Looking Ahead to What's On

2018 -  was our super  Centenary Year (click here)
NEW -  March 2024 Northamptonshire Federation Newsletter

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2024



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Saturday 16 March 2024   - WALK COTTINGHAM
9.45am - for 10.00am.start    Approx.4.5 miles

Hopefully the spring weather will help us to enjoy magnificent views over the Welland valley, and relish in the spring flowers blooming. We will set off from the café and car park at East Carlton Country Park, through Cottingham and Middleton, then back to the Country Park. The Country Park is marked by the brown road signs, off the A427.
Venue: East Carlton Country Park, Church Lane, East Carlton LE16 8YF

Wednesday 20 March 2024   LONDON WALKING TOUR: Islington Area 
Members £15.00, non-Members £18.00
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Ian will guide us on a walk in an area that has a wealth of heritage and history. The tour will start at 11a.m., from St Pancras, and finish at The Angel, Islington, (originally a Toll House). Ian will talk us through the history of the area: from the materials supplied by the Northamptonshire brickyards, through the descent into some of the worst slums in the east-end, and regeneration in the 20th century. The meeting point is at the seating area outside ‘German Gymnasium’, a restaurant located at 1 King's Blvd, London N1C 4BU. Early arrivals may get the chance to have their photo taken by a certain Platform 9 ¾. Magic!
Application date 23 February 2024. Application Form with your Secretary this month


Friday 22 March   SPRING COFFEE MORNING
WI House 10am  to 12noon     £3 includes coffee and cake

Come to WI House to enjoy a coffee, some cake, a chat, and perhaps try your luck with the raffle. Members of the Travel Committee will be present, keen to receive your thoughts and ideas. No need to book

Wednesday 27 March 2024 NFWI ANNUAL MEETING & RESOLUTIONS BRIEFING CONFERENCE
WI House   7pm - 9pm Members only £3

This evening is particularly beneficial to delegates and members leading discussions on resolutions at their own WI meetings, to hear knowledgeable speakers on the selected resolution(s). If the Ticket Allocation Date has passed and you are interested in coming along, please email events@ncfwi.org.uk or phone the office at WI House to see if there are any spaces available. Tea/Coffee provided. Application Form with your Secretary. Ticket allocation date Monday 04 March 2024

Saturday 13 April 2024  WALK ROADE
9.45am - for 10.00am start.   Approx 5 miles

This walk should offer the opportunity to appreciate the bluebells - fingers crossed! We will meet at ‘The Cock’, Roade, where we will pre order lunch before taking a pleasant walk, mainly along footpaths, around the area of the old estate village of Courteenhall. Please let the leader know by Saturday 6th April if you are attending and if you would like lunch.
Venue: The Cock at Roade, 1 High Street, Roade, NN7 2NW

Saturday 20 April 2024   TREASURER’S WORKSHOP  Members Only £5
WI House 10am to 12.30pm    OR   1.30pm  to 4pm  

Treasurers workshops have proven to be beneficial to prospective, fairly new or established WI Treasurers. Budgets, keeping records, financial safeguards and charity law are some of the items discussed as we take you through “A Year in the life of a WI Treasurer”. We will show you where to find information and guidance and give you handouts to assist you in your role. Application form with your Secretary. Ticket Allocation Date Tuesday 2 April 2024.

Tuesday 30 April 2024  SPRINGFIELDS OUTLET SHOPPING, CRAFT & LEISURE
Coach only Members £25, non-Members £28

As well as being in a lovely setting, Springfields in Spalding has a well equipped craft barn, along with a variety of outlet shops offering up to 60% reductions. There are cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes. Relax for a moment in the adjacent gardens to savour the beautiful flowers and laugh at the cheeky ducks. Application form with your Secretary. Ticket Allocation Date Monday 18 March 2024.

Saturday 11 May 2024  WALK NENE VALLEY WETLANDS – RUSHDEN LAKES
9.45am for 10am start    5 miles.

We will meet outside the Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre to explore this new reserve on the River Nene, between Rushden and Irthlingborough. Parking in Rushden Retail Park is free for 5 hours. Highlights along the way include the Sculpture Trail and the Skew Bridge Loop, and we then walk through some of the reserve, following the old railway track and returning via the riverside path. There are a variety of eating places in the retail and leisure park adjacent to the Wetlands to enjoy your lunch.
Venue: Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre, Boardwalk, Rushden Lakes, Rushden, NN10 6FA


Friday 17 May 2024   CHELMSFORD NATIONAL FLOWER SHOW, ESSEX  
Coach only Members £28, non-Members £31 Projected Ticket cost: £20, payable on the day

The ticket (purchase on the day) includes entry to: Hylands House, whose flower theme this year is “Hollywood @ Hylands”; the Floral Pavilion; the Country and Home Pavilion; the Craft and Gift Pavilion; the Food and Drink Pavilion; and the largest outdoor show area to date! Hopefully the day will be fine so that we can see the show at its best. Some of the exhibits are in the themed Pavilions, so it should not be too much of a problem if we do get some inclement weather! No doubt there will be something you will want to buy. Application Form with your Secretary. Ticket allocation Date Monday 8 April 2024

Friday 17  May 2024 at 10am  and Friday 24 May 2024 at 2pm
GREAT BILLING WATER TREATMENT CENTRE
Cost: £3, Members only (numbers restricted)

Following last year’s resolution looking at river water quality, we have planned these visits to learn more of the facts behind waste water treatment. Application Form with your Secretary. Ticket allocation Date Monday 8 April 2024

Friday 24 May 10am  SUMMER COFFEE MORNING  £3, including coffee and cake
WI House  10am to 12 noon

An opportunity to hear about the work of The Nene River Valley Trust from our speaker, Molly Simpson.  No need to book. Just turn up.


Wednesday 12 June 2024  BADDESLEY CLINTON AND PACKWOOD HOUSE

Join us for the day to visit two NT properties in Warwickshire. First up is Baddesley Clinton, in the heart of the ancient Forest of Arden – a medieval Great House with gardens. We will have lunch there and have the opportunity to browse the shop for gifts and plants. A short distance further on is Packwood House, remodelled to create a Tudor house replica. Exotic tapestries from all over the world are on display, together with plants on the house walls and blossom trained through the kitchen garden. Application Form with your Secretary. Ticket allocation Date Monday 2 May 2024

Friday 14 June 2024   GREAT BIG GREEN WEEK  Cost Members £10, non-Members £13 (includes cream tea)
Great Houghton Village Hall  2pm - 4pm

Bring your friends and enjoy a delicious cream tea as we mark The Great Big Green Week. Our expert speaker, Brian Eversham, CEO, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust, will talk about how local wildlife has responded to Climate Change, and how we can help. Application Form is with your Secretary Ticket allocation date Tuesday 7 May.




Wednesday 28 June 2024  PRESIDENTS AND SECRETARIES WORKSHOP
WI House  7pm     Members Only £5

If you are new to either of these roles in your WI, or feel that you could do with a refresher, do come along to this joint workshop, where members of the Membership and Training Sub-Committee will be pleased to help with any queries. Application Form with your Secretary. Ticket Allocation Date is Monday 3 June


Saturday 5 October    CRAFT FAIR   £12 per table
WI House  10.30am to 1.30pm  

Tables are for WI members only and there will be no external traders at this event. To assist with administration and invoicing tables must be booked through your WI secretary. Tables will be allocated on a ‘first come. first serve’ basis and, depending on uptake, may have to be limited to one per WI. All are welcome to come along and enjoy the refreshments available throughout the event. Application Form with your Secretary this month. Closing date Monday 15 July 2024