbered black and white houses to be found in North Herefordshire, and is considered by many to be one of the prettiest villages in England. Indeed it has received a Gold Award in the Heart of England in Bloom competition in the category of Small Village for the past 4 years. Add the picturesque landscape, one church, two pubs, two tea rooms and a community shop to the mix and you have a thriving and vibrant local community.
Eardisland Womens' Institute was founded on the 10th July 1919 with 25 ladies and next month we will celebrate our 95th birthday. We currently have 17 members and belong to the Kingsland Group of Institutes. We warmly welcome new members to our monthly meetings and hope that we provide something of interest for all with our varied programme of speakers covering such diverse subjects as Regency History, Sugar Craft and the Ups and Downs of an Author and we always have a summer outing and a Christmas Dinner. It is also important for us all to give support to the other local groups in our village – our teas for village events prove very popular!
NAME OF WI: EARDISLEY
MEETING TIME: 2nd Thursday at 7.30pm
VENUE: Eardisley Village Hall.
Eardisley WI began during the war, and during its long life has been a focus for encouraging its members' creativity and sense of community. As with most WIs, cooking is at the heart of our activities: teas for visiting coach parties, weekly winter 'Soup and Social' sessions, and one-offs, such as this year's St George's Day Sausage & Mash Lunch and – now a regular fixture – the Ploughman's Lunch on the Millennium Green. (The first of these was in memory of our vicar and former member Jen Pollock, who died in 2004.)
Creativity of a different sort – often in workshops – has led to the production of beautiful sewn and knitted items to sell at the many Eardisley Festivals (including, in 2011, a magnificent full-size patchwork quilt), to entries for Federation and Group WI craft competitions and to the creation of story sacks for the village school. Back in the seventies, members drew inspiration from the Romanesque font in the Norman church, the ancient Great Oak just outside the village and its black-and-white houses when they collaborated to stitch a banner, to represent our WI in processions and displays.
Outings, visits to Denman – we award bursaries every year to help two members (chosen by lot) with the cost of attending a course, boule in the garden of The New Strand, plus a huge variety of talks at monthly meetings and beyond, these all contribute to why the WI is such an enjoyable way for Eardisley women to get together and to welcome newcomers to the village. (And, by the way, over the past 30 years three of the county's chairmen have been our members.)
NAME OF WI: EATON BISHOP
MEETING TIME: 2nd Tuesday 7.30pm
VENUE: Eaton Bishop Village Hall.
Perhaps the accompanying photo indicates Eaton Bishop WI's friendship and caring. Our lovely American member, Barbara, gave us reason for a truly special celebration recently for Barbara's 100th birthday. Both Barbara and her daughter, Nancy, are very keen and supportive WI-ers, 'an organisation to be introduced to the USA' they say! The delicious cake was made and decorated by one of our long-term members.
Eaton Bishop WI has been established for 94 years with 30 members at present coming from surrounding villages and Hereford. Many members with outstanding abilities in various talents have addressed and informed us of their expertise at monthly meetings over the years.
Afternoon and day 'outings' around our county and beyond play their part on our annual programme together with support to other individual activities. The monthly competition, usually 'themed' on our speaker for the evening, provides both enterprise and often amusement.
It is difficult to understand that Eaton Bishop is only a few miles from the bustling city as we are surrounded by farms, attractive rolling hills, narrow country lanes, lovely woods for walking overlooking the River Wye and very varied architecture. We are proud of our 14th Century Church and old Village Hall for which villagers are tirelessly fundraising to maintain. At the beginning of the 20th Century Sir Charles Pulley ran a very successful horse stud in the village for many years. Sadly only his home and a few stables remain …… but we, the ladies of the Eaton Bishop, are still very much here and we would be really pleased to welcome anyone or WI-ers at anytime to come and enjoy an evening with us.
NAME OF WI: EYE
MEETING TIME: 3rd Thursday 7.30pm
VENUE: Cawley Hall, Eye
We decided to put together a collection of reminiscences as a way of best describing the spirit of Eye WI. (The word Eye comes from Island, and has been abbreviated over the centuries.)
From one of our newest....
I joined Eye WI as a relatively 'new' member thirteen years ago, and have loved every minute. We are a group of ladies who enjoy life, never go down without a fight and have tremendous fun in the process. For many years we've done really well in the County Quiz. I don't feel bad mentioning this as we are fairly small in number these days and have competed against other WIs who've submitted two teams, so well done us. One of our members in recent years won the County Poetry Competition of which we are immensely proud. Several of our members are on the Parish Council, Community Committees and National Trust Volunteers at Berrington Hall.
I've learnt many new skills, too numerous to mention, and enough to amaze my family and friends who've never seen me as a particularly crafty person. We've also been out and about around Herefordshire on many a Summer evening and also during the day which has opened up the whole area to one who arrived, slightly out of breath, from life in the South East of England which was lived at much too fast a pace. The peace and tranquillity of Herefordshire is an everlasting joy.
To one of our longest....
Having moved to Luston around 50 years ago, it was not long before Lettice Sandford from Eye Manor knocked on our door and 'invited' me to join the WI. Those who knew Lettice knew it was an invitation not to be refused. I've enjoyed many years of activities I would never have thought possible, including a visit to a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace as a guest of Her Majesty. Over the years I've visited cities I would never have dreamt of seeing, visited Highgrove and so many memories, all of them enjoyable.
Our village hall in the 1960s was somewhat different to today's. It was more of a tin hut, with facilities for the ladies, but none for the men. But we had a membership of around 40 (we are only 15 now). We used to play rounders as a way of having fun. Today we still have as much fun, but at a much slower pace. We always entered the Spring Show where there was a great deal of competition between the five villages in the Group.
Eye WI has always been interested in our local history and in 1996, to commemorate our 50th Anniversary, we produced our own Doomsday book, by photographing all the houses and families in the Parish and it became 'The Eye of Herefordshire'. We used a logo designed by our first President, Mrs Lettice Sandford, for its cover. This logo is still used as the cover of our Parish Magazine.
Footpaths, and keeping them open are important to us, and we were Parish Footpath Officers for more than ten years. We would be out and about most Monday evenings during the Summer months, clipping brambles, cutting down nettles and other obstructions and reporting broken stiles etc., to the Parish Council. This was a good time to chat, we had loads of laughter, and always ended up for supper at the nearest pub on the way home.
NAME OF WI: PRESTON WYNNE
MEETING TIME: 2ND WEDNESDAY 7.30pm
VENUE: THE MEMORIAL HALL
This W.I. is in its 60th year and with all the uncertainty and inconsistencies going on around us it's great to be a member of such a community minded organisation that is still vibrant and constant 60 years down the line.
As with most small groups the option to leaving things to someone else doesn't apply, resulting in every member being doubly important, and a great sense of camaraderie. Some members are from surrounding villages, so the monthly meetings are a great way to keep in touch with friends you would not otherwise have made.
We have brilliant programme planners with a knack of securing great speakers and organising fun things for us to do. For instance we have recently visited Lower Hope Gardens, this was an invitation for a private viewing and we were escorted round by the Head gardener himself and our meeting concluded with Pimms and cake in the conservatory. We have members who have competed in the Cogan cup, sing in the newly formed WI choir, and enter in quizzes. This year we have been 10 pin bowling, organised cookery competitions and even had a Rock and roll workshop – all great fun. Two of our members went to the AGM in Leeds and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Preston Wynne is a lovely corner of Herefordshire and we in the W.I. feel that our policy of upholding the old traditions – (OK we may not always sing Jerusalem but a lot of us do make jam) whilst enjoying the best of such community spirit will see us through another 60 years!
NAME OF WI: HAMPTON BISHOP
MEETING TIME: 2ND THURSDAY 7.30pm
VENUE: HAMPTON BISHOP VILLAGE HALL
To many people the name Hampton Bishop conjures up a picture of the Bunch of Carrots and a few houses straggling along the road to Mordiford from Hereford – but Hampton Bishop offers a whole lot more.
It was originally a Norman settlement owned by the Bishop of Hereford (hence the name). There are three roads that take you into the village, where you will find a rich variety of houses - some very old dating back to the 16th century and some more modern - all of which are flanked by the large fields and rural landscape. At the junction of Whitehall and Church Lane is the 12th Century St Andrews church with its distinctive half timbered clock tower. Tucked away behind the church is the village hall, a large building opened in 1998, which is a huge asset to the village. It is where our WI meets and also acts as a venue for many County functions.
Hampton Bishop has survived many floods over the centuries, both from the Wye and the Lugg rivers. The latest, which was caused by the volume of rain and land run off, cut off our village for nearly 2 weeks.
We have some beautiful walks passing through our village, one of which is the Wye Valley Walk.
Although we are a small WI we are a happy and friendly bunch. Come and pay us a visit and explore our village at the same time – you will be very welcome.
NAME OF WI: HOLMER
MEETING TIME: 1ST THURSDAY 7.30pm
VENUE:. HOLMER CHURCH PARISH CENTRE
Holmer WI was formed in 1941, now we have 29 members. We are traditional, singing Jerusalem and ending meetings with the Queen. We support County events and visits, enter Quiz teams, 4 last year, one member is in the Grace notes choir, others attend the Handicraft Club and demonstrate their work for us. We have a drama reading group who entertain us with plays and sketches. Members preparing the annual programme do a splendid job, speakers last year included a former member of the Women's Land Army, ice cream to die for, 1920-30s costumes, the history of Eastnor Castle, and a member's husband, who as a boy soprano sang solos at big events in London and took part in Welsh language TV. Before the festivities with the National Baton, we were pleased to rediscover our original 1940s Banner which was taken to the event at Dinmore. Most of us have secret WI friends, we draw a name from the hat in February and keep in touch with that person through the year, secretly giving presents and cards at birthdays and Christmas, in February the following year we reveal who that friend was, then we draw another name from the hat. Members are engaged in voluntary and charity work, one member has recently been to Ghana to help with the work the Church is doing in building Churches there. When we meet there is a sense of belonging and being proud of the WI, each meeting is a happy event and we go home with a warm feeling of friendship.
NAME OF WI: HUNTINGTON-HEREFORD WI
MEETING TIME: 2ND THURSDAY 1.45PM
VENUE: THE HERDSMAN PUBLIC HOUSE, FUNCTION ROOM.
Huntington is a city based W.I in the heart of Hereford, founded in 1927 and probably by the "Lady" at Huntington Court, which is why our banner depicts 3 swans gliding on a lake. The first Minute Book is rather dull with just a list of names which unfortunately mean nothing, though records from 1968 are much more complete with county picnics, outings and travel to the AGM in London where Herefordshire Federation became involved in the high-jacking of our coach by Hertfordshire at Paddington making us late.
We had a flourishing drama group back in the 70's and 80's and took part in the County Drama Festival. The old wooden hut in Westfields was home but proved far too cold and we moved to Holy Trinity Parish Hall, changing then to afternoon meetings. St. Johns Methodist Church Hall became our next home for many years until January this year when due to rising costs we moved to The Herdsman Public House in Widemarsh Street ,still in the heart of the city close to the new shopping centre.
Our membership has dropped considerably over the years with only 21 at present. Talented members have won Competition Day cups, had regular photographs in the Calendar and won the County Quiz many times, taken part in Baton day with City Group. With regular outings we have a interesting programme including yearly visits to Huntington Kington W.I. Our aim is providing friendship and support.
Pictured Huntington members enjoying the recent Baton celebrations.
Huntington—Kington WI
Meeting Time: 2nd Wednesday 7.00pm
Venue: Huntington Village Hall
Nestling in the hills above Kington with its narrow lanes weaving back and to across the border lies the little village of Huntington. The community enjoys a castle (very little of it left), two churches a village inn and a parish hall. The hall is the home of the twelve W.I. members who meet every second Wednesday in the month usually to enjoy a speaker and often with invited friends to swell the throng.
he Institute was formed in 1927 and sadly is now smaller than it has ever been, also more elderly, having two members over ninety, both of whom attend meetings regularly. All members enjoy gathering at the hall or having an away day in the summer.
Meetings finish with much chat and lovely refreshments.
Kimbolton WI
Meeting Time: 2nd Thursday 7.30pm
Venue: Members Homes
Kimbolton, situated near Leominster, lies in the shadow of the Grade II* listed church of St. James the Great. The village, complete with its pub, shop, Village Hall and Primary School, spreads out along the A4112, rising steadily towards Lever Hill crossing the pastureland of many local farms. It is a location rich with historical importance, with a farmstead dating from the sixteenth century and The Old Workhouse amongst others rubbing shoulders with the modern Starter Homes for young families in Stockton Rock. A Medieval settlement was discovered at Stockton at the heart of the village, adjacent to Stockton Bury House and its well-known gardens.
Kimbolton W.I. celebrated its 82nd year in March 2015 and it remains an active, friendly and welcoming Branch attracting members from across the village and further afield. There are currently eleven members so we meet at Committee Members' homes on the second Thursday of each month. In times gone by, when numbers were higher, meetings were held in the Village Hall.
Our varied Programme of Events ensures that there is something to suit everyone's taste including the annual fundraising Curry Lunch, Branch 'Birthday' supper, guest speakers and an afternoon trip in the summer. Over the years we have visited Hampton Court, Sir Roy Strong's garden The Laskett along with Eye W.I. and gone on a walking tour of Leominster's historical sites. This year we shall be having a tour of Stockton Bury with Tamsin Westhorpe, Editor at Large of The English Garden. The photograph shows the ancient Stockton Bury Dovecote.
Members' wide ranging interests include baking, photography, painting, gardening and handicrafts so recent Guest Speakers' talks have been given by a local jewellery designer, National Garden Scheme organisers and a local artist. We are lucky to have some very talented and gifted craftswomen amongst us, including June Edwards whose entry of a Secretary's Folio took overall first prize in the National 'Tomorrow's Heirlooms' Competition. Part of June's prize included vouchers for Denman and we are joining her there in May for a talk on textiles. We are looking forward to our visit immensely.
Kingsland W I
Meeting time: 2nd Wednesday 7.30 pm.
Venue: Coronation Hall
Kingsland village, some 6 miles to the West of Leominster, is fortunate in having the Millennium Green in front of the church with the Angel Inn opposite, a very picturesque setting in the centre of the village. Further down the road is the Corners Inn. We also have the Luctonians Rugby Club, the School and the Health Centre, and the Coronation Hall which is where the W I meet. We have 21 members at present and are celebrating our 95th anniversary this May. We shall have a birthday cake at our May meeting and will also celebrate at our annual birthday dinner.
We have a good and varied programme of speakers frequently drawn from the local area, such as the Leominster Antiques Centre and a local art gallery. Another favourite speaker lives locally and demonstrates flower arranging. We shall also have a speaker from Broadfield Court. Our outings are often to gardens or historic houses, chosen for fairly level terrain and not too many steps as some of the members have difficulty walking too far. We always enjoy our meetings and frequently welcome visitors who are interested in the evenings talk.
Kingswood and District W.I.
http://kingswoodwikingtonherefordshire.weebly.com
Email kingswood.wi@gmail.com
Meeting Time: 2nd Wednesday 7.30pm
Venue: Kingswood Village Hall, Kingswood Road
The Hamlet of Kingswood with its once adjacent Common scattered farms and cottages is situated about two miles south of Kington, at a height of between six and seven hundred feet. The keenly felt prevailing south-westerly winds are believed to have originated the rhyme 'Kingswood Common and Moseley Mere are the two coldest places in Herefordshire'. * From various points around Kingswood we can see over to Hergest Ridge, the Black Mountains, the Brecon Beacons and even the Clee Hills.
Before the mid 1800's Kingswood provided wood to the local area for various uses, descendants of the forest trees are still seen in the hedgerows and coppices today. Farming replaced forestry after the Enclosure of Kingswood Common in 1855 and still plays a big part today. Another industry in the 1800's was the Brickworks and Kingswood Road also housed the 'Workhouse'.
In 1953 Kingswood W.I. held its first meeting with 28 members in the Methodist Chapel (now converted) it was little heated and with few facilities. Crockery was taken to the chapel in a wheelbarrow and water in a milk churn. Since 1960 meetings have been held in the then newly opened Kingswood Village Hall, thankfully now much warmer and no wheelbarrow or milk churn necessary! Due to membership decline we suspended in 1984 but reformed again as Kingswood and District W.I. in 1985 after which membership rose up to nearly 30 but sadly once again we are now very small being only 11 members but our numbers at meetings are often increased by the support of friends. We celebrated our 60th Birthday in 2013 with 40 members and past members one having travelled from Bournemouth.
We try to provide an interesting and varied programme, with speakers covering all subjects, quizzes, demonstrations of craft and cookery by our very clever members, a Birthday Dinner, Christmas Party and visits to gardens and places of interest. We raise funds for a different local Charity each year (this year Kington First Responders). Although there a few years with no record. We have an up to date history together with photos in several folders.
We run a very successful craft group at 10am on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month except July and August when instead we go out for coffee around the area. We do a lot of chatting and drinking coffee! And have put on craft days for local children.
Kingswood and District W.I. members have a lot of fun and laughs, learn a little, probably drink too much coffee, eat too many cakes but very much place an emphasis on friendliness and friendship.
*Folklore of Herefordshire E M Leather
KINGTON WI
Meeting Time: 2nd Wednesday 2.30 pm
Venue: Markwick Close Hall
Kington is a small market town on the Welsh border. Historically it was a stage for drovers on their way to market. This is why at one time there were over 40 pubs and, many butchers shops. Kington has a history of being self-sufficient, and at one time anything required from bottles and iron-works to gloves was made locally. Things have changed a bit, but it is still possible to buy local produce from meat and vegetables to shampoo, greeting cards and alpaca in Kington. It is more and more becoming a tourist centre, with walkers, cyclists and those who want to change from city life. We have a museum, gardens at Hergest Croft, and interesting church and the famous Offa's Dyke path.
Kington W. I. was founded in 1935. Although our yearly birthday lunch is in January, we also celebrated our 80th anniversary most elegantly with a garden party at which a beautiful cake was served. We are still fortunate enough to have the daughters of founder members in our WI. Over the years since 1935 Kington has had a large membership, declined to a smaller one, and then recovered. Happily our membership is now increasing and we are flourishing. We have a range of new speakers on topics designed to be interesting, informative and entertaining. We hear about local services such as first responders, ambulance and community policing, but we are by no means inward-looking, hearing also about life, architecture, flora and fauna and social conditions in other parts of the globe. Speakers include some of our own members sharing their expertise in various fields.
Each year in August a trip to Aberystwyth is organised to see a show, enjoy the seaside and a meal. This attracts many visitors including members of nearby institutes. We are proud of our W.I. and we feel very privileged to be part of Kington's close knit and caring community.
LEDBURY
MEETING TIME: 2nd Wednesday at 7.30pm
VENUE: Parish Room, Catholic Church, New Street
The market town of Ledbury attracts many visitors each year. Tourists come to see the black and white houses, the Market Hall and the newly restored mediaeval timber-framed Master's House. Church Lane with its cobbles and view to the spire of St Michael's church is one of the most photographed in the county.
Visitors often remark on the friendliness of Ledbury people; that is most certainly the atmosphere to be found at Ledbury WI. A lively, active institute which was overwhelmed by the number of entries when our monthly meeting took the form of a craft and produce show. Everyone entered, not just members of our Sewing and Craft Group. Our Writers' Group enjoy entering both the Denman and County competitions. For those who just want to meet and chat there is a monthly Luncheon Club. Ledbury tries to support County events; two members sing in the County Choir and there is always a Ledbury team at the County Quiz! We visited our Link Institute Saltmarshe in March and enjoyed a trip in June to Highgrove.
Our members enjoy supporting the younger generation; our local Guide Company has been shown how to prepare simple cold snacks and decorate cakes. At Christmas we worked with the Guides to make tree decorations. We provide buffet lunches for the participants at the annual Mock Trials for Schools at the Hereford Magistrates Court.
For new members who have recently moved to Ledbury we are the perfect place to start making friends and acquiring local knowledge.
LEOMINSTER LASSES
Leominster is a small Marches town with a population of 11000, which grew on the confluence of the rivers Kenwater and Lugg way back in the 7th century. At that time the priory was founded. The story tells of the monk
St Edfrid sitting by the river when a fierce lion approached. Edfrid offered the lion his meagre lunch which the lion took and peacefully went its way leaving Edfrid unharmed.
A few centuries later in medieval times Leominster became famous and prosperous,due to the breeding of Ryeland sheep. The wool produced by the Ryelands was of such quality that it became known as Leominster Ore and was much sought after and exported. More recently Leominster has filled with antique shops attracting many visitors hunting for bargains. We also have an annual Art Festival featuring the Leominster Knot as its logo, and this year we had our first Food Festival.
One evening a group of us ladies were chatting in Leominster when someone suggested we start an evening WI, enabling those of us who worked full time to enjoy the benefits of being members. That was in 2013 and we now have a small enthusiastic WI of 23 members ranging from their 20s to their 80s. We have a lot of fun and social evenings, as well as all sorts of speakers whose subjects have ranged from air ambulance to Cadburys.
In the Priory Church we still have on display an ancient Ducking stool last used in 1809 on Jenny Pipes for 'scolding' and 'backbiting'. Luckily Leominster Lasses have no need for such a tool as we we are a group dedicated to fun, frolics and most of all,friendship.
LINTON
Linton Village is situated approximately 5 miles from Ross-on-Wye and close to Junction 3 of the M50 motorway. It has a Church, Village Hall, an Inn and a part-time Post Office. The Church, St. Mary's, stands on an ancient site and in its churchyard is what is said to be the oldest yew tree in England (some claim it to be 4000 years old). The Village Hall, where the W.I has its meetings, was built in 1872 as the Village School on the initiative of Rev. Edward Palin, the great grandfather of Michael Palin. In fact one of our past members who died only recently was one of the last pupils at the school. Rev. Palin was also responsible for bringing water to the heart of the village for the first time, pumping it, with the aid of an hydraulic ram, from a local stream to a spot outside the Rectory. Until that time all villagers were reliant on a well some way from the main part of the village.
Linton W.I was founded in 1921 and currently has 22 members. We meet on the second Thursday of each month. Recently we have changed the times of meetings so that from October to March inclusive we meet in the afternoons at 2.30 p.m. and then revert to 7.30 p.m. for the warmer months and we find that this works well, allowing us to go home to get our 'home fires burning' in the Autumn and Winter and spend longer in our garden in the Spring and Summer.
In August each year we hold our Community Lunch which is our annual fundraising event, and we are usually fortunate enough to cater for over 60 loyal supporters all of whom seem to have a good time enjoying the food and the company.
We have a small Sewers Group (courtesy of an early misunderstanding the word 'sewers' is pronounced not 'sewers as with needles' but 'sewers as with drains') which stemmed from members who volunteered to embroider the tablecloth prepared for our 90th Birthday in 2011. Those who took part enjoyed it so much that it has become a regular thing and we have given several quilts to charities and eaten a considerable quantity of cake!
We have an excellent programme of speakers each year on a wide range of subjects after which we enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with friends and support our monthly Bring & Buy Table. We also go out together as a group several times a year, either to visit an historic house etc. or for a meal in a local pub, which is very much enjoyed.
LITTLE HEREFORD
This year was a very special year as we celebrated our 70th Anniversary as an institute. We all enjoyed a celebratory party in June and invited many past members and WI friends. A very special day!
Little Hereford is a rural village with few amenities being in the north of the county sitting on the banks of the river Teme. The name means the 'Little ford of the army', as it was the route out of the county across the Teme for armies marching to and from Worcester and Hereford in the 12th century. The village can be found in the Doomsday book (1086) being originally built beside the church and some remains can still be seen. In the churchyard there is a flourishing Golden Yew planted by the WI at the time of the millennium.
We are a busy, friendly, supportive community which is reflected in our WI meetings, held monthly in the recently refurbished village hall. We have social and speaker's evenings and are famous (or infamous) for our delicious suppers following our meetings. We also enjoy lunches and visits to local places of interest.
Most importantly we love and care about one another and make sure our meetings are not only interesting, but friendly and fun!
LLANGROVE
Meeting time: 3rd Thursday of the month 7.30pm
Venue: Llangrove Village Hall
Llangrove village is situated between Ross-on-Wye and Monmouth, close to the Welsh Border, and from many parts of the village the rolling farmland of Herefordshire creates a changing patchwork with views to Garway Hill in the west, the Malverns, Chase Wood and round to the Forest of Dean and the Doward. The village has a wide range of societies and events, many of which involve WI members.
The Victorian church was endowed by Mrs Marriott, Lady of the Manor of Goodrich, and opened in 1856; she also paid for the village school and schoolmaster's house, opened in 1875. The house is now incorporated into the school building, and the school remains active and popular, with the Leapfrogs Playgroup in the same building.
In 1942 a Wellington Bomber on a training flight had an engine failure and crash-landed in the centre of the village, just missing the school and church. Two crew members were killed. Villagers rushed to help, including the church organist who had a fatal heart attack before she managed to get to the site, and the vicar who suffered the same fate as he cycled home after helping rescue the other crew members. They are all commemorated on a plaque in the church.
The telephone kiosk in the centre of the village was one of the first to be converted to a very popular book exchange with a constantly changing wide range of hardbacks and paperbacks, plus some children's books. Our senior member, with a friend, cut the tape at a simple ceremony in 2010.
Llangrove WI was founded in 1959 and met in the school until 1961, when the Village Hall was opened. Some WI members even helped to dig the foundations. The hall hosts many different groups including choirs, gardening society, Rainbows, Brownies, Cubs, Scouts, art classes, table tennis, community lunch, a monthly market and an annual pantomime, plus, of course, WI. A member won the award for designing the Herefordshire Federation Diamond Jubilee tea-towel back in 1980.
Our longest-serving member joined not long after Llangrove WI started – she has held the post of president, secretary and committee member, and has written many amusing poems depicting WI and village life. We have a 93 year-old member, an ambulance driver in World War II, who is admired for her cheerful attitude and her fashionable appearance, including high-heeled shoes (which she also wears to tend her lovely garden). Our popular nearly-90 member has just returned from one of her regular visits to family in Hong Kong; she helps to deliver the parish magazine, and tells newcomers about WI. Members have staged fashion shows, take part in quizzes and link with a variety of activities such as the May Fayre.
We were extremely proud to be awarded Paddy's Tree in 2010, plus for the third time the cup for the best calendar photograph. We are flattered to be known as a friendly, welcoming bunch and enjoy our regular meetings.
LLANWARNE
Llanwarn is Welsh for Church of the Alders, the 'e' on the end of Llanwarn is a fairly recent spelling. The village is situated halfway between Ross-on-Wye and Hereford. A pretty village mentioned in the Doomsday Book. The original 12th / 13th century church of St John the Baptist, now an attractive ruin, stands by the Gamber Brook in the middle of the village. The church was frequently flooded in wet weather. A new church was built opposite on higher ground in 1864. Also the old school is now used as the village hall.
Llanwarne WI was formed on 31st January 1919. The WIs first home was the Old Wesleyan Chapel in Turkey Tump Lane. When this was sold, we moved down to the Village Hall in 1965-66. Our membership has declined in the last few years but we were very pleased to welcome 4 new members to our last meeting.
We try to make our meetings interesting and enjoyable. We have two educational trips lined up for this year – husbands and friends join in which helps to pay for the coach! Members have attended courses at Denman. For the Millennium, the WI paid a local craftsman to reframe the Roll of Honour for the fall of the two World Wars. For the WI Centenary, we planted spring bulbs in the church yard. For our own Centenary on 31st January 2019, we will have to think of something really fantastic.
LONGTOWN AND DISTRICT
Longtown and District WI is in its 76th Year and has always been a central part of this rural community in the shadow of the Black Mountains on the Welsh border. Longtown is an ancient settlement with a Norman (12th century) motte-and-baily Castle and a long tradition of sheep farming.
Our WI is vibrant and energetic. We’ve had varying membership over the years from a dozen ladies meeting in each other’s kitchens to the steady 27 or so members that we have today. Members enjoy getting involved locally, such as volunteering at the Primary school to help teach reading and craft skills including knitting. With the loss of our Mobile Library, one of our members, ably assisted by others from the Institute, spearheaded fundraising and then the establishment of our Community Library. And the Refreshment Tent at the Longtown Show is our biggest annual fundraiser for local charities.
We keep one of our monthly meetings as a ‘members’ evening when we might have a cooking or craft activity/demonstration by any member who wants to share their skills. Some of the most enjoyable of recent times have been ‘Kitchen Sink Printmaking’ bringing out the artist in us all and a ‘Cocktail Making’ demonstration with lots of sampling!
While making a contribution to our local communities we also enjoy an annual excursion in June and occasional ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ outings throughout the year. We make sure we have plenty of fun and enjoy each other’s company and support, the very best parts of being a WI
MARDEN
Marden village is rich in history from the Romans to the present day. The manor was a royal estate and there has always been a Christian church. The church, featured on the cover photograph, dates from the 13th century and is a focal point for the community, housing a library as well as providing a house of worship.
Marden W.I. was formed in 1930 and we celebrated our 85th anniversary at The Hickory Stick restaurant (photo). We meet on the second Tuesday in the month with diverse speakers such as one of our own members on her quilting trip to America, a chiropractor on how to manage back pain and wine tasting. The ages of our thirty members span six decades. New members are always welcome as we are a very friendly group and we enjoy socialising outside the meeting nights with fun trips as well as visiting other W.I.s
Fundraising has included a jumble sale and a Christmas market stall selling homemade crafts and produce. The proceeds from this enables us to provide a biennial Denman bursary.
Our W.I. tablecloth (see photo) was stitched in 1975 by eight members. Surrounding the central W.I. logo are embroidered representations of typical W.I. activities. Also depicted are famous features of Marden: the mermaid, the bell, St. Mary’s Church, the historic River Lugg Bridge, a renowned herd of Herefords and the blacksmith’s shop, all bordered by Herefordshire hops.
MATHON
Mathon is a small village of approximately 280 inhabitants. It lies on the west side of the Malvern Hills in beautiful countryside much enjoyed by visiting holidaymakers, ramblers, horseriders and cyclists. Mathon is mentioned in the Doomsday Book and the church dates from Pre-Norman times, the yew tree in the churchyard is over 700 years old. The old Mathon Hop, which was used by Royal Worcester to decorate their china, can still be found growing in the hedgerows.
Mathon Women’s Institute was formed in January 1924 and the longest-serving member, who joined in 1965, still proudly possesses her original programme. We have some talented members who include accomplished artists, photographers and cooks.
We have a busy programme of monthly meetings which include lively discussion and socializing whilst enjoying refreshments provided in turn by members. We also enjoy regular outings to country houses, gardens, theatre visits and restaurants. The annual skittles match in January with Cradley WI is hotly contested and with neighbouring Bosbury and Cradley WI’s we host a soup and pancake lunch on Shrove Tuesday.
In 2012, to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, we planted spring bulbs at the approaches to the village and we participate in local fundraising events which benefit the community and improve the environment. We provide teas for walking groups and last year hosted a Harvest Supper for the village community.
It has become a popular tradition to commence the Resolutions Meetings and AGM’s with a fish and chip supper, which certainly ensures a large turn-out of members!
MOCCAS
Moccas & District W.I. means exactly that. When it was founded in 1948 members were purely local but as the years have gone by and cars, plus lady drivers, have become more usual we have spread as far afield as Bredwardine, Blakemere, Madley and Eaton Bishop. One member even travels from Hereford to our monthly meetings, usually first Tuesday of the month in Moccas Village Hall at 7.30pm. The closure of several neighbouring WIs has meant we have gained and has brought in many younger ladies who are a huge asset; There are 27 fun loving members this year.
Moccas is a very small village in glorious countryside with the renowned Deer Park (an SSSI) on the south side and the river Wye to the north. Cider orchards now abound and there are still some Hereford cattle grazing near our beautiful Norman church which is set in a field near Moccas Court. We have a magnificent Village Hall built in 2001. We have lots of involvement in village events. Members assist with HFWI county activities including a wet Three Counties show this year. One member instigated the successful Gracenotes choir. Craft skills are in abundance, flower arranging, catering, dancing and acting are high on the agenda.. Several members have been to Denman which they much enjoyed. We have held a Childrens "Farming Fun" day, including a live lamb in the Village Hall. We also helped with a Village Charity Big Breakfast, proceeds to St.Michael's Hospice, which was such a success another is planned for the autumn. The programme is put together by the members, each month a small group finds a speaker, hosts the meeting and provides simple refreshments. The monthly competition is for a single stem from garden or hedgerow and provides an attractive and easy way for anyone to enter. This is judged by us all with small coins which are collected and sent to ACWW each year.
Over the years we have planted five trees around the village to celebrate special anniversaries. The silver birch planted in 1973, on the green opposite the war memorial, is magnificent and makes a lovely entrance to the village. The latest tree, a Canadian maple, was planted in the churchyard to celebrate NFWI's 100th anniversary.
MORETON ON LUGG
The WI was formed in place of the Ladies Club in November 1977 with an initial subscription of £1.60!! There are six founder members still attending our meetings.
The stabling block of the Manor House, Moreton Court, was converted into the Village Hall in 1976 and the WI have used it as their meeting place ever since.
Moreton Court was requisitioned during the war for the American Army and was then demolished in 1958; the site being used as a small housing estate.
St Andrews Church, next to the Village Hall, is a very pretty church with priceless mosaics lining the Chancel. If you do not know the church, it is well worth a visit.
The Railway Station at Moreton became famous for the ticket office being in a huge hollow oak tree!
The village has a well stocked shop and Post office and an excellent fish and chip shop. Fish and chip suppers have been enjoyed on many occasions at WI meetings. Although we are a small WI, we have enjoyed many friendships over the years.
MUCH BIRCH
We believe our village name comes from the large number of Betula Pendula in the area and is nothing to do with corporal punishment. Our 34 members come from a wide area - Much & Little Birch, Much & Little Dewchurch. Our institute is 60 years old this year and we celebrated with a special supper in June when we were entertained by handbell ringers. We used to meet in the village school but were delighted to move to the new Community Hall in 1979 where we could sit on grown up chairs and have proper washing up facilities. Next to the Hall is our much appreciated surgery which was placed 45th in the whole country in a national survey of patients.
Over the years we have taken part in drama, craft events and walks. Our safari suppers were especially popular with husbands and partners!! Every Autumn we organise a quiz where up to a dozen local clubs and societies compete for a rather splendid silver cup. Several of our members have very much enjoyed courses at Denman.
The programme of meetings has been varied with travel talks on trips to Syria, Peru and Turkestan; a very interesting talk on The Wye Trow which took part in the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames; an entertaining talk on learning to fly a helicopter; a hilarious evening when we tried on a variety of hats and a talk on Hereford Gaol!!
MUCH COWARNE WI
Much Cowarne Women’s Institute was formed on December 6th 1929. Where Mrs Edwin Bray was elected as president and the secretary was Miss Kitty Powell a post she held for one year until Miss Ethel Pitt (later to become Mrs Waldron) took on the post. The first competition was for a pink blancmange.
Initially during the war despite petrol rationing and the ‘Black Out’ members continued to attend meetings until October 1940 when the suggestion to move meetings to the afternoon was deemed impossible and meetings were suspended until March 1941. The minutes record the work carried out by the WI during the war, ‘knitting comforts for the forces’, ‘the packing of parcels to be sent to the soldiers’, support for the women’s land army and the preservation of fruit.
1965 was the Golden Jubilee year of the WI. The Much Cowarne scrap book won a certificate of Merit in the Cogan Cup competition organised by the Herefordshire Federation of WI’s. Membership then was forty one.
Meetings were held at Much Cowarne School until its closure when they were moved to Stoke Lacy Village Hall, they took place on the second Friday of the month, which still continues today.
In 2015 two members, Mrs Betty Bowler and Mrs Mary Wells plus our chairman, Kathryn Bandfield who was also County Chairman, attended the Centenary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace which was a memorable day and it was a great honour to be invited. In the same year we passed the Centenary Baton from the Hereford Group to the Bromyard Group at the Wye Valley Brewery in Stoke Lacy. It was transported in a 1950 Bentley (see photo).
The membership today is 30 and we are known to be a welcoming friendly WI with many members spending time together outside of the WI. We have a speaker and competition at all of our meetings and always have a delicious supper. Each year we try to have an outing, a spring lunch and an annual garden party held in the garden of the president, this year the competition was ‘a hat’ (see photo) We also have a Christmas Party. We take part and take it in turn to host the Group Meeting and attend local WI’s meetings when invited.
Our aim for the future is to encourage new members who we hope will bring new ideas and inspiration to ensure the continuation of Much Cowarne WI. Our current President is Jenny Maund, Elaine Brown is the Secretary on 01432 820133, she has held office since 1997 and has only missed 4 meetings and the treasurer is Sandra Ingram who has been in post since 1987 and has missed 6 meetings - both are invaluable. Anyone wishing to join us is welcome to come along to any of our meetings or contact us on the numbers above for more information.
MUNSLEY & DISTRICT WI
MUNSLEY WI HALL Meeting time 2nd Tuesday of the month - in winter at 2.30 pm, in summer at 7.30pm
Munsley and District WI was founded in 1922. then the fund raising began; several years later a meeting was held at the Trumpet Inn, not to arrange the annual programme but to make arrangements to build a WI Hall that would also be used by the local community. Mr O C Gallimore of Mainstone Court, Munsley, kindly donated a piece of land with road access. Fund raising continued until 1927 when planning permission was granted and a quote for £407.10s was accepted to build the new hall. In September 1927, the foundation stone was laid by Mrs A W Foster, Chairman of Herefordshire Federation of Women's Institutes. It is understood that our Hall is only one of four WI Halls remaining in the country.
IN 1989, a meeting was held to arrange to raise funds to replace the chemical toilets and to upgrade the kitchen. The one constant source of income over the years is the monthly Whist Drive which helps pay for the ever increasing running costs.
The Hall is still used for Parish Council meetings and as a polling station, as well as for youngsters to do their band practice. Others use the Hall for dance parties and amateur dramatics rehearsals.
We are a small, but active, WI having 11 meetings a years - some educational, some recreational
ORLETON WI
ORLETON VILLAGE HALL Meeting time: 2nd Monday of the month at 7.30pm
Orleton is a busy village in North Herefordshire, on the border with Shropshire, which boasts a village shop and Post Office, two pubs, a surgery and a bus service. St George’s Church, built in the 12th century, has several notable features. The village welcomes walkers, cyclists, caravaners and visitors all year round.
Our WI is a friendly, outgoing group with an average membership of 35 ladies. This year we celebrate our 80th birthday and have several anniversary events planned including a Birthday Dinner and the making of a pottery anniversary bowl. We have a fun and varied programme, catering for all tastes with socialising high on the agenda! It includes hands on activities as well as talks and additional outings; these are often to the theatre, pantomime, the local craft college and our annual Strawberry Tea. Several members have made ‘twiddlemuffs’ for patients with dementia, syringe driver bags for the hospice and bags for mastectomy patients at the hospital.
We also regularly support our village community ventures such as Orleton Coffee Shop, Scarecrow Teas and the Annual Craft Fair. In 2016 two members researched the two WWI soldiers buried in Orleton church yard as part of the CWGC Living Memory Project and, together with children from the school, we remembered them on Remembrance Day placing poppies on their graves.
Our much cherished tablecloth was made by members and presented to Orleton WI in November 2005.
PARKWAY WI
Baptist Church Rooms, Homend, Ledbury: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 2.00pm
Parkway WI was formed in 1946, when rationing was still in force and the emphasis was still on ‘make do and mend’. Since then, Parkway has been active in the many campaigns launched by the WI executive concerning women, their families and the environment, including Equal Pay for Equal Work, and more recently SOS Honey Bees.
Parkway WI celebrated its 71st birthday in February, 2017. Our membership crosses the age ranges. We have a thriving Knit and Natter group and most of our members are involved in other clubs and societies, bringing new ideas and thinking to our meetings.
Our meetings reflect the traditional format of WI meetings, with a speaker, a competition and refreshments – usually tea and biscuits and on special occasions, afternoon tea. Like other WIs, we have an annual outing, a festive lunch and Christmas party. In 2015 we had the honour of hosting the WI’s Centenary Anniversary at our Group Meeting.
We would like to think that we provide a meeting place where women from all backgrounds can come together in friendship to share their stories and experiences, to share a joke and have a laugh.
Our President, Val Graham and our Secretary, Eileen Hunt, have been fulfilling their roles for too many years to remember exactly and the skills they have brought to these roles have been crucial to the efficient but relaxed way in which Parkway WI conducts itself.
PEMBRIDGE WI
Meeting at Pembridge Village Hall, 2nd Wednesday of the month
Nearly 100 years of fun and fellowship. Pembridge WI has been a caring integral part of the community since May 1919.
Meetings are usually well planned, stimulating, educational or amusing but sometimes spontaneous and just fun. They cover a wide spectrum from the hilarious “The Right Bra”, Music with Teapots and Hose Pipes to the educational and serious Care in the Community.
Trying to dovetail in all our other monthly activities – Reading Group/Tea, Walking Group/Lunch, Tenpin Bowling/Lunch Group, Coffee Afternoons is quite a feat. All this is not to mention fitting in hopping on a train to Cardiff or Manchester for the odd educational/shopping day out. We are hoping to add Oxford to the list. Also we squeeze in an annual coach trip, Christmas lunch and The Courtyard Festival Dinner and Pantomime.
Pembridge WI enters fully into community events including the Village Show, Turning on the Christmas lights, neighbourhood Coffee mornings and Britain in Bloom. We obtained a NFWI garden grant and with help from the community built a large planter in the car park and a tub which has a plaque in memory of all past WI members. New ideas and plans are on the way for our centenary in May 2019.
With all that is on offer it would be wonderful to “Inspire” more younger women to join us and ensure Pembridge WI reaches its 200th anniversary.
PENCOMBE AND LITTLE COWARNE WI
Venue: Pencombe and Little Cowarne Parish Hall – 3rd Tuesday of the month 7:30pm
Pencombe and Little Cowarne villages are set in the middle of the triangle of roads linking Hereford, Leominster, and Bromyard. We enjoy rolling countryside with fine views towards the Malverns, May Hill and Hay Bluff and some of our members farm this land for sheep, beef, cider orchards and dairying. Pencombe is the larger village and is home to our parish hall and the school. Little Cowarne benefits from the award-winning Three Horseshoes Inn and has an embroidery of local landmarks hanging in the church. We have one bus a week, which goes to Hereford on a Wednesday.
Our Women’s Institute was formed in 1924, closed in 1955, opened again in 1970 and currently has 19 members.
A couple of years ago, we surveyed our members and asked them a few questions about our WI. When asked about why they joined, several were encouraged to make up a team to play rounders, others wanted to meet local people and make friends. Members have been in the WI from two to forty-eight years and enjoy the company and friendship gained through visits, interesting speakers, social events and making things. Members feel that the WI is different from other activities they go to because it is an opportunity to belong to a group of women with all kinds of interests, which may last a lifetime. It is also good to be part of a national organisation. Our members are concerned that more younger women aren’t joining although we are fortunate to have a steady trickle of newcomers. Interestingly, several of our new joiners are women who have recently retired and moved into the area.
Our WI 2017 programme is varied and draws on a wealth of local talent – our activities include a visit to Moors Meadow garden, talks on Fashion Accessories, Winslow Court, the Life of a Podiatrist, Art Deco Jewellery and making Christmas cards. Some of our socials are dinners and outings but we have also played children’s games at our Christmas party (see the photos) and sat around a table talking about a topic (our holidays and working abroad), which was surprisingly rewarding. We enjoy hosting visitors from other WI’s and were very pleased that so many came to our Medieval Dancing event and our Barbecue.
We have a Group Meeting on Tuesday 18th July and are hoping Belly Dancing will attract women who like a bit of fun – how about learning the moves of a femme fatale (or possibly the female equivalent of Dad dancing?). Do encourage your WI to come along, join in, and find out more about Pencombe and Little Cowarne WI. For further information 01885 400204.
PETERSTOW WI
Formed in 1938, Peterstow W.I.’s meetings were held in the Peterstow Parish Room for 61 years, prior to moving to Bridstow Village Hall in 2000.
During WWII, Peterstow W.I. rallied to all calls for help, manning First Aid Posts and setting up working parties. Members were involved in making up parcels of clothing to send to the Public Assistance Office in Hereford to be distributed to families in need. War Savings were collected, Ration Books given out and members entertained wounded and convalescent soldiers from the nearby Red Cross Hospital.
Once peacetime returned, Peterstow W.I. settled down to a normal programme of events, always at the centre of village life, entering the Best Kept Village competitions and holding special celebrations for events like the Coronation, Silver Jubilee and Royal Weddings.
In recent years a Drama Group has been formed and members have very much enjoyed performing several pantomimes to entertain the other W.I.s in the Ross Group. A Murder Mystery play was also performed, as well as always entering the Cogan Cup Competition – which they have won twice.
Peterstow W.I. has recently established a rapport with the Ross Court Retirement Home with W.I. members joining the residents for afternoon tea, giving talks about the W.I. and assisting them to produce a lovely Easter Tree.
Peterstow is a thriving and very friendly W.I. with a steady membership of 36 and has built up a very good reputation for their delicious afternoon teas!!
PONTRILAS & DISTRICT WI
Greetings to all our fellow members throughout Herefordshire and welcome to the world of Pontrilas & District W.I. on the beautiful English/Welsh border. Our WI was founded in Pontrilas in 1926 when Pontrilas was the established centre for the surrounding villages. Even in those days the majority of members lived in Ewyas Harold but it was not until the 1960s that we moved to Ewyas Harold Memorial Hall.
Today we are a modern and welcoming W.I. but proud of the fact that we are part of a respected County and National Federation. One of our members recently held a Coffee Morning to raise money for Denman College and another member has had seven photographs accepted for the County Calendars. Our hard-working committee ensure that all our meetings are enjoyable with good speakers. Once a year we have an open meeting to which husbands, friends and the public are invited. In between meetings we have regular coffee mornings at our local pub which sometimes extend to include lunch! We have Theatre visits to Abergavenny and Hereford and always a wonderful Christmas Lunch party. In August we have a ‘posh’ Garden Party in a member’s garden.
We support each other in times of sadness or joy and, of course, we are still happy to provide special W.I. tea and cakes at village events.
