Centenary

Leicestershire and Rutland Centenary

As the Federation reaches its Centenary the WI's in the area wish them every success

Kilby WI was started in 1936 reaching its 80 birthday last year. Since that time we has manged to run a successful WI in a small village of some 200 residents. Some of our members come from neighbouring  villages including Fleckney, after the closure of Fleckney WI.  Please to say after  the recently reopening of Fleckney WI, our members from Fleckney still support Kilby WI.  We have 28 members which fluctuates from time to time but some of the members have been attending the WI for over 50 years. We have asked the members to write a very short piece about why they like their  Institute. Have put them together with photographs through the years.showing how diverse WI can be.

We meet in the United Reformed Chapel in Main Street which is used for most social events in the village. 

Outing to Toft's Farm to see the Alpacas

After over 40 years membership I still come out of out meetings feeling I have learnt something useful, eaten delicious cake and seen old friends. Thanks to that wonderful organisation, the WI

Very early photo of member attending a musical evening at Peatling Magna

The WI gives me the opportunity to meet up with friends.  I enjoy the interesting speakers, demonstrations and outings. Also, where else can you get tea and cake for 50p?

Lucy one of our members learning us to line dance

I have only been a member of Kilby Wi for a short time. In this time I have met some very nice people, enjoyed some very interesting talks and been on some good trips out.

Taken at our 75th Birthday Party

I like going to the WI to meet people and make new friends.  I enjoy the difference speakers an the topics which they cover.  My favourite to date is the practical demonstration of making chocolate!

Ladies day at Ascot in Kilby

Warm welcome, opportunity to influence policies, meeting interesting women, enjoyable, fun evenings, networking, sharing knowledge and skills.

Cecily and Greta enjoying a Federation Day out at Shearsby Bath

Inspirational speakers, No men!!!!  Supportive friendships, tasty cakes, fabulous skittles team, theatre trips, usually lots of laughter, third Thursday are in the diary! Educational and informative.

Norma, Susan and Ruth socialising
I joined Kilby WI when the children were small (the older one is now 43) but after a few years I think other things got in the way and I stopped going.  Many years later, when we no longer had a shop in the village, I kept meeting WI members in the shop in the next village who encouraged me to return to WI. It seemed ridiculous that I had to go to the next village to meet people from my own village, so I returned to WI. since when, through WI, I see more of the Kilby villagers and have also made friends with people from other villages who have also joined Kilby WI.  We have two superb outings each year, several trips to the theatre and very interesting and amusing diverse speakers.  We love to chatting, as only women can, and eating out.  The WI brings people together and encourages them to enter into all sorts of activities, they normally wouldn't do. Amongst many other things, W~I is about friendship.
Members at Foxton Locks with our banner