New WI in Huntingdon will shake off “jam and Jerusalem” image
the WI - Credit: Archant
A new WI group has been launched in Huntingdon and will hold its inaugural meeting on January 13.
The Cromwell Meadows WI is keen to shake off the misconception that the WI is about jam and Jerusalem and says the modern organisation is a “force to be reckoned with”.
In fact, in recent years the WI, nationally, has campaigned on the environment, climate change and revitalising rural communities.
Karen Smith, who helped to set up the group, said the WI offered the chance to have fun and make friends and she hoped new members would see it as the beginning of something new.
“The existing WI in Huntingdon closed two years ago and initial interest for the new group has been quite strong. Around 20 women have attended start up meetings and expressed interest. Starting a new group offers lots of exciting possibilities.”
The Cromwell Meadows WI will be officially registered with the National Federation of WI’s on January 13 and will meet at the WI Centre at 6a Walden Road in Huntingdon. Meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of each month, from 7pm to 9pm.
The Women’s Institute (WI) was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War. Since then the organisation’s aims have broadened and the WI is now the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK. The WI will celebrate its centenary in 2015 and currently has 212,000 members in over 6,300 WIs. The WI plays a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to them and their communities.
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“The WI offers the chance to make new friends and have fun, to pursue interests and learn new skills and belong to a bang-up-to-date national network of women,” added Karen.
INFO: call Karen on 07863 299545.
Subscription is £37.50 for the year.
