About us

Chairman's Chat:  June 2025
By the time you read this News Sheet the National Federation's Annual Meeting will be approaching, hopefully you have all voted on the Resolution, Bystanders can be Lifesavers, and the Constitutional changes at your WI meetings. The Trustees are looking forward to welcoming some of you to a ‘Watch Party’ at WI House when we will view the day’s events, including the guest speakers on the large screen.
You will see in both the News and Events Sheet we have been busy planning some new outings and activities for later in the year, more details will become available over the summer months; hopefully there will be something you would like to attend.
We all know organising events can take time and effort; unfortunately our Sub Committees are low on members, so we would welcome new members to come and join us. Do you have some ideas where we can go? What activities we can organise? Please think of coming along to observe a meeting and perhaps joining this or the Campaigns, Concerns and Media subcommittee. There are only five or six meetings a year so it’s not too onerous.
The Board of Trustees is also looking for new members to join them. Now is an ideal time to come and observe a meeting as we start to prepare for the AGM in October and when we will have several vacancies to fill. Being a Trustee is such a rewarding and enjoyable role. We work as a team and have a great camaraderie, meeting once a month at WI House. If you would like more information on any of these roles, please contact myself or Jackie at WI House
Chris Carr

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KNITTING PROJECTS
Two new networking opportunities:

CHRISTMAS GRINCH – November 2025
We have been asked to supply 100 ‘knitted’ GRINCH dolls for late November 2025. This request will open opportunities for us to engage with 100 businesses in Northamptonshire. There will be no cost to you as all the wool will be supplied. If you can help with this project, please email Jackie ASAP and in any case by Friday 14th March so that we can notify the relevant businesses. admin@ncfwi.org.uk

BOBBIES BUDDIES
Northamptonshire Police, Domestic Abuse Team are relaunching their Bobbies Buddies scheme. If you can help with this, please let Jackie know. Items can be dropped off at WI House. admin@ncfwi.org.uk

BUT MOST EXCITING OF ALL IS THE YARNBOMING PROJECT FOR THE WORLD WOMENS RUGBY UNION CUP FOR THE WORLD TO SEE - click !!

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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.
2025 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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