Welcome to Example Federation

Welcome to the Northamptonshire Federation

Northamptonshire is a beautiful County with plenty of open spaces, historic locations, pretty villages and friendly WIs.

Northamptonshire is the shoe making capital of the world, also known as the Rose of the Shires and nicknamed the county of Spires and Squires.

In Northamptonshire Federation we have just under 3700 members spread across the County in 114 WIs. The Federation was formed in 1918 and along with six WIs Badby & Fawsley, Brackley, Brigstock, Clipston, Hargrave and Wootton we celebrated our Centenaries in 2018.

Every WI is different and joining is a great way to make new friends.  From Gretton, Glapthorn and Oundle in the North to Aynho and Charlton in the South there are plenty of WIs to choose from all over the County.  Morning, Afternoon and Evening WIs, some small and intimate others having over 60 members.  Many WIs also have extras  other than the monthly meeting, for example book clubs, craft groups, regular walks, cinema and theatre trips There are lots of opportunities to learn new skills, take part in a varied programme of events, coach trips to places of interest and short holidays organised by our Federation Sub-Committees.

Resolutions on all sorts of different issues are put forward by WI members each year and if selected and mandated by the members they become campaigns giving the opportunity to influence decisions locally and nationally.  From equal pay to climate change, from gaps in the midwifery workforce to the plight of the honeybee, WI members have built up a reputation to embrace a diverse set of challenges over a long history of campaigning and changing things for the better.

Denman is the WIs centre for learning situated in Marcham near Oxford and fortunately within easy reach for us in Northamptonshire.  Denman offers a wide range of short courses and day schools in craft, cookery and lifestyle.  The Georgian mansion set in 17 acres of grounds provides a lovely environment for learning with very individual en-suite bedrooms and excellent meals.

New members would be very welcome at all our WIs.  If you can, visit a few and decide which you would like to join, it is possible to join more than one as a dual member with a reduced annual subscription fee at the second and any subsequent WI.  If you are unable to get to a local WI then you can become an associate member.

For more information about our WIs in Northamptonshire please contact the County Federation Office on 01604 646055 email admin@ncfwi.org.uk

Anne Seckington
Federation Chairman