About us

Chairman's Chat:  May 2025
Congratulations and thank you to all of you who have taken on a committee role after your AGMs, it is such a rewarding role. For those who are not on a committee, please remember it is a voluntary role and they are doing it for your  benefit so as they say “be kind.”
Talking of annual meetings, we are looking forward to welcoming delegates and members to WI House for the National Annual Meeting ‘Watch Party’ on Wednesday 4 June; see the Events Sheet for more information. We hope to make it a fun day.
On another matter the Board of Trustees and staff are still working on a new ticketing system via Ticketsource which we know will make life much easier for secretaries and treasurers…watch this space!
Don’t forget the Trustees are still doing Trustees on Tour and visiting WIs around the county so why not consider asking us to attend one of your meetings?
As I write this it’s a beautiful blue sky and the garden is calling so I am off to sow some vegetables seeds, hopefully by the time you read this, green shoots will be visible!!
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.
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, 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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