womens instatute

[Deleted User] · 10/01/13 - 11:22

Im trying to get out more and meet more people as apart from going out with my husband and kids im becoming a bit of a hermit, im 40, does anyone know if i would be out of place or is that an old fashioned idea i have?

[Deleted User] · 10/01/13 - 11:28

I don't know anyone who is a member, but they seem to do lots http://www.thewi.org.uk/

[Deleted User] · 10/01/13 - 11:36

I think its a good idea. I'm going to look for one when we move house as we are relocating and I think its a great way to meet other like minded women. I'm 30, from what I've seen women of all ages are members.

gemma-the-husky · 10/01/13 - 11:42

nice idea, but i expect it helps if you go to church,

i expect WI is still an off shoot of the C of E

Red Whine · 10/01/13 - 11:48

WI is a non religious organisation, any one of any age,race or religion can join.

Hotgossip · 10/01/13 - 11:54

I don't go but my friend runs the local one. Ages range from 30ish to about 80 I think. You can go along to 2 meetings for free before deciding if you want to join.

It depends a lot on where you live. In some parts of the country where new WI's have been set up they seem to have a very young, vibrant membership. Others have got stale and stuck in their ways.

[Deleted User] · 10/01/13 - 12:15

Thanks everyone, think i will find out how to join up

LadyMinerva · 10/01/13 - 12:57

Hotgossip wrote: »

I don't go but my friend runs the local one. Ages range from 30ish to about 80 I think. You can go along to 2 meetings for free before deciding if you want to join.

It depends a lot on where you live. In some parts of the country where new WI's have been set up they seem to have a very young, vibrant membership. Others have got stale and stuck in their ways.

The one near us is run by yummy mummy wannabes who live for Emma Bridgwater and yearn for a country life. Awful!

Hotgossip · 10/01/13 - 13:40

LadyMinerva wrote: »

The one near us is run by yummy mummy wannabes who live for Emma Bridgwater and yearn for a country life. Awful!

Ah ha, Kirstie Allsop wannabes? Cath Kidston tat galore and the more the merrier! Yuk!

Did you see the Kirstie series where she was entering country shows with her cakes and flower arrangements? That was a hoot .... the rules are adhered to 100% but they don't seem to consider artistic flair or originality. Needless to say Kirstie won just about everything she entered.;)

gemma-the-husky · 10/01/13 - 13:47

Red Whine wrote: »

WI is a non religious organisation, any one of any age,race or religion can join.

I see - I had assumed that the assocation with Jersualem implied at least a loose Christian/C of E affinity.

annette kurten · 10/01/13 - 14:14

it`s pretty chic, young and fresh here and apparently it`s happening everywhere, no church links at all:

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/News/New-look-WI-plans-to-blog-belly-dance-and-tackle-DIY-20072012.htm

And although knitting will still feature, the ramped up WI is likely to see members having a go at everything from self defence and dancing the Charleston to picnic punting and cocktail making. Traditionally male pursuits like basic car maintenance and DIY skills are also on the agenda

susie-4964 · 10/01/13 - 14:49

I don't know if it's still around, but there used to be an organisation called the National Housewives' Register. They were a bit more intellectual than the WI, lots of talks and interesting visits, rather than jam. I was a member for several years when the children were young, it was a good way to meet people.

davidmcn · 10/01/13 - 15:32

susie-4964 wrote: »

I don't know if it's still around, but there used to be an organisation called the National Housewives' Register.

Now called the National Women's Register (though that still sounds like something a court puts you on...)

Call_me_Dave · 10/01/13 - 15:43

I read the thread title as 'woman in a statue'.

susie-4964 · 10/01/13 - 16:35

davidmcn wrote: »

Now called the National Women's Register (though that still sounds like something a court puts you on...)

Yup, once a woman, always a woman. People should be warned!

[Deleted User] · 10/01/13 - 17:53

Very good idea IMO!

Starry Eyed · 10/01/13 - 17:56

LadyMinerva wrote: »

The one near us is run by yummy mummy wannabes who live for Emma Bridgwater and yearn for a country life. Awful!

That sounds horrendous.

If not for my various health problems I'd join something like the WI. I think it would be a great way to meet people. But it really would depend on what the local one is like, and if it was full of yummy mummies or overly "PC" hipster types I'd run away screaming. I suppose it's the luck of the draw whether your local WI is going to be worth joining or not.

bart4858 · 10/01/13 - 18:10

Red Whine wrote: »

WI is a non religious organisation, any one of any age,race or religion can join.

Men too?

Hotgossip · 10/01/13 - 18:42

Starry Eyed wrote: »

That sounds horrendous.

If not for my various health problems I'd join something like the WI. I think it would be a great way to meet people. But it really would depend on what the local one is like, and if it was full of yummy mummies or overly "PC" hipster types I'd run away screaming. I suppose it's the luck of the draw whether your local WI is going to be worth joining or not.

The one I went to for 2 "free-goes" had no yummy mummies but there were several Parish Council women who like to organise everyone. There were 2 women in their thirties who I think were there just to get away from their kids as they nearly fell asleep.

It was great actually because a woman turned up to try it and she'd come straight from doing her horses. She was covered in hay/straw, had about 20 layers of clothes on and big muddy boots. I know her but nobody else did and their faces were a picture when she came in. I beckoned her over to sit with me.:)

[Deleted User] · 10/01/13 - 18:47

Don't they bake cakes all day and slag men off?

I wish I could join but my anatomy won't let me.

mred2000 · 10/01/13 - 18:51

gemma-the-husky wrote: »

I see - I had assumed that the assocation with Jersualem implied at least a loose Christian/C of E affinity.

Nope. It's linked to the WI through it being used for the women's suffrage movement in the early 1900's. It was a political song (using lyrics from a William Blake poem) for a while before being picked up as a hymn.

SeasideLady · 10/01/13 - 21:25

Starry Eyed wrote: »

But it really would depend on what the local one is like, and if it was full of yummy mummies or overly "PC" hipster types I'd run away screaming. I suppose it's the luck of the draw whether your local WI is going to be worth joining or not.

The ones near us are full of older ladies mostly. They have some quaint competitions between members. We had to laugh when we read in the local paper that they had run a competition for the most clean gentleman's shoe, and that three ladies had submitted one and been marked 1st, 2nd and 3rd

ppaupy · 10/01/13 - 21:27

bart4858 wrote: »

Men too?

Nope not men...I tried to join about 5 years ago.

bart4858 · 10/01/13 - 22:02

ppaupy wrote: »

Nope not men...I tried to join about 5 years ago.

Would have been a good place to meet women I'd have thought.

ppaupy · 10/01/13 - 22:04

bart4858 wrote: »

Would have been a good place to meet women I'd have thought.

Great if you are straight...:D

Starry Eyed · 11/01/13 - 11:44

SeasideLady wrote: »

The ones near us are full of older ladies mostly. They have some quaint competitions between members. We had to laugh when we read in the local paper that they had run a competition for the most clean gentleman's shoe, and that three ladies had submitted one and been marked 1st, 2nd and 3rd

I'd be comfortable around older ladies - I grew up with a large cluster of great aunts and uncles.

I think the WI is cute. I don't mean that in a patronising way but sometimes something quaint like that can be a nice escape from the fast-paced, high-tech world we live. I imagine WI are a comfort for a lot of people.

Hey there!

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