Welcome to East and West Hendred WI
The East and West Hendred Women's Institute was established in 1921 and we will be celebrating our 90th birthday next year. Our members come from local towns and villages and we feel we are a 'modern women's group with a traditional ethos'.
Our membership consists of 50 women of all ages and backgrounds. We want to be part of the community spirit, make friends, learn new (and consolidate old) skills, benefit the surrounding community and feel part of it.
Monthly Meetings
We meet on the third Thursday of every month at Snells Hall Community Centre, East Hendred at 7:30 pm. We advise members of any notices from the Oxfordshire Federation and discuss any issues with the group. We then have a speaker or other activities that the committee think may be of interest to the members. Sometimes we have 'Open Meetings' enabling non-members to attend.
Other Events
In addition to our monthly meeting we run a wide variety of events which have included a visit to the Houses of Parliament; a day out viewing the gardens of Highgrove, the home of Prince Charles; theatre trip to see 'Calendar Girls' in London and to see 'Blythe Spirit' at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury; a thanksgiving service at Christchurch Cathedral in Oxford to celebrate the Oxfordshire Federation's 90th anniversary and a private opening of Hatfield House. We always welcome ideas from our members as to the type of speakers and events they would like to see.
We visited Aston Potteries, Aston, Oxfordshire in April and had a guided tour of the Potteries viewing the painting and glazing process followed by a demonstration by a local potter. We then had the opportunity to paint our own pot (mug, jug, plate, bowl etc) followed by lunch.
Our latest outing was a 5 mile circular walk from the Ridgeway to West Ilsley in June, stopping for lunch at The Harrow where we met with other members for lunch.
Committee Meetings
Once a month, usually the week before the main meeting, the Committee (voted in annually at our AGM in March) meet at one of the committee members homes. Any member wishing to get more involved in the WI and become a member of the committee is encouraged to do so.
Our membership consists of 50 women of all ages and backgrounds. We want to be part of the community spirit, make friends, learn new (and consolidate old) skills, benefit the surrounding community and feel part of it.
Monthly Meetings
We meet on the third Thursday of every month at Snells Hall Community Centre, East Hendred at 7:30 pm. We advise members of any notices from the Oxfordshire Federation and discuss any issues with the group. We then have a speaker or other activities that the committee think may be of interest to the members. Sometimes we have 'Open Meetings' enabling non-members to attend.
Other Events
In addition to our monthly meeting we run a wide variety of events which have included a visit to the Houses of Parliament; a day out viewing the gardens of Highgrove, the home of Prince Charles; theatre trip to see 'Calendar Girls' in London and to see 'Blythe Spirit' at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury; a thanksgiving service at Christchurch Cathedral in Oxford to celebrate the Oxfordshire Federation's 90th anniversary and a private opening of Hatfield House. We always welcome ideas from our members as to the type of speakers and events they would like to see.
We visited Aston Potteries, Aston, Oxfordshire in April and had a guided tour of the Potteries viewing the painting and glazing process followed by a demonstration by a local potter. We then had the opportunity to paint our own pot (mug, jug, plate, bowl etc) followed by lunch.
Our latest outing was a 5 mile circular walk from the Ridgeway to West Ilsley in June, stopping for lunch at The Harrow where we met with other members for lunch.
Committee Meetings
Once a month, usually the week before the main meeting, the Committee (voted in annually at our AGM in March) meet at one of the committee members homes. Any member wishing to get more involved in the WI and become a member of the committee is encouraged to do so.
Our September 2010 Meeting - "Cantering Through a Funny Life"
Sir John's friends, Archie and Jumbo
Susan Howe's talks reflect her exceptional experiences and her love of history as a living vibrant subject. What marks her out as different is the funny, individual conversational way that she speaks without notes. Susan has a phenomenal memory for quirky and unusual facts and qualified as a London Tourist Board Registered Blue Badge Guide, the most prestigious qualification in the profession.
Her topic is entitled "Cantering through a funny life" as PA to Sir John Betjeman and Archie, his celebrated teddy bear; cooking for Brigette Bardot's ex. Gunter Sachs in St. Moritz; "1066 & All That", revelations of a London Guide ... in between tracking down tigers in the jungles of India and avoiding being eaten.
Visitors are welcome to attend this meeting with an entry fee of £2 which includes tea/coffee and a delicious slice of cake.
Like to join us?
If you would like to join the East and West Hendred our membership fee is £29.50 each year which is broken down as follows: The National Federation receives £10.35, The Oxfordshire Federation receives £6.30 and £12.85 goes to each individual WI.
Julie Pearce is our hardworking secretary and can be emailed through our Contact page for further information.
Those interested in joining our WI are welcome to attend their first meeting as a guest.
Her topic is entitled "Cantering through a funny life" as PA to Sir John Betjeman and Archie, his celebrated teddy bear; cooking for Brigette Bardot's ex. Gunter Sachs in St. Moritz; "1066 & All That", revelations of a London Guide ... in between tracking down tigers in the jungles of India and avoiding being eaten.
Visitors are welcome to attend this meeting with an entry fee of £2 which includes tea/coffee and a delicious slice of cake.
Like to join us?
If you would like to join the East and West Hendred our membership fee is £29.50 each year which is broken down as follows: The National Federation receives £10.35, The Oxfordshire Federation receives £6.30 and £12.85 goes to each individual WI.
Julie Pearce is our hardworking secretary and can be emailed through our Contact page for further information.
Those interested in joining our WI are welcome to attend their first meeting as a guest.
For more information on
the aims of the W.I. please follow this link to the National Federation Women's Institute web site
www.womens-institute.co.uk.
the aims of the W.I. please follow this link to the National Federation Women's Institute web site
www.womens-institute.co.uk.
We are proud to be a branch of the Oxfordshire Federation of Women's Institutes. As part of the National Federation of Women's Institutes, we belong to the largest voluntary organisation for women in the UK with over 200,000 members throughout England, Wales and the Islands.