Looking Ahead to What's On

2022

Saturday 11 June - Walk: Little Addington and Ringstead
9.45am for 10am start  Approx 5.5 miles
A circular walk that takes us past Stanwick Lakes through to Ringstead and back via a different route. A lovely scenic part of the county. We start from The Bell, where we pre-order lunch. Please let the leader know by 3 June if you would like to be included on this walk.

Tuesday 14 June - Crafty Catch-up
WI House 1.30pm to 4.00 pm  £2.00
The range of crafts and skills of our members knows no bounds! At last month's get together there were rats, queens, crowns, hoops, an elephant, gloves, Christmas stockings, (that word again!!) quilt making and knitting being sewn together. What a variety. Do join in the fun for the next date in June. Stay all afternoon or just pop in for a while. No booking required.

From Saturday 25 June - Skittles Competition - Earls Barton WMC
Heats: Saturday 25 June and 2 July.  Grand Final: Saturday 16 July 2022
Are you practicing hard for the NCFWI Skittles Competition 2022? Don't forget to ask your secretary to return the application form as soon as possible. This, togerther with the revised rules, was sent to her with the April newsletter. Only one entry per WI. Closing Date for Applications Monday 23 May 2022.

Thursday 7 July - Speakers Selection Evening
WI House  7pm to 9pm  Members only £2 (maximum of 2 members per WI)
We plan to hold a Speakers Selection Evening at WI House, this allows you to get an idea about new speakers who have applied to be included in the next Speakers List. As this has been a popular event in the past, tickets are restricted to 2 per WI. Tea/Coffee will be served from 6.30 p.m.
Application form with your Secretary this month. Ticket Allocation Date Monday 20 June

Saturday 9 July  Day trip to Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway and Broadway  
Coach only  Members £22  Non-members £25  (Train travel £12.60 to be paid on the day)
Places are still available for this trip on a heritage steam train from Cheltenham to Broadway, the “Jewel of the Cotswolds”. Spend the afternoon in beautiful Broadway for lunch or afternoon tea, museum and gallery visits and shopping. Application Form with your Secretary or email events@ncfwi.org.uk as soon as possible! Ticket Allocation Date Monday 30 May

Saturday 23 July - Walk: Ravensthorpe Reservoir and Top Ardles Wood
9.45am for 10am start   Approx 5 miles
The culmination of our walk via Coton, around the reservoir and back though Top Ardle wood, ends with the promise of a delightful lunch (£7.50) provided by Ravensthorpe WI.Come and enjoy the four Bs of high summer - Blooms, Birds, Butterflies and Bees. Address: Ravensthorpe Village Hall, The High Street, Ravensthorpe. NN6 8EH

Monday 25 July - Treasurers Financial Statement Workshop
WI House  3-5pm  or  7-9pm  Members Only £5
If you would like some help in ensuring a smooth year-end or just a boost to your confidence before your accounts are sent off to be examined, do apply for a place on one of the workshops. We look forward to seeing you and imparting some helpful tips.
This workshop is run jointly by the Federation Treasurer and the Membership & Training sub-committee. WIs pay for their Treasurer and/or Assistant Treasurer to attend. Come and learn some helpful tips to ensure your year-end runs smoothly.
Application form with your Secretary this month. Ticket Allocation Date Monday 27 June 2022.

Saturday 6 August - Blakesley & District Agricultural Show
Once again the Federation will be promoting the WI at Blakesley Show. We hope to attract new and current members with our displays and children’s activities. With over 100 trade stands, horse and cattle shows and catering facilities available it is well worth a visit. Set in beautiful countryside just south of Towcester it’s a great day out for all the family. Please come along and support us.

Saturday 13 August - Church Stowe Walk
9.45am for 10am start   5.5 miles
After a walk that includes canal towpath, fields and the area around Bugbrooke and Nether Heyford, we return to the School Rooms in Church Stowe for a tasty lunch (£7.50) provided by Stowe Nine Churches WI.  Please let us know by Friday 5 August if you are considering joining us and if you have any dietary requirements. Address: School Rooms, Main Street, Church Stowe NN7 4SG

Judging Tuesday 6 September 2022 - Pauline Duff Trophy - WI members only £3 per entry
As announced at the AGM in October last year, the Pauline Duff Trophy competition is to make a Dundee Cake. All the information you need, including the set recipe and schedule were sent out to secretaries some time ago. As the closing date is looming, we have included all the information again with this newsletter. The competition is for individual WI members. Cakes should be delivered to WI House on 5 September. Closing date for applications Monday 25 July 2022.

Wednesday 14 September 2022 - Trip to Greenwich, South East London
Coach only   Members £25   Non-members £28
There is so much to see and do in Greenwich that we thought you would prefer to do your own thing on this occasion! It may be a trip up or down the river Thames to see some of the London sights from the water. Or if history is your “thing” then a visit to the National Maritime Museum and maybe the Queen’s House to see the magnificent Painted Hall. Get your place booked now on the coach and join us for a friendly and enjoyable day out!
Application Form with your Secretary this month. Ticket Allocation Date Monday 1 August 2022

Friday 16 September 2022 - WI Day Afternoon Tea with Speaker
Great Houghton Village Hall, Northampton NN4 0AN   Members £15
Being just outside Northampton, Great Houghton Village Hall is easily accessible and is our venue for delicious Afternoon Tea. Our speaker will be Stephen Collier a retired Police Officer and local author. His first Crime novel, “Blind Murder”, was focused around Northamptonshire and his most recent book, “Crimson Dragon” takes us to Chinatown and Hong Kong.Reviews of “Blind Murder” ‘His writing style has a cold, steel-like ring of police jargon and incorporates twists in the plot that (without giving the game away) smack crime fiction tradition in the face’. ‘An excellent book and what I particularly like is the fact that it doesn’t always go where you think it will.’‘A juggernaut of twist at the end had me wanting the next book now!’With five star book reviews this is an afternoon you won’t want to miss!
Application Form with your Secretary this month. Ticket Allocation Date Friday 2 September

Saturday 17 September - Walk from Welford
9.45am for 10am start    (Walk still being planned)
Welford WI is going to provide another of their soup and cake lunches (hopefully not an occasion as wet as the last one). Welford has many walks, which one to do for this particular Saturday is still being decided.  Proper details next month.

Wednesday 21 September - Scrabble Competition
WI House  7pm   Members only £6
I know that I shall be there so I hope some of you will come along too to keep me company. It’s sure to be an evening of fun and you may even learn something new so it’s well worth making the effort to come out. We shall follow the usual format of two x one hour sessions with a break for refreshments in between.

Tuesday 11 October 2022 - Trip to Moreton-In-the-Marsh and Batsford Arboretum, Gloucs
Arriving in Moreton-in-Marsh on market day, there will be time for morning coffee and to browse the stalls before going on to Batsford Arboretum to admire the wonderful autumn colours of over 1,300 different trees and shrubs. More information next month. Application form with your Secretary next month

Wednesday 26 October - NCFWI Annual General Meeting
Northampton High School for Girls, Newport Pagnell Road, Hardingstone NN4
We are excited to reveal Nick Bailey as our guest speaker. Many of you will know him from his appearances on Gardeners’ World. Nick is a leading plantsman and garden designer as well as an author and writer with plenty of anecdotes to share. This year our AGM will be held at Northampton High School for Girls. With new comfortable seats, plenty of car parking and easy access we hope you will come and join us for our first ‘in person’ AGM for 2 years. Sale stands, raffle and refreshments available. A delegate pack will be sent out in due course

Wednesday 16 November - Literary Lunch
Marriott Hotel 
It seems very strange thinking about an event for November but that's what we have to do!! Hopefully you may have decided to read one of Judith Allnatt’s books, (a good holiday read), prior to this 2 course lunch date. It will be really interesting to hear from a very different, but local writer. Application form and menu choices with your Secretary this month. Ticket Allocation Date Friday 30 September 202

Saturday 26 November - WINTER CRAFT FAIR
Tithe Barn, Wellingborough  10am to 1pm   £15 per 6'X2' table - WIs and WI members only
Allocation date for members only has passed and it is now open to non-members to apply. Members can still apply, but please be quick. Application forms are with your Secretary