About us

Chairman's Chat: September 2026
I hope by the time you read this News Sheet the weather has cooled and we have had some long-awaited rain that makes us feel refreshed and raring to go into the Autumn!
We are delighted to welcome Bex to WI House as our new Finance Assistant after Tina left us to work more suitable hours with her other employer. Please give Bex some time to find her feet and understand the workings of the WI.
You will notice we have no WIs supplying cakes to the Cynthia Spencer Hospice from late August through to October. Please try and help with this; it is such a valuable offering from us and makes a huge difference to patients and families that are in the unfortunate position of needing their care and services.
Before we know it, the AGM will be upon us and we will be having our usual shopping hour beforehand, as well as competition displays and of course two fabulous speakers talking about farming and agriculture. This seems to be the topic of the whole country at the moment, with all farmers experiencing such difficult times. As always, it promises to be a great evening. The delegates pack will be sent out in the post shortly.
As you know we are already short of members on both the Board of Trustees and the various Sub Committees, we should have 12 members on the Board and are currently operating with nine, two of whom work. Those numbers will reduce again after the AGM. This situation puts a lot of pressure on your current trustees, so we really do need members to join us and share the workload. Please don’t assume someone else will do it, we know that doesn’t happen. And it isn’t all about meetings, (one board meeting a month) some of the events and fundraising we do takes time and effort for both board and subcommittee members to plan, organise and run. We need you to step up and help share the load so the organisation you benefit from can thrive and help sustain the Federation as a whole. NOW is the time! We genuinely need more help.
Chris Carr Great Houghton WI.

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Do you like our Henry Pollocks ?

Northampton in Bloom 2026
After our successful year with our Rugby displays and brief involvement with Northampton in Bloom we have been asked if we would like to contribute a Spring / Summer display of knitted and crocheted flowers in Northampton Town Centre for 2026. This will be a considerably smaller display but none the less increase our profile.

KNITTING PROJECT -  networking opportunity:  BOBBIES BUDDIES
Northamptonshire Police are delighted with the supply of Bobbies Buddies recently delivered to the Domestic Abuse Investigation Team and pass on their sincere thanks.
Police Officers across the county give the teddies to children and vulnerable adults when they are facing challenging times. They are extremely well received and can help to comfort and reduce the anxiety experienced by those individuals.
Northamptonshire Police would be delighted to receive more and are happy to do so on a regular basis. If you can knit or crotchet some then please send them to WI House or collection may be available. There is some wool available at WI House if needed.

OUR EXCITING YARNBOMING PROJECT FOR THE WORLD WOMENS RUGBY UNION CUP FOR THE WORLD TO SEE - click !!

UPDATE  
Women rugby players now have a new life!  They are being reworked into dollus for sale, some as Land Army Girls.  Contact WI House for more details.

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Hospice care places a high value on dignity, respect and the wishes of the person who is ill. It aims to look after their medical, emotional, social, practical, psychological and spiritual needs, and the needs of the person's family and carers. Care also extends to those who are close to the patient. If your WI can volunteer to make cakes, please complete the rota request form, with your Secretary. There are still lots of spaces available in 2025. Please contact WI House if you WI is able to provide cakes
We realise that not all of our members are bakers but the Hospices will take bought cakes too so please consider donating cakes to them. The Hospices provide such a valuable and excellent end of life care to those close to us in Northamptonshire.
2026 rota  If your WI can volunteer to make cakes for Cynthia Spencer Hospice please complete the rota request form, with your Secretary. Please email events@ncfwi.org.uk with your preferred month.
If your WI would like to bake for Cransley Hospice please  email Sue Johnson Hill johnsonhilljs@gmail.com  
Thank you to all those WIs that have volunteered to make cakes so far.

Our monthly walks in various parts of the county are much enjoyed by all. Click for more information.
Afterwards, we enjoy a sociable lunch, sometimes at a pub, sometimes at a local WI.

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In June 2024, we travelled to the Royal Albert Hall for the best ever AGM of the National Federation of WIs.  Along with the usual annual reports, the conference had an underlying theme relating to our resolution "violence against women". We heard three tremendous speakers. As well as the serious side of the AGM, we all enjoy meeting fellow WI friends whether they are from our own county or further afield. A great experience all round.

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Our January Annual get-together of Trustees and  sub-committee members is always enjoyable and this year was no exception.  Its a joy to meet up with long standing friends and make plans for the coming WI year.  
Membership is not exclusive and we welcome others who may like to join in and help us, whether it be for a couple of hours or longer, all members are welcome.

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