News & Reports

Have a Go Archery - Taster Session 2024

This took place on a Tuesday morning July.  We all arrived with our waterproof coats and were wondering about our ability to do this sport.  7 members from across the County and 2 husbands took part in the session at the South Oxon Archery Club.

The club members who ran the activity were excellent teachers and they made it fun for all the participants. When balloons were added to the targets, we manged to prove how good we were when each group managed to burst their balloon.  The rain held off till the last 10 minutes.  This event was very successful and was very much enjoyed by all the participants.

Margaret Latham Bursary Winner 2024

Report by Helen Thomson

I attended ‘An Introduction to Natural Dyeing Course’ on Saturday 29th June.  Run by Elka Sustainable Textiles, Mere, Wiltshire

When I received the fabulous news that I had won a Margaret Latham Bursary I knew what I wanted to learn more about!  I have had an interest in Natural dyeing for a couple of years but found the process quite confusing.  There seemed to be plenty of information online, but I really wanted to have a face-to-face learning experience.

It was a beautiful warm day; the course was run by Claudia from her beautiful home in Wiltshire. For the next 6 hours I was immersed in the world of natural dyeing, we covered the history of using plants as dyes, different types of fibres- plant and animal and then onto the process itself.

It was very ‘hands on’ and we made samples of wool, cotton, linen and banana fibres to dye. We made dye baths using white onion skins, madder, weld and coreopsis. The day ended by learning all about Indigo and the opportunity to make a cotton bag ‘tie dyed’ with indigo.

It was a wonderful day and I now have the confidence to make natural dyes at home and dye both fabric and yarn.

Stella Austin Cup Competition 2024

“Memories”

BFWI Arts & Crafts sub-committee invite you to create an item of “Memories.”

Let your imagination take flight!  Use anything that evokes special memories – vintage fabrics, beads from a broken necklace, trimmings from a favourite item of clothing, buttons (most of us have inherited at least one button box from a past generation).       The list is endless!

You may wish to remember a special occasion, holiday, childhood or hobby. The sky is the limit!

Please include a short description of the mediums you have used to help the judge “build up a picture” as to how you have developed your piece of work. Thank you.

The competition is open to all Berkshire WI members, including Associates.  The entry must be the work of the competitor herself.  Multiple entries permitted.

Completed work, entry form and cheque to be received at the Federation Office by Thursday 28 November 2024. If acknowledgement is required, please say so and enclose SAE. Entry fee £7 per item (cheques payable to BFWI).

Federation Event

Spring Council Meeting 2024

The Berkshire Federation Spring Council Meeting was held on Friday 12th April 2024 at the Michael Malnick Centre, Leighton Park School Reading RG2 7ED

After the singing of Jerusalem County Chairman Annette Dolphin welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Mayor Councillor Tony Page .

Following the Business part of the meeting WI Members enjoyed a seated Relaxation Yoga Session with Jenny White.

Sarah Denly Ball spoke about the work of a WI Adviser.  Jan Guiver talked about ACWW and Jean Sheppard gave an interesting insight into Resolutions past and present.

The guest speaker was 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 talked about her great love of the Countryside, her adventures in standing up for wildlife, read from her book and answered questions on how we can all do more, in standing up for nature.

The Margaret Latham Bursaries were drawn, five lucky recipients.  The Golden Jubilee Cup was presented to Brimpton WI for their design of a Berkshire Federation Banner, the banner is in the process of being made and will be on display at the 2025 Annual Council Meeting.  Birthday Certificates were presented to WIs.

The raffle was drawn and everyone stood for the National Anthem.

NFWI Annual Meeting 2025

The next NFWI Annual Meeting will be on Wednesday 4th June 2025 This will be an online screening from the NFWI Office in London

The Following are Reports of previous years Events

2019 was Berkshire Federation of WIs Centenary.  Adelaide and Emily, our Centenary ladies travelled around Berkshire during the Centenary year.  With one doll spending one whole week visiting each institute in the west of the county and the other doll visiting each institute east of the county.  The girls were definitely looking for adventures during each visit.  

Each institute arranged entertainment to show the girls the very best of Berkshire in the WIs own area.  The opportunities were endless and lunches and teas were high on the list.   They each travelled with their own journal to record their escapades.

Adelaide and Emily were named after Mrs Adelaide Hoodless, founder of the WI in Canada and Mrs Emily Morrell our very first Berkshire Federation Chairman.

Thanks went to Mrs Pam Stubbs a member of Arborfield and Newland WI for beautifully crafting these girls especially for the Berkshire Centenary celebrations.

Adelaide Adventures with Redlands WI

Adelaide spent an action packed time with Redlands WI!  She enjoyed an outing to the pub, a guest appearance on BBC Berkshire Radio, an exciting visit to the Royal Berkshire Hospital Maternity unit and much much more..........

Emily's Adventures with Hamans Water WI

Emily visited Harmans Water WI, she enjoyed a trip to Littlecote House, an afternoon tea and a lovely ride home with their member Julie.

Travel Bags

Adelaide & Emily's travel bags each were packed for their travels in 2019

Centenary Needlework Exhibition

30th April 2019 - 11th July 2019

The Old Chapel Textile Centre

Main Street, Greenham Business Park, Newbury, RG29 6HW

Shaw-Cum-Donnington WI Report Back

Nimble Fingers

Members of Shaw-cum-Donnington WI and friends have produced their first batch of knitted items for Royal Berkshire Hospital. Items include traffic light hats for small babies, modesty blankets and armbands for use by dementia patients. We have also recently sent shawls. Further production is underway and we’re very grateful to  everyone who has supported this project.  Delivery to RBH is imminent!

Burghfield WI Report Back

Thursday 13th September 2018

Osborne House, Isle of Wight

Burghfield WI recently enjoyed a day trip to the Isle of Wight to visit Osborne House. Burghfield members and friends had an excellent sunny day walking around the wonderful grounds and exploring the private beach where Queen Victoria bathed in the sea. Ice cream on the private beach, exploring the great house followed by an enjoyable lunch made for a really great day out.

Binfield WI, Celebrating 100 years

Friday 22nd June 2018

The All Saints Church, Binfield

A truly wonderful celebration of all things WI. Members of Binfield WI transformed the church into a glorious display of flower arrangements, craft work, cake displays and memorabilia for members of public to visit and gain insight into WI life over the last 100 years.

Federation Event

'Strictly' Sparkly

Held on Tuesday 21st & 28th February 2017

Just a glimpse of some of the dresses that were on show at our recently 'Strictly' Sparkly event. A full report back on the event and more photographs will follow in the Berkshire News.

Federation Event

WI Open House, Craft & Wool Sale

Held on Saturday 29th October 2016

Another successful open morning at WI House Mortimer, very well attended by members right across Berkshire. Its always lovely to meet members of other institutes and put names to faces. There was certainly some bargains to be had in the craft and wool sale, and of course not forgetting the lovely cakes on sale.

International & public Affairs Sub-Committee Event

Russia

Held on 20th October 2016

The International & Public Affairs Russia event was a great success today. Jean Sheppard give us a super presentation of her trip - St Petersburgh to Moscow. The photos were beautiful. After coffee we had a very interesting talk about our energy from Rob Salter-Church. We were pleased to learn that we would be fine if "if Putin switches the gas off"'!!! We had an exhibit of Russian memorabilia belonging to committee members, a Traidcraft stall absolutely laden with goodies, and the Save Denman bags, car stickers and badges were on sale. A very enjoyable morning.

Leisure Sub-Committee

Feel The Silk - Taste The Gin

Held on Friday 16th September 2016

A good day had by all that attended. First our visit to the oldest working silk mill in the UK at Whitchurch, followed by an afternoon at Laverstoke Mill a 'state of the art sustainable distillery' which produces every drop of Bombay Sapphire Gin.

Federation Event

'Sounds of Summer' Concert

Held on Saturday 18th June 2016

A wonderful concert on Saturday evening, everyone had a very good time.  The programme had a good variety of music and it ended like the 'Last Night of the Proms'.  The Woodley Concert Band were fabulous and everyone that attended really enjoyed the evening.

Federation Event

WI House open day

Held on Saturday 21st May 2016

It was lovely to see so many members support this event.  The wool and plant sale was a success, and we hope you are all pleased with your purchases. Many members also enjoyed the chance to chat over a nice cup of tea/coffee and slice of cake.