Stoke Gifford WI
President Sue Grimsted welcomed members and visitors to our meeting on 4 June. Our speaker this evening was John Caldicott who told us about the Foundling Hospital in London.
The Foundling Hospital was first established in 1739 by Thomas Coram, a Sea Captain, who was shocked to see so many babies abandoned in the London streets. It was the first home for babies of unmarried or destitute mothers who were unable to care for their babies. It took him 17 years to find enough sponsors to help fund a building to house some of these infants in order for them to be fed, clothed and educated.
It was a fascinating talk which covered the history of this challenging endeavour and which, at times, was very moving.
Our next meeting on Wednesday 2 July will be our 59th birthday meeting and we have booked Sarah Weaver, reflexologist, to entertain us. We will also be having an American Supper which always provides us with lots of delicious treats.
Visitors will always find a warm welcome at our WI group which is held on the first Wednesday of the month in the Trust Hall, Stoke Gifford so please come along and join us.
Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes
The Avon Federation of Women’s Institutes (AFWI) continues to be busy, supporting and leading the WIs in our area. Following the 2024 annual meeting last September, when several trustees stood down, we are a smaller board of trustees and, for the first time in AFWI’s history, we have a joint chair – Lorna Tarr and Judith Massey are sharing this position.
Another first for AFWI is a virtual WI. Since the pandemic and lockdowns, using virtual methods for communication has increased, and a number of virtual WIs have been formed throughout the country. AFWI have now formed their first one – Skylarks WI. If you are a woman who likes the concept of joining WI but cannot get to in-person meetings, this may be the answer. Just look up Skylarks WI online and the rest is easy. You will have the same opportunities as in-person members – a monthly meeting with speakers telling their experiences on a wide range of subjects, the option of taking part in any of the events organised by AFWI, access to the WI Learning Hub where a wide range of courses are freely available, and belonging to the WI Organisation.
On the subject of events organised by AFWI, in recent months we had the holiday to Cheshire (husbands and partners were also welcome), when participants visited the National Trust’s Hanbury Hall, Denham Massey and Quarry Bank Mill & Styal Estate, plus RHS Garden Bridgewater, Salford Quays and Anderton boat Lift. There was also a day trip to Blenheim Palace, a willow weaving workshop, and the annual Federation Quiz which is always popular.
Forthcoming events include the summer lunch at Saltford Golf Club, Music for a Summer Evening, Singing Workshop, visit to Organic Blooms, and the 2025 Annual Meeting on Tuesday 23 September at BAWA, Southmead Road, Bristol. At this meeting we will be celebrating AFWI’s 50th anniversary.
AFWI currently has more than 3,500 members across 90 WIs. If you would like to add to that number and join WI, you can contact our office on 0117 9864782 to find the WI nearest to you; investigate forming a new WI in your area; or join Skylarks virtual WI. We look forward to hearing from you.