THE Frome Women’s Institute (WI) will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and they are asking people to consider joining them for an exciting year ahead.
“What is your image of the WI?” says the group’s secretary, Bridget Bradford. “Frome WI does neither jam nor Jerusalem, but we do eat cake whilst enjoying a varied and interesting programme of monthly meetings. We also have a book group and members organise occasional outings and most importantly we make friends and discover new interests. Currently we have 20 odd members. My guess is that we are aged mid 30s to mid 70s, i.e. no crimplene! Time in Frome varies from ‘since birth’ to ‘arrived last week’.
“The potential for a WI is limitless – originally the organisation was established to promote friendship and education for women but it quickly generated the ability to campaign on issues of significance to its membership (did you know Keep Britain Tidy, Family Planning, Equal Pay and Breast Cancer Screening all had WI annual resolutions at their heart).
“There are 12 current campaigns that WIs are taking action on addressing various health, justice and environmental issues. ‘Campaigning’ takes many forms – just talking with friends and family about an issue as a result of learning about it is positive action which can have unexpected and wide ranging results.
“As well as 11 monthly meetings all members receive copies of WI Life – an inspiring read about members and WIs around the country – look out for back copies in waiting rooms around the town just as soon as this is possible. Denman College where residential courses were run is now permanently closed, however the pandemic generated the move to online lectures and courses at a very affordable £5 per session with dozens of options each week.
“Another spin off from Covid has been the creation of ‘virtual WIs’ for those who cannot, or prefer not to, attend in person and offers the ability to ‘attend’ WI with friends or family in other parts of the country or even across the globe.
“As well as all of the above, Frome members have access to activities organised by Somerset Federation of WIs and the option to attend meetings of the Frome Group WIs as a visitor, or as a dual member (Kilmersden, Leigh on Mendip, Buckland Dinham).
“The world of WI is huge and you can access as much or as little as suits you. Why not dip your toe in the water and come along to Frome WI’s March meeting on 21st March at 7.30pm at the Cricket Club in Rodden Road. Our speaker is Jane Swayne of Gilbert & Swayne talking about her chocolate journey – with examples available to purchase.
“For our 10th anniversary year annual membership of Frome WI is reduced by £10 to £34 (April 2022 to March 2023) or you can come as a visitor for £4 per meeting and we all pay a donation for refreshments.”
Frome WI’s intended programme for the 2022/23 year is: March: Chocolate; April: Walk on Easter Monday; May: Fizz & Cake Retrospective; June: AGM; July: A local author; Aug: Arts/craft with member Jo; Sept: Jamie’s Farm; Oct: Lantern making for Xmas Lights; Dec: Christmas Social; Jan: Let’s get Physical; Feb: Birds of Prey; Mar: Honey.
For more information, visit the group’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/FromeWI
