Looking Ahead to What's On

2025

2025 June 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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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  Approx 4.25 miles
Enjoy a scenic summer walk, via Wollaston Lock, through the Nene valley.  No stiles.
The Stags Head, 1 The High Street, Great Doddington NN29 7TQ
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Saturday 13 September  Pepple Art Workshop  with Tina Bodsworth Members £20 Non-members £25
WI House  10.30am or 1.30pm
This time we're going to be creating pictures from pebbles, shells, sea glass on strong watercolour card 5x7inch.  Tina's workshops are always popular so we have arranged to run two on the date day.  Ticket Allocation date is Friday 15 August.

Tuesday 16 September 2025  -  WI DAY - Cream Tea with speaker, Jules Osmany
Great Houghton Village Hall, Leys Lane, Great Houghton, NN4 0AN
1.45pm to 4.15pm   Members Only £10.00  
We are delighted to confirm that Jules Osmany has agreed to be our Guest Speaker at our WI 110th Birthday Cream Tea. Jules is a regular presenter on BBC Radio Northampton with Bernie Keith.
Jules has an interesting and varied life and will talk about her time in the Beauty industry, appearance on Come Dine with Me, Red Lippy day for Dementia and her media presence.
We know this will be a popular event so to accommodate more members it will now take place at Great Houghton Village Hall, just off the A428 on the outskirts of Northampton.  
Apply via your Secretary by 1 September.

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Saturday 27 September - County Walk Raunds - Stanwick Lakes
9.45am for 10am start  Approx 5 miles.
This is a circular walk exploring the Lakes and their history. We walk along Hogs Dyke and, via the A45 underpass, into Stanwick Lakes There are toilets and a café at the Lakes. We return via Meadow Lane. Lunch, if wanted, can be booked at the Bell Café sited opposite the car park

SAVE THE DATE
Saturday 4 October - Wired Fabric Flowers Workshop  £18 members ONLY plus £5 for materials 
WI House
Wired Fabric Flowers Workshop with Julie Williams - a telaxing and fun morning.

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Saturday 11 October 2025 NCFWI AGM
10am – 4pm   Northampton High School for Girls
Plans for the AGM are progressing well. In addition to Lucy Lewis, the speaker we announced last month, we have a second speaker, Jodie Mutch, from the Maggie’s Charity. Jodie will talk about the work of the Maggie’s charity and what a difference they make to people living with or affected by cancer. She’ll also tell us all about the new Maggie’s Centre being built at Northampton General Hospital – the orange one! As well as Jodie, we will be joined by a Maggie’s storyteller or perhaps an oncology nurse who have had first-hand experience of the Maggie’s charity.
There will be a shopping hour, 10.00-11.00, prior to commencement of the Annual Meeting, with more time to shop at lunchtime.

Further information
Observer Tickets £12.50 (Delegates attend for free). “Meal Deal” bags £7.50 payable with application.
Application Form is with your secretary this month. Refreshments will be available to purchase at all the breaks.
Lunchtime “Meal Deal” bags can be purchased in advance. Members will not be able to bring their own food into the school.
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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

Saturday 25 October - County walk near Harleston
9.45am for 10am start  
Details to follow in September News Sheet

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

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SAVE THE DATE
Friday 12 December - An Evening of festive entertainment with Northampton Rock Choir
Festive Refreshments included £10 (members) £13 (non-members)
The Abbey Centre, East Hunsbury, Northampton

2026

EXCITING NEWS – SAVE THE DATE  
Friday 24 – Sunday 26 April DENMAN STYLE RETREAT ***
Staverton Park Hotel and Golf Club
Together with Warwickshire Federation, we are planning a weekend residential retreat based on the old Denman Federation Weekend model. We have former Denman tutors lined up including Claire Muir, Pat Lumsdale and John Vigar. Other activities currently under consideration include walking and paper cutting. More information will be sent with the September news-sheet so watch this space. In the meantime, start saving