Future events
The following events are open to members and non members and their friends and family unless otherwise stated.
A BFWI events application form must be completed and posted or emailed to the Organiser of the Event, the form can be found under Forms, Enclosures and Downloads
Please contact WI House on 0118 933 3448 or the event organiser for more details
Federation Event
3 Crafts in a Day
Decoupage, Needle Felting and Boro
Come and join likeminded crafters on Thursday 21st March 2024 10.00 a.m. - 3.30 p.m. at Padworth Village Hall RG7 5HD.
You will decorate a small trinket box with decoupage paper then create a needle felted project which will be glued into the recess of the box lid.
Boro is an ancient Japanese mending technique combining darning and applique. Your "new" piece of fabric can be used as a panel/book cover/purse or to make a greetings card.
Please bring a basic sewing kit - pins, large eyed needles, scissors, a soft pencil and a ruler. The tutor will have materials and threads for you to choose from but if you have any oddments of thin, natural fibre materials please do bring them along.
The price is £25.00 which includes all materials and teas/coffees throughout the day. Please bring a packed lunch and a mug for beverages.
Apply using the Berkshire Events Form available from your WIs Secretary or download from the Berkshire WI website.
Payment details are shown on the Events Form and details of who to send to is in the January / February Berkshire News.
Federation Event
Spring Council Meeting
The Berkshire Federation Spring Council Meeting is to be held on Friday 12th April 2024 at the Michael Malnick Centre, Leighton Park School Reading RG2 7ED
The guest speaker is Nicola Chester, who was one of the female pioneers of "the new nature writing" and remains the longest running female columnist for the RSPB. Nicola is also a columnist for Countryfile Magazine and a Guardian Country Diarist, she has written an award winning memoir, on Gallows Down, a love letter to a small corner of Berkshire.
Nicola will talk about her adventures in standing up for wildlife, read from her book and answer questions on how we can all do more, in standing up for nature.
Full details of how to attend the Spring Council meeting as a delegate or an observer are available from your WI Secretary.
Federation Event
Spring Walk
BFWI invite you to join a spring walk on Thursday 18th April.
It is kindly being hosted by Sulhamstead WI. A 60 to 90 minute walk will be led through bluebell woods and on local footpaths and passing Ufton Court. Returning to the Church Hall for hot drinks and cake, and a short talk about St James’ Way, the Reading to Southampton part of the Camino to Spain.
Meet at 9.45 a.m. at the Parish Room, St Mary’s Church, Sulhamstead Abbots, RG7 4ED. Parking is available in the small carpark behind the hall, in Shortheath Lane or in Sulhamstead Road.
The cost of this is £8. Payable by bank transfer or cheque to BFWI. If you choose to pay by bank transfer please quote WALK04/24 as the reference
To apply please complete the Berkshire Events Form, then email to Nina Derrick or post to WI House, The Street Mortimer RG7 3RD.
Federation Event
Craft Stash Sale at WI House
Friday 26th and Saturday 27th April 2024
10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
Come along to WI House to browse and purchase just what you need to add to your own Craft Stash!
The family of the late Ruth Fagg, who was Chair of the Berkshire Federation’s Arts & Crafts
sub-committee for many years, have generously donated much of her “stash” to raise funds for the Federation. As many of you will remember, Ruth organised a variety of workshops and was a very accomplished crafts person.
The items for sale show the diversity of her skills – yarn/threads/beads/card blanks with envelopes, materials and more – the list is endless!
We look forward to welcoming fellow crafters to Berkshire WI’s HQ in April.
Tea/coffee/cake will be available to purchase on both days.
Federation Event
Living Crafts at Hatfield House by Coach
Friday 10 May 2024
£36.00 Cheque Only please on this occasion, payable to BFWI
Join BFWI for a memorable day out at the 50th Living Crafts exhibition in the beautiful parkland setting of Hatfield House, Hertfordshire.
Living Crafts is a one-stop creative shopping (or just browsing/admiring) experience, showcasing contemporary arts and crafts of an exceptional standard in Pavilions across the site.
Please be aware that this event takes place in parkland and that the ground may be uneven in places.
Visitors are also able to have access to the West Garden near Hatfield House, including the Wilderness areas and the beautiful Sundial Garden next to the Old Palace. There are also over 1000 acres of parkland with nature trails and woods to explore.
A reminder that all Berkshire Federation events are open to family and friends as well as members.
Pick-up points: Newbury Bus Station, Mereoak Park & Ride and Braywick Leisure Centre.
Please make sure you state which pick-up point you require on your application form.
To help with organising this event, please apply as soon as possible.
Federation Event
World Bee Day in the East
Monday 20th May 8.00 p.m. Gilchrist Thomas Village Hall Littlewick Green SL6 3RF
A wonderful opportunity for WI members in the east of the County to attend World Bee Day, this evening is a repeat from the World Bee Day in Padworth in 2023.
We start with a talk by a local bee keeper, Rob from Meadow Honey Farm, then a Beetle Drive after the refreshments.
Local Honey will be available to purchase and there will be a raffle with bee-autiful prizes to win.
£8.50 per person which includes tea and honey cake, other bee related refreshments will be available.
Friends and Family welcome.
Payment details are shown on the Events Form and details of who to send to is in the January / February Berkshire News.
Federation Event
Speakers Selection Audition Meeting
Tuesday 21st May
The next Speakers Selection Audition Meeting will be at Knowl Hill Village Hall RG10 9XB. 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. Doors opena t 7.00 p.m. Price£6.00 per person to include tea and coffee - please bring your own mug.
Come along to hear new speakers audition for entry into the Berkshire Federation Yearbook. Please apply using the Berkshire Events Application Form, available from your WI Secretary or download from this website. The form gives you the payment options.
Due to the popularity of these meetings places are limited to three per WI. Please apply promptly.
Federation Event
Dinosaurs!
Tuesday 11th June 7.30 p.m. 7.30 p.m. £5 adults £2 Children. Earley Crescent Resource Centre Warbler Drive Lower Earley RG6 4HB
Drink will be available to purchase. Entry price includes cake.
Dino-Dogma The True Story of a Global Phenomenon - Join us for a journey of scientific exploration, from the earliest dinosaur discoveries to the latest and the one fossil that started it all.
Please apply using the Berkshire Events Application Form, available from your WI Secretary or download from this website. The form gives you the payment options. Full details are in the Berkshire News.
Federation Event
Birds and Bingo!
Monday 5th August 2.00 p.m. Earley Crescent Resource Centre Warbler Drive Lower Earley RG6 4HB
Bring all the family for a talk and demonstration by Sadie of Fur and Feathers Falconry. After the refreshments there will be Bingo.
Please apply using the Berkshire Events Application Form, available from your WI Secretary or download from this website. The form gives you the payment options. Full details are in the Berkshire News.