Looking Ahead to What's On
2018: was our super Centenary Year (click here) There's so much going on with the Denman Learning Hub. Click here |
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2025
2025 May Yarnbombing Newsletter is out
check with the Secretary or click on the link
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Reminder
Events must be paid for at time of booking. Cancellations made up to 3 days before the Ticket Allocation Date will not be charged but cancellations made after that will be invoiced and must be paid for. Please do not turn up to Events if confirmation of attendance has not been received. If the event is fully booked we will not be able to admit you
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First two weeks of June 2025 - Northampton in Bloom
The Guildhall and Market Square, Northampton
Both of these areas will form part of the Northampton in Bloom competition which will be on display throughout June. The Guildhall will also be the venue for a Rugby World Cup Welcome Ceremony for the teams.
We have agreed with WNC to the hanging of two (or more) camouflage nets covered with red, pink, gold and white roses to be displayed on a tree at the entrance to The Market Square, and at the entrance to The Guildhall we will be displaying these from 3rd week of May.
Please go along and see the wonderful work done by the Yarn Bombing team.
Message from Jean McLeish (Bugbrooke WI) Membership & Training Chair
I hope you have all voted on this year’s resolution “Bystanders can be Lifesavers” at your April or May meetings and returned you voting forms to Jackie at WI House. These forms will instruct your link delegate on how to vote on your behalf, so it’s important they are returned. As this year’s National Federation Annual Meeting on 4 June 2025 is on-line it gives all members the opportunity to attend. You can attend at home, on your own or with other members, or you can join us at WI House for our Annual Meeting Watch Party. There are still a few places left so if you’re interested contact Jackie at WI House, we’d love to have you join us.
MCS Reps: Please update ASAP. New members and changes to your WI Committee members and their roles, also remember to tick the box for all members to say they have paid this year’s membership subscription. We will be producing the Yearbook from the information in MCS so it is important the information is correct.
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Wednesday 4 June 2025 NFWI Annual Meeting "Party" WI House 9.30am to 4pm
Members only £5. Delegates attend Free of Charge
You have the option of ordering a ploughman’s lunch for £7. If you prefer you can bring your own lunch. Tea and Coffee will be available throughout the day.
This year’s National Annual Meeting is being held on-line, but if you don’t fancy watching it on your own why not come along and join us in WI House and create our own Northamptonshire WI “Watch Party”. We will show the meeting on the large screen and there will be plenty of time to chat and meet WI friends old and new. The speakers who have been
announced so far are Emma Bridgewater, founder of the famous pottery business and Angel Strawbridge, founder of Vintage Patisserie and featured on the Channel 4 series, Escape to the Chateau. You will also hear speakers for and against this year’s resolution, ‘Bystanders can be lifesavers’.
NB If demand exceeds the capacity in WI House we have reserved an alternative venue, Great Houghton Village Hall, which is a short distance from the Barnes Meadow Interchange of the A45.
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Friday 6 June 2025 Pensioners Fair
10am-1pm Southbrook Community Centre, Hood Road, Daventry NN11 4JS
We have been invited by the office of the Rt Hon Stuart Andrew MP for the Daventry Constituency to participate in this event, which will provide local people information on essential services including social activities. Our aim is to demonstrate all the wonderful things the WI can offer and encourage new members. If you’d like to come and help on the stand please contact us events@ncfwi.org.uk
Saturday 7 June 2025 County walk Bancroft Park, Milton Keynes
9.45 for 10.15 am start. 4 miles
Join us on one of our occasional visits to another county. This time Buckinghamshire, with an interesting walk around parts of Milton Keynes you never knew existed – some very old, some more modern.
The Roman Crown, 1 Constantine Way, Bancroft Park. Milton Keynes. MK13 0RA. (4 Miles).
Tuesday 17 June Coffee morning Entry £4 to include Coffee and Cake
WI House 10am to 12 noon
Come along to our first Tuesday coffee morning. There will be plants on sale from Blisworth Wildflowers. We look forward to seeing you
Wednesday 25 June 2025 PRESIDENTS AND SECRETARIES WORKSHOP
WI House 3-5.30pm or 6.30-9pm Members Only. £7
Are you a new President or Secretary of your WI? Are you an established President or Secretary, Vice-President or Assistant Secretary? The Membership & Training sub- committee members look forward to welcoming you to this joint workshop. An opportunity to learn from each other, develop skills and explore ideas. If you are leading the team or looking after the admin, come along to hear the jargon explained, help identify the essential jobs and your responsibilities as well as hopefully gaining some useful tips.
Wednesday 9 July 2025 SPEAKERS SELECTION EVENING Members Only. £5
Maximum 2 members per WI. WI House 7pm-9pm
An ever popular evening showcasing future speakers for you to consider and book for your members evenings. These
evenings do get booked quickly so please get your application in early. Application form is with your secretary.
Saturday 19 July 2025 County Walk near Crick and Yelvertoft
9.45am for 10.00am start Approx 4 miles
Setting out from Crick, we walk footpaths, towpaths and bridleways to Yelvertoft, taking in Cracks Hill and, if wished, the Millenium Park
The Wheatsheaf, 15 Main Road, Crick, NN6 7TU
Wednesday 23 July 2025 Full day trip Visit to St Albans Hertfordshire
Members £26 Non-members £30
We are delighted to let you all know we are running a coach trip to St Albans in Hertfordshire. St Albans offers the chance to visit the incredible history and the stunning Cathedral which features medieval wall paintings.
Verulamium park nearby has ornamental lakes and the remains of the city's ancient Roman wall. There is also a wealth of artisan shops and high street shops.
The benefit of visiting on a Wednesday is it is market day and the market spans the whole length of the high street. There is plenty to see and do whether it be an historic visit or retail therapy, or a bit of both, the choice is yours. Let us take you,
whilst you relax. Ticket allocation date is 20 June
Tuesday 29 July 2025 Treasurers on-line Workshop Members only. £7
WI House 3pm-5.30pm OR 6.30pm- 9pm
Do you do your WI accounts online, or would you like to do them online? If yes, and you would like some help, do come along to WI House and members of the Membership & Training team will take you through the information that is available to assist you.
There will be time to practice the skills needed, with tea/coffee provided. Application Form is with your secretary.
Saturday 16 August 2025 County Walk near Great Doddington
10.00 for 10.15 start
Full details to follow next month.
Tuesday 16 September 2025 - WI Day - SAVE THE DATE
Party time! 110 years of WI
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Saturday 11 October 2025 10am – 4pm Northampton High School for Girls
Northamptonshire Federation of WIs AGM.
Guest Speaker Lucy Lewis, a woman of firsts! Lucy joined the Army on the spur of the moment and after training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, was chosen in 1989 to become the first woman to operate as a Bomb Disposal Officer with the Royal Engineers. She subsequently served with the Royal Military Police in Germany and Northern Ireland, retiring in the rank of Major to start a family.
In 2018, Lucy made history for a second time by becoming the first woman to be appointed University Marshal at the University of Cambridge and now leads one of the oldest Constabularies in the world. Lucy’s book Lighting the Fuse, reveals the triumphs and challenges of being a woman in a man’s world.
Her talk will highlight some of these challenges in her own, often amusing style.
AGM Stewards Request
We still require stewards to help with the various roles during the evening including meeting and greeting guests and members, selling and folding raffle tickets, assisting stall holders, car parking and internal fire and safety stewards. The only thing we ask is that you be at the venue a little earlier than everyone else so we can brief you. In return you receive a free ticket to the day. If you would like to help please email jean.e.mcleish@btinternet.com by Tuesday 1July.
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Thursday 16 October OR Tuesday 21 October London Walking Tour
Members £40 Non-members £43
Join us for an all-day walking tour (5 hours with breaks – approximately 3 miles of walking) with Rob the “Chap in Hat” to explore the area from Trafalgar Square to Somerset House. A tour full of incredible facts but above all great entertainment, you’ll see this part of London come alive. Start point in Trafalgar Square (South side) 11 am.
Group size is very limited – please indicate your preferred date and get your booking in quickly! Closing date 5 September
Thursday 27 November 2025 Winchester Day Trip & Christmas Market
Members £32 Non-members £35
Come with us to Winchester – a vibrant, ancient, cultured city. See the Castle’s Great Hall and Roundtable. Tour the cathedral, the longest medieval one in the world and burial place to Jane Austen. As you’d expect this is a great place for independent shops and places to eat, with the bonus of an established Christmas Market. You might even spot one or two of the famous painted bollards! Closing date: 16 October 2025