Latest News
The WI Learning Hub
We are pleased to continue expanding our educational opportunities to support federations and WIs. More information about training opportunities is available here. This includes details of training opportunities to access anytime and a reminder of upcoming live online training sessions.
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Quizzes
This Old House Quiz 2023/4
As always, thanks to everyone who supported this quiz, which raised a magnificent £226 for LRFWI funds. There were 85 entries received altogether, and of these, 26 were all correct. The lucky winner drawn at random was Sue of Thorpe Acre WI, who won £25 - congratulations Sue, I hope you enjoyed your well-deserved prize!
If you sent an SAE you will have received your entry sheets back by now, or by email if you preferred. For those who did neither, the answers can be found here.
By the way, on my Quiz Subscribers’ list, there are now 120 members who have the quiz emailed to them, and quite a few of these kind people sell copies to members, family and friends at their own WIs. If you would like to become a subscriber just for your own copy or, even better sell copies to your fellow members, then please let me know by sending an email to me via wihouse@lrfwi.org and I will tell you how it works.
I’ll be launching my next quiz at the ACM on 16 March. As usual, my Head of Sales, Hilary, will be looking after selling copies in the foyer at Leicester Grammar School on the day, so do go along to see her. She’d love to see you and, of course, sell you a copy (or two or three…) of the new Quiz!
Once again, sincere thanks to all of you who take part in these quizzes, either by just buying a copy and entering or by going the extra mile and selling copies on to your fellow members, family and friends. I do the fun bit in creating the quizzes - the hard work is down to all of you and I promise you it is so very much appreciated both by me and by the Federation. Couldn’t do it without you.
Sue Lobb ❤
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Standing with Giants appeal
I am Secretary at Apple Blossoms WI based in Kingston Bagpuize with Southmoor.
I have been contacted by a charity, 'Standing with Giants' (https://www.standingwithgiants.co.uk/), who are doing an installation of 1,475 soldier silhouettes across the wild meadow fields of the British Normandy Memorial called ‘For Your Tomorrow’ in April 2024 to mid-August 2024.
The 1,475 giants reflect the number of servicemen who died serving under British command on D-Day itself. The public will be able to see this installation as part of the D-Day 80 commemorations throughout Spring and Summer 2024.
They have asked me to see if I can get the WIs involved nationally by asking them to crochet poppies to complement these installations (some going to Normandy itself). If we could do this it would have a lot of publicity for the WI, as they always manage to get on the national news.
Please can you contact me by sending expressions of interest to wihouse@lrfwi.org as soon as possible if this is something we could arrange? The poppies need to be installed by mid-March.
Kind regards
Toni Briggs
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WI Garden 2024
WI House was bought by the members in 1966 and as it is in a conservation area it requires some upkeep to make sure we are good custodians of such a resource. Previously, we have had a floral display. In 2024, we would also like to invite members to have a social gardening session at WI House to support the upkeep of the house.
Why not make an outing of it with a few of your members to visit WI House and local area and finish with a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits?
Alternatively, pop in Monday to Thursday to bring some flowers or a plant. Just please let us know when you plan to come.
You may like to send a donation which we will use at our discretion to either buy a plant or help maintain the garden.
Please complete and return this form to book a visit or make a donation. Your support, as always, is much appreciated. Thank you.
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The José Smart Award
José Smart was a founder member of the old Wigston Afternoon WI. She was an outstanding craftswoman who could turn her hand to many different skills. José was well loved by her fellow members and friends, and is still greatly missed by those who knew her.
Before Wigston Afternoon WI closed, a craft competition was established in José’s name open to those who were new to crafts. This became known as “The José Smart Award” when it was adopted by the Federation, and is now held annually as a simple flower arranging competition. The Award itself is a handsome, engraved cut glass flower vase that the winner holds for 12 months.
Why not enter the 2024 competition? Further information can be found here.
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Pennies for Friendship 2024
For more information on how to get involved, please visit this webpage
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Which Craft?
Do you enjoy crafting? Come along to WI House for a friendly and relaxed morning where we each bring our craft projects for a time of crafting, sharing ideas, expertise and chat.
Held on the third Thursday of the month, 10am to 12 noon, starting on 16 February 2023. Further information in the flyer.
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Leisure Committee needs new members
Are you the one in your gang who gets your friends together for social outings?
Do you enjoy gathering your pals for a trip to the cinema or the theatre or just for a walk?
How many times have you heard someone say, “Well, I’ve lived here all my life and I never knew this was here!” after going somewhere new?
If this is you, or you know someone who fits the bill, the Leisure committee would be very pleased to have you on board. If you’re thinking I couldn’t do anything on that scale, worry not! We are here to help you with the organising side and you will be pleasantly surprised to find it’s a lot easier than you thought.
We’re a small (but not yet perfectly formed!) committee beavering away to find things we hope our members will enjoy which is why we need you and your friends to join our little band. If you are still hesitant, come along to one of our meetings to suss us out! Usually 3rd Wednesday each month 10.00 am at WI House and occasionally on Zoom.
Email wihouse@lrfwi.org if you are interested in getting involved.
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We are keen to recruit new members to our sub-committees and to the Board of Trustees. If you become involved you will gain new skills, get to know more local members and influence the future and direction of the Federation.
This month’s spotlight is on the Public Affairs and International Committee
If you are interested in WI campaigns from food waste and climate change to dementia care and the plight of the honey bee – this is the committee for you!
The Committee meet at WI House on the second Thursday of the month at 10.00am.
The purpose of this Committee is to:
- make members feel part of WI’s national and international network
- inform members about the ‘voice in the community’ side of WI and encourage them to take part through their WI
- organise the Resolutions process and encourage follow-up action on mandates
- respond to consultations
- suggest projects for WIs
- promote support for The Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW)
If you are interested in observing a meeting of the Public Affairs and International Committee, please contact Glenice Wignall glenicewignall@lrfwi.org or call WI House.
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IFE Training
Would you like to become an Independent Financial Examiner, training can be given to individuals or groups. We need more IFEs to help with end of year accounts. You do not have to be a member of the WI; all are welcome to apply. A fee of £20.00 is paid as expenses for each set of books examined. We need more help to keep the scheme running in your federation.
Any interest please email: maryhobbs@lrfwi.org
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Competitions - Dual Membership
A query regarding members holding dual memberships entering national competitions has recently been brought to our attention. To clarify...
It is recommended that should a member, with a dual membership, wishes to enter a national competition, then she must decide which WI she is entering under and remain loyal to that WI; it would be inappropriate and unfair if the dual member contributes to one or more WI competition entries, therefore she may only enter under one WI.
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Be a WI Adviser!
WI Advisers are members just like you, who have been put forward by the federation to fulfil this role. As a WI Adviser you would establish new WIs and help existing WIs to grow. As well as developing new skills, such as public speaking and digital communication, training will offer you a recognised qualification. The team meet monthly on Zoom. Why not contribute to the success of LRFWI and beyond? Interested? Contact Mandy at mandycutler@lrfwi.org